The First Call 09-24-2021

FIRST THOUGHT

Relax, we're all in this together. Opening day of the Ryder Cup is not unlike the first round of March Madness. We say we'll be "working," but the reality is we'll be sneaking peeks at the nearest TV or following it online. So, let's shed the charade and embrace this day that comes around every two — or in the latest instance three — years. Here is all you need to get you ready and this morning's pairings.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> At the Ryder Cup, the fans are part of the show
[Paul Sullivan | New York Times | Read]

> ‘He’s a dreamer’: Augusta winery investor lays out plan for golf course in winery forest
[Steph Kukuljan | St. Louis Post-Dispatch | Read]

> Seth Waugh, head of the PGA, says the world needs the Ryder Cup
[Paul Sullivan | New York Times | Read]

> Europe’s home-course edge over America at a Ryder Cup in Wisconsin
[Andrew Beaton / Joshua Robinson | Wall Street Journal | Read]

> Your Ryder Cup week greater Sheboygan beer guide
[Chris Drosner | Milwaukee Magazine | Read]

> He's the real deal, this man named Bob Beach
[Jim McCabe | Power Fades | Read]

Ryder Cup's massive merchandise tent bustling with buyers

Ryder Cup Merchandise Tent — 2021 / Whistling Straits

Increased licensees, varied Ryder Cup logo offerings and, surprisingly, the weather are contributing to high sales figures as consumers clamor for merchandise at Whistling Straits

Nike Q1 results miss the mark

The company's uber-heavy reliance on Vietnamese factories is to blame for the bleak outlook

Fact of the Day

DID YOU KNOW?

Across America, 44% of private golf clubs have swimming pools. The Southwest, at 51%, has the highest percentage of private golf club swimming pools.

Source: Longitudes Group Green Grass database

THE INDUSTRY

PGTAA now offers home-study certification

Professional Golf Teachers Association of America's certification will feature theoretical and practical applications related to teaching and learning golf concepts

FEATURES

Winning formula: How Herb Kohler succeeded in hospitality

The American Club resort hotel in Kohler, Wis., which this week is hosting guests attending the Ryder Cup, is operating proof that the third-time-is-a-charm mantra can be true

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds finished down -19% over the past week versus 2020, ending behind the prior week’s performance by -8% overall.

> For the second week in a row, nationwide average temperatures were above prior year, with this week finishing over 6 degrees warmer nationally versus 2020.

> Even with average nationwide temperatures up, rounds played remained behind the prior week as increased precipitation was present all week. The last few days had more than double the amount of rainfall versus 2020.

> The Mountain Pacific continues to show strong demand as total rounds are slightly behind 2020 for the week, but up over 70% vs 2019.

> Demand is expected to pickup heading into the weekend. California and the Mountain Pacific are estimated to see stronger weekly performance than prior week.

#QOTD

"A company becomes the people it hires, not the plan it makes."

— Sam Altman

TUNING IN

PGA of America: Ryder Cup
Site: Whistling Straits (Straits), Sheboygan, Wis.
Television: Today, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 8-9 a.m. (Golf Channel), 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. (NBC).

LPGA: Walmart NW Arkansas Championship
Site: Pinnacle Country Club, Rogers, Ark.
Television: Today, 9-11 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay); Saturday, 1-4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, noon to 3 p.m. (Golf Channel).

PGA Tour Champions: Pure Insurance Championship
Site: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif.
Television: Today, 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay); Saturday, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel).

CALENDAR

NOVEMBER
9-10: National Golf Course Owners Association Multi-Course and Resort Operators Retreat 2021, Monterey, Calif. | Info
21-24: World Golf Expo 2021, Hainan, China | Info

JANUARY
25-28: PGA Merchandise Show, Orlando, Fla. | Info

FEBRUARY
5-10: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, San Diego, Calif. | Info

To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.

LAST CALL

The Friday morning pairings.
Let the games begin.@Rolex | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/w5ozZSxzIh
— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 23, 2021