The First Call 09-29-23

FIRST THOUGHT

In the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, the United States jumped to a 3-1 lead over Europe in the opening foursomes matches. So why has European captain Luke Donald decided to make foursomes the opening format in this week's playing at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club outside of Rome? Because it's historically been a format that Europe has thrived, especially on home turf. In the five matches played in Europe this century, the Euros have compiled a 14-8 record — six opening foursomes matches were played in 2010 due to weather. And Europe has a 7.5-0.5 advantage in the last two matches it has hosted.

IN THIS ISSUE

> Design Notes: Royal Birkdale unveils future changes | Read

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

How should the Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup be decided if the final score is a tie?

Send replies on this question or other topics and questions you would like to have asked to shall@buffalogroupe.com. For a response to be published, you must include your first and last name, along with the city and state of residence.
> Read responses to last week's question.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Golf Datatech: Apparel sales slowdown led by headwear

After 17 consecutive months of improved sales from February 2022 through July 2023, golf apparel was down for a second straight month in August, falling by 3.5%

Golf Datatech: End of season recovery for golf equipment sales

After 11 consecutive months of contracting sales thru on- and off-course channels, total golf equipment grew by almost 3% in August

Troon: Maui golf courses reopening

West Maui, Hawaii’s collection of resort and daily-fee golf courses are reopening following the wildfires of August 8 and rescue and recovery efforts in the weeks after the tragedy

Weatherman Umbrella: Official U.S. Ryder Cup umbrella now available

Collection features the golf-sized canopies and Collapsible Umbrella in two designs — the official U.S. Ryder Cup team umbrella and the official Ryder Cup event umbrella

Marin CC: Raises $200,000 for Okizu Foundation

Members and guests of the Novato, California, club raised money during a charity tournament to help families affected by childhood cancer to heal through peer support and mentoring

Pro Golf Weekly: Names Mike Bailey as travel editor

Bailey will produce a weekly review of golf destinations

SPONSORED

How to map your bag using SkyTrak+

Launch monitor helps take the guesswork out of each club's range of distances

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> The Ryder Cup is finally here. U.S. skipper Zach Johnson says it’s time to let the thoroughbreds loose
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]

> Craving the silence: Americans’ goal to take ‘home’ away from Rome
[Ryan Lavner | Golf Channel | Read]

> Mark Blackburn is coaching players on both teams at Marco Simone. Here's how he plans to stay neutral yet 'fully invested'
[Matthew Rudy | Golf Digest | Read]

> The Sneaky Data Teams Use to Moneyball The Ryder Cup | The Game Plan
[Golf Digest | Watch]

> Former Air Force golf coach gambled on sports, including Air Force football, NCAA says
[Cameron Jourdan | Golfweek | Read]

#QOTD

"If you don't have trust inside your company, then you can't transfer it to your customers."

— Roger Staubach

ICYMI

Design Notes: Royal Birkdale unveils future changes

Gil Hanse partners with Pebble Beach to redesign the Links at Spanish Bay; A redesign and name change at the Arizona Biltmore

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished down 7% vs. 2022 primarily driven by Tropical Storm Ophelia's impacts to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets over the weekend.

Ophelia made landfall near central Virginia on early Saturday, bringing much rain and wind to the Richmond, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina, markets, resulting in the Mid-Atlantic finishing down 30% in total rounds vs. 2022.

Ophelia then moved northeastward and impacted New England, New York and Philadelphia markets for the remainder of the weekend, resulting in the Northeast finishing down 23% vs. last year.

> Pacing over the next seven days is currently up 33% with all regions pacing higher than prior year.

The Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast are pacing the highest as post-storm demand surges and golfers return to the game.

> September rounds played continued to see a shift toward weekday as another weekend was negatively impacted by THE tropical storm.

TUNING IN

European Tour: Ryder Cup
Site: Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Guidonia Montecelio, Italy.
Television [ET]: Today, 1:30 a.m. to noon (USA Network); Saturday, 1:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. (USA Network), 3 a.m. to noon (NBC); Sunday, 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (NBC).
Scoring

LPGA Tour: Walmart NW Arkansas Championship
Site: Pinnacle Country Club, Rogers, Arkansas.
Television [ET]: Today-Saturday, 2-5 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

BEHIND THE GOLF BRAND
Rapsodo goes next level with the MLM2Pro
Justin Bryant, Rapsodo's community manager for golf, joins host Paul Liberatore to discuss the product's wild ride to market
[Listen | More 'Behind the Golf Brand' episodes]

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
The rise of golf in Uganda
Isaiah Mwesige, CEO of the Afriyea Golf Academy, joins host Colin Weston to tell the story of golf in his native land
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

DRIVER$
A new era for the PGA of America
Sandy Cross, the PGA of America's Chief People Officer, joins co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein to discuss the organization's past, present and future
[Listen | More 'Driver$' episodes]

Make Golf Your Career

> Teller Golf Links & Kolb
Wells Fargo
Tucson, Arizona | Info

> Line Cook
University of Louisville Golf Club
Louisville, Kentucky | Info

> Assistant Golf Professional (6 Months)
Geneva National Resort
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin | Info

> View a complete listing of jobs

Make Golf Your Career is a golf industry DE&I initiative launched by Make Golf Your Thing that allows job seekers to search, find and apply for opportunities throughout the industry in one place.

CALENDAR

OCTOBER
10-11: Golf Business TechCon, Las Vegas, Nevada | Info
10-14: Golf Heritage Society National Convention, Lexington, Kentucky | Info
23-25: National Links Trust Symposium on Municipal Golf, Washington, D.C. | Info

NOVEMBER
5-8: International Association of Golf Administrators Conference, Frisco, Texas | Info

> View complete calendar

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