The First Call 10-01-2021

FIRST THOUGHT

There was a whole lot to like about the Ryder Cup, but television ratings may not be one of them. Sunday’s 2.1 rating and 3.51 million viewers were the lowest totals of a U.S.-hosted Ryder Cup since 1997. Ratings and viewership dropped 21 and 18 percent, respectively, since the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. Friday’s Golf Channel viewership was 1.48 million, up from 1.3 in 2016.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Taavo Somer can make anything cool, even golf
[Alex Williams | New York Times | Read]

> Jim 'Bones' Mackay returning to caddie full time for Justin Thomas
[Rex Hoggard | Golf Channel | Read]

> Between the cream and the crop
[Christian Hafer | The Golfer's Journal | Read]

> Scottie Scheffler and Kyle Porter recap the Ryder Cup
[No Laying Up | Listen]

> 21 best fall cocktails for fireside sipping
[Kelly Vaughan | Salon | Read]

Fact of the Day

DID YOU KNOW?

The Southeast region accounts for 30% of all U.S. golf hard goods sold through sporting goods retailers. The two largest sporting goods retailers in this region are Academy Sports and Outdoor with 122 stores and Dick's Sporting Goods with 212.

Source: Longitudes Group Market Value Model 2021

INDUSTRY NEWS

Troon-affiliated facilities raise awareness for breast cancer

Throughout October, Troon-affiliated golf properties will have fundraising events to support Play for P.I.N.K., a national charity funding breast cancer research

Tiburon GC names John Sommers as head golf professional

The Naples, Fla., amenity of The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort taps Sommers to lead all golf operations for the 36-hole, semi-private facility

Primland's Highland Course rises on Golf Digest list

Golf amenity at Auberge Resorts Collection resort in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains stands out among 13,500 U.S. public venues

FEATURES

Golf’s growing data technology filters down to junior ranks

A partnership between FlightScope and the AJGA ensures that junior golfers have access to the latest data-tracking technology that helps raise their games

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds for the week finished down -13% versus 2020, though it was an improvement compared to the previous week. When comparing to 2019, demand continues to be very strong, finishing the week up +79%.

> Temperatures cooled off over this past week as average temperatures were behind 2020 by about 1 to 2 degrees nationally. Precipitation improved YOY, with average rainfall declining YOY by ~40%.

> For the week, 38% of the country finished up in rounds played versus 2020, the strong performance coming mostly from Florida, the Mountain Pacific, and the Mid-Atlantic areas.

> Next week, performance is expected to remain relatively consistent to this week with Florida continuing to be the leader within the U.S. with rounds forecasted to be up +4% versus 2020.

#QOTD

"A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."

— John A. Shedd

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Sanderson Farms Championship
Site: Country Club of Jackson, Jackson, Miss.
Television: Today-Sunday, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel).

LPGA: ShopRite LPGA Classic
Site: Seaview Golf Club (Bay Course), Galloway, N.J.
Television: Today-Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (Golf Channel).

European Tour: Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
Site: Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie Golf Links, Kingsbarns Golf Links, St. Andrews, Scotland.
Television: Today-Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 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

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