The First Call 10-12-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

If Cameron Young is lamenting his position in the world golfing order, he need only look to Scottie Scheffler for inspiration. On Sept. 15, Young was ranked No. 17 in the Official World Golf Ranking entering the 2022-23 PGA Tour season. He was the highest-ranked player without a victory in his PGA Tour career. Scheffler was in that similar position at the start of last season and went on to win four times, including the Masters, and moved to World No. 1 on March 27. Young makes his season debut at the Zozo Championship this week.

> Question of the Week: Does LIV Golf's recent strategic alliance with the MENA Tour, which has been a part of the Official World Golf Ranking since 2016, strengthen the new Saudi-backed league's argument for why it should receive world ranking points?

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

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> LIV Golf players should get ranking points, Hideki Matsuyama says
[Stephen Wade | Associated Press | Read]

> How should LIV Golf wins be weighted? Here’s what the data says
[Sean Zak | Golf.com | Read]

> Podcast E118: Mark Broadie thinks putting is overrated
[The Golfers Journal | Listen]

> Florida Gulf Coast golf courses are returning after Hurricane Ian, but much work remains
[Dave Seanor | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> Sergio Garcia fined by DP World Tour for unexcused WD, looks set to let membership expire and be ineligible for Ryder Cup
[Ryan Herrington | Golf Digest | Read]

Nine new neutrals for fall apparel

With leaves changing bright red, orange and gold, the subdued and fashionable hues of neutral colors will make any wardrobe pop this autumn

THE INDUSTRY

TMRW Sports announces key staff appointments

Hires include Scott Armstrong, vice president, Gameplay and Tech Integration; Marysol Fuhr de Blanch, vice president, People and Culture; and Jon Kropp, vice president, Digital Media

PXG launches special-edition Stars & Stripes 0311 3X Forged Wedges

Company's new, exclusive design pays homage to its military roots and features a laser-etched pattern against PXG's Xtreme Dark finish

KemperSports set to manage 4 Columbus, Ohio, area public golf courses

Company adds to its growing Midwest golf portfolio; now has 18 new golf and sports facilities management deals in 2022

Club Champion launches 2-day fall flash sale

Clubfitter offers a 15% bonus on denominations up to $1,000 on every gift card purchase through Oct. 12

Club + Resort Business names The Club at the Dunes the top patio in U.S.

The private Naples, Florida, club receives the golf and hospitality industry trade publication's honor in the Top Ranked Private Club and Resort Patio in the U.S. category

Sqairz partners with Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Company will donate a portion of sales from its bestselling Freedom pink golf shoe for women and Speed pink shoe for men directly to the BCRF

T-Shotz to host Oct. 29 golf clinic to benefit Play for P.I.N.K.

Kansas City golf, entertainment and restaurant venue to raise breast cancer awareness with clinic

OnCore Golf partners with LetsFCancer for a 2nd year

Company reintroduces its pink ribbon logo golf balls benefiting LetsFCancer, a non-profit organization that provides access for early detection and support to those diagnosed with cancer

Golftec opens instruction, clubfitting center outside of Salt Lake City

Company adds a 2,345-square-foot facility in Lehi, Utah, with four indoor bays that feature Tecswing and Foresight Sports simulators for lessons, clubfitting and practice

Enhanced GCSAA Conference and Trade Show offers interactive experiences

Orlando, Florida's Orange County Convention Center to host golf course management’s biggest event in February

Announced: By the LPGA, that Hanwha, a global business conglomerate, will serve as title sponsor for the Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown. The team match-play competition showcases the best players from the top eight countries. It will return to the LPGA Tour calendar for the first time since 2018 and will be held at San Francisco’s TPC Harding Park, May 4-7, 2023.

#QOTD

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."

— Thomas Edison

ICYMI

Design Notes: Florida’s St. Johns Golf Club gets an Erik Larsen facelift

Tim Liddy renovates Indiana’s Harrison Lake; Donald Ross’ Wampanoag in Connecticut breaks ground on a restoration

RELATED
> Spain's Finca Cortesin debuts new first hole for 2023 Solheim Cup
> Davis Love III returns to UNC to renovate Finley Golf Course

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

Charlie Mechem tells tales of friends Arnie Palmer, Jack Nicklaus

'Behind the Golf Brand' host Paul Liberatore interviews the former LPGA commissioner about his book, 'Arnie and Jack,' which highlights his longtime relationships with two of golf's greatest players

TFC PODCAST NETWORK RECENT EPISODES
> Going Pro With Kelly O.: Behind the scenes of Golf Channel's 'Big Break'
> The ModGolf Podcast: Markus Westerberg merges golf, entrepreneurship to form deWiz

LISTEN

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Zozo Championship
Site: Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club, Chiba, Japan.
Television: Today-Thursday, 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. (Golf Channel); Friday, 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. (Golf Channel).

LIV Golf: LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah
Site: Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Adbullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia.
Streaming: Friday-Sunday, LivGolf.com.

DP World Tour: Estrella Damn Andalucia Masters
Site: Real Club Valderrama, Sotogrande, Spain.
Television: Thursday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel).

PGA Tour Champions: SAS Championship
Site: Prestonwood Country Club, Cary, North Carolina.
Television: Friday-Sunday, 2-5 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

CALENDAR

OCTOBER
26: Fore Hire Virtual Job Fair | Info

NOVEMBER
6-9: International Association of Golf Administrators, Point Clear, Ala. | Info

JANUARY
23-25: Golf Business Conference, Orlando, Fla.
24-27: PGA Show, Orlando, Fla. | Info

FEBRUARY
6-9: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Orlando, Fla. | Info
10-12: West Michigan Golf Show, Grand Rapids, Mich. | Info

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

THE LAST CALL

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