The First Call 10-14-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

For Dustin Johnson, 38, this week at the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah will be an instance of the rich getting richer. Last week in Bangkok, Johnson earned enough points to secure LIV Golf's inaugural Individual Championship, a title that includes an $18 million bonus. Add that to the roughly $12 million he has won in LIV starts and Johnson has already banked $30 million since the start of June — or roughly 40% of what he earned in 15 years on the PGA Tour. Now, Johnson tees up at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, a venue where he won the 2019 and 2021 Saudi International at Royal Greens. At the very least, Johnson will leave with $120,000, but he could also add another $4.75 million to his account with a win and team title.

> 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

> 'I see the PGA Tour trending downwards': Phil Mickelson takes his strongest stand for LIV Golf
[Bob Harig | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> Puttshack gets $150 million from BlackRock to fuel mini golf-entertainment growth
[Erik Matuszewski | Forbes | Read]

> Stockton Golf & Country Club files for bankruptcy
[Aaron Leathley | The [Stockton, Calif.) Record | Read]

> College-age golfers and college golf; a force for good in golf
[Stuart Lindsey | Pellucid Perspective | Read]

Yeti makes being hot cool

Cooler manufacturer hosts the inaugural Heat Strokes Open on an Austin, Texas, day when the temperature — and par — was a sizzling 103

THE INDUSTRY

Coeur d’Alene retains Dan Shepherd Public Relations for services

Worley, Idaho, destination increases DSPR services to include promoting the resort, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, and its cultural activities and amenities

Pizá Golf, GEO Foundation partner for sustainable golf

Collaboration will result in the Desértica project at Cuatro Ciénegas, Mexico, where the 'Butterfly Golf' course will respect its natural surroundings

College Golf Experience announces JTNC Holiday Preview Camp Series

Camps provide juniors the opportunity to simulate college golf practice rounds and engage with college golf coaches in Monterey and Paso Robles, California

deWiz tests in-tournament swing data capture with Vijay Singh, Notah Begay

Wearable tech captures comprehensive swing data, providing new layer of understanding of how swings differ on the range vs. inside the ropes

Early commitments headline 2022 Pelican Women’s Championship

Seven of the world’s top-10 players are scheduled to compete in LPGA tournament, Nov. 7-13, at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, and for share of a $2 million purse

Golftec's Driver for HOPE initiative supports PGA nonprofit, military

Company will make a $1 donation for every lesson given through Nov. 11 with all proceeds benefitting PGA HOPE

Cobra Puma Golf returns to 2023 PGA Show

Company announces to exhibit its complete product lines at the 70th edition of the PGA Show, Jan. 24-27, in Orlando, Florida

Continued: By the USGA, its investment in First Tee by commemorating a 25-year partnership with the awarding IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility) grants to 25 chapters across America. In 2022, the chapters from Massachusetts to California were awarded up to $25,000 each to provide transportation, hire diverse coaches, train volunteers and build programs in diverse communities, among other activities.

#QOTD

"I've always been famous, it's just no one knew it yet."

— Lady Gaga

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

Golf Channel's 'Altered Course' was ahead of its time

'Going Pro with Kelly O.' host Kelly Okun interviews competitors Kyla Inaba and Eileen Kelly about their experience on the show, golf fitness and a number of other golf-related topics

TFC PODCAST NETWORK RECENT EPISODES
> Behind the Golf Brand: Charlie Mechem tells tales of friends Arnie Palmer, Jack Nicklaus
> Going Pro With Kelly O.: Behind the scenes of Golf Channel's 'Big Break'
> The First Call Podcast Network: All episodes

LISTEN

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished this past week up 9% vs. 2021 due to decreased rainfall (-80%) in all regions of the country, excluding the Northeast region. The Central Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions had the largest year-over-year growth in total rounds.

> Florida experienced significant recovery in rounds as this region was up 66% in total rounds versus the prior week. This increase in rounds was mainly due to a decrease in rainfall (-81% vs. 2021) following Hurricane Ian. Markets in the Southwest portion of Florida continue to perform significantly worse than last year, but are more than offset by significant rounds growth in Florida markets that suffered minimal to no effects from Hurricane Ian.

> Weekday play as a percentage of total rounds has continued to increase vs. 2021.

> The Mountain Pacific region is forecasted to have the best performance over the next five days projecting to finish up 10%.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Zozo Championship
Site: Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club, Chiba, Japan.
Television: Today, 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: Today-Sunday, LivGolf.com.

DP World Tour: Estrella Damn Andalucia Masters
Site: Real Club Valderrama, Sotogrande, Spain.
Television: Today, 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: Today-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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