The First Call 10-19-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

When the PGA Tour's CJ Cup was created, the intent was for the tournament to be played in South Korea — and it was for the first three years (2017-19). Then COVID-19 struck and travel restrictions were put in place, so the tournament moved to the United States. At this week's edition at the Congaree Golf Club in South Carolina, there will be 13 players competing under the Korean flag, second only to the United States with 45. Tournament regulations stipulate that five players qualify via the KPGA, along with the three highest-ranked players of Korean nationality in the Official World Golf Ranking as of Oct. 3 not otherwise exempt. A quartet of players — Sungjae Im, Si Woo Kim, Tom Kim and K.H. Lee — competed in last month's Presidents Cup.

> Question of the Week: If you can change one rule in golf, what would it be?

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

> PGA Tour to announce four new 'elevated' events, including WM Phoenix Open
[Eamon Lynch | Golfweek | Read]

> Prestwick: The Original 12 Hole Open Course
[Cookie Jar Golf | Watch]

> Jon Rahm still not sold on PGA Tour’s new schedule requirements
[Jack Hirsh | Golf.com | Read]

> The next jaw-dropping course from Coore & Crenshaw is coming to Saint Lucia
[Shaun Tolson | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> LIV Golf showing just how much money can be made
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]

> Saudi Golf executive says LIV may host own majors, denies Tiger Woods reports
[Rex Hoggard | Golf Channel | Read]

Bear Dance: A mile-high success story

Colorado public-access course becomes a potent partner for the state’s PGA Section

The Drop: PXG unveils 0211 Woods

Club manufacturer releases a new line of drivers, fairways and hybrids that is high performing and comes with an affordable price tag

THE INDUSTRY

Arcis Golf to host Career Exploration Event on Oct. 28

College students in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are invited to learn about opportunities in the golf industry and listen to featured speaker Oris Stuart

Red Ledges celebrates 15-year anniversary

2,000-acre golf community in Heber City, Utah, unveils The Preserve at Lookout, 27 exclusive homes that border Red Ledges’ 395-acre nature preserve and feature panoramic views

Troon selected to manage Black Bull GC in Bozeman, Montana

Troon Prive, the private club operating division of Troon, will manage golf operations, food and beverage, golf course agronomy and membership marketing for the private club

Ivy Golf Institute, CGX partner for Ivy Junior Camp series

Two-day boys and girls camps — held in California, Florida and New Jersey — are hosted exclusively by Ivy League coaches to offer insights on playing golf in their league

GCSAA Golf Championships kick off Feb. 4 in Orlando

The 2023 edition, presented by Toro for the 29th year, features competitions for every skill level at Omni ChampionsGate Golf Resort and Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge

Pinehurst Resort renews Guest Drive Program partnership with BMW

Host venue for the 2024 U.S. Open to continue providing guests with complimentary access to the latest BMW vehicles during their stay at the resort

OnCore Golf joins 2022 PXG Women’s Match Play Championship

Company named the official ball of the championship, Nov. 1-6 championship at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida, and will provide all participants with its Elixr Tour ball

Golftec opens instruction, clubfitting center in Kansas City

Company opens a 3,058-square-foot facility that features four indoor bays powered by Tecswing and Foresight Sports and available for lessons, clubfitting and practice

Rio Verde CC expands golf professional staff

Rio Verde, Arizona, club welcomes Travis Boone as assistant golf professional and Garrett Granlund as director of instruction

Increased: By Cutalong at Lake Anna, its membership initiation fees to $50,000, while instituting a waitlist for the young executive and national membership options. The master-planned private golf community in Lake Anna is situated northwest of Richmond, Virginia.

#QOTD

"Winning is only half of it. Having fun is the other half."

— Bum Phillips

ICYMI

Design Notes: Robert Trent Jones II charts a course for Grenada’s Mulan

Pete Dye’s Keswick Hall in Virginia gets a Scot Sherman renovation; Philadelphia Country Club tabs Jim Nagle for its Flynn restoration

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

Lydia Ko reflects on past, present and what's to come

Two-time major champion and 17-time LPGA winner, still just 25, joins 'Golf Innerview' host Ann Liguori to talk about a wide range of topics, including collaborating on her own golf shoe

TFC PODCAST NETWORK RECENT EPISODES
> Going Pro With Kelly O.: Golf Channel's 'Altered Course' was ahead of its time
> Behind the Golf Brand: Charlie Mechem tells tales of friends Arnie Palmer, Jack Nicklaus

LISTEN

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: CJ Cup in South Carolina
Site: Congaree Golf Club, Ridgeland, South Carolina.
Television: Thursday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

LPGA Tour: BMW Ladies Championship
Site: Oak Valley Country Club, Gangwon, South Korea.
Television: Today-Saturday, 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard

PGA Tour Champions: Dominion Energy Charity Classic
Site: The Country Club of Virginia (James River), Richmond, Virginia.
Television: Friday-Sunday, 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

DP World Tour: Mallorca Golf Open
Site: Muntaner Golf Club (Palma), Mallorca, Spain.
Television: Thursday-Friday, 7 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Sunday, 7-11:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).

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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