The First Call 10-21-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

If not for a bogey at the Congaree Golf Club's 18th hole on Thursday, Tom Kim, 20, would be tied for the first-round lead at the CJ Cup instead of a stroke back. Since August, Kim has become a refreshing story in a year highlighted by contention between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. He's won twice on the PGA Tour — the Wyndham Championship and Shriners Children’s Open — and had a fun-filled Presidents Cup, going 2-3. Not that Kim needs to be thinking about a career change, but should he be thinking long term, he may have a shot as a television journalist.

> 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

> This week's PGA Tour venue has one member and one member only and is using golf as a force for good
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

> Rory McIlroy explains why fewer PGA Tour events is good for fans | Golf.com
[Sean Zak | Golf.com | Read]

> Masters-Heritage combo a reality of 2023 golf season. How PGA Tour’s best are preparing
[Bob Spear | The State | Read]

THE INDUSTRY

Reeves GC opens first Toptracer Range in Cincinnati

Cincinnati Recreation Commission announces the opening of the range, which features 10 covered bays, professional lessons and club fittings

Mistwood GC awarded FairWays Foundation grant for The Farm

Chicagoland course receives $9,000 grant for work toward The Farm, a sustainable and environmentally responsible method of golf course maintenance, food growth and food service

Los Cabos leads the way in Conde Nast Traveler survey

Several properties in Mexico's luxury destination sweep the 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards and 13 place in the Top 20 Resorts in Western Mexico category

ECWPGT alum graduates to LPGA via Epson Tour

Yan Liu, 24, was recognized on Oct. 9 at LPGA Headquarters as the first card-carrying member of the LPGA to have played on the East Coast Women's Pro Golf Tour

#QOTD

"Laughter is a bodily exercise, precious to health."

— Aristotle

ICYMI

Golf+ tees up an A-list of investors

A virtual reality idea that took hold in 2021 now has the backing of golfers Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Ben Crenshaw, along with Tom Brady, Stephen Curry and Mike Trout

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

Growing golf is as simple as extending an invitation

Laura Diaz, senior director of community and inclusion for the LPGA, joins 'The ModGolf Podcast' guest host Dr. Greta Anderson to discuss how the game can be better represented

TFC PODCAST NETWORK RECENT EPISODES
> Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori: Lydia Ko reflects on past, present and what's to come
> 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

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished this past week down 9% vs. 2021 due to increased precipitation throughout most of the country as well as colder temperatures in the North region. The North region had the most significant decline in rounds over this past week as the average temperature dropped by more than 10 degrees from 56 to 46 degrees. Mountain Pacific was the only region that increased rounds year over year. This region had less rain, as well as temperatures warming up from 58 to 65 degrees.

> Florida performance leveled off vs. last week as there was a significant increase in rainfall over last year. Markets in the southwest portion of Florida continue to have shortfalls vs. prior year as they are in the process of recovering from Hurricane Ian.

> Average Days Out per booking fell to below 2 days for the first time this year.

> The North region is forecasted to have the best performance over the next five days, projecting to finish up 84% vs. prior year as temperatures are forecasted to improve by 10 to 15 degrees. Also, some northern markets began to close for the season, so there should be a favorable wrap there.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: CJ Cup in South Carolina
Site: Congaree Golf Club, Ridgeland, South Carolina.
Television: Today-Sunday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | 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: Today-Sunday, 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

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

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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