The First Call 10-22-2021

FIRST THOUGHT

Rickie Fowler's name has been in the news quite a bit of late, aided by his T-3 finish at last week's CJ Cup. This week, Fowler is in Japan for the Zozo Championship. But it's not the even-par 70, which included a triple bogey on the 17th, that was catching Golf Channel viewers' attention. Instead, it was his brief, but spot-on commentary while serving as a guest analyst following the round. Should Fowler continue to struggle on course, he appears to have served notice that a seat in the booth might be as lucrative.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> The most enjoyable PGA Tour players to watch on TV — and a few to skip
[John Hawkins | Morning Read | Read]

> Sand Valley resurrecting The Lido Golf Club in Wisconsin
[John Marshall | The Associated Press | Read]

> 21,281 counterfeit clubs, components and pieces of apparel seized in raids in China
[David Dusek | Golfweek | Read]

Why Jack Burke Jr., 98, finally sold Champions Golf Club

Sixty-four years since co-founding the famed Houston club, Burke sells to his son, citing youth as key to the club’s continued success

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

The Savannah Golf Club can trace its beginnings to 1794, making it the oldest functioning private golf club in the U.S. The Charleston Golf Club claims its history began earlier, in 1739 with the arrival of Scottish golf clubs. The site, though, was not officially a golf course until 1900.

Source: Longitudes Group Green Grass database

INDUSTRY NEWS

Yuka Saso commits to Pelican Women’s Championship

7 of the top 10 in the world, including world No. 1 Nelly Korda and 2020 champion Sei Young Kim, are entered into the championship scheduled for Nov. 8-14

8 Circling Raven Championship participants earn LPGA membership

Professional golfers springboard from tournament at CDA Casino Resort to sport’s highest tier for women

Puerto Rico leads way in travel recovery; Island tourism thrives

U.S. Travel Association’s Recovery Dashboard reports that visitor spending in 8 U.S. states is up 1% to 9% from 2019, while Puerto Rico is up 23% over 2 years ago

Spirit International Amateur Championship announces field

Whispering Pines GC to host event Nov. 4-6 that will be available via livestream on GolfChannel.com, the NBC Sports app and on TheSpiritGolf.com

FEATURES

How Galway Bay is elbowing its way into a crowded outerwear space

CEO Brian Finnerty joins 'Behind the Golf Brand' podcast to discuss how there is plenty of market share to go around, but that ultimately the superior products rise to the top

LISTEN

#QOTD

"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it."

— Maya Angelo

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played continue to remain strong throughout October. Rounds played this week exceeded performance from prior week. Total rounds played were up versus 2019 by +93% and down versus 2020 by -3%,

> For the third successive week, average national temperatures exceeded temperatures for same week last year. Weekend temperatures were up over 5 degrees versus 2020 on average.

> The Northeast and North have finished as the strongest regions over the past week as warmer temperatures are beginning to extend seasons past close dates from prior year.

> Positive demand is expected to continue over the next week. Rounds are forecasted to finish up versus prior year in Florida and the Great Plains.

TUNING IN

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

LPGA: BMW Ladies Championship
Site: LPGA International Busan, Busan, South Korea.
Television: Today-Sunday, 5:30-10 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay).

PGA Tour Champions: Dominion Energy Charity Classic
Site: The Country Club of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
Television: Today-Sunday, 2-5 p.m. (Golf Channel).

European Tour: Mallorca Golf Open
Site: Golf Santa Ponsa, Balearic Islands, Spain.
Television: Today, 7 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).

CALENDAR

NOVEMBER
6: RARE, Bear Creek Golf Club in Dallas, Texas | Info
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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