The First Call 10-28-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

According to Morning Consult, which surveyed 2,210 adults Oct. 22-23, 58% of self-identified LIV Golf fans said they have not watched any of the seven tournaments prior to this week's LIV Golf Team Championship in Miami, Florida. Also, despite the jump of such well-known players as Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson, 79% of those same fans said they were interested in watching the PGA Tour coverage, while 70% were interested in watching LIV Golf.

> Question of the Week: Just like in Major League Baseball, if you could have a walk-up song, what would it be and by which artist or group?

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

> Pawns chasing Saudi blood money come to Doral as LIV Golf wraps up its inaugural season
[Greg Cote | Miami Herald | Read]

> Donald Trump says PGA Tour 'mishandled' decisions around LIV Golf
[Bob Harig | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> How do you really grow the game of golf? Ask the lone players from Bahrain and Iraq competing at the Asia-Pacific Amateur
[John Huggan | Golf Digest | Read]

> Sergio Garcia comfortable forfeiting chance at '23 Ryder Cup nod
[Rex Hoggard | Golf Channel | Read]

> Grayson Murray injured in severe scooter accident ahead of 2022 Butterfield Bermuda Championship
[Averee Dovsek | Golfweek | Read]

THE INDUSTRY

Topgolf Callaway Brands to attend the 2023 PGA Show

Golf and lifestyle company announces a multiyear agreement; will activate a new educational experience in the PGA Show equipment area

True Linkswear debuts All Day pants

Golf lifestyle brand's 5-Pocket and Chino pants are built for comfort, versatility and performance; range in waist sizes 28 to 32 inches, available in six colors

Arcis Golf launches frequent player programs in Phoenix market

Benefits of the Arcis Players' Prime program include best rates available, daily range privileges and 14-day advance booking throughout the region

Announced: By the R&A, Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation and Masters, that the 14th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship will be held at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Oct. 26-29, 2023. Royal Melbourne last hosted the championship in 2014.

#QOTD

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it."

— Yogi Berra

ICYMI

Barney Adams, 83, remains an innovator at heart

Eschewing retirement, Adams continues to revolutionize golf equipment as Breakthrough Golf Technology follows up its Stability putter shafts with the cleverly designed ZNE wedge shafts

How a return to Scottish golf helped a grieving father

In this excerpt from 'When Revelation Comes: A Journey Across the Sacred Links of Scotland,' author Jim Hartsell writes of his youngest son, his loss and seeking peace in Scotland

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished this past week up 18% vs. 2021, due to decreased precipitation throughout the entire country. Precipitation levels fell by at least 60% in six of the eight regions.

The North region had the most significant increase in rounds this past week as precipitation levels fell by 73% vs. prior year. Also, the average temperature increased by 6 degrees from 47 to 53 degrees.

California grew rounds for the first time since the end of August as weather significantly improved vs. prior year.

> The Central Valley and Great Plains regions both had increases of over 30% in rounds vs. prior year due to lower precipitation.

> Average Days Out increased back to the normal trend level at just under three days.

> The Central Valley region is forecasted to have the best performance over the next five days, projecting to finish up 75% vs. prior year. The first three days of last year experienced severe inclement weather.

TUNING IN

LIV Golf: LIV Golf Miami Team Championship
Site: Trump National Doral, Doral, Florida.
Streaming: Today-Sunday, LivGolf.com.

PGA Tour: Butterfield Bermuda Championship
Site: Port Royal Golf Club, Southampton, Bermuda.
Television: Today-Sunday, 1:30-4:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard

DP World Tour: Portugal Masters
Site: Dom Pedro Victoria Gofl Club, Quarteira, Portugal.
Television: Today-Sunday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard

CALENDAR

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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