The First Call 10-31-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

According to the National Golf Foundation, overall golf participation — the combination of on- and off-course golfers — will top 40 million Americans for the first time in 2022. Also, the number of people who play non-traditional, off-course forms — Topgolf, miniature golf and others — of the game in the U.S. will surpass the green-grass total for the first time.

> Question of the Week: In 2023, LIV Golf is hopeful its team model will lead to franchises being sold. Regardless of your opinion about LIV Golf, do you believe the franchise model is a viable option for golf?

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

> Dustin Johnson caps $35M year, leads team to season-ending LIV win
[Tim Reynolds | Associated Press | Read]

> Bryson DeChambeau, Bubba Watson denied earnings from a 2021 PGA Tour bonus pool
[Alex Miceli | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> Seamus Power hangs on to win in Bermuda for 2nd PGA title
[Associated Press | Read]

> The British Open will remain open, including for LIV Golf players
[Bob Harig | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> Back-nine rally at Asia-Pacific Amateur propels Australia’s Harrison Crowe to a career-changing victory
[John Huggan | Golf Digest | Read]

> Dale McNamara, legendary women's college golf coach who helped build the program at Tulsa, dies at 86
[Cameron Jourdan | Golfweek | Read]

TFC Inbox: Stepping up to the music

Readers of The First Call offer an eclectic list of songs they would like to hear when stepping up to the first tee; a deeper dive on divots; and why we just need to quit the hate

THE INDUSTRY

PXG Women’s Match Play Championship announces field, format

Field of rising professionals, amateurs and top NCAA players will play the Slammer & Squire Golf Course at World Golf Village, Nov. 1-6

#QOTD

"We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones."

— Stephen King

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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