The First Call 11-01-23

FIRST THOUGHT

For four players, winning this week's World Wide Technology Championship would have added meaning just for the lone fact that it's being played in Mexico. That's because Isidro Benitez, Roberto Diaz, Jose Cristobal Islas and Sebastian Vazquez all hail from Mexico. The quartet has combined for 76 PGA Tour starts, 61 belonging to the 36-year-old Diaz, who also has the best finish among the group. Diaz tied for eighth at the 2019 Travelers Championship. Benitez and Islas have yet to make a PGA Tour cut.

IN THIS ISSUE

> TFC Inbox: Can there be such a thing as too much golf? | Read

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

If the goal of the men's majors is to have the world's best players, then shouldn't the qualification standards for LIV players be reviewed — and possibly changed?

Send replies on this question or other topics and questions you would like to have asked to shall@buffalogroupe.com. For a response to be published, you must include your first and last name, along with the city and state of residence.
> Read responses to last week's question.

INDUSTRY NEWS

SuperStroke: Debuts Pantheon golf bags with stand, hybrid and cart models

High-performance luxury golf bag line is available exclusively on SuperStrokeUSA.com and boasts contemporary designs and functional protective features in black or white

The Club at Starr Pass: Welcomes new leadership team

The Tucson, Arizona, club adds David Loomis as general manager, Lucy Matthews as director of golf, David Lee as head golf professional, Chad Parron as superintendent and Jennifer Huebner to oversee golf sales/marketing

Tagmarshal: Cites 30 courses for operational excellence

2023 Diamond Awards recognize continuous on-course improvement while another 150 clubs receive platinum and gold awards for significant performance improvements

GCSAA: Olayemi Ojeokun wins Larry Powell Scholarship

Ojeokun, who is completing her master’s degree at Kansas State University, wants to contribute to the maintenance and improvement of courses and turf grasses

True Spec: To open location at Floridian National GC

Club fitter to open its seventh Florida location in Palm City on Nov. 1; facility will feature fittings using Foresight GCQuad launch monitor technology and total 50,000-plus clubhead and shaft combinations

Stewart Golf: Independent study examines exercise on the golf course

Led by Graeme Close, professor of Human Physiology at Liverpool John Moores University, the study shows that using an electric caddie or push cart is just as good for a golfer as carrying clubs

SwingU: Announces partnership with Drexel University

Head men’s golf coach Ben Feld to use SwingU Coach platform to deliver advanced statistical reporting to his coaching staff and players

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> 'I don’t see any way': Davis Love III says PGA Tour deal with Saudi Arabia's PIF unlikely to hit deadline
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

> How Tiger Woods’ new golf league will look: Format, competition, dates
[Sean Zak | Golf.com | Read]

> Why so serious? The PGA Tour needs a return to the silly season
[John Hawkins | Sports Illustrated | Read]

#QOTD

"Success is never accidental."

— Jack Dorsey

ICYMI

TFC Inbox: Can there be such a thing as too much golf?

The PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Fall runs through Nov. 19, meaning there is a 46-day break before the 2024 season begins. The First Call readers weigh in on whether the season should end with the Tour Championship in early September

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: World Wide Technology Championship
Site: El Cardonal at Diamante, Los Cabos, Mexico.
Television [ET]: Thursday-Saturday, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

PGA Tour Champions: TimberTech Championship
Site: The Old Course at Broken Sound Club, Boca Raton, Florida.
Television [ET]: Friday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, noon to 3 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

LPGA Tour / Japan LPGA: Toto Japan Classic
Site: Taiheiyo Club (Minori), Ibaraki, Japan.
Television [ET]: Today-Thursday, 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. (Golf Channel); Friday, 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 11 p.m. to 2 a .m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard

European Challenge Tour: Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final
Site: Club de Golf Alcanada, Mallorca, Spain.
Television [ET]: Thursday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Sunday, 5:30-10:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
Storyteller Danielle Tucker talks golf and a 25-plus-year radio career
The Hawaii-based host of 'The Golf Club Radio Show' joins host Colin Weston to share tales of her more than quarter century in journalism and how her show has evolved
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Adare Manor on deck for 2027 Ryder Cup
Irish Minister Catherine Martin joins 'Golf Innerview' host Ann Liguori to discuss golf in Ireland and preparation for the next European Ryder Cup
[Listen | More "Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori" episodes]

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
The healing power of golf for kids who can use a boost
PGA Teaching Pro Kevin Corn joins host Colin Weston to discuss the impactful program he spearheads at the Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital outside of St. Louis
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

Make Golf Your Career

> Master Club Fitter (Sales)
Club Champion — Bedford
Bedford, Massachusetts | Info

> Merchandise Coordinator / Sports Shop Assistant
Encanterra Country Club
Queen Creek, Arizona | Info

> Head Superintendent
Rocky Bayou Country Club
Niceville, Florida | Info

> View a complete listing of jobs

Make Golf Your Career is a golf industry DE&I initiative launched by Make Golf Your Thing that allows job seekers to search, find and apply for opportunities throughout the industry in one place.

CALENDAR

NOVEMBER
5-8: International Association of Golf Administrators Conference, Frisco, Texas | Info

> View complete calendar

To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.