The First Call 11-04-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

Of the 63 respondents to The First Call's poll question "When buying golf equipment, which do you want more from a club?" 44% selected "look and feel," followed by "direction" (35%) and "distance" (20.6%).

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> 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

> DP World Tour announces record purse for 2023 season, introduces new earnings assurance program
[John Huggan | Golf Digest | Read]

> Jim Nantz says he'd like to call the Masters '51 times, as bizarre as that sounds'
[Todd Kelly | Golfweek | Read]

> This Dallas-area private club and its energy baron owner have become champions for amateur golf
[Erik Matuszewski | Forbes | Read]

> Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth to play in latest iteration of 'The Match'
[Joel Beall | Golf Digest | Read]

> Bubba Watson puzzled by critics questioning LIV Golf guaranteed money
[Mark Schlabach | ESPN | Read]

How American sport finally shed its insularity: A totally late 1980s tale

Hal Phillips, author of "Generation Zero: Founding Fathers, Hidden Histories and The Making of Soccer in America," explains how Europe’s Ryder Cup rise played a role in soccer's growth in the U.S.

THE INDUSTRY

Greenwood Golf wins free exhibit space at the 2023 PGA Show

Golf apparel brand wins 'Share Your Story' contest at African American Golf Expo and Forum in Charlotte, North Carolina; Birdie Everything places second and Society 61 places third

KemperSports expands City of Portland partnership with 2 new courses

Company grows 15-year partnership with the Oregon city by adding Eastmoreland GC and Rose City GC to management portfolio

Malcolm DeMille handcrafts Oakmont CC's anniversary prizes

Glendale, California, club celebrated its 100th anniversary with a special logo that Malcolm DeMille transformed into awards, gifts for Oakmont tournaments

#QOTD

"There are two ways of exerting one’s strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up."

— Booker T. Washington

ICYMI

Sun Mountain continues quest to evolve company, products

CEO Ed Kowachek is a company fixture, having been with the Montana-based firm for 37 years, and he still strives for innovation among its offering of bags, carts and outerwear

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished this past week up 15% vs. 2021 due to decreased precipitation and higher temperatures in the northern and midwestern markets. Also, precipitation levels fell by at least 40% in five of the eight regions.

The Central Valley region had the largest increase in rounds over this past week as weather reached the high 70s and was unseasonably warm for part of the week. The Mid-Atlantic and Great Plains regions also had significant increases in rounds with precipitation falling over 40% and average temperatures coming in a few degrees higher vs. prior year.

> Average Days Out continues to hold at just under three days.

> Florida is forecasted to have the best performance over the next five days. The state is projected to finish up 57% vs. prior year as significant weather impacts are wrapped early in the week.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba
Site: El Camaleon Golf Club, Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Television: Today-Saturday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 2-5 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard

LPGA Tour: Toto Japan Classic
Site: Seta Golf Club, Shiga, Japan.
Television: Today, 11:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Leaderboard

PGA Tour Champions: Timbertech Championship
Site: Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club, Boca Raton, Florida.
Television: Today, noon to 3 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Sunday, 6-9 p.m. (Golf Channel-Tape Delay).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

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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