The First Call 11-08-2021

FIRST THOUGHT

The National Golf Foundation recently surveyed 1,008 adults who took up golf in the past 10 years to determine what percentage of golfers had become converts to the game. The results show a 27% conversion rate, but only 13% claimed they had some form of personal contact with course personnel and been invited back. In this age where building relationships and community are hot topics this appears to be a very low rate. Email The First Call and let us know how clubs and courses are engaging you about your playing experience. Please provide your first, last name and city of residence.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Americans more interested in slice fixes than hook fixes, according to the data
[Matt Newman | Morning Read | Read]

> Golfer’s collection of divots from great courses is latest example there’s something wrong with us
[Sam Weinman | Golf Digest | Read]

> Synthetic turf course in construction in northeast France
[Richard Humphreys | Golf Course Architecture | Read]

Liv Golf Investments begins to fill in C-suite roster

Newly created entity names Sean Bratches as chief commercial officer and Ron Cross as chief events officer a week after Greg Norman is named CEO

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan all have golf participation rates that exceed 10%. High participation is partially driven in these states by the sheer number of public golf courses — 1,427 in total.

Source: Longitudes Group Market Value Model 2021

INDUSTRY NEWS

Cimarron Hills GCC names Terry Negen as golf course superintendent

Negen to oversee maintenance of the Georgetown, Texas club’s 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, its golf practice facilities and the club’s agronomy team

Al Zorah GC hires Ricardo Baron as golf course superintendent

Baron will manage and oversee the agronomic maintenance of the Nicklaus Design course in Ajman, the UAE

The Virginian and Nicewonder Farm and Vineyards  welcomes new GM

Stephen McLean to oversee the growth, development of both Bristol, Va., properties

Team USA wins Spirit International

Team USA won 4 gold medals and 1 silver in the unique, biennial team event that consisted of 5 concurrent competitions over 54 holes of stroke play at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, Texas

Appointed: By Liv Golf Investments, Sean Bratches as chief commercial officer and Ron Cross as chief events officer. Both Bratches and Cross will transition into their roles immediately.

Elected: By PGA of America, Rob Elliott, Eric Eshleman, Derek Gutierrez and Barry Howard to three-year terms on the Board of Directors. Also, the Board renewed the term of Andrea Smith as an Independent Director through 2024.

NEWS AND FEATURES

Why the Presidents Cup in St. Louis makes perfect sense

Tiger Woods — 2018 PGA Championship at Bellerive CC

Think big-time golf and 'St. Louis isn’t exactly the first thought bubble to form overhead,' writes Dan O'Neill, but Midwestern fans have traditionally turned out for major occasions in 'The Lou' and 2030 should be no different

Supply-chain headwinds barely slow Acushnet sales ... yet

Titleist and FootJoy lead company to a strong Q3, easily exceeding expectations heading into a Q4 that could be flat

"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."

— Maya Angelou

CALENDAR

NOVEMBER
8-10: International Association of Golf Administrators Annual Conference, Frisco, Texas | Info
8-10: National Links Trust Symposium on Municipal Golf, Washington, D.C. | 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.

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