The First Call 11-15-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

The LPGA's season-ending CME Group Tour Championship boils down to four players with a mathematical chance to win the Rolex Player of the Year — Lydia Ko (150 points), Minjee Lee (149), Brooke Henderson and newly crowned Rookie of the Year Atthaya Thitikul (130 each). The scenarios, though, are quite simple:
— Ko or Lee could outright win POTY with a victory
— Lee must finish 10th or better to have a chance
— Henderson must win and have Ko and Lee finish third or worse
— Thitikul must win and have Ko and Lee finish third or worse

> Question of the Week: NBC Sports has announced that it will be replacing Roger Maltbie and Gary Koch as golf analysts in 2023. Who would you like to see replace them?

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

> How lawsuits, accusations halted this top-ranked muni’s plans
[Josh Sens | Golf.com | Read]

> Golf startup aims to bring money matches to the masses
[Mike Dojc | Forbes | Read]

> PGA Tour announces two direct pathways for college golfers through PGA Tour University
[Adam Woodard | Golfweek | Read]

> David McLay Kidd has to 'pinch himself' over new course in Nebraska
[Golf Channel | Watch]

Design Notes: A Mackenzie returns to Australia’s New South Wales

Coore-Crenshaw’s Te Arai Links opens in New Zealand; Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Texas updates its Fazio Canyons

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW ... ?

Massachusetts is home to 3% of the total golf population in the United States. Yet nearly half of all golf club market value sits in the off-course channel, with green grass and sporting goods splitting the other half.

Source: Longitudes Group's golf spending model

THE INDUSTRY

First Tee celebrates 25 years of empowering youth through golf

All chapters of the organization will assemble in celebration of their 25-year milestone Nov. 16-18 in Dallas

Club Champion launches 3-day pre-Black Friday sale

Clubfitter offering 15% bonus on denominations up to $1,000 on all gift card purchases through Nov. 13-15, gift cards can be purchased in-store or online

Stewart Golf enters partnership with Orca Golf

British golf caddie manufacturer kicks off partnership with golf bag company via the giveaway of a prize package worth over $3,000; entries can be submitted until Nov. 25

PXG officially drops its PXG x Nick Jonas collection

All styles within the limited-edition, golf-inspired apparel and accessories collection are now available for purchase online and at PXG retail locations

Tiburon Golf Club prepares to host 3 professional tournaments

Naples (Florida) Ritz-Carlton resort will host the CME Group Tour Championship, Nov. 17-20; QBE Shootout, Dec. 7–11; and the Champions Tour's Chubb Classic, Feb. 13-19

Malcolm DeMille handcrafts Pelican Women’s Championship cup

Nelly Korda celebrated back-to-back Pelican Women's Championship wins and a return to No. 1 in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings with a rhodium-plated handcrafted victor's cup

The Club at Olde Cypress' reimagined golf shop ranked among the best

Private Naples, Florida, club's shop is No. 39 on Club + Resort Business' Top Ranked Private Club and Resort Pro Shops Across the U.S. list

Announced: By Golf+, upcoming updates to its platform in time for the holiday season. The updates will include the ability to play recreations of Pebble Beach Golf Links and Pinehurst No. 2, new equipment from Callaway Golf and TaylorMade, and game improvement capabilities like putting analysis and mini training games. Pinehurst No. 2 will be available for platform on Nov. 18; Pebble Beach will be available Dec. 9.

#QOTD

"Competitive toughness is an acquired skill and not an inherited gift."

— Chris Evert

ICYMI

TFC Inbox: With the pressure on, what's your go-to shot?

Readers of The First Call share the shot they are most confident hitting when it's needed the most

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

BEHIND THE GOLF BRAND
How Stix Golf balances high quality, affordable price
Host Paul Liberatore interviews CEO Gabe Coyne, who expresses his frustration with golf being a simple game that has become far too complex and how his company is addressing that concern
[Listen | More 'Behind the Golf Brand' episodes]

GOING PRO WITH KELLY O.
Minami Levonowich's global view of golf
Host Kelly Okun interviews the London-born Speedgolf champion who has lived in five different countries, been a participant on five golf reality shows and competed on the Japan LPGA
[Listen | More 'Going Pro with Kelly O.' episodes]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Jerry Pate: ‘Nobody measures you by how much money you have'
Host Ann Liguori talks with the 1974 U.S. Amateur and 1976 U.S. Open champion about his storied career, and golf in the past, present and future
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

CALENDAR

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.