The First Call 11-18-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

While the RSM Classic's first-round leader is a non-member who has yet to win on the PGA Tour, the name is certainly a familiar one to golf fans. Cole Hammer, 23, made an impression at the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington. He was 15 and drew attention with a first-round 77, which is not significant other than it was three shots better than Tiger Woods. "He's going to be really good," playing partner Pat Wilson said at the time. In 2019, Hammer won the Mark H. McCormack Medal as the world's No. 1 amateur and earlier this year helped the University of Texas win an NCAA Championship. Over seven years since that "hello, world" moment, Hammer continues to prove Wilson right.

> 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

> The RSM Classic marks the end of the PGA Tour calendar year, and the end of an era
[Gary Van Sickle | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> Oracle Park becomes in-demand golf course
[KTVU | Watch]

> Women's LIV Golf league could be difficult for many LPGA golfers to turn down
[Tom D'Angelo | Palm Beach Post | Read]

> Judge rules Phil Mickelson, Hudson Swafford, Talor Gooch still subject to discovery in antitrust lawsuit
[Rex Hoggard | Golf Channel | Read]

THE INDUSTRY

OnCore Golf launches new collegiate program

Company signs HBCU Kentucky State University and Johnson & Wales University; both will receive golf balls, apparel and team discounts as part of the program

RepSpark Systems announces 3-year agreement with PGA Show

Company provides exhibitors and attendees with PGA Show Exclusive Community, a digital B2B selling platform, to help facilitate connections and transactions throughout the PGA Show

GolfTrainingAids.com reveals holiday promotions

Online marketplace announces new golf game improvement offers for the holidays with up to 50% off popular training aids and a discount on the new Home Putting Suite

SkyTrak announces 2022 holiday sales promotion

For limited time, launch monitor and golf simulator company is offering $200 off a SkyTrak or SkyTrak package

FMC Corporation donates $25,000 to GCSAA Disaster Relief Fund

Donation through matching gift program assists GCSAA members by providing immediate financial assistance to those who have suffered personal loss from natural disasters

#QOTD

"Never hurry when it counts."

— JoAnne Carner

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Frank Nobilo looks back on the 2022 golf season
The 14-time tour winner and CBS Sports golf correspondent offers his opinions on topics ranging from LIV Golf to the depth of talent on all the tours
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

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]

ICYMI

Buffalo Groupe charges ahead with research- and data-based acquisitions

Full-service marketing collective digging deeper into golf consumer habits, trends and spends

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished this past week down 7% vs. 2021 due to Hurricane Nicole significantly impeding play in Florida, Georgia and parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. California also had a significant decline in rounds due to average temperatures dropping over 10 degrees into the low 50s. The North region had the largest increase in rounds over this past week as temperatures were in the high 60s/low 70s for the early part of the week in Michigan markets.

> Average Days Out is over 3 days for the first time in more than six months.

> The Northeast region is forecasted to have the best performance over the next five days, projecting to finish up 50% vs. prior year as significant weather impacts on Friday and Saturday of last year are wrapping.

TUNING IN

LPGA Tour: CME Group Tour Championship
Site: Tiburon Golf Club (Gold). Naples, Florida.
Television: Today, 3-5 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 2-5 p.m. (Peacock), 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay); Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (NBC).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

DP World Tour: DP World Tour Championship
Site: Jumeirah Golf Estates (Earth), Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Television: Today-Saturday, 2-8 a.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 1:30-7:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).

PGA Tour: RSM Classic
Site: Sea Island Golf Club (Seaside, Plantation), St. Simons Island, Georgia.
Television: Today, noon to 3 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

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.