The First Call 11-21-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

On Sunday, Rory McIlroy, having finished fourth at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship to win the season-long Race to Dubai, said "I’m as complete a golfer as I feel I’ve ever been." Arguing his assessment would be difficult. While the 33-year-old failed to earn his fifth major title for an eighth successive year, he managed to become the second player to win the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup and DP World Tour's Race to Dubai titles in the same season. In addition to being the Tours' top player for 2022, McIlroy is set to finish the year as No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

> Question of the Week: The holidays are upon us, so what golf-related items are you putting on your wish list or buying for others?

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

> Rory McIlroy clinches Race to Dubai title as Jon Rahm wins in UAE
[Associated Press | Read]

> Adam Svensson goes from barely making cut to winning 2022 RSM Classic for first PGA Tour win
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

> Lydia Ko wins LPGA finale for record $2 million payout
[Associated Press | Read]

> CME Group CEO 'exceptionally disappointed' with LPGA leadership heading into record payday
[Beth Ann Nichols | Golfweek | Read]

> ‘Hurt feelings and gratitude’: Roger Maltbie dishes on NBC dismissal, defends LIV defectors
[Alan Bastable | Golf.com | Read]

TFC Inbox: Who will NBC choose as its new voices of golf?

While a segment of The First Call readers did not believe Roger Maltbie and Gary Koch needed to be replaced for 2023, others suggested some new and familiar names

A Beam who makes gin — well, bourbon, too

Steve Beam, 63, a seventh-generation descendant of the Jim Beam founder, is finding his niche in the spirits industry with Limestone Branch Distillery in Kentucky

THE INDUSTRY

First Tee honors Joe Louis Barrow Jr.

Former First Tee CEO receives the Lifetime Achievement award in Dallas; Chapter leaders gathered to celebrate the organization’s 25th anniversary

The American Express donates $1 million in charitable contributions

Proceeds from 2022 PGA Tour tournament will benefit local Coachella Valley organizations; event’s all-time donation total tops $64 million since 1960

Horseshoe Bay Resort announces winter holiday festivities

Events include a holiday tree lighting featuring celebrity lighters and a shopping market with vendors, carriage rides, photos with Santa, a holiday laser light show and more

Ace Indoor Golf announces holiday savings on home packages

Company offering two home simulator specials with its GCHawk and SkyTrak In-A-Box Packages, Nov. 25-Dec. 31

Announced: By Xonic, that it has been named a winner in the Consumer Tech category of Fast Company's annual Next Big Things in Tech awards. Xonic was honored for its A.I.-powered iTQ quick-tip caddie app.

Announced: By TaylorMade, that Rory McIlroy finished fourth at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship to become European No. 1 while claiming the Harry Vardon Trophy for the fourth time in his career. McIlroy's bag included a Stealth Plus 9.0 driver, SIM2 15.0 3-wood, Stealth Plus 19.0 5-wood, Rors Proto 3-9 irons, MG3 46 SB, 54 HB, 58 SB, Spider X Hydro Blast and TP5x golf ball.

Announced: By the LPGA, that Lydia Ko earned the 2022 Rolex Player of the Year award with her win at the CME Group Tour Championship. Ko is the 15th different player to win the award at least twice. The 25-year-old also won the 2022 Vare Trophy for recording the season’s lowest scoring average of 68.988. Her season-long scoring average is the second-lowest Vare Trophy-winning scoring average in Tour history, behind Annika Sorenstam's 68.70 in 2002.

> More Industry News

#QOTD

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender."

— Vince Lombardi

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]

CALENDAR

DECEMBER
5-8: Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Conference, Columbus, Ohio | Info

JANUARY
23-25: Golf Business Conference, Orlando, Fla. | Info
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.