The First Call 11-29-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

The LPGA is making strides, and it shows in the players' bottom line. Next season, the Tour will award more than $100M in prize money for the first time, a figure that is an 80% increase over 2018. According to Perfect Putt, median LPGA player winnings have nearly doubled since 2012 — from $89,177 to $167,061 in 2022. The number of players (27 to 54 golfers) making over $500,000 doubled in that period, while the number of players earning more than $1M rose from 11 in 2012 to 27 in 2022.

> Question of the Week: Prior to the LPGA's season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, CME Group chairman and CEO Terry Duffy expressed his disappointment that no players attended the tournament's annual leadership conference dinner. Outside of playing in pro-ams, should players be expected to attend tournament sponsor events?

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

> Mexico's Mayakoba Resort jumps ship from PGA Tour to LIV Golf
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

> Tiger Woods withdraws from Hero World Challenge with foot injury
[Bob Harig | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> Tiger Woods welcomes Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas to TGL, the tech-infused competition set for 2024 start
[Adam Woodard | Golfweek | Read]

> Ever present, ever relevant: Donald Ross at 150
[Bradley S. Klein | USGA | Read]

Design Notes: Richardson and Danner craft a Par-3 for Utah’s Promontory

Nicklaus Design tweaks Jack’s St. Mellion in England; Aerial views of Augusta National's changes; Cape Verde’s Viveiro gets a second nine

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW ... ?

Course architect William Newcomb has designed four public and three private golf courses in Michigan that have real estate attached and they command 37% higher home values on average than the surrounding zip codes.

Source: Longitudes Group green grass database, Zillow average home values

THE INDUSTRY

Landscapes Golf Management names director of agronomy and maintenance

Chris Lewis, a 20-plus-year Landscapes Golf veteran, will assist with hiring, best practices training, purchasing, and optimizing playing conditions and amenities maintenance

Golftec raises $111,000 for PGA HOPE

Funds were raised through the Drive For HOPE charity campaign, which combined public donations, apparel sales and $1 for every lesson Golftec gave between Oct. 11 and Nov. 11

2023 Chubb Classic tickets go on sale

PGA Tour Champions tournament set for Feb. 16-19 at Tiburon Golf Club’s Black Course

Increased: By the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Committee, the championship finals field size to allow for 27 qualifying teams, up from the current number of 24. The change will be in effect for the 2023 championships, with the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championships taking place at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, May 19-24. The move to 27 teams is being made to provide an equitable championship access ratio across both Division I men’s and women’s golf, with 10% of both men’s and women’s teams now advancing from regionals to the finals site. Currently 30 teams advance to the finals in Division I men’s golf.

> More Industry News

ICYMI

Enter Now: The First Call's holiday giveaways are underway

The First Call and its partners are handing out prizes that any golfer is sure to enjoy. So, don't wait and sign up to win one of 12 prizes to be given out over the coming holiday weeks

'Tis the season for holiday spirit

The First Call readers share what they would like to receive — or give — as gifts in the coming weeks

#QOTD

"The applause of a single human being is of great consequence."

— Samuel Johnson

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.