The First Call 11-30-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

Golf Inc. has published its annual Most Powerful People in Golf list, and Troon CEO Tim Schantz and Executive Chairman Dana Garmany share the top spot. David Pillsbury, CEO at Invited, and Chip Brewer, president and CEO, Topgolf Callaway Brands, round out the top three that are unchanged from a year ago. The biggest mover is LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, who rose from No. 22 in 2021 to No. 7 on this year's list. Meanwhile, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan dropped from No. 4 to No. 10. Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association, and Cho Minn Thant, commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, debut on the list at Nos. 24 and 25, respectively.

> 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

> The most powerful people in golf
[Golf Inc. | Read]

> Tiger Woods doubles down on what's needed for possible PGA Tour-LIV Golf deal: 'Greg has to go'
[Dave Shedloski | Golf Digest | Read]

> Rory McIlroy missing South Africa for sweep of 5 oldest Opens
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]

> New Ryder Cup tuneup, team-building event announces rosters
[James Colgan | Golf.com | Read]

> Tiger Woods doesn’t ‘have much left in this leg’ to compete
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]

The only golf gift guide you will need this holiday shopping season

The First Call's 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

Apparel, equipment, tech ... you name it and there is something for practically everyone in this gift guide gallery

View

THE INDUSTRY

GCSAA: Peter J. Grass wins 2022 Leo Feser Award

Montana superintendent’s personal tale of overcoming mental health challenges was selected as the year’s top superintendent-written article in GCM

Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm commit to TGL

Major champions will join Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy for inaugural TGL season in 2024; the foursome has combined to win 22 majors and 127 PGA Tour events

The Club at the Dunes names Gerald Sombright  as executive chef

Sombright will oversee all facets of food service and preparation across all five of the private Naples, Florida, club’s dining venues

Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection hires Ross Birch as golf GM

Birch will oversee Mauna Lani Golf’s strategic goals while overseeing daily operations

Announced: By PGA National Resort, winter vacation packages to the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, destination. Packages range from the Ultimate Family (starting at $233; per family, per day, two children included) to the Gold Golf (starting at $659; per person, per day, double occupancy.

Announced: By Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., that approximately 50 stars from music, entertainment and sports will join the 2023 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, Jan. 16-22 at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, Florida. The field, which features celebrities competing against the top LPGA Tour winners, includes seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens, former NBA all-star Vince Carter, former NFL wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Grammy-nominated country music artist Lee Brice and "The Office" actor and comedian Brian Baumgartner.

> More Industry News

#QOTD

"All of our miseries are nothing but attachment."

— Osho

ICYMI

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

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]

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Hero World Challenge
Site: Albany Golf Club, Nassau, Bahamas.
Television: Thursday-Friday, 1:30-4:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, noon to 2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2:30-5 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, noon to 1 p.m. (Golf Channel), 1-5 p.m. (NBC).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

DP World Tour / PGA of Australia: ISPS Handa Australian Open
Site: Victoria Golf Club and Kingston Heath Golf Club, Melbourne, Australia.
Television: Today-Thursday, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Golf Channel); Friday, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Golf Channel).

DP World Tour / Sunshine Tour: Investec South African Open Site: Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Television: Thursday-Friday, 5-10 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 4:30-9:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).

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.