The First Call 12-01-2021

FIRST THOUGHT

Golf is healthy and thriving in Europe, according to a the European Golf Participation Report, published by The R&A and the European Golf Association. There are more than 10.6 million registered golfers in Europe, up from 7.9 million in 2016 when the last report was published. The greatest growth is seen in England (up by 63,500) and Sweden (up by 54,589), while Germany (221,865), Sweden (129,949) and the Netherlands (125,537) are the top three markets for the number of registered women golfers. Junior golfers across Europe increased by over 43,000 to more than 350,000.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Tiger Woods has little to offer on past accident or future in golf
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]

> Greg Norman equates Saudi and U.S. cultures: 'Just look at America with racism ... it’s just ugly'
[Tim Schmitt| Golfweek | Read]

> For one day a year, the clubhouse of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club opens to the public. Here's what we saw
[John Huggan | Golf Digest | Read]

> The things we'll most remember from Jin Young Ko's remarkable 2021 season
[Mike Purkey | Morning Read | Read]

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

The average number of tennis courts at a private club is seven, while the range is one to 39. The award for most courts goes to Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch, Texas, which has a combined 39 indoor and outdoor courts, not including eight pickleball and two racquetball courts.

Source: Longitudes Group Green Grass database

INDUSTRY NEWS

Big Max readies for Christmas season

European company promotes Blade IP push cart and Dri Lite Hybrid Tour bag in advance of holidays

Troon to manage golf operations at Eagle Crest Resort

Troon Golf, the resort and daily-fee management division of Troon, will oversee golf operations, agronomy, and sales and marketing for the Redmond, Ore., resort’s two 18-hole courses, 18-hole executive course and the 18-hole putting course

Landscapes Unlimited promotes Cheryl Halvorsen

Golf course developer and construction company promotes Halvorsen from senior irrigation estimator to project management role

Rio Verde CC names Anthony Paino as GM

Paino to oversee golf operations, food and beverage, agronomy, sales and marketing, and maintenance operations for the 36-hole Rio Verde, Ariz., club

Glove It partners with Women’s Golf Day

Female-led companies spearhead welcoming approach to women’s golf

PXG debuts 0311 X Gen4 driving iron

Driving iron features company's proprietary Gen4 technology and new tour-inspired clubhead design

Bob Farren wins GCSAA’s inaugural Col. John Morley Award

Elevated award recognizes a significant contribution to the advancement of the golf course superintendent’s profession

Ed Oliver GC releases biography on Ed 'Porky' Oliver

Book signing event to be held Dec. 2

Honma reports 40.7% sales increase in North America

Records sales of $106.8 million during 6-month period ending Sept. 30, representing an increase of 31.1 and 12.1 percent, respectively, compared with the same periods in 2020 and 2019

Club Champion debuts gift packages for holiday season

Gift boxes include a certificate redeemable for either a driver fitting experience and a custom driver, or a putter fitting experience and a custom putter

Planned: By Drive Shack Inc., the building of a Puttery, its newest competitive socializing and entertainment golf experience, in Philadelphia. The 20,000-square-foot venue will feature three uniquely themed, nine-hole putting courses, multiple bars and a chef-driven menu and cocktail program.

Announced: By SiriusXM, that David Feherty is launching a new weekly show, Feherty and Maginnes, that will nationally Mondays on the SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio channel. Feherty will be joined by former tour pro John Maginnes. A preview episode will air today, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m. ET. The show will air every Monday at 7 p.m. ET.

NEWS AND FEATURES

Muni course, junior golf putting New Mexico city on map

Hobbs, N.M., has become a golf hotspot because its 27-hole Rockwind Community Links is filling a void in the West Texas, New Mexico junior golfing community

#QOTD

"Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth."

— John F. Kennedy

CALENDAR

JANUARY
25-28: PGA Merchandise Show, Orlando, Fla. | Info

FEBRUARY
5-10: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, San Diego, Calif. | Info
19-23: CMAA World Conference and Club Business Expo, San Diego, Calif. | Info

To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.

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