The First Call 12-02-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

This year cannot end without some more Tom Kim. The 20-year-old South Korean stole the PGA Tour spotlight with wins in August and October, becoming the first player since Tiger Woods to win twice on Tour before turning 21. Wedged in between the wins was some sterling play at the Presidents Cup in September. On Thursday, Kim shot a 3-under 69 at the Hero World Challenge in Nassau, Bahamas, and it marked his first 18-hole lead/co-lead in an official stroke-play event on the PGA Tour.

> 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

> PGA Tour taps top Kevin McCarthy confidant in LIV fight
[Jonathan Swan, Lachlan Markay | Axios | Read]

> In ongoing LIV Golf v. PGA Tour court case, European Tour hopes to ‘Quash’ subpoena
[Alex Miceli | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> Sergio García responds to Tiger: 'Let Greg Norman go? What about Monahan? It seems that there are bad guys on one side.'
[G. Riquelme | Marca | Read]

> Adam Scott sees the PGA Tour-LIV Golf dispute differently
[Evin Priest | Golf Digest | Read]

TFC Inbox: The LPGA's case of not biting the hand that feeds?

While CME Group chairman Terry Duffy expressed disappointment in players not attending a tournament sponsor dinner, some The First Call readers point to a failure in leadership

THE INDUSTRY

PGA Education Conference speakers, session schedule announced

Early-registration savings are available through Dec. 15 for the PGA Education Conference, held during the 2023 PGA Show in Orlando, Jan. 24-27

Honored: By LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, Teresa Zamboni as recipient of the 2022 Sandy LaBauve Spirit Award, the most prestigious honor presented by the organization. Zamboni, an LPGA Class A Professional for more than 25 years, currently teaches at Crane Lakes Golf and Country Club in Port Orange, Florida, and is site director for Girls Golf – Port Orange and co-owner of Nancy Lopez Golf Adventures.

> More Industry News

#QOTD

"Politeness is an inexpensive way of making friends."

— William Feather

TFC PODCAST NETWORK

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
How John Simpson used his polio and golf for the greater good
Host Colin Weston interviews the On Course Foundation founder about the nonprofit that introduces injured veterans to golf and opportunities within the industry
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Jason Deegan shares his must-play public golf destinations
Golfpass.com writer joins host Ann Liguori to talk all things golf travel and courses, from public to private and from domestic to international
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

MARKETING TODAY WITH ALAN B. HART
Cultivating a community of brand advocates
Host Alan B. Hart interviews Traeger CMO Todd Smith, who discusses understanding your customers, adapting and finding innovative ways to engage
[Listen | More 'Marketing Today with Alan B. Hart' episodes]

ICYMI

Course architect Jeff Stein to retrace C.B. Macdonald's Scotland journey

Inaugural World 100 Club scholarship winner to study St. Andrews, country's iconic courses for three weeks in 2023

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

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Rounds played finished this past week up 3% vs. 2021, due to temperatures increasing into the 50s in the Northeast and Central Valley markets. This week also had the largest percentage (67%) of weekday golfers for the entire year, which is similar to last year. The Northeast region had the largest increase (52%) in total rounds vs. prior year due to the aforementioned weather improvements.

> No regions are pacing positively over the next week due to colder temperatures and snow/rain in the Mountain Pacific region and rain for much of the East Coast and Central Valley.

> The Central Valley region is forecasted to have the worst performance over the next five days, projecting to finish down 48% as colder temperatures and rain are forecasted for most of the week.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Hero World Challenge
Site: Albany Golf Club, Nassau, Bahamas.
Television: Today, 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, 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: Today, 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.