There is good reason for golf enthusiasts to enjoy holiday cheer this season. First, the National Retail Federation forecasted that spending through the season would rise between 3% and 4% over 2022. Also, according to National Golf Foundation research, 87% of core golfers are planning to spend $934 on average on gifts, which which is about 50% more than the typical American shopper ($620). So, those golf items on your wish list may just wrapped and ready this year.
.

IN THIS ISSUE

> TFC Inbox: Player of the year? Cases made for many | Read

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What was the best golf story of 2023?

Send replies on this question or other topics and questions you would like to have asked to shall@buffalogroupe.com. For a response to be published, you must include your first and last name, along with the city and state of residence.
> Read responses to last week's question.

St. Joe Company: Announces the construction of another Watersound Club course in Watersound, Florida. The new course will be named The Third, and will be designed by Love Golf Design founders Davis Love III, Mark Love and Scot Sherman. The par-72 design will feature six sets of tees, allowing golfers to adjust the course distance to play from 4,900 yards to over 7,600 yards.

Golf Tourism Solutions: Hires Ryan Cannon as executive director for the agency responsible for promoting Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as a golf destination. Cannon, who will begin his tenure at GTS on Jan. 2, will develop and operationalize the organization’s strategy at the direction of the Board of Directors while serving as the lead advocate for the Myrtle Beach area golf industry. 

> Harmony in golf remains out of reach as divide widens among players
[Bob Harig | Sports Illustrated | Read]

> Your move, PGA Tour: Pros and cons to partnership options
[Rex Hoggard | Golf Channel | Read]

> Grass Clippings, Arizona's first fully lit 18-hole golf course opens, sells out first weekend
[Todd Kelly | Golfweek | Read]

> How the $1B golf ball industry might add a few strokes to your game
[David Rumsey | Front Office Sports | Read ($)]

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
Embrace a "give first" mindset to start a business, then scale
Gary Guerrero Jr. joins host Colin Weston to discuss how he laid the foundation for his two companies — Lag Shot Golf and Scratch Golf Academy — and what he learned along the way
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
A look at Italy's one-of-a-kind course
Ottavio Coppola, golf manager at Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort, joins host Ann Liguori to talk about the country's lone PGA National course — and Italy, as well
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

BEHIND THE GOLF BRAND
Seamus Golf: More than meets the eye
Co-founder and CEO Akbar Chisti joins host Paul Liberatore to discuss his company's origins as a clubhead manufacturer and its growth
[Listen | More 'Behind the Golf Brand' episodes]

> Lead Assistant Golf Professional
Taconic Golf Club
Williamstown, Massachusetts | Info

> Second Assistant Superintendent
Worthington Country Club
Bonita Springs, Florida | Info

> Manager Marketing Strategy & Execution
PGA Tour
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida | Info

> View a complete listing of jobs

Make Golf Your Career is a golf industry DE&I initiative launched by Make Golf Your Thing that allows job seekers to search, find and apply for opportunities throughout the industry in one place.

JANUARY
23-26: PGA Show, Orlando, Florida | Info
29-February 1: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Phoenix, Arizona | Info

MARCH
4-8: Club Management Association of America World Conference and Club Business Expo, Las Vegas, Nevada | Info

> View complete calendar

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