The First Call 12-07-2022

FIRST THOUGHT

Of the 134 responses to The First Call poll question, "Should Greg Norman resign as LIV Golf CEO?" 97 (72.4%) responded "yes."

> Question of the Week: Inspired by a list created by Open Links Golf, what are the top three courses (either private or public) within a 10-mile radius of where you live?

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

> Golf industry veteran Leon Gilmore dead at 52
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

> Adam Scott makes sense without making enemies
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]

PGA Tour, DraftKings roll dice on new Scottsdale sportsbook facility

Partnership leads to the building of a brick-and-mortar dining and gambling venue just an 8-iron to the 18th green at TPC Scottsdale, site of the annual WM Phoenix Open

The Drop: TaylorMade evolves P-700 series with 3 new irons

Payntr unveils company’s first spiked golf shoe; TaylorMade’s new SelectFit Kit will help custom fitters help golfers

THE INDUSTRY

USGA becomes a presenting partner for GCSAA Conference and Trade Show

USGA joins the Golf Course Builders Association of America, American Society of Golf Course Architects as presenting partners of annual conference scheduled for Feb. 6-9 in Orlando, Florida

Bonita Bay Club's Cypress Course opens following renovation, Hurricane Ian

Fazio Design updates course for next generation of members

Outlyr elevates executives across its portfolio

Deanna Rainear promoted to vice president of finance and administration; Kyle Draper, Annye DeGrand Fox and Lenny Francoeur promoted to senior vice president

Adidas Golf named apparel, footwear sponsor of CGX Top100 Camps

Top100 boys and girls camps in December become first-ever camps to script players' apparel

Farmers Insurance Open awards sponsor’s exemption to Michael Herrera

Exemption continues efforts by Farmers Insurance, APGA Tour to grow diversity in golf

Inaugural Lohla Sport Tournament of Club Champions considered a success

Karen Dougherty, of Danville, California, won the tournament, which featured Annika Sorenstam as a guest and was held at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California

Club Champion now offers over 65,000 hittable club combinations

Number of combinations increases thanks to new brand Baddazz Shafts and expansions within several brand lines

Fujikura: Speeder driver shaft success on PGA, DP World tours

Hero World Challenge winner plays Fujikura Speeder 661 TR X flex in driver, Ventus Blue 7X in fairway wood shaft; ISPS Handa Australian Open winner plays Speeder Evo 6X in driver; 757 Speeder Evo TX in fairway wood

Announced: By Empower, its sponsorship of Davis Riley, 25, who is beginning his second year on the PGA Tour. Riley’s partnership will include engagement and social opportunities with Empower clients and partners, and the Empower logo will appear on Riley’s shirt throughout the PGA Tour season. Riley has two Korn Ferry Tour victories (both in 2020) and he qualified for the FedEx Cup Playoffs in his 2021-22 rookie season.

Introduced: By TaylorMade Golf, the SelectFit Kit, a custom fitting system that has adjustment sleeves to give fitters the ability to change a clubhead from 3 degrees upright to 3 degrees flat and 2 degrees strong to 2 degrees weak on the same head. The two lie adjustment sleeves and one loft adjustment sleeve create more adjustability options in this new system.

Announced: By The Annika Foundation, the establishment of the Annika Development Program at Old Barnwell, a private golf club in Aiken, South Carolina. Each year, four women from the Carolinas or Georgia will be selected to participate in the program that provides access to Old Barnwell’s golf amenities and the program for three years, one year of housing, a $10,000 yearly stipend, and networking opportunities with Old Barnwell members and staff, and Sorenstam. Applications for the first class are now being accepted through Jan. 15.

Introduced: By TaylorMade Golf, the latest evolution of its P-700 Series with the all-new P-770, P-7MC and P-7MB irons. The three irons join the previously released P-790 irons. The irons are currently available for pre-order and at retail beginning Jan. 20.

> More Industry News

#QOTD

"Get out of here and leave me alone. Last words are for fools who haven’t said enough already."

— Karl Marx

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]

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: QBE Shootout
Site: Tiburon Golf Club, Naples, Florida.
Television: Friday, 1-4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 1:30-2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2:30-4:30 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, 1-2 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2-4 p.m. (NBC).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

European Tour | Sunshine Tour: Alfred Dunhill Championship
Site: Leopard Creek Country Club, Malelane, South Africa.
Television: Thursday-Friday, 5:30-10:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 9:30-4:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).

CALENDAR

DECEMBER
7-8: 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
24-28: CMAA World Conference and Club Business Expo, Orlando, Fla. | Info

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