The First Call 12-10-2021

FIRST THOUGHT

While the QBE Shootout, which begins today in Naples, Fla., is not an official PGA Tour event, bragging rights are always nice to have. Harris English and Matt Kuchar are looking to become the first team to win the title four times (2013, 2016, 2020) in the event's 33-year history. Also, no individual has ever been on four winning teams.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Why Gil Hanse — golf's hottest architect — isn't satisfied
[Jerry Tarde | Golf Digest | Read]

> As some LPGA players draw a moral line against playing in China and Saudi Arabia, the tour must wrestle with doing the same
[Beth Ann Nichols | Golfweek | Read]

> Q&A: How a power-broking female GM plans to bring the U.S. Open back to Oakland Hills
[Jessica Marksbury | Golf.com | Read]

> As internet outage limits questions, Greg Norman briefly discusses LIV Golf at QBE
[Rex Hoggard | Golf Channel | Read]

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

According to a Morning Read survey of its readers, 36% are members of a private club.

Source: Morning Read Subscriber Survey

INDUSTRY NEWS

Tony Finau, Scottie Scheffler, Si Woo Kim commit to The American Express

Maroon 5, Brad Paisley headline The American Express Concert Series on Jan. 21-22; Tickets on sale at TheAmexGolf.com

PGTAA extends COVID Special through December

Publishes its two-part Holiday Gift Guides

Leadership Majors to combine golf, professional development

First events scheduled for Pinehurst Resort, Whistling Straits

Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio tickets now on sale

Ticket offerings for Jan. 24-30 event include exclusive hospitality access and general grounds passes

OnCore Golf supports Jim McLean’s golf school fundraiser

All proceeds to benefit underprivileged junior golfers

Golftec places 31 coaches on Golf Digest Best Teachers list

The coaches were named to the publication's Best Teachers In Every State’ list that was published in the December issue

Appointed: By Liv Sports Investments, Atul Khosla as chief operating officer. Khosla was most recently the chief corporate development and brand officer for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

#QOTD

“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”

— Bill Gates

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Improved weather conditions this week, more specifically warmer weather in all regions for the first time in five weeks, resulted in rounds played being +96% vs. 2019 and +4% vs. 2020, an improvement vs. prior week of +30% overall.

> In addition to the warmer temperatures across the country (+5 degrees vs. 2020), there is decreased rainfall over the prior year (-14%). Both totals have positively contributed to improved play the past seven days.

> Central Valley and Mid Atlantic regions finished as top performers for the past seven days vs. 2019 and 2020, driven by significantly warmer temperatures vs. 2020 (+10 degrees vs. last year for both regions).

> Positive performance is expected from the Mountain Pacific and Florida regions. Both areas are on pace to finish up vs. 2020 by over 35% for rounds played over the next six days.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: QBE Shootout
Site: Tiburon Golf Club, Naples, Fla.
Television: Today, noon to 4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-5 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, noon to 2 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2-4 p.m. (NBC).

CALENDAR

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

FEBRUARY
5-10: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, San Diego, Calif. | Info
18-20: Toledo Golf Show, Toledo, Ohio | Info
19-23: CMAA World Conference and Club Business Expo, San Diego, Calif. | Info
25-27: Colorado Golf Expo, Denver, Colo. | 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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