Ever want to hear from Jack Nicklaus? Well, now you can ... sort of. Nicklaus, 82, is changing with the times through, according to SportTechie, the creation of the Golden Bear Club, an NFT membership platform. To start, there will be a collection of 18 NFTs, and each will have a digital Nicklaus doppelganger, an animated 38-year-old version of Nicklaus who can answer any number of fan questions. The platform will also include signed memorabilia, merchandise and VIP tickets to the PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament.

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> Question of the Week: In your opinion, what has been the top golf story of 2022?

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.

> The ceremonial era for Tiger Woods will help us prepare for the end
[Sean Zak | Golf.com | Read]

> Would former No. 1 Jason Day consider joining LIV Golf? Here is what the Australian said
[Tom D'Angelo | The Palm Beach Post | Read]

> Professional disc golf effectively bans transgender players from competing in women’s division
[Joe Kinsey | OutKick | Read]

Launched: By New Balance, the New Balance 997 golf shoe. The 997 will be available in February in spiked and spikeless models, and will retail for $119.95. The 997 SL will retail for $109.95.

Announced: By 7Diamonds, a partnership with Andy Ogletree, who will become the company's first golf ambassador. Ogletree, 24, who earned his first professional victory last month at the Asian Tour’s International Series event in Cairo, Egypt, will wear the lifestyle brand's apparel starting in 2023.

Announced: By Newtimes Group, that Fred Couples, the 1992 Masters champion, will return as the face of Ashworth Golf, which is returning to the U.S. marketplace. Couples, who wore an Ashworth polo during his 1992 win, will wear the brand's iconic Golfman logo and a selection of items from the spring and fall 2023 lines when competing on the PGA Tour Champions.

Named: By PGA Frisco, Paul Earnest as PGA director of golf and operations of fields ranch. Earnest, a past president of the Northern Texas PGA Section, will lead all golf and club functions and operations at the facility, including the guest and membership experience, The Swing (a lighted 10-hole short course), The Dance Floor (a 2-acre putting course within the PGA District), the PGA Coaching Center and the Fields Ranch practice facility.

GOING PRO WITH KELLY O.
Stephanie Gibri focuses on culture in golf travel
Host Kelly Okun interviews Stephanie Gibri, one of golf's first Instagram influencers, about her content creation and her episode of 'Holey Moley'
[Listen | More 'Going Pro with Kelly O.' episodes]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Alan Shipnuck opens up on his infamous Phil Mickelson call 
Host Ann Liguori interviews the author of 'Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf's Most Colorful Superstar' and unpacks the book's fallout
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

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]

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.