The First Call 12-17-2021

FIRST THOUGHT

The golf industry is not alone in benefitting from the sport’s recent surge in popularity. In a Sports Business Journal story, Dan Lovinger, NBC Sports executive vice president of sales and partnerships, notes that in 2021 the network enjoyed its highest grossing year ever around golf, helped by a 40% increase in tee-time bookings on its GolfNow platform. And those figures are sure to be aided by this weekend’s PNC Championship, which will air on NBC and feature Tiger Woods' debut since his February auto accident.

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READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> After round with Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas’ dad ‘surprised’ by progress
[Dylan Dethier | Golf.com | Read]

> Landscapes Golf Management bolsters strong year of expansion
[Golf Inc. | Read]

Year in Review: The First Call's 10 top stories of 2021

Though The First Call launched in August, quite a few stories caught our readers' attention. We start counting them down to No. 1. Today, Nos. 8 and 7

FACT OF THE DAY

DID YOU KNOW?

In a recent survey of Morning Read e-newsletter subscribers, 60% typically play golf at public daily-fee courses.

Source: Morning Read Subscriber Survey

THE INDUSTRY

2022 Professional Demo Day becomes PGA Show Demo and Fitting Day

Event returns Jan. 25 to Orange County National Golf Center with new programming for PGA Professionals

Piza Golf’s Pit concept available for play in virtual reality

Multi-purpose course available at Golf+

Golf Heritage Society to host 2022 show in Dublin, Ohio

Members will host the Columbus Golf Collectibles Show, Jan. 7-8

2021 PXG College Golf Showcase donates $1 million to charity

Collegiate exhibition raises awareness and funds for military foundations

Forbes names Agustin Piza 1 of the world's top 100 creative Mexicans

This is the 2nd Forbes designation for the course architect

Announced: By Full Turn Custom Apparel, that it will not participate in the 2022 PGA Show in Orlando, Fla., citing rising transportation costs in bringing goods in from overseas as well as the uncertain supply chain landscape as reasons for the change. Full Turn will introduce two new line breaks on Jan. 3.

#QOTD

"If you’re competitor-focused, you have to wait until there is a competitor doing something. Being customer-focused allows you to be more pioneering."

— Jeff Bezos

ROUNDS AND WEATHER

> Due to increased rainfall early in the week vs. last year — as well as an increase vs. prior week — rounds played finished +69% vs. 2019 and -24% vs. 2020.

> Warmer temperatures continue across the country (+3 degrees vs. 2020), along with increased rainfall throughout all regions, but specifically in California where weather had the biggest impact on play this past week.

> Florida finished as the top performing region for the past 7 days vs. 2019 and vs. 2020 thanks to improved playing conditions and continued demand for play in the state.

> Continuing with recent trends, positive performance nationwide is expected mainly in Florida and the Mountain Pacific. Both areas are on pace to finish up vs. 2020 by over 15% for rounds played over the next five days.

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: PNC Championship
Site: Ritz-Carlton Club Orlando, Orlando, Fla.
Television: Saturday, 11 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel), noon to 3 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, 12:30-1 p.m. (Golf Channel), 1-4:30 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.

LAST CALL

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