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| Friday Feb 02, 2024 |
Editor's note: Welcome to the debut of The First Call's Week In Review edition. We know you are busy and sometimes you don't have time to read each morning's edition. So, on Friday afternoon, you will receive a recap of the week's industry news in one concise, easy-to-read edition. We hope you enjoy and, as always, feel free to email any comment, question or suggestion to shall@buffalogroupe.com.
THIS WEEK'S EDITIONS OF THE FIRST CALL
PGA Tour, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.: Announce a marketing partnership that designates the country’s tourism arm as an official tourism sponsor of the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions through 2027. Barbados Tourism will appear on both tours through digital activations and creative content, and at PGA Tour tournaments.
Myrtle Beach Classic: Introduces Club 17 as a VIP fan option for the new PGA Tour tournament, May 6-12 at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. With access to an elevated outdoor seating deck, Club 17 will provide an elevated view of the 11th, 16th, 17th and 18th holes, and will include an open bar and food. Tickets are currently available at MyrtleBeachClassic.com.
USGA, Ally Financial: Announce a multiyear corporate partnership that makes Ally the official retail banking partner of the USGA, the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open, and the new presenting partner for the U.S. Women’s Open. The U.S. Women’s Open presented by Ally will elevate its purse for the 2024 championship to $12 million, the highest in all of women’s golf. Also, Ally signs Lilia Vu as a brand ambassador.
LPGA, ServPro: Announce a multiyear partnership that designates ServPro as the Tour's official mulligan partner and official cleanup and restoration company. ServPro will activate at four LPGA tournaments as presenting sponsor for the military area, known as the Hero Outpost, and the Mulligan program during tournament pro-ams. The Mulligan program introduces a charitable element to the pro-am competition and all proceeds benefit the First Responders Children's Foundation.
PGA Tour, Strategic Sports Group: Launch PGA Tour Enterprises, a new commercial venture under the PGA Tour’s control that nearly 200 PGA Tour members will have the opportunity to become equity holders in. Under this program, players would collectively access over $1.5 billion in equity in PGA Tour Enterprises. As part of PGA Tour Enterprises, SSG, a consortium of American sports team owners led by Fenway Sports Group, today closed on a major financial and strategic investment of up to $3 billion. SSG is investing an initial $1.5 billion into PGA Tour Enterprises. Also, the PGA Tour confirmed progress in its ongoing negotiations with PIF on a potential future investment. SSG has consented to an investment by PIF, subject to any necessary regulatory review and approvals.
Klow Golf Company: Launches the Golf Stroke Counter Bracelet that aids in keeping score of the player’s strokes. The player moves up to 10 beads toward the gold charm across the premium elastic band, allowing the wearer to easily track strokes and keep up with clubhouse fashion. The base product is available at various country clubs and resorts internationally and online.
LIV Golf: Partners with Movistar Plus+, which will broadcast the league’s 2024 and 2025 tournaments on Spain’s leading streaming platform. LIV Golf’s schedule features 14 events, starting the 2024 season on Feb. 2 with LIV Golf Mayakoba in Mexico. Movistar Plus+ is Spain's premiere provider of golf content and its offerings include the Ryder Cup, the four men's and five women's majors, PGA and DP World tour events, and the Solheim Cup.
PGA Tour: Names the 16-member Player Advisory Council (PAC) for 2024. The PAC advises and consults with the PGA Tour Policy Board and commissioner Jay Monahan on issues affecting the Tour. The PAC includes Sam Burns, Lanto Griffin, Nick Hardy, Brian Harman, Max Homa, Mackenzie Hughes, Keith Mitchell, Grayson Murray, Seamus Power, Scottie Scheffler, Adam Schenk, Kevin Streelman, Nick Taylor, Josh Teater, Justin Thomas and Camilo Villegas. Streelman and Villegas have been selected by the Player Directors to run for PAC Chairman via election, which ends Feb. 27. The leading vote-getter will replace Jordan Spieth on Jan. 1, 2025, as a Player Director on the PGA Tour Policy Board, serving a three-year term (2025-27). The other Player Directors are Patrick Cantlay (2024-26), Peter Malnati (2023-25), Adam Scott (2024-26), Webb Simpson (2023-25) and Tiger Woods.
