The First Call Week In Review 04.12.24

FIRST THOUGHT

THIS WEEK'S EDITIONS OF THE FIRST CALL

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

If you were chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters, what changes — if any — would you make to the course or tournament?

Send replies on this question or other topics and questions you would like to have asked to shall@buffalogroupe.com. For a response to be published, you must include your first and last name, along with the city and state of residence.
> Read responses to last week's question.

BUSINESS

Billy Martin Golf International: Launches in Orlando, China

Thirty-year PGA Professional launches new company with in-person lessons and on the Golf Live virtual coaching platform

Perfect Golf Event: Partners with Golf Genius

The companies will collaborate to enhance the corporate and charity golf event management experience for organizers and participants

Sea Pines Resort: Open the Starboard Shop

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, retail shop features a curated selection of logo apparel, accessories and gift items

Noteefy: Announces that Kohler, Wisconsin's Destination Kohler Resort’s four award-winning golf courses will be using the tee time waitlist notification program. The Noteefy booking assistant is customized to Destination Kohler courses’ branding and integrates directly on top of each POS tee sheet.

COURSES

Entrada at Snow Canyon CC: Begins $2.8 million renovation project

Project at the St. George, Utah, club will focus on the clubhouse, including a complete renovation of the main kitchen, the creation of a new bar and grille, and remodeling of existing dining space

Fairmont Grand Del Mar: Debuting members clubhouse look

The San Diego resort shares details on the upcoming renovations for the golf clubhouse and member spaces at the Grand Golf Club

Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort: Dye Designs Group to oversee renovation

Plans for modernizing the Ocean Point Golf Course layout include new design elements and a refreshed clubhouse

Tetherow GC: Readies for its 16th golf season

Bend, Oregon, destination will unveil its $3 million clubhouse renovation this year as it is ranked the Pacific Northwest's No. 1 resort in Conde Nast Traveler 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards

DESTINATIONS

Cragun's Resort Golf & Conference: Offering summer packages

Brainerd, Minnesota, destination launches three golf packages that are for golfers wanting to maximize their time at the resort, for those who want to explore the Brainerd Lakes area, and for golf groups

GEAR

Ace Indoor Golf: Portable golf simulators available for rentals

Fully customizable simulators are ideal for trade shows, conventions, personal engagements or corporate events

GolfLogix: Unveils Apple Watch app features

Upgrades to the app allow users to more easily view and consider hole layouts, carry distances, approach views and green reading

Jack Nicklaus Apparel: Amateur Neal Shipley to don collection at Masters

On alternate days at Augusta National, Shipley will wear new outfits from the Jack Nicklaus Blue and Black labels

SuperStroke: Akshay Bhatia wins Valero Texas Open in playoff

The 22-year-old PGA Tour player used a Zenergy Tour 1.0 2-piece grip in the victory

LIFESTYLE

Malcolm DeMille: Handcrafts Valero Texas Open champion's trophy

Winner Akshay Bhatia received a trophy that featured a crystal-shaped Texas and Valero flag surrounded by hand sculpted San Antonio landmarks

PEOPLE

Audubon International: Adds Greg Poirier to leadership team

Poirier will serve as director for Green Lodging/Green Hospitality Certifications

Generational Group: Signs Tom Watson as brand ambassador

Mergers and acquisitions advisory firm announces the strategic endorsement agreement that has Watson joining current ambassadors Justin Leonard and rising amateur golfer Anna Davis

KemperSports: Hires Alex Goodman to executive team

As senior vice president, new business development, Goodman will be responsible for expanding the company's roster of managed and leased daily-fee courses, private clubs and destination resorts

World Long Drive: Names W. David Livingston as chief commercial officer. Livingston, an Atlanta resident, recently served as vice president of global partnerships for Oak View Group, guided business operations as president of the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football and directed business development for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

PHILANTHROPY

GCSAA: Rounds 4 Research online auction preview is open

Bidding is open April 22-28 and will feature golf at more than 1,100 courses

Silver Creek Valley CC: Awards 10 scholarships in club foundation's 1st year

San Jose, California, club's Employee Scholarship Foundation scholarships are awarded to club employees or their dependents to pursue post-secondary, trade, technical and other similar educational opportunities

TOURNAMENTS

JM Eagle LA Championship: Announces sponsor exemptions

Emma Talley, Muni He and Yu-Sang Hou receive exemptions to the LPGA tournament April 22-28 at Wilshire Country Club in Hollywood, California