The First Call’s Scorecard, a compilation of the golf industry’s news for April 22-28, 2023.
BUSINESS
▪️ Golf Datatech: Report reveals that total rounds were down 2.3% for March and are flat for year to date. … Youth on Course: Partners with Golf Australia, which announces the launch of TeeMates, a virtual golf membership for juniors under 18. … College Golf Experience: Renews partnership with Texas Junior Golf Tour, which will provide TJGT members and parents the opportunity for access to college coaches, and education about collegiate golf and the recruiting process. … Malcolm DeMille: Company transformed the 2022 Dinah Shore Trophy into the Chevron Championship Cup. This year’s champion, Lilia Vu, will receive her own silver-plate replica of the iconic trophy. … PGA of America: Expands agreement with Chase Sapphire as the association's official credit card. Partnership broadens Chase Sapphire’s reach with the PGA and will provide cardmembers access to multiple benefits at the PGA Championship and KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. … Golf Datatech: Golf equipment sales were down 3% for March and remain 5.6% behind on a year-to-date basis. Current year sales are 36% ahead of 2019, indicating golf sales remain highly elevated.
COURSES
▪️ West Bay Club: Estero, Florida, community kicks off 25th anniversary with a Silver Celebration and will hold other monthly events throughout 2023. … Colonial Country Club: Fort Myers, Florida, club is named one of the ‘Top Ranked Culinary Experiences’ by Club + Resort Chef magazine and one of ‘America’s Healthiest Clubs’ by Prevo Health Solutions. … Gamble Sands: Announces the Gamble Sands Experience sweepstakes, a promotion valued at $5,300 that will award the winner a four-day, three-night, in-season trip or a three-day, two-night, out-of-season trip for two to the Brewster, Washington, resort.
GEAR
▪️ Orca Golf: Creates customized bags for all eight teams in the LPGA’s Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown, May 4-7. Bags will have a country-specific theme, featuring the player’s name, national colors and flag. … Nippon Shaft: The respective winners of last weekend’s PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions tournaments used N.S. Pro Modus3 shafts. … Whiskers: Unveils Military Appreciation Month golf shoelaces. Men’s and women’s laces in solid and pattern designs include camo, red-white-blue and yellow. They are available in single pairs, mix-and-match three packs and five packs. …
MEDIA
▪️ NBC Sports Next: Michelle Wie West featured in GolfPass series 'Lessons with a Champion Golfer.' Wie West joins fellow major champions Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Morgan Pressel and Charl Schwartzel.
PEOPLE
▪️ Edel Golf: Appoints Mike Pai as chief marketing officer who will be instrumental in developing marketing programs, product plan, go-to-market strategy and brand story. … Troon International: Executive vice president Mark Chapleski to retire in July. Chapleski worked 24 years for the company and has led the international division since 2017, helping grow its portfolio to 40-plus facilities in 20 countries. … TMRW Sports: Expands investment group to include Michael Rubin, founder and CEO of Fanatics, and Greg Maffei, president and CEO of Liberty Media.
PHILANTHROPY
▪️ Silver Creek Valley Country Club: Members of the San Jose, California, club form Employee Scholarship Foundation, an initiative that provides scholarships to club employees and their dependents to pursue post-secondary, trade, technical and other similar educational opportunities.
TECHNOLOGY
▪️ Bonfit America: "Play Nine, The Card Game of Golf" can now be played on iPhone, iPad and Android devices. The app allows people to play online together in the multiplayer game modes. The "Play Nine" app can be downloaded for iPhone and iPad on the Apple App Store or for Android on the Google Play Store. … SuperStroke: Davis Riley uses the Pistol Tour putter grip in first PGA Tour win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.