Golf Industry in Review: January 20-26
+ Names, news and notables.
The First Call’s Golf Industry in Review is a compilation of the news for January 20-26 that is updated daily.
BUSINESS
NBC Sports Next: Total revenue delivery to golf courses using its GolfNow and TeeOff platforms exceeded $1 billion in 2023.
Association of Golf Merchandisers: Announces its 2024 Best of the Best Platinum Award winners.
Skill Money Games: Launches cash challenges for indoor golf. Company's AI-generated cash challenges are customized to any player’s skill level on Full Swing’s golf simulator at Swing Social in San Diego, California.
Troon: Partners with Putting World Scottsdale and will provide sales and marketing, accounting, human resources and procurement support for the Scottsdale, Arizona facility.
Summit Golf Brands: B. Draddy partners with the Metropolitan Golf Association and the MGA Foundation, and will be the exclusive apparel provider for all needs within the MGA.
PGA of America: Renews partnership with Women’s Golf Day. Under the agreement, PGA of America Golf Professionals can participate in professional development opportunities while supporting WGD.
Golf Live: Offering $100, $10,000 bonuses to 2.0 app instructors, coaches. Bonuses are available for those who activate their accounts, and a $10,000 award will be given to the coach who signs up the most active students for the new membership program.
Rhone: Wellness brand becomes the exclusive on-course apparel partner of the LPGA Tour and Epson Tour, as well as the provider of staff uniforms for both tours. … Tumi: Travel and lifestyle brand announces multiyear partnerships with the LPGA and PGA Tour to become the official luggage for both organizations. … ProtoConcept: Selects California-based Read the Greens Golf Media as the company’s public relations and marketing agency.
COMPETITION
USGA: The U.S. Adaptive Open Championship will adopt a qualifying model for 2024. Conducted over 18 holes, qualifiers will be held at six sites across the United States between April 15 and May 31. They will be administered by Allied Golf Associations (AGAs). In its first two years, the championship field was determined largely by Handicap Index.
Chubb Classic: Early commits include reigning champion Bernhard Langer, along with Davis Love III, Colin Montgomerie and 2024 inductee Padraig Harrington.
COURSES / DESTINATIONS
Concert Golf Partners: A $10.5 million, multiyear renovation of MacGregor Downs Country Club, located in Cary, North Carolina, pays homage to the tradition and heritage of the storied club.
Raven Golf Club: Daily-fee Phoenix, Arizona, course unveils renovation that includes newly opened playing corridors to showcase panoramic views, revitalized tee complexes and adjacent desert areas, and 60 restored sand bunkers.
Shorecliffs GC: San Clemente, California, course unveils renovated course, clubhouse and restaurant.
PGTAA: Announces its top-10 private, public and resort course lists for Palm Springs, California.
USGA: Merion Golf Club, in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, will serve as the host site for the 2040 U.S. Open Championship. Merion was previously awarded both the 2030 and 2050 championships, setting the club up to host the U.S. Open once every 10 years. … Giants Ridge: Both of its Biwabik, Minnesota, destination courses, The Quarry and The Legend, are named to Golfweek’s annual Top 200 Resort Courses in the U.S. rankings for 2024. The Quarry moved into a tie for 32nd, while The Legend improved to a tie for 104th.
GEAR
Asics: Introduces its Gel-Kayano Ace 2 spikeless golf shoe that builds upon Asics' renowned running shoes and features lightweight shock absorption and the incorporation of Flex Grooves, which enhance rotation during the swing.
Dunlop Sports Americas: Relaunches its Never Compromise Reserve putters. The putters will be sold by the XXIO/Never Compromise/ASICS sales team of Dunlop Sports Americas to select locations in many of North America's golf shops.
True Spec Golf: Reviews Ping's Blueprint S/T irons.
Alphard Golf: Launches Cybercart, which can be purchased as either a manual cart or upgraded to a motorized cart by adding a battery pack.
Golf Live: New 2.0 app includes Live stream and in-person lesson recording.
Cleveland Golf: Introduces its RTX Full-Face 2, Smart Sole Full-Face wedges.
True Spec Golf: Reviews Mizuno's Pro 2024 irons.
Ecco Golf: Upcoming collection includes the Ecco Golf LT1 golf shoe and updates several of the brand’s mainstay products.
Bushnell Golf: Unveils improved Wingman 2 GPS golf speaker. Latest upgrade features integrated BITE magnetic remote, new battery light indicator, USB-C charging port and improved audio quality.
Arnold Palmer Group: Launches new line with Full Turn Custom Apparel. The AD Palmer line of golf and lifestyle apparel will be available at select clubs and retailers, starting this May.
Rohnisch Golf: Makes U.S. debut with 2024 autumn/winter collection.
Shot Scope: Launches the Pro ZR laser rangefinder that features a DuraShield Hardshell design that offers a strong and metallic construction with a water resistant rating. The device retails for $299.99. … Boxto: Manufacturer of premium handcrafted leather golf shoes and belts becomes an official licensee of Nicklaus Companies and will unveil new Nicklaus-branded shoes at the PGA Show. The shoes will be offered in two of Boxto’s most-popular styles — the Legacy Pro ($249) and Heritage Malaga ($449).
PEOPLE
Golftec: Appoints Tom Reilly as chief human resources officer.
PGA of America: Recognizes 13 members with 2024 National Awards and the recipients will be formally honored at the 2024 PGA Annual Meeting in November.
XXIO: Signs PGA Professional Nathalie Sheehan as a brand ambassador. Sheehan will collaborate with XXIO on a variety of video content and share her expertise in swing and golf fitness tips.
Omni Hotels & Resorts: Partners with Texas natives and twins Parker and Pierceson Coody, who have earned their respective PGA Tour cards for 2024. The Coody brothers will showcase Omni’s logo on their respective golf bags throughout the season. … Newton Golf Shafts: Newly established business division of Sacks Parente Golf, signs PGA Tour Champions player Ken Duke as its first player to represent the Newton shaft brand. Duke uses the new Newton Motion Shaft in his driver. … Uneekor: Signs PGA Tour player Beau Hossler to a brand ambassador for its golf simulator technologies. Hossler joins fellow professionals Muni "Lily" He and Cameron Champ as ambassadors. … Sun Mountain: Names Grant Knudson as president and chief brand officer, effective Jan. 22. In his role, Knudson will lead global commercial strategy focused on driving sales, marketing and product innovation.
PGA SHOW
PGA Show: 71st edition kicks off in Orlando on Jan. 23. This year's event features more golf brands, a larger show floor, new specialty pavilions and a new PGA Show Winter Jam performance.
PuttLink: To exhibit its award-winning Smart Ball, which was the winner of a Best New Product award at last year’s event.
The Garde: Women's lifestyle brand makes debut.
PGA of America: Actor Anthony Anderson stars in the association's second phase of the "We Love this Game" brand campaign unveiled at the PGA Show.
Golf Live: Shows off new 2.0 app as instructors, coaches see live, remote golf instruction demonstrated.