The First Call’s Scorecard, a compilation of the golf industry’s news for January 21-27.
BUSINESS
▪️ Teesnap: Launches Teesnap Champions, a new client success model that works with courses to tailor POS technology to meet specific needs. Champions provides input on Teesnap technology and shares personal insight on club operations.
COMPETITION
▪️ Genesis Invitational: Tiger Woods announces Marcus Byrd as the recipient of the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption for the Feb. 16-19 tournament at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. … TMRW Sports: Collin Morikawa and Adam Scott commit to compete in TGL. The pair is the latest to join Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas in the golf league that is in partnership with the PGA Tour and will begin play in 2024.
COURSES
▪️ Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, True Blue Golf Club: Pawleys Island, South Carolina, courses are ranked Nos. 49 and 85, respectively, on Golfweek’s Top 200 Resort Courses in the U.S. list. Both courses were designed by golf course architect Mike Strantz. … Mauna Lani: South Course selected as No. 1 in the U.S. based on more than 315,000 reviews submitted by golfers for the GolfPass Golfers’ Choice lists.
GEAR
▪️ SwingU: Partners with Bob Jones University’s men’s golf team. Coach platform will help head coach Dr. Denny Scott and assistant coach Doug Walker deliver advanced statistical reporting to team members. … Softspikes: Introduces its new Tour Flex Pro replacement spikes, which have been independently proven to increase driver distance by 5 yards while reducing shot dispersion by 40%. Softspikes Tour Flex Pro replacement spikes will be available March 1 for $19.99. … Srixon: Releases refreshed Z-Star Series. New ball is scheduled to launch Feb. 15, while the Z-Star Series Divide is scheduled for a spring launch date. Both balls feature FastLayer DG Core, Spin Skin+ and Speed Dimple Pattern. … Ahead: Introduces its 2023 summer/fall apparel lines. New collections respond to current on- and off-course trends. Men's line includes two new polos and a hoodie; women's line includes sun shirts, jackets, a hoodie and a new skort.
NONPROFITS
▪️ LPGA Foundation: Announces a partnership with the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association and First Tee – Hawaii (HSJGA/FTH) to launch a new LPGA*USGA Girls Golf chapter in Hawaii, which will be run and operated by the HSJGA/FTH. The chapter is scheduled to launch later this spring.
PEOPLE
▪️ Radmor: Signs PGA Tour player Kevin Chappell as a brand ambassador. The former UCLA All-American joins Korn Ferry Tour players R.J. Manke and Noah Wolsey in representing the golf apparel brand in 2023. … SkyTrak: Hires Chris Koske as senior vice president of marketing to oversee all aspects of marketing, including the building of a marketing team that will transform the brand's go-to-market practices. … PGA of America: Names Ron Green Jr., of Charlotte, North Carolina, as the 2023 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism. Green Jr., 66, is the 32nd recipient of the award and his father, Ron Green Sr., won the award in 2006, making them the first father-son duo to be honored. Green Jr. is in his 11th year with Global Golf Post. He previously spent 23 years as a sportswriter for the Charlotte Observer newspaper. … Proto Concept Golf / Golf Partner: Sign world No. 1 Lydia Ko, winner of the LPGA’s 2022 Rolex Player of the Year Award, to a three-year endorsement extension to play Proto Concept irons. Under the agreement, Ko will have the Golf Partner logo on her bag, umbrella and headcovers, and both companies will have the rights to her name, image and likeness. … BallenIsles Country Club: Head racquet sports pro Andrei Daescu drafted by Major League Pickleball’s Milwaukee Mashers.Daescuis currently ranked among the top 10 players in the world and will play in six Major League Pickleball events in 2023.
PGA SHOW [Jan. 24-27, Orlando, Florida]
▪️Mach One Golf Balls: Debuting novelty golf balls. Launched in April 2022, the single-use balls produce a loud explosive sound upon impact. … Desert Fox Golf: To debut cigar holder and push cart adapter accessories, along with DrinkAide, a line of leak-proof, novelty drink tumblers. … Birdie Everything: Innovator Robyn James to showcase InfusenClip accessory. James won the 2022 Loudoun Innovation Challenge for her product. … Swing Control: Registered PGA Show attendees are invited to see the brand's new FW23 Collection at the AGM Product Review on Jan. 24. … Marie Birdie: Debuting its clothing line that was founded in 2022 and is tailored for tween and teen girls. The brand will officially launch on Feb. 1. … Korechi Innovations: Pik'r autonomous range-picking robot will be on display at the Demo and Fitting Day on Jan. 24. Pik’r can run for 13 continuous hours, covering up to 7 acres per hour and picking up 4,000 balls per trip. … Xonic Golf: Introducing its iTQ AI quick-tip caddie app, which includes design features such as a shot tracker, a new video module and the ability to select a preferred language. … Dunning Golf: U.S. Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis to open the PGA Show for the brand by previewing a selection of the team’s uniforms. Dunning Golf is the uniform supplier for the U.S. teams in 2023 and 2024. … SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio: To broadcast from the PGA Show, Jan. 24-27, in Orlando, Florida. Coverage begins on Jan. 24 from the Demo and Fitting Day at the Orange County National Golf Center. Hosts Chantel McCabe, Dennis Paulson and Jason Sobel will be on site, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Brian Katrek and John Maginnes will also host their show, Katrek & Maginnes on Tap, live from 4-6 p.m. from the facility. Jan. 25-27, McCabe, Paulson and Sobel will host the daily show, Inside the Ropes, live from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. from the PGA Show floor at the Orange County Convention Center. Other shows will record from the Show floor to air at a later time. … Tagmarshal: Will host several education sessions, including one featuring Pinehurst, and launch next generation product upgrades. … CBS Sports: Digital platforms to provide on-site coverage, including live reports from CBS Sports digital host Joe Musso and golf writer Kyle Porter on CBS Sports HQ, and on-site episodes of CBS Sports' podcast, 'The First Cut.' … Birdie & Ace: For the first time since its soft launch in March 2022, the women's apparel brand will present its new assortment of products and engage with prospective and existing buyers. … Tall Order: Exhibiting its Aaron Judge Tall Order All Sports Game ready socks and other offerings. Products are available for men and women in sizes up to 20-plus. … Boxto International: Exhibiting its latest line of handcrafted, handmade golf shoes and belts for men and woman. The company will also introduce three new brand ambassadors.