The First Call’s Scorecard, a compilation of the golf industry’s news for January 28-February 3.
BUSINESS
▪️ Global Value Commerce, True Linkswear: GVC to provide logistics services to True Linkswear in Canada and support a strategic growth initiative to directly serve the Canadian consumer. … PGA Tour: Announces two new agreements that will enhance monitoring capabilities as part of an expanded PGA Tour Integrity Program. A new partnership with U.S. Integrity, paired with an extension of the Tour’s existing relationship with Genius Sports, will provide the organization with bet monitoring services through 2024. The program, established in 2018, covers all facets of competition and operations on the Tours overseen by the PGA Tour. The Tour will continue to work with Genius Sports to facilitate tailored educational programs for players, caddies and officials that reinforce regulations and highlight the risks associated with betting-related corruption. … PGA Show: Golf’s longest running and largest global gathering reunited nearly 30,000 PGA pros, golf leaders, industry execs and retailers to help drive business, Jan. 24-27 in Orlando, Florida. … Go Golf Kauai: Hawaiian island collective celebrates 2022 as visits to the GoGolfKauai.com website were up over 130%. … Golf Heritage Society: Exhibiting at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Feb. 6-9 in Orlando, Florida. … Midori Anzen Co.: Japanese manufacturer secures patents across 14 countries for Midori PF1, slim-fit golf pants featuring an integrated protective belt designed to support the back and waist.
CHARITABLE
▪️ Pelican Women’s Championship: Championship donated $50 for each of the 958 birdies made in 2022 ($47,900) to Birdies for Babies, which benefits the AngelEye Health System at BayCare’s Mease Countryside Hospital and Morton Plant Hospital.
COMPETITION
▪️ TMRW Sports: U.S. Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick commits to TGL for 2024. He will join Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Adam Scott and Collin Morikawa for the inaugural season. … Aramco Saudi Ladies International: Tournament confirms that 13 major champions will compete in the event that will feature a record $5 million purse. The major champions playing are In Gee Chun, Anna Nordqvist, Lexi Thompson, Georgia Hall, Ashleigh Buhai, Patty Tavatanakit, Kim A-Lim, Hannah Green, Jeong Eun Lee6, Danielle Kang, Lydia Ko, Hyo-Joo Kim and Ji Eun-Hee. The tournament is scheduled for Feb. 16-19 at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. … WM Phoenix Open: Arizona Cardinals all-time leading receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr., NFL Hall-of-Famer Jerome Bettis and former NFL defensive all-star J.J. Watt have been added to the list of celebrities who will play in the Annexus Pro-Am at the WM Phoenix Open, Feb. 8, at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course. … Chubb Classic: 2021 champion Steve Stricker and major champions Ernie Els, Jim Furyk and Tom Lehman headline early commitments for the PGA Tour Champions event, Feb. 17-19 in Naples, Florida. … Asian Tour: Announces that the 2023 International Series will debut at Al Mouj Golf, Feb. 9-12 in Muscat, Oman. The 132-player field will feature major winners Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel. In its second year, The International Series will contribute more than $20 million to the 2023 Asian Tour prize funds. Comprising of 10 events, an increase from seven in 2022, this investment ensures elevated purses of minimum $2 million per tournament.
COURSES
▪️ Windsong Farm Golf Club: Award-winning architect John Fought’s new Independence, Minnesota, course design will open for play summer 2024 and feature lake views on 13 holes. … BallenIsles CC: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, club unveils newly renovated East Course and practice grounds. Nine-month, multi-million dollar renovation, led by Nicklaus Design, was opened on Jan. 30
GEAR
▪️ PuttView: Debuts its PuttView X, an Augmented Reality training aid that reads greens, calculates distance, break, slope and speed. With see-through displays, PuttView X overlays putt information such as start line, ball path, speed animations and contours onto the green, providing a holographic view of any putt. PuttView X costs $14,480 and will begin shipping to consumers in June. … Whiskers: Newest golf shoelaces mirror the 2023 Pantone Color of the Year, Viva Magenta. … Lohla Sport: Unveils its Lavish Summer Locales collection of women's golf lifestyle apparel, complete with tops, bottoms, skorts, outerwear and accessories available in sizes XXS-XXL. … Rapsodo: Debuts its MLM2Pro launch monitor, which features new metrics, simulation and both iOS and Android compatibility. the MLM2Pro will be available for pre-orders starting Feb. 1 and widespread availability beginning March 31. It will be available for $699.99. … E-Z-Go: Redesigns its RXV golf car with several new features and refinements to enhance the on-course experience for golfers. Features include a reimagined dashboard with easy-to-load tee and golf ball holders, and plenty of space for mobile devices, cups, range finders and personal items. Optional upgrades include a premium canopy and bag covers. The RXV also can be outfitted with integrated Pace Technology.
MEDIA
▪️LPGA: Creates "Drive On: LPGA All Access," a multi-episode series that will air on LPGA platforms and give fans a beyond-the-course glimpse into the lives of some LPGA Tour players throughout the 2023 season. Approximately 10 episodes are planned for 2023 with the first debuting on Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. ET on YouTube and LPGA.com. … NBC Sports: Announces it will air nearly 150 hours of men's and woman's spring college golf on Golf Channel and Peacock. The lineup includes the 2023 NCAA Women’s and Men’s Golf Championships, the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, the Southwestern Invitational, and the 76th Western Intercollegiate. College Central will surround spring college golf and provide pre-round coverage leading into all events on Golf Channel. … International Network of Golf: Announces that Gary D’Amato and Ann Liguori each won first-place honors in two categories to lead the way in the 29th ING Media Awards for the organization's members. Gary Van Sickle, of SI.com, was the leading award winner overall with a first-place finish and four Outstanding Achiever honors. D’Amato won with two articles that appeared in Wisconsin.golf, while Liguori won the Radio Segment category (interview with author Alan Shipnuck regarding his book on Phil Mickelson) and the Podcast category (interview with USA Today's Christine Brennan regarding LIV Golf).
PEOPLE
▪️ Boyne Golf: Bernie Friedrich named 2023 PGA Golf Executive of the Year. Boyne Resorts recognizes longtime senior VP of golf operations for his services in an executive management position. … Landscapes Unlimited: Promotes Dave Linngren to senior vice president – west region. … Nufarm: Hires Jeff Eldridge to the role of golf segment lead for the United States. Eldridge, who previously worked at courses in Texas and Kansas, will help lead Nufarm's launch of several golf course turfgrass technologies, including Anuew EZ Plant Growth Regulator, Tourney EZ Fungicide and Allstar Herbicide. … Majors Challenge: Appoints Michael Gallagher as director of operations. Gallagher previously worked in football operations. … AHRC New York City Foundation: Annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner will honor Hall of Fame member Annika Sorenstam, the first golfer to be selected in the benefit's 43-year history, on Feb. 7 at Pier 61 at Chelsea Piers in New York City. Also, New York Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka, New York Mets manager Buck Showalter and Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo will be honored. The "Thurmans," in honor of the former New York Yankees catcher, are presented to individuals for on-field excellence, community outreach and betterment of their sport. The AHRC NYC benefit has raised more than $19 million to help children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead more productive lives. … PGA of America: Announces the winners of its Class of 2023 PGA of America National Awards honorees: PGA Golf Professional of the Year, Jeff Kiddie, Aronimink Golf Club, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania; PGA Teacher and Coach of the Year, Kevin Weeks, Cog Hill Golf and Country Club, Lemont, Illinois; PGA Golf Executive of the Year, Bernie Friedrich, Boyne Resorts, Petoskey, Michigan; Bill Strausbaugh Award, Jack Druga, Metropolitan PGA Section, Southampton, New York; PGA Professional Development Award, Nick Papadakes, Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest, Illinois; Deacon Palmer Award, Jamie Nieto, The Preserve at Oak Meadows, Addison, Illinois; PGA Patriot Award, John Carpineta, Bensalem Township Country Club, Bensalem, Pennsylvania; PGA Player Development Award, Josh Tremblay, Springfield Golf and Country Club, Springfield, Virginia; PGA Youth Player Development Award, Susie Redman, The Woodlands Country Club, The Woodlands, Texas; Herb Graffis Award, Southern Texas PGA Section; PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Resort Category), Grace Hurley, Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Private Category), Katie Wiedmar, Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, New York; PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Public Category), Ian Ziska, American Dunes Golf Club, Grand Haven, Michigan. … Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour: Announces Jeff Dailey as APGA Tour Player of the Year for 2023. The honor is given to the APGA Tour Member who earns the most combined points in APGA Tour competition throughout the Lexus Cup season, the Farmers Insurance Fall Series and two Cisco Invitational events. The winner also receives a $25,000 bonus. … JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa: Palm Desert, California, resort announces John Wright as the director of golf and Todd Iacono as head golf professional. Wright previously held a similar role at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona, and was most recently director of room operations. Iacono joins the staff from his most recent position as first assistant golf professional at Enagic Golf Club in Chula Vista, California.
REAL ESTATE
▪️ Clear Creek Tahoe: Private residential community located on the eastern slope of the Carson Range in Nevada recently announced its 300th residential sale, a milestone achievement as it approaches a full sellout. In 2022, Clear Creek Tahoe sold 31 homes and homesites, representing a total sales volume of more than $56 million. Clear Creek Tahoe currently has more than 185 homes in the design or construction process.