The First Call’s Scorecard, a compilation of the golf industry’s news for August 19-25, 2023.
BUSINESS
▪️KemperSports: Expands its management portfolio to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, by adding Tidewater Golf Club. … Troon: Selected to manage Salgados Golf Course in Portugal. Troon International will oversee golf operations, agronomy and marketing for the course set along the Atlantic Ocean coastline in Albufeira, Algarve. … Golf Datatech: On- and off-course equipment sales in the U.S. were relatively even for the month compared to July 2022, while total retail sales were at $393 million. … LPGA, Fenway Sports Management: Announce a unique sales alliance that will allow the LPGA to expand its reach in identifying and engaging with new partners, paving the way for increased revenue generation and enhanced exposure on a global scale. Strengthening and enhancing the LPGA’s Sales and Partnerships team, FSM’s Partnerships team will now assist in developing and selling LPGA partnership assets worldwide alongside FSM’s wide portfolio of sports properties, which include the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool Football Club, Pittsburgh Penguins, NASCAR’s RFK Racing, and TGL Boston. … GCSAA: Courses and others are encouraged to provide recognition for their superintendent and course maintenance staff on 'Thank a Golf Course Superintendent Day' on Sept. 12. … Finn Scooters: Partners with EAGL to simplify the rental process of Finn cycles. EAGL technology will make the cycles keyless, offer a seamless in-app payment solution and allow for live booking and fleet monitoring. The software will be equipped on all new Finn Cycles, while existing cycles in rental fleets at over 160 golf courses across the country are transitioning to the new app. … Southern California Section of the PGA of America: Announces it will host the seventh California Teaching & Coaching Summit at Virginia Country Club, Oct. 15-16 in Long Beach, California. TravisMathew will serve as the presenting partner of the event that will feature Michael Block, who earned low PGA Professional honors at the PGA Championship, as the keynote speaker. Other speakers will include Todd Anderson, Boyd Summerhays, Jim McLean, Derek Uyeda, Craig Welty, Leo Rooney, Randy Chang and Jamie Mulligan. … Golf Magazine: Releases its latest biennial list of Top 100 Teachers in America. Fifteen teachers make their Top 100 debut on the list, which is compiled by the publication's Top 100 Teachers Credentials Committee. … Golfpac Travel: Becomes marketing partner with the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic to promote golf and tourism. … KemperSports: Selected to manage Tanglewood Golf Club, a Detroit-area 27-hole daily fee facility. … Blue Tees Golf: Introduces a customs program that allows organizations and companies to mix and match product selection for event gifting. The products include the company's best-selling Series 3 Max Rangefinder, Player speaker, and Magnetic Towel. Blue Tees Golf is offering special discounts on specific custom orders, and setup fees will be waived on all orders of 25 or more Magnetic Towels and on 50 or more Player Speakers. … TMRW Sports Group: TGL announces Arthur M. Blank as the league’s third team owner. Blank’s AMB Sports and Entertainment secures the rights for a TGL team representing Atlanta and expands his sports ownership portfolio, which already includes the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and MSL's Atlanta United.
COURSES / COMPETITION
▪️Circling Raven Golf Club: Epson Tour returns to the Worley, Idaho, course, Aug. 25-27. A field of 132 will compete for a $225,000 purse. … USGA: Selects the Country Club of Buffalo to host the 2027 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and the 2032 U.S. Senior Amateur Championships. The Buffalo, New York, club has previously hosted four USGA championships, including the 1912 U.S. Open. … Todd Eckenrode – Origins Golf Design: Reports that its renovation of Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in Menlo Park, California, will be completed by later this fall, with an opening in spring 2024. The $20 million renovation includes reforestation and tree management; renovated tees, cart paths, greens, and bunkers; and improved turf and drainage. … LIV Golf: Announces that three-time Grammy Award-winning artist Nelly will perform at LIV Golf Chicago, returning to Rich Harvest Farms Sept. 22-24. Nelly will perform live on the main stage on Friday, Sept. 22 to conclude day one of competition. Also, Grammy Award-winning Tiesto will perform on Saturday, Sept. 23, following the second day of competition. … USGA: Announces that Plainfield Country Club in Edison, New Jersey, will be the host site for three USGA championships — the 2025 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, the 2031 U.S. Senior Women’s Open and the 2038 U.S. Senior Open. They will be the third, fourth and fifth USGA championships held at the club. Plainfield Country Club was founded in 1890 as the Hillside Tennis Club and added a nine-hole golf course five years later. The current course was designed by Donald Ross and opened for play in 1921.
GEAR
▪️Nippon Shaft: Chan Kim won the Korn Ferry Tour’s Magnit Championship playing the brand's N.S.Pro Modus³ 125 TX flex shafts in his irons. … Pro’s Choice Golf Shafts: Viktor Hovland played a Graphite Design Tour AD DI 85-X Stiff flex hybrid shaft in his Titleist U505 #3 Utility Iron to win the BMW Championship. Hovland shot a course-record 61 in the final round to win by two strokes. … Shot Scope: Introduces the improved Pro LX+ laser rangefinder, which features the dynamic combination of GPS-powered distances and Artificial Intelligence for personalized performance tracking. The Pro LX+'s new features include a smaller and more compact design with enhanced stabilization, faster target-lock, a built-in extra strong cart magnet to quickly attach to cart, and an anti-slip comfort stability grip. … Bridgestone Golf: Introduces the e9 Long Drive golf ball, which is available in gloss colors, including pink, yellow, and orange. Designed to produce extreme ball speeds, the e9 Long Drive was created with input from World Long Drive (WLD) contestants and is the official ball of WLD. The balls retail for $29.99 per dozen. … SkyGolf: Offering a Labor Day promotion of $50 off its award-winning rangefinders, including the SX400 and SX550 handheld models and the LX5 and LX5 with ceramic bezel smart watches. The LX2 smart watch is $20 off the reduced price of $149.95. The promotion runs Aug. 28-Sept. 11. … FootJoy: Showcases the HydroSeries line of rain jackets by the DryJoys Selecta and HydroLite Xa. The DryJoys Selecta is the brand's lightest, most waterproof and breathable rain jacket and uses a specially engineered 2.5-layer fabric that reduces weight while providing full mobility and maximum waterproof protection. The HydroLite Xa is designed for warmer playing conditions with specifically placed knit panels in the arms and back for increased movement and flexibility in the golf swing. … GolfForever: Launches Labor Day offers for its Swing Trainer and mobile app. The Trainer is available for $179.99 at retail locations and on GolfForever.com, and the brand is also offering $100 off of the Trainer when bundled with a 12-month subscription to the app.
Belvedere GC: To host 2023 Hickory Grail Matches
Ryder Cup-style event brings together hickory golfers from Great Britain and Europe to compete against the U.S., Sept. 5-7 in northern Michigan
Whiskers: Golf shoelaces promote back-in-school colors
Schools within the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC athletic conferences, as well as most high schools coast-to-coast, are represented with laces in 70[plus patterns and solids
SwingU: Announces partnership with Lee University’s golf teams
Head men’s coach Evan Spence and head women’s coach Geandra Almeida partner with SwingU Coach to deliver statistical reporting to their respective staff and team members
Tour Edge: Ken Duke earns 1st win on PGA Tour Champions
One-two finish for Tour Edge staff players at the Shaw Charity Classic is the brand’s 25th Champions victory; Duke secured the win playing a full bag of Exotics