The First Call’s Scorecard, a compilation of the golf industry’s news for July 22-28, 2023.
BUSINESS
▪️Golf Datatech: Report shows that U.S. rounds played were up 5.5% in June. … Golf Datatech: Reports that overall equipment sales for June dropped by less than 1% vs. the same month 2022. … GolfForever: Chosen as a 2023 Colorado Companies to Watch award winner for being one of the state’s fastest-growing, highest-performing, most impactful and innovative businesses. … Club Champion: Chicago-based clubfitter named to Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Best Clubfitters list for a seventh time. … Bonfit America: Rebrands the Brush-T website, collateral materials and assets. The new website can be found at BrushT.com and features a more contemporary approach. Brush-T is a performance bristle golf tee. … Swing Control: Partners with the Association of Golf Merchandisers and commits to a sponsorship at the PGA Buying & Education Summit, July 31-Aug. 2. Golf Datatech: Reports that on- and off-course specialty channels were up 5.1% for June, the highest monthly total ever. … CGX: Partners with Carolina’s Tarheel Junior Golf Tour, and will provide TJGT members and parents access to college coaches through camps and education events that detail collegiate golf and the recruiting process.
COURSES / COMPETITION
▪️NBC Sports, St Andrews Links Trust: Announce the inaugural St Andrews Links Collegiate, to be held at the historic Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland, Oct. 23-25. The three-day event will feature men’s and women’s golf teams from Georgetown University, the University of North Carolina, the University of Notre Dame and Vanderbilt University. … Cragun's Resort: Lehman 18 debuts after multimillion dollar renovation led project by Tom Lehman, a Minnesota native and major champion. Renovation of the Dutch Red Nine is currently underway. … The Saint Andrew’s GC: Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, course reports on the role course architect Donald Ross played. The architect was responsible for the numerous design changes made to the club’s back nine during its first two decades of play. … Harbor Shores GC: Jack Nicklaus Signature design in Benton Harbor, Michigan, is named one of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses for the first time, coming in at No. 90 on Golf Digest’s list. … Troon: Sixty-one affiliated courses were named to Golfweek's Best lists. Forty-eight daily-fee/resort properties appear on the Best Courses You Can Play, State-by-State list, while 13 clubs appear on the Best Private Courses, State-by-State ranking. … Boyne Golf: Construction is underway on a Ray Hearn-designed 9-hole short course and an adjacent Himalayan-style putting course near its main lodge at The Highlands resort property. … Palos Verdes GC: Southern California club to host LA Open through 2025 with a two-year partnership extension. The 2024 LA Open will be March 18-24. … Dundonald Links: Hosts this week’s LPGA’s Women’s Scottish Open with a field that includes seven of the top 10 players in the Rolex Women's World Rankings, 17 major winners, 45 LPGA winners and 59 LET winners.
United Gamblers: 3M Open odds; Cam Young favored to win
Pre-tournament favorite Cameron Young is listed at +1400 odds on most betting sites in the U.S. with Tony Finau, Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im listed at +1600 odds
BallenIsles CC: East Team wins BallenIsles Junior Cup
Two-day, Ryder Cup-style tournament was played July 22-23 on the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. club's East Course
Red Ledges: Tennis facility recognized by U.S. Tennis Association
Heber City, Utah, community receives the 2023 USTA's Outstanding Facility Award recognizing its tennis venue and commitment toward the growth of tennis in the region
DESTINATIONS
▪️Discover Puerto Rico: Golf thriving as increased airline capacity and lodging demands underscore destination’s vibrancy and traveler appeal. … Explore Branson: Reports that all 10 Branson Golf courses are open to the public and range from luxury resort to daily fee.
GEAR
▪️SwingU: Joe Hallett, Vanderbilt Legends Golf Academy's director of instruction, adds the SwingU Coach platform to deliver advanced statistical reporting to his students. … GolfLogix: App updated for Apple Watch users, who can now track their score and stats, and obtain GPS yardage distances from hazards, layups and to the front, middle and back of every green. … Lohla Sport: Unveils James Bond-inspired ‘007’ autumn-winter collection of coordinated tops, bottoms, skorts, outwear and accessories. … Bald Head Blues: Named the official on-course apparel partner of LIV Golf League's Smash GC. In addition to team members Jason Kokrak and Chase Koepka sporting the beach and lifestyle brand on-course, the team apparel line will go live for sale in merchandise tents at LIV Golf Greenbrier. … SuperStroke: Akshay Bhatia played the Zenergy 1.0P 21-inch putter grip to win the Barracuda Championship, his first PGA Tour victory. … Stewart Golf: Vertx remote trolley arrives in U.S. market. Golfers can control the new trolley from up to 100 yards away. … PXG: Introduces new Lightweight and Deluxe cart bags, which feature an insulated water bottle holder, umbrella storage, customizable ball pocket and external magnetic putter attachment. … Edel Golf, Cool Clubs: Companies partner to deliver Edel Golf SMS family of irons and wedges to nine locations throughout the U.S. and Australia.
PEOPLE
▪️The Clubs at St. James: Southport, North Carolina, club's Peter Holderied is named winner of The Connect 23 Culinary Innovation Challenge, a competition aiming to connect and inspire Sodexo and Entegra chefs. Tucson City Golf: Hires Justin Bubser as director of instruction.
PGA BUYING & EDUCATION SUMMIT
▪️PGA Buying & Education Summit: More than 160 golf and lifestyle brands will gather at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort in Frisco, Texas, July 31-Aug. 2. … Uneekor: To exhibit its Eye Mini portable launch monitor. … Blue Tees Golf: To exhibit its Player+ GPS Speaker and Ringer Golf GPS, a pocket-sized handheld GPS with touch display. … Duca Del Cosma: Italian brand will exhibit its Best of the Best shoe collection. … Ladies Only: Boutique brand will unveil its 2024 collection, focusing on elegant and functional golf, sport and lifestyle pieces for women. … Swing Control: Launching 2024 spring collection, SS24, which is comprised of high-performance nylon tops and bottoms, and have a new take on its Cloud material.