The First Call’s Scorecard, a compilation of the golf industry’s news for June 17-23, 2023.
BUSINESS
▪️NBC Sports: Network's coverage of the U.S. Open was the most-watched edition of the event since 2019, delivering viewership and consumption milestones across NBCU broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Sunday’s final round on NBC, Peacock and NBC Sports Digital averaged 8.8 million viewers in primetime and peaked at 10.2 million viewers from 9:30-9:45 p.m. ET. Full final-round coverage on NBC, Peacock and NBC Sports Digital (1-10:09 p.m. ET) delivered an average of 6.2 million viewers, and ranked as the most-watched U.S. Open final round since 2019 at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Led by Peacock, a record average minute audience (AMA) of 304,000 viewers streamed Sunday’s final round — marking the third time in four days of Peacock coverage that NBC Sports set a record for most-streamed golf round. Across 47 hours of live championship coverage on NBC, Peacock and USA Network, the 2023 U.S. Open averaged a Total Audience Delivery of 3.4 million viewers — the best mark since 2019, and up 27% from last year (2.7 million) and a 9% increase from the last west coast U.S. Open (3.2 million at Torrey Pines in 2021). … OKX: The crypto exchange and Web3 technology company becomes the first global sponsor of Majesticks Golf Club, one of the 12 teams competing in the LIV Golf League. Team members Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Sam Horsfield and Laurie Canter, temporary injury replacement for Horsfield, will sport the OKX logo on their team kits. Through the partnership, the team and OKX will collaborate to offer innovative Web3 engagement opportunities and fan experiences to a global audience at the league's tournaments. … Troon: Callaway is named the title sponsor of Troon Events' Pinehurst Pro Am, Aug. 23-27 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. The tournament is limited to 104 players and will feature three rounds of golf, four nights of accommodations at The Carolina Hotel, daily breakfast, receptions and more. … Horseshoe Bay Resort: Horseshoe Bay, Texas, destination will host its annual Beer by The Bay Music Festival, Aug. 11-12. ‘Golf Goes Country’ will have Easton Corbin and Eli Young Band as the headline concert acts.
COURSES / COMPETITION
▪️ Saint John’s Resort: New course will open for play in spring 2024 at the luxury resort in Plymouth, Michigan. The new championship 18-hole course will be the first high-end public golf course to debut in Metro Detroit in 20-plus years. … Black Desert Resort GC: Ivins, Utah, course opened for daily play on May 27 The Tom Weiskopf-designed course will host an LPGA Tour event in 2025. … USGA: Selects Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Californina, to host the 131st U.S. Open, which will take place June 12-15, 2031. The 2031 U.S. Open will be the fifth USGA championship held at the club. Riviera previously hosted the 1948 U.S. Open won by Ben Hogan, the 1998 U.S. Senior Open won by Hale Irwin and the 2017 U.S. Amateur won by Doc Redman. The course will also welcome its first U.S. Women’s Open in 2026. … Moss Creek GC: To hold the WSCGA-JGF High School Invitational, hosted by LPGA and Legends Tour champion Rosie Jones, Sept. 30-Oct. 1 in Hilton Head, South Carolina. … Aspen Glen Club: Completes renovations to the fitness center and aquatics facilities at its membership golf, fitness and lifestyle club in Carbondale, Colorado. The renovations are part of a three-phase capital improvement plan designed to elevate clubhouse amenities and the golf course experience as part of the overall portfolio of Invited Clubs. The fitness center has been fully outfitted with Technogym equipment and now includes a dedicated group exercise studio for classes, a private personal training studio and an expanded, open workout space. … Ocean Course at Hokuala: Led by PGA director of instruction Kellie Hines, the Kaua'i, Hawaii, course earned five top-three finishes out of 711 courses worldwide in Operation 36's monthly 2022/23 Global Leaderboard Challenge. … College Golf Experience: To host Boys Top100 South Camp, July 18-19 at Texas Rangers Golf Club in Arlington, Texas.
GEAR
▪️ GameGolf: Announces next generation KZN shot-tracking platform. The GPS platform costs $269.99 price and includes KZN hardware and a one-year membership. … SkyTrak: Introduces a play-and-improve membership. The all-inclusive package combines the features of the Game Improvement Plan membership with the immersive golf experiences of WGT and newly introduced 15-course pack from E6 Connect. … GolfTrainingAids.com: Debuts The Connector swing training aid. … Whiskers: Unveils a dozen new men’s and women’s lace in tropical colors, including apple red and navy, Carolina blue, lavender, tangerine, and peach and fuchsia. … Ping: Introduces the new G430 LST 3-wood. The low-spinning, tour-style design combines a 2041 Beta-Ti face, Ti 8-1-1 body and 80-gram tungsten sole plate to produce, on average, 7 yards more distance. … Stewart Golf: Launches its Golden Ball event. Golden golf balls will be hidden inside newly purchased electric caddies and winners will receive a full refund for the value of their order, including any accessories purchased. … SuperStroke: Wyndham Clark used the Zenergy Tour 3.0 17-inch putter grip to win the U.S. Open.
PEOPLE
▪️ GameGolf: Names golf instructor Martin Chuck as ambassador. Chuck will showcase user benefits and direct the in-app coaching process through the new KZN GPS shot-tracking platform.