The First Call’s Scorecard, a compilation of the golf industry’s news for March 11-17, 2023.
BUSINESS
▪️PGA Tour: Announces Comcast Business as partner of the Players Championship through 2030. This partnership builds on the success of Comcast Business’ multiyear sponsorship of the Comcast Business Tour Top 10, which splits a $20 million bonus among the top players in the FedEx Cup standings at the end of the regular season. Scottie Scheffler earned a $4 million first-place prize in 2022. … True Spec: To open Scottsdale East at Talking Stick Golf Club on March 23. Facility to feature indoor-to-outdoor fittings utilizing Foresight GCQuad quadroscopic launch monitor. … PGTAA: Professional Golf Teachers Association of America publishes a list of ways to get into the profession. … Ace Indoor Golf: Golf simulator market to reach $3.3 billion by 2030 as launch monitors become more affordable and accurate. … Malcolm DeMille: Handcrafted the flight winner money clips, stainless-steel trophy trays adorned with bronze casting and a sculpture of Superstition Mountain for Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club in Gold Canyon, Arizona.
CHARITABLE
▪️LIV Golf: Announces a three-year community impact partnership with Futbol Mas to establish programming that promotes youth development and well-being through sports. Futbol Mas is a global non-governmental organization that operates throughout Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. At LIV Golf Mayakoba, players Abraham Ancer, Joaquin Niemann and Carlos Ortiz joined Futbol Mas leadersat El Camaleon Golf Course to celebrate the launch of two programs — Neighbourhood Program and My Journey Program — to in Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
COMPETITION
▪️Intersport: Releases the John Shippen National Invitational schedule. The tournament hosts the nation’s top Black golfers to compete for five exemptions into LPGA and PGA Tour events. The women will play June 6-7; the men will play June 24-25. … Rio Verde CC: Hosted the 20th Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational, won by Xavier’s women by 17 strokes over Kennesaw State.
GEAR
▪️USGA, The R&A: Proposes a Model Local Rule (MLR) that gives competition organizers the option to require use of golf balls that are tested under modified launch conditions to address the impacts of hitting distance in golf. The MLR is intended for use only in elite competitions and, if adopted, will have no impact on recreational golf. Golf balls that conform to the MLR must not exceed the current Overall Distance Standard (ODS) limit of 317 yards (plus 3 yards tolerance) at modified Actual Launch Conditions (ALC) with a clubhead speed of 127 mph and based on a calibration setup of 11 degrees and 37 revolutions per second (2,220 rpm) as part of this proposal. If adopted, the proposal would take effect on Jan 1, 2026. … Payntr Golf: Introduces Payntr X 006 RS, the brand’s second spiked model offering. The shoe, currently worn by brand ambassador Mike Weir on the PGA Tour Champions, comes in two colorways, retails for $160 and is available for purchase online and at select retail locations. … PGTAA: Reviews Honma's Beres Black driver, irons. … True Linkswear: Releases the All Day Knit 3 shoe, a one-piece knit design that sits atop the new Ad Sole, the company's most comfortable midsole to date. … Miura Golf: Launches its CB-302 mid-size cavity back forged iron. … Rain or Shine Golf: Publishes guide of the top indoor simulators under $10,000. List includes the SkyTrak SwingBay and SkyTrak Retractable simulator packages, FlightScope Mevo+ Swingbay simulator and Full Swing KIT Retractable simulator package. … Fujikura: Players Championship winner won with Ventus driver and wood shafts in his bag. … Payntr Golf: Earns three top-5 finishes in MyGolfSpy’s Best Spikeless Golf Shoes 2023. Of the 29 models and styles tested, the Payntr X 001 was awarded Most Comfortable in addition to its second-place finish overall; the Payntr X 003 ranked third overall; and the brand’s newest model, the Payntr X 005, finished fifth overall.
PEOPLE
▪️Lohla Sport: Extends its partnership with LPGA player Maude LeBlanc, who will exclusively wear the brand’s golf lifestyle apparel in tournaments and at off-course activities. … LPGA: In Gee Chun wins the inaugural Velocity Global Impact Award based on a fan vote that ran on LPGA.com between February 21-March 6. The award recognizes Chun’s dedication to growing the sport of golf and inspiring the next generation of athletes through her efforts through the In Gee Chun Lancaster Country Club Educational Foundation. Chun and the Foundation will each receive $100,000 compliments of Velocity Global.
TECHNOLOGY
▪️Ace Indoor Golf: Company grew by more than 50% in 2022 due to the popularity of home golf simulators. Straits Research valued the golf simulator market at $1.3 billion in 2021. … 2K: Announces that Matt Fitzpatrick is now available for in-game play on PGA Tour 2K23, along with fictional Mastercard Mountain Valley Country Club. … Tagmarshal, CaddieNow: Partner to launch an app-based caddie tracking service that enables caddies to use GPS technology to track pace of play and identify flow issues.