The First Call’s Scorecard, a compilation of the golf industry’s news for March 18-24, 2023.
BUSINESS
▪️ Golf Datatech: Releases the results of a survey that assesses the serious golfer perception of a proposed USGA/R&A model local rule. … American Golf Industry Coalition: Announces that the 15th National Golf Day will return to Washington, D.C., May 9-10. The AGIC will release a national economic impact study, conduct more than 200 meetings with Congressional offices and participate in a community service project. … Golf Datatech: Apparel sales are up 16.9% YTD on 2022. … Golf Datatech: February retail sales of golf equipment in the U.S. were down for the sixth consecutive month, and are down almost 8% thru the first two months. … Malcolm DeMille: Crafts the Galleri Classic champion’s trophy, which was made of nickel-plated cast bronze, featured three towering palm trees and incorporated a cast 3D Galleri Classic logo atop a satin black wood base. … Teesnap: Makes its Marketing Jump Start service available for a limited time.
COURSES / DESTINATIONS
▪️ BallenIsles Country Club: Naples, Florida, club opens its new '71 Learning Center, which pays homage to the club's memorable 1971 and provides members with a 3,000-square-foot location for custom fittings, club repairs and golf instruction. … Cherry Hills Country Club: Denver, Colorado, club preparing to the host U.S. Amateur Championship, Aug. 14-20. … Explore Branson: Announces that Branson Airport now offers Sun Country Airlines non-stop flights to and from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. … Holly Hills Country Club: Ijamsville, Maryland, club unveils a $3.5 million, five-year club improvement plan.
GEAR
▪️ Ping: Announces the PLD Limited Ping Slam collection, which celebrates the company’s 1988 majors sweep. Precision-milled versions of the four winning models (Pal, Pal 2, Zing 2 and Anser) will be dropped each Tuesday of this year’s four major championship weeks. … Radmor: Drops its New Beginnings Collection, featuring new colors, styles, patterns and materials, for spring 2023. … GolfForever: In conjunction with brand ambassador Scottie Scheffler's Masters title defense, the company is offering a promotion of $20 off its Swing Trainer. … Nippon Shaft: Winner of the DP World Tour’s SDC Championship played the brand's N.S. Pro Modus3 N.S. Pro 120 X flex steel shafts in his irons. … Miura Golf: Launches the AS-1 iron with major champ Adam Scott. Collaboration features a new sole design that can perform with every kind of turf encountered on Tour and more closely resembles the irons Scott played while growing up in Australia. … PXG, Golf+: Collaborate to bring the PXG experience to Golf+. Users of the virtual game can play PXG 0311 Gen6 golf clubs. … Fujikura: Company reports it was the No. 1 driver and wood shaft at both events on the PGA Tour last week.
PEOPLE
▪️ Buffalo Groupe: Names Jack Burris as president of its Moments Live division. … Golftec: PGA of America selects Brendan Locke, a Wisconsin franchise owner and coach, for the 2023-24 PGA LEAD Class leadership program that is designed to progress PGA members along a guided path to volunteer leadership roles at various levels. … Eagle Mountain Golf Club: Names John Patzwald as director of golf to oversee all golf operations for the Fountain Hills, Arizona, club. … Sunnyside Golf and Country Club: Names Seth Henrich as its new general manager. Henrich will oversee golf operations, food and beverage, agronomy, maintenance operations for the Waterloo, Iowa, club. … Blue Tees Golf: Announces noted instructor Sean Foley was a brand ambassador. Foley will use Blue Tees Golf’s technology while teaching on and off the golf course. … Omni Hotels and Resorts: Partners with Cameron Young, the 2022 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, to collaborate on Omni initiatives to showcase golf’s impact, including participation in Omni’s Birdies-or-Better campaign, the company’s charitable initiative with the PGA Tour. … Swing U: Rea Schuessler, director of instruction at the Country Club of Mobile (Alabama), signs up for the Coach platform to offer advanced statistical reporting to club’s members and his students.