The First Call’s Scorecard, a compilation of the golf industry’s news for October 28 - November 3, 2023.
BUSINESS
▪️Audubon International: Nonprofit recognizes 40 courses that have been a certified Audubon Certified Sanctuary Program for Golf member for 10, 20 and 30 years. … Stewart Golf: Publishes the results of an independent study that examines exercise on the golf course. Led by Graeme Close, professor of Human Physiology at Liverpool John Moores University, the study shows that using an electric caddie or push cart is just as good for a golfer as carrying clubs. … True Spec: To open a location at Floridian National Golf Club in Palm City, Florida, on Nov. 1.
COMPETITION / COURSES
▪️Presidents Cup, American Junior Golf Association: Announce Graham DeLaet and Charley Hoffman as the respective captains of the International and U.S. teams for the 2024 Junior Presidents Cup, Sept. 23-24 at Le Club Laval-sur-le-Lac in Montreal, Canada. … Santa Maria GC: Panama City, Panama, club completes numerous agronomy and course enhancement projects in preparation for the Latin America Amateur Championship, Jan. 18-21, 2024. … The American Express: Tickets now on sale for the January PGA Tour event. Card members who complete a ticket order with their American Express card receive a 20% discount to the Jan. 18-21 tournament in La Quinta, California. … PGA Tour, Bridgestone Americas: Announce the field for the inaugural Bridgestone HBCU Invitational, a 54-hole team and individual stroke-play event, Nov. 1-2, at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Georgia. The tournament will feature nine HBCU men’s and five HBCU women’s teams, with the winning schools earning a two-day development camp at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Schools competing in this year’s event include Alabama State, the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, Chicago State, North Carolina Central, Tennessee State, Florida A&M, Morehouse College, Miles College, Southern University and Prairie View A&M.
DESTINATIONS
▪️Apes Hill Barbados: Destination resort garners four category wins at 2023 World Golf Awards and was recognized for sustainability best practices and real estate development excellence.
GEAR
▪️SuperStroke: Debuts its Pantheon golf bags with stand, hybrid and cart models. High-performance luxury golf bag line is available exclusively on SuperStrokeUSA.com and boasts contemporary designs and functional protective features in black or white.
PEOPLE
▪️The Club at Starr Pass: Tucson, Arizona, club adds David Loomis as general manager, Lucy Matthews as director of golf, David Lee as head golf professional, Chad Parron as superintendent and Jennifer Huebner to oversee golf sales/marketing. … GCSAA: Olayemi Ojeokun, who is completing her master’s degree at Kansas State University, wins the Larry Powell Scholarship.
TECHNOLOGY
▪️SwingU: Adds Drexel University as a SwingU Coach client. Head men’s golf coach Ben Feld to use the platform to deliver advanced statistical reporting to his coaching staff and players. … Tagmarshal: Cites 30 courses for their operational excellence. The 2023 Diamond Awards recognize continuous on-course improvement, while another 150 clubs receive platinum and gold awards for significant performance progress.