Stepping Back in Time to Shape Future
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ON THE TEE
🏌️ Tiger Woods withdrew from the Hero World Championship because of plantar fasciitis in his foot, which was associated with two additional surgeries in 2022. He still plans to play in the PNC Championship and The Match because he can use a golf cart in both events. Anyone have a problem with giving Tiger a cart carte blanche?
🏌️ Woods was awarded $15 million as the winner of the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program — for the second straight year, having played only nine rounds on Tour in 2022. Does that make him the leading money winner per round?
🏌️ Woods also jumped on the anti-Greg Norman bandwagon, joining Rory McIlroy in calling for the ouster of the LIV Golf CEO, saying it’s the only path to peace between LIV and the PGA Tour. Does it matter that Woods and Norman have a history of animosity?
🏌️ Sergio Garcia, a LIV Golf player, asked in a tweet if PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has to go, as well. Does he have a point?
🏌️ Cameron Smith won the Australian PGA Championship and its meager first prize of about $232,000. Does that mean Smith plays in events for reasons other than money?
🏌️ Augusta National has, according to Eureka Earth, finally used the land it bought from neighboring Augusta CC to extend the tee at the par-5 13th. The tournament yardage is 510 yards. No one is saying how many extra yards will be added. Will that really make it a better hole?
🏌️ Rory McIlroy said in an interview that he is certain he gave Woods COVID just before the British Open in July. But McIlroy didn’t say if he got a test. Woods maintains he tested negative. Whom do you believe?
🏌️ Woods is also on board, along with Smith and Jon Rahm in slamming the Official World Golf Ranking as a “flawed system.” Anyone disagree?
🏌️ Speaking of rankings, Lydia Ko returned to the No. 1 spot on the Rolex Rankings, making her the third different No. 1 since Oct. 31. Is the LPGA’s ranking system any better?
:: Mike Purkey
THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON
Twelve (12) times through Dec. 23, The First Call is giving away a variety of golf gifts. It’s not too late to join, just click here to find out the prizes and how to enter.
FEATURES
Jeff Stein to retrace C.B. Macdonald’s 1800s path
Inaugural World 100 Club scholarship winner to study St. Andrews, country's iconic courses for three weeks in 2023
:: Mike Purkey | Read
The absolute ultimate 2022 golf holiday gift guide
Apparel, equipment, tech ... you name it and there is something for practically everyone in this gift guide gallery
:: The First Call Staff | View
The LPGA's case of not biting the hand that feeds?
While CME Group chairman Terry Duffy expressed disappointment in players not attending a tournament sponsor dinner, some The First Call readers point to a failure in leadership
:: The First Call Readers | Read
HOME FRONT
The Waterfront Daniel Island | Charleston, SC
Listing: Sabal Residence 833 | 601 Waterman St.
Stats: 2,093 square feet | 2 bedroom | 2.5 bathrooms.
Price: $1,978,000.
About: With direct views of the Wando River and garden-inspired courtyard, Residence 833 offers the very best of waterfront living. The unit boasts dual terraces at either end of the unit, one of which is connected to the primary bedroom. The open floor plan includes a gourmet kitchen, living room with a fireplace and dining space. Elevated finishes and appliances have been hand-selected by nationally acclaimed B. Berry Interiors. The Waterfront Daniel Island has an array of private amenities, including a pool and pavilion, state-of-the-art fitness center, community outdoor gathering space, on-site property management and access to the boathouse to store kayaks and paddleboards. There is also 25 miles of trails along the water and marsh front, and acclaimed golf courses Daniel Island Club, Bulls Bay and Patriots Point are just minutes away.
BOOKMARKED
Good reads that are mainly about golf, but not always.
📖 The most powerful people in golf
Live and golf entertainment have challenged the status quo and could transform the business of golf for years to come. This year’s power list reflects these changes, as some of golf’s key leaders look to go on the offensive
:: Golf Inc. | November / December 2022
📖 Ever present, ever relevant: Donald Ross at 150
Why Donald Ross golf courses never go out of style
:: Bradley S. Klein | USGA Golf Journal | Spring 2022
OFF THE PLAYLIST
One golfer’s song of choice for the course. Hey, and if you don’t like it? Share your choice. Seriously. .
🎶 You, Me, and Whiskey | Justin Moore / Priscilla Block [Spotify | iTunes]
DESIGN NOTES
Richardson | Danner craft a new Utah Par-3
⛳️ Already home to two of Utah’s greatest courses, Dye Canyon and the Nicklaus Painted Valley, Park City’s private Promontory Club will soon welcome a little brother, The Hills at Promontory.
Work began on the 18-hole, par-3 course in April and is being designed by Forrest Richardson and Jeff Danner. With holes inspired by some of the world’s great one-shotters, the course is intended to appeal to a wide variety of golfers, with distances ranging from 75 to 240 yards, according to Richardson. It will also boast a wide variety of holes, which will unfold in out-and-back fashion, a la the Old Course at St. Andrews.
⛳️ St. Mellion Estate in Cornwall, England has completed a renovation of its Jack Nicklaus Signature Course. Nicklaus Design reshaped the bunkers on this 34-year-old course, which was the first European layout personally designed by Nicklaus himself.
In addition, superintendent Mike Bush oversaw the addition of new back tees at the par-5 12th and the par-3 14th, which extend the course over 7,000 yards. The challenging parkland layout that skirts steep ravines was formerly home to the European Tour’s B&H International Open, where winners included Jose Maria Olazabal, Bernhard Langer and Seve Ballesteros.
⛳️ The volcanic island of Sal in the African nation of Cape Verde is better known for kiteboarding as opposed to golf, but the royal and ancient sport is making inroads.
Italian architect Pierfrancesco De Simone, a member of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects, has designed the second nine holes, currently under construction, at Viveiro Golf & Country Club in the south of Sal, near the village of Santa Maria. The first nine holes, which opened in March, was built under the auspices of Italian agronomist Fulvio Bani.
RELATED: Design Notes archive
RELATED: Richard Mandell — Principle of Par
RELATED: Richard Mandell — Principle of Difficulty
NAMES | NEWS | NUMBERS
BUSINESS
▪️ Landscapes Golf Management: Names Chris Lewis as director of agronomy and maintenance. … Golf Datatech: October sales for apparel categories were up over 8% on the month and 6% on a year-to-date basis. … NBC Sports Next: BRS Golf acquires Albatros Datenservice and Digital Golf Solutions, which allows NBC Sports Next to expand golf operations in Europe, South Africa. … The Ox: Presents a modern art look with the Bump and Run Collection, a series of minimalist, monochromatic paintings that portray the game's finest major champions from Babe Didrikson Zaharias to Tiger Woods. … The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, TrendyGolf: Announce a partnership in which, beginning March 1, TrendyGolf will administer all merchandising and apparel procurement for The Bridges’ professional shop and club members. The online golf fashion retailer will restock and revamp the inventory of the club’s shop, and members of the Rancho Santa Fe, California, club will have full access to TrendyGolf product offering, including limited-edition, collaborations and new product launches via an interactive online shopping portal. … PGA Show: Announces PGA Education Conference speakers and session schedule. Early-registration savings are available through Dec. 15 for the PGA Education Conference, held during the 2023 PGA Show in Orlando, Jan. 24-27.
COMPETITION / COURSES
▪️ Chubb Classic: Tickets go on sale for the PGA Tour Champions tournament, Feb. 16-19 at Tiburon Golf Club’s Black Course in Naples, Florida. … NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Committee: Increases the championship finals field size to allow for 27 qualifying teams, up from the current number of 24. The change will be in effect for the 2023 championships, with the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championships taking place at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, May 19-24. … TGL: Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm commit to the inaugural season in 2024. Thomas and Rahm join league founders Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. … Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection: Hires Ross Birch as general manager to oversee Mauna Lani Golf’s strategic goals and daily operations. … Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.: Announces that approximately 50 stars from music, entertainment and sports will join the 2023 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, Jan. 16-22 at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, Florida. The field will include seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens, former NBA all-star Vince Carter, former NFL wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Grammy-nominated country music artist Lee Brice and "The Office" actor and comedian Brian Baumgartner. … LIV Golf: Announces three new venues that will host tournaments as part of the 2023 LIV Golf League schedule. Mayakoba’s El Camaleon Golf Course (Feb. 24-26), Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore (April 28-30), and Real Club Valderrama in Spain (June 30-July 2) join previously announced The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide (April 21-23) as hosts for four of the season's 14 tournaments. … Terravita Golf and Country Club: Scottsdale, Arizona, reopens its course after a $8.5 million renovation overseen by golf course architect Phil Smith. … Portland Golf Club: Dan Hixson oversees the Oregon course’s first phase of renovation, which included extensive improvements to bunkers, tees and greens.
DESTINATIONS
▪️ PGA National Resort: Offering winter vacation packages to the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, destination that range from the Ultimate Family (starting at $233; per family, per day, two children included) to the Gold Golf (starting at $659; per person, per day, double occupancy). … Island Resort & Casino: 2023 golf packages are now available for the Harris, Michigan destination.
PEOPLE
▪️ GCSAA: Peter J. Grass wins 2022 Leo Feser Award. … The Club at the Dunes: Names Gerald Sombright as executive chef. Sombright will oversee all facets of food service and preparation across all five of the private Naples, Florida, club’s dining venues. … LPGA*USGA Girls Golf: Honors Teresa Zamboni as recipient of the 2022 Sandy LaBauve Spirit Award, the most prestigious honor presented by the organization. Zamboni, an LPGA Class A Professional for more than 25 years, currently teaches at Crane Lakes Golf and Country Club in Port Orange, Florida, and is site director for Girls Golf – Port Orange and co-owner of Nancy Lopez Golf Adventures.
PHILANTHROPY
▪️ Golftec: Raises $111,000 for PGA HOPE through its Drive For HOPE charity campaign that ran between Oct. 11 and Nov. 11. … Troon: Awards $100,000 in ‘Troon Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’ scholarships to four university’s Hospitality and PGA Golf Management and Turf Sciences programs.
THE STYLE LINKS
Whew … we made it through another Black Friday / Cyber Monday and all the holiday craziness. Now, let’s get on with cold weather golf and what to wear like the FootJoy ThermoSeries layering system.
:: Janice Ferguson | IG: @janiceferguson_thestylelinks
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