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+ Questions that make you go 'hmm ... '
ON THE TEE
🏌️ Brooks Koepka won his first LIV Golf event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, his first win since the 2021 WM Phoenix Open. After suffering from knee and hip injuries for two years, Koepka said, “I didn’t know if my career was over for a half-second.”
🏌️ According to a report, there are now 13 “elevated events” on the PGA Tour, which will have at least $20 million purses and feature the best players on Tour. If the Tour had the money to do this, why didn’t it happen long ago?
🏌️ Phil Mickelson said, “I see LIV Golf trending upwards, I see the PGA Tour trending downwards … ” Why does he say things like this?
🏌️ Mickelson also said in Saudi Arabia, “I never did an interview with Alan Shipnuck.” Is this the parse of the year?
🏌️ Majed Al Sorour, the chief executive of Golf Saudi who’s heavily involved with LIV Golf, told the New Yorker, “If the majors decide not to have our players play? I will celebrate. I will create my own majors for my players.” Is he asking Mickelson for advice about talking to the media?
🏌️ Sports Pro Media lists Rory McIlroy as the 48th most marketable athlete in sports. Did McIlroy not consider an offer from LIV Golf because he’d have been taking a pay cut?
🏌️ Some people are calling Fred Couples’ final-round 60 to win the SAS Championship the best round in PGA Tour Champions’ history. Anyone care to argue?
🏌️ Na Yeon Choi, the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open winner, announced her retirement from the LPGA Tour at age 35. Not many LPGA players over 40, are there?
🏌️ Which part of your game are you going to work on this winter?
:: Mike Purkey
FEATURES
Private clubs enjoy boon, strive not to bust
For many clubs throughout the U.S., the pandemic proved to be high times for attracting members. Now, after some normalizing of the market, the key is how to retain membership
:: Ken Klavon | Read
This rule change would please a lot of golfers
The First Call readers are nearly unanimous in which one of the Rules of Golf they would like to see addressed — because it makes common sense
:: The First Call Inbox | Read
Bear Dance: A mile-high success story
Colorado public-access course becomes a potent partner for the state’s PGA Section
:: Vic Williams | Read
Golf+ tees up an A-list of investors
A virtual reality idea that took hold in 2021 now has the backing of golfers Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Ben Crenshaw, along with Tom Brady, Stephen Curry and Mike Trout
:: Mike Purkey | Read
BOOKMARKED
Good reads that are mainly about golf, but not always.
📖 Charlie Finley: Baseball’s Barnum
:: Time | 8.18.1975
📖 The original Tiger Kings
At the peak of their fame, they were arguably the most famous magicians since Houdini
:: Chris Jones and Michael J. Mooney | The Atlantic | 10.13.2022
📖 Watch: Prestwick — The original 12-hole Open course
:: Cookie Jar Golf | 10.17.2022
📖 Will the Saudis and Donald Trump save golf — or wreck it?
High-level defections! Tiger Woods and Jared Kushner! Lawsuits and blacklists! Is the new LIV league a way to reward players, or the vanity project of a despot, or something else?
:: Zach Helfand | The New Yorker | 10.17.2022
OFF THE PLAYLIST
One golfer’s song of choice for the course. Hey, and if you don’t like it? Share your choice. Seriously.
🎶 I’m Shipping Up To Boston | Dropkick Murphys [Spotify | iTunes]
DESIGN NOTES
RTJ II charts a new course for Grenada’s Mulan
⛳️ Initial golf construction is underway for the new Mulan Golf Club, located on the island of Grenada, West Indies, in the Caribbean Sea — the first 18-hole layout in the country. The course is part of the extensive Grenada National Resort project, which will include a five-star hotel and other resort amenities. Feature shaping is expected to start later this year, while the hotel will break ground next year.
The rugged, natural setting is dotted with beautiful, extinct volcanoes rising out of both land and water. The routing starts high above the sea and plays through three types of landforms — jungle ridgelines, valley bowls and seaside bluffs — with 180-degree Caribbean Sea views on nearly every hole. The final three holes play along the beach.
"We are working with an unparalleled natural canvas that will serve as a setting for a course that will blend into the beautiful terrain," said Mike Gorman, senior project architect for Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects (RTJ II). "Mulan Golf Club will be another must-play golf course in the Caribbean. Grenada has long been considered a great sailing destination and now golf will become part of this storied island. Guests will appreciate that this is a 'golf first' core layout that works to preserve and emphasize the natural terrain."
The Grenada National Resort project is being developed by San Francisco Bay Area-based Hengsheng Group, with approval and support of the Grenada government.
"We’re thrilled to be building the first 18-holer on the beautiful island of Grenada," said Robert Trent Jones Jr., founder and CEO of RTJ II. "We’re committed to helping bring more guests to enjoy the natural beauty, with spectacular views from most of the golf holes and strategic options to match. We’re all very excited to see the project come to fruition and start a new chapter in Grenada’s golf history."
⛳️ Pete Dye’s Full Cry course at Keswick Hall near Charlottesville, Virginia, has benefited from a renovation by Scot Sherman, lead architect at Davis Love III’s Love Golf Design. Dye’s original 2014 creation was an extreme makeover of a 1992 Arnold Palmer design, which itself was a re-do of a 1948 Fred Friendly layout. Sherman’s aim was to instill more variety and challenge into the shot values, while preserving the classic Dye strategies and aesthetics.
"After working with the Dyes over the years, studying almost all of their courses, and renovating several during my career, I do have a good feel for their work of the past," Sherman said. "My observation is that Pete’s best courses are often his most eclectic in style, such as The Golf Club, Harbour Town and Crooked Stick. We started with modifications to four holes on Full Cry with additional railroad ties to enhance the theme already influenced by the nearby working rail line. We have also presented more choices on these holes to increase the interest."
Sherman added pot bunkers to the center of the third hole, which also embraced additional use of railroad ties. He tweaked the massive Sahara bunker at the seventh hole, and introduced a closely-mown approach and a greenside pot bunker. "Playing a forgiving 85 yards from the front tee and a daunting 193 yards from the back, the seventh hole is a splendid example of Dye’s genius for visual intimidation," Sherman said. "The redesign has made a classic hole even better."
Increased options, bunkers and railroad ties on holes 13 and 14 have elevated the Dye presence even further. "Pete Dye always liked to tinker and improve his golf course creations, so it’s an honor we’re carrying on his incredible legacy here at Full Cry just as he would have done," said Robert Hardie, the property’s owner. "We are blessed to have one of Pete’s great golf course designs here at Keswick Hall for our members and guests to enjoy for decades to come."
In the coming months and years, Sherman anticipates addressing turf and irrigation concerns should they arise, as well as assessing other holes that could benefit from enhancements in playability, maintainability and appearance.
⛳️ In early October, architect Jim Nagle was appointed by historic Philadelphia Country Club in suburban Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, to plan for infrastructure improvements and a restoration of its 1927 William Flynn-design.
Nagle, a partner in Forse Golf Design with Ron Forse, is one of the industry’s foremost experts at Flynn restorations. The members voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Forse Design plan, which includes a new irrigation system, rebuilding of all bunkers, greens and tees and a re-grassing of the fairways.
In awarding the project to Nagle, the club considered Nagel’s successful renovation of its Centennial nine-hole course, the club’s long and effective working relationship with Nagle and Forse Design and the company’s extensive knowledge and expertise with Flynn’s portfolio.
Nagle’s successful design and build of an extensive PCC practice facility bolstered this decision. The club, which played host to the 1939 U.S. Open, won by Byron Nelson over Sam Snead, asserts that this will be the most comprehensive project for the golf course since Flynn completed construction in 1927.
THE STYLE LINKS
Quite possibly the best newborn gift ever.
:: Janice Ferguson | IG: @janiceferguson_thestylelinks
NAMES | NEWS | NUMBERS
BUSINESS
▪️ True Spec Golf: Partners with GolfBox, an Australian golf superstore, to open three club fitting and building locations in Western Australia. … Golf+: Virtual reality golf app adds Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Tom Brady, Stephen Curry, Mike Trout and more as investors. … Golftec: Opens a 2,800-square-foot instruction and clubfitting center facility in Cypress, Texas. … Troon: Selected to manage Black Bull Golf Club in Bozeman, Montana. … College Golf Experience: Partnering with the Southern California PGA Junior Tour for a two-day camp in advance of Toyota Tour Cup Q School, Nov. 12-13, at The Golf Club at Rancho California in Murietta, California. … Arcis Golf: To host Career Exploration Event on Oct. 28. College students in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are invited to learn about opportunities in the golf industry and listen to featured speaker Oris Stuart. … Ivy Golf Institute, College Golf Experience: Companies partner on the Ivy Junior Camp series, two-day boys and girls camps to be held in California, Florida and New Jersey and hosted exclusively by Ivy League coaches to offer insights on playing golf in their conference.
COMPETITION / COURSES
▪️ JM Eagle LA Championship: JM Eagle and Plastpro are announced as sponsors for Los Angeles LPGA event, which will feature a $3 million purse and is scheduled for April 24-30 at Wilshire CC in Los Angeles. … Reeves GC: Cincinnati Recreation Commission announces the opening of the Toptracer Range, which features 10 covered bays, professional lessons and club fittings. … Mistwood GC: Awarded a $9,000 FairWays Foundation grant for The Farm, a sustainable and environmentally responsible method of golf course maintenance, food growth and food service at the Chicagoland course. … USGA: Selects The Los Angeles CC in Los Angeles, California, to host the 2032 U.S. Women’s Open and 2039 U.S. Open Championships. The club has previously hosted three USGA championships, most recently the 2017 Walker Cup Match, and will stage the 123rd U.S. Open in June. … LIV Golf: The Chainsmokers, a Grammy Award-winning group, will perform live to conclude the 2022 LIV Golf Team Championship, Oct. 28-30 at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami. Multiple Grammy Award winner Nelly will perform on Saturday, Oct. 29 following day two of the three-day competition. Also, Snoop Dogg (Oct. 28) and Travis Scott (Oct. 29) are scheduled to perform at BleauLive, being held at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. … GCSAA: Golf Championships, presented by Toro for the 29th year, will kick off Feb. 4 at Omni ChampionsGate Golf Resort and Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Orlando. … United States Golf Association: Selects Canterbury GC, in Cleveland, Ohio, to host the 2027 U.S. Girls’ Junior, 2033 U.S. Senior Amateur and 2039 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championships.
DESTINATIONS
▪️ Los Cabos Tourism: Several properties in the Mexico destination sweep Condé Nast Traveler’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards and 13 place in the Top 20 Resorts in Western Mexico category. … Pinehurst Resort: Renews the Guest Drive Program partnership with BMW and will continue to provide guests with complimentary access to the latest BMW vehicles during their stay at the resort. … Red Ledges: Heber City, Utah, golf community celebrates 15th anniversary by unveiling The Preserve at Lookout, 27 exclusive homes that border Red Ledges’ 395-acre nature preserve. … Cutalong at Lake Anna: Master-planned private golf community near Richmond, Virginia, increases its membership initiation fees to $50,000, while instituting a waitlist for the young executive and national membership options.
GAMING / GEAR
▪️ SkyGolf: Maker of SkyCaddie rangefinders is offering special discounts for military, first responders, medical professionals, teachers and students. Qualifying customers will receive an exclusive discount code to use at checkout for 20% off their order. … Sqairz: Launches a limited-edition 3:16 performance golf shoe. A portion of the shoe sales will benefit Samaritan’s Purse's Operation Christmas Child program. … PXG: Introduces its 0211 Woods, including drivers, fairways and hybrids. … 2K: Announces that its PGA Tour 2K23 golf simulation video game is now available on PlayStation5, PlayStation4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC via Steam. Featuring Tiger Woods as its cover athlete, the game includes several new additions and improvements. … OnCore Golf: Named the official ball of the 2022 PXG Women’s Match Play Championship and will provide all participants its Elixr Tour ball.
MEDIA
▪️ GolfPass: Rory McIlroy shares instructional tips in the “Pop-up Clinic,” hosted by Martin Hall.
PEOPLE
▪️ Srixon/Cleveland Golf: Signs former college and NFL standout Reggie Bush, currently a Fox Sports college football analyst, as its newest ambassador. Bush will play a full bag of Srixon/Cleveland equipment, along with the Z-Star XV Divide golf ball. … East Coast Women’s Pro Golf Tour: Yan Liu, 24, is recognized on Oct. 9 as the first card-carrying member of the LPGA to have played on the East Coast Women's Pro Golf Tour. … PGA Tour: Cameron Young, 25, wins 2022 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors. Young, 25, who made his Presidents Cup debut for the victorious U.S. Team in September, earned five runner-up finishes and ended his rookie season No. 19 in the FedEx Cup standings. Young received 94 percent of the vote from Tour membership and beat out Tom Kim and Sahith Theegala. … GolfForever: Names Taco Bell CEO Mark King to advisory board. … Trump Turnberry: Appoints Darren McLaughlan as golf courses manager. McLaughlan will oversee the iconic Ailsa course, as well as Turnberry’s two other links layouts, at the Ayrshire, Scotland, resort. … Rio Verde CC: Rio Verde, Arizona, club welcomes Travis Boone as assistant golf professional and Garrett Granlund as director of instruction.
PHILANTHROPY
▪️ On Course Foundation: Partnering with American Veterans Group to provide up to 14 injured service members for work at the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill CC in Rochester, New York.
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