Congrats to Sultan’s Run I want to provide an editorial round of applause to Sultan’s Run Golf Club General Manager Chris Tretter for the magnificent job done by his staff and legion of local volunteers who were able to put together an outstanding Senior LPGA Championship in late June/early July. I was on-site for all three days of play and was impressed with every aspect of the tournament. GOLF: DOLLARS AND CENTS. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the wholesale size of the golf equipment market (balls, clubs, bags, and various accessories) in the U.S. in 2022 was $3.995 billion, 8.3% higher than it was in 2021, when it was $3.687 billion (at wholesale). In 2022, the size of the wholesale golf footwear market was $320.8 million, which was 3.8% lower than the $333.5 million in 2021. GOLFING FOR A GOOD CAUSE. On Wednesday, July 5, Nick Coccaro -- a golf management major at Trine University, a member of Trine’s men’s golf team, and an intern this summer at The Pete Dye Course in French Lick -- played 247 holes (in honor of the U.S.’s 247th birthday on July 4), as a fundraiser benefitting Folds of Honor, which helps provide financial support for families of disabled Veterans. Nick’s best round was his 7th round where he shot a three-under par round of 69. He teed off at 6:00 am and holed his final putt at 8:05 pm. If you want to support Nick’s recent marathon golf fundraiser, contact Dave Harner (dharner@frenchlick.com) at the French Lick Resort for donation details. GOLF MAKEOVER. In late June, it was announced by the leadership of the Otter Creek Golf Club in Columbus that longtime PGA Tour star Tom Kite and former Augusta National GC superintendent Billy Fuller are being hired to renovate the original 18 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr, which opened for play in 1964. TALKING ABOUT GOLF. Did you know that Legends GC general manager Ted Bishop and longtime golf broadcaster Brian Hammons host a regular podcast called Straight Down the Middle? It’s posted and accessible via Buzzsprout. com. Check it out as the guests and themes of discussion are topical. We hope you enjoy the wide variety of stories inside this issue, including the Open Championship preview poem! MIKE MAY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SUBSCRIBE Back 9 Media Group Also Publishes: Ohio Golf Journal Michigan Golf Journal Back 9 Report Indiana Golf Journal
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