On Aug. 9, The First Call officially launched and over the past four months has published stories ranging from course architecture to superintendents and from hospitality to product. Here are our top 10 stories of 2021.
No. 10: Brothers flying high with unique carry bag idea
Josh and Matt Smith knew their upstart FlagBag Golf Co. had arrived when they received a shout-out from a legendary broadcaster.
By David Droschak | Read
No. 9: Golf Course 101: A user’s guide
The First Call's Bradley Klein offers golfers a few basic tips on how to take care of their course before complaining about course conditions to the superintendent
By Bradley Klein | Read
No. 8: PopStroke not your Daddy’s miniature golf experience
In modernizing a longtime family pastime, PopStroke has created an experiential atmosphere that merges casual dining and technologically-advanced competitive golf
By David Droschak | Read
No. 7: Winning formula: How Herb Kohler succeeded in hospitality
The American Club resort hotel in Kohler, Wis., which this week is hosting guests attending the Ryder Cup, is operating proof that the third-time-is-a-charm mantra can be true
By Shaun Tolson | Read
No. 6: Why Jack Burke Jr., 98, finally sold Champions Golf Club
Sixty-four years since co-founding the famed Houston club, Burke sells to his son, citing youth as key to the club’s continued success
By Art Stricklin | Read
No. 5: How your personality, not your game, may affect equipment buys
A research study of introverts and extroverts determines that a golfer's typology may be the difference in preferring a particular brand of equipment
By Ken Klavon | Read
No. 4: The cost of everything just went up … if you can get it at all
From general managers to superintendents, hard decisions are having to be made due to rising prices across the board. How could that affect the bottom line — and you?
By Bradley Klein | Read
No. 3: How to make the course superintendent’s job easier
As the demands of the course superintendent's job increase, so do the pressures. The First Call’s Bradley Klein offers practical solutions to help ease the growing stress points
By Bradley Klein | Read
No. 2: Inverness Club: lessons from a proper course restoration
Led by course architect Andrew Green, the site of this week's Solheim Cup has not only been restored to its previous glory, but serves as a reminder for clubs looking to do the same
By Bradley Klein | Read
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No. 1: Why golf’s toughest job is growing harder
A golf course superintendent’s job is never easy — and has been made even more difficult by the pandemic — but, as 'The First Call' columnist Bradley S. Klein writes, a better understanding of the role might temper what can sometimes be unrealistic expectations
By Bradley Klein | Read
