TFC Week In Review 02-27-2026

FIRST THOUGHT

THIS WEEK'S EDITIONS OF THE FIRST CALL

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

▪️ What are the key ingredients to the ideal buddy trip? | Respond

The Starter: Of Jacob, Justin and Jordan

WGC Bridgestone Invitational 2015 _G0A1827 2.JPG

Jacob Bridgeman just won for the first time, but will there be more? Justin Thomas announced his return, but how long until his form returns? And is Jordan Spieth on his way back for real?

READ

BUSINESS

Bird Golf Academy: Expands with newest location at Horseshoe Bay Resort

Golf school debuts in the Texas Lake and Hill Country

National Golf Foundation: America’s course supply — quantity, quality, stability

The number of golf facilities and courses in the U.S. has held steady for five years at around 14,000 and 16,000. Also, course closures have fallen to their lowest counts since 2004

Newton Golf: Signs exclusive distribution partnership with Voice Caddie

Voice Caddie is a leading provider of golf rangefinders and GPS devices based in the Republic of Korea

PGA of America: Partners with Punta Coral in Colombia

New resort development to include first PGA of America Golf Academy in South America

PGA Tour | PAM: Partner to provide interactive smart maps at Tour events

PGA Tour also makes investment in PAM to enhance onsite experience for fans and partners

PGA Tour | Whoop: Extend partnership through 2028

Whoop continues as official health and performance wearable of the PGA Tour

Player Development Index: To power 2026 NB3 Junior National Championship season

The 2026 NB3 National Championship, powered by PDI, will include the opportunity to earn one of eight spots into the national championship via PDI performance across 10 new regional events

Shot Scope: Releases Annual Golf Performance Report

Report is compiled from performance data collected throughout the 2025 golf season, delivering insight into how amateur golfers score and what separates golfers at different levels

Sqairz: Integrates Blumaka footbeds into all footwear models

Companies announce long-term partnership

The Indoor Golf Shop: Showcases Chicago's Signature Golf Society

Indoor golf club in Elmhurst, Illinois, is redefining what it means to practice and play indoor golf with a personal, private, and premium experience

Troon: To manage Westbrook CC

Troon Prive, the private club division of Troon, will oversee club operations, agronomy, food and beverage, retail, lodging and membership sales and marketing for the Mansfield, Ohio, club.

CLUBS / COURSES

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes GC: Breaks ground on new clubhouse

The $20-plus million-dollar project to expand clubhouse and Arroyo Grille, add wedding/event space

Apes Hill Barbados: Voted favorite Caribbean course by GolfPass, GolfNow

Caribbean destination tops GolfPass' Golfers’ Choice list of recreational players’ favorite warm-weather courses

Oakhurst CC: Unveils The Clubhouse Kitchen

Private Clayton, California, club's Clubhouse Kitchen is a modern and casual dining space for members and guests

Piza Golf | Nicklaus Design: To collaborate on course in Mexico

An 18-hole championship course Valle de los Encinos in Chihuahua, Mexico, will anchor new resort-style community

COMPETITION

APGA Tour: Willie Mack III claims 18th title

Win at the Cisco Black History Month Classic extends record as the APGA’s active wins leader

Arcis-HBCU Golf Championship: Florida A&M, Miles College, North Carolina A&T win

Florida A&M won the Division I men's title; Miles College won the Division II title; North Carolina A&T won the women's title

Linger Longer Invitational: Celebrates 20 years of collegiate golf

Game’s future stars to play at Reynolds Lake Oconee in March

WTGL: Michelle Wie West commits to compete

After retiring from the LPGA Tour in 2023, Wie West returning to league that will launch in winter 2026-27

DESTINATIONS

Boyne Golf: Nominated for Best Golf Resort in USA Today 10Best

One of North America’s largest destination golf resorts will be a part of the annual Readers’ Choice Awards

Explore Branson: 8 Southwest Missouri Ozarks courses recognized

The latest accolades include a top-10 U.S. ranking for the championship course at Branson Hills Golf Club and all three Big Cedar Resort par-3 short courses

Marriott Golf: Castillo Hotel Son Vida offer 63 holes of golf

A castle stay for golf enthusiasts in Mallorca, Spain

Marriott Golf: Showcases Sanctuary Cap Cana

The adults-only Luxury Collection, all-inclusive resort redefines Caribbean sophistication

EVENTS

Carolinas Golf Association: Celebrates Carolinas Golf Night

Annual gathering at Pinehurst Resort included Hall of Fame inductions, leadership transition

GCSAA: Conference and Trade Show ranked among fastest-growing in the U.S.

Golf course management’s largest event makes Trade Show Executive’s “Next 50” list

Horseshoe Bay Resort: Announces 2-Day Major Champion Golf School

2002 PGA Championship winner Rich Beem joins director of instruction Bobby Steiner for two-day game improvement opportunities

GEAR

Payntr Golf: Launches Reserve Classic collection

Footwear brand debuts new models led by the Reserve Classic Tour RS

PXG: Introduces spring / summer 2026 apparel collection

Men’s and women’s performance apparel is inspired by golf’s most iconic moments and features a color story that includes Evergreen Grove, Championship Gold, Royal Blue and Azalea Pink

SuperStroke: Jacob Bridgeman wins Genesis Invitational

South Carolina native earns breakthrough PGA Tour win with Zenergy 2.0PT putter grip

Tour Edge: Introduces Hot Launch Max drivers, fairways, hybrids

The line of Max and Max D clubs share a suite of technologies designed to maximize forgiveness and distance

Tour Edge: Unveils Hot Launch Max irons, wedges

Max and Max D irons and wedges are designed to deliver effortless launch, forgiveness and scoring control for developing players

MEDIA

Golf | Golf.com: Claim 3 top prizes, 8 overall in 2026 writing contest

Michael Bamberger leads the charge with two first-place honors; Nick Piastowski wins for best short feature; Five different Golf magazine/Golf.com writers are honored for outstanding work in Golf Writers Association of America Writing Contest

Golf Channel: Names Jim Furyk as lead analyst API, Players Championship

The 17-time PGA Tour winner and 2003 U.S. Open champion will serve alongside play-by-play commentator Terry Gannon at the Florida Swing's premier stops — the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Players Championship

NBC Sports: Begins 2026 PGA Tour coverage with Cognizant Classic

Brooks Koepka and Shane Lowry lead the field in first stop on PGA Tour’s Florida Swing at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

VSGA: CGN to live stream State Opens for 2nd straight year

Virginia State Golf Association and Middle Atlantic PGA will partner with Championship Golf Network to provide live streaming coverage of the Women’s Open of Virginia and the State Open of Virginia

PEOPLE

Bucknell GC: Welcomes new general manager

Robert Birk will oversee all elements of club operations including golf operations, agronomy, food and beverage, membership services, and sales and marketing for the university-affiliated facility

Cognizant Classic: To honor Jimmy Roberts with journalism award

16-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster to receive the Tim Rosaforte Distinguished Journalist Award on Feb. 25

Cutalong at Tributer Resort: Names Ian Sikes as general manager

Veteran golf operator will lead luxury destination Reef Capital property in Virginia

First Tee: Actor Michael Pena joins as brand ambassador

Pena will support First Tee’s efforts to bring its golf and life skills curriculum to young people from all backgrounds

Sqairz: Adds Scott K. Lynn to medical advisory board

Lynn is an internationally recognized biomechanics researcher and human movement expert

PHILANTHROPY

Audubon International: Monarchs in the Rough Program blossoms in 2025

A grant from The FairWays Foundation helped 127 golf courses across the country joined other participants to set aside vital habitat for the migrating creatures

Augusta National | Masters Tournament Charities: Commit $1.5 million to USGA initiative

Three-year investment will support expansion of U.S. National Development Program State Junior Teams across all 50 states

PGA of America: Partners with Punta Coral in Colombia

New resort development to include first PGA of America Golf Academy in South America

INDUSTRY NOTES

GEAR

Ecco Golf: Unveils its spring/summer 2026 collection, which includes two new models — the Ecco Golf BIOM C5 and Ecco Golf Street Vibe. Completing the SS26 range, Ecco Golf introduces fresh seasonal updates across its most popular franchises, including new colorways for existing models, and continued expansion of the women’s offering including an updated and improved fit on BIOM H5.