TFC Week In Review 04-25-2025

THIS WEEK'S EDITIONS OF THE FIRST CALL

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

A recently published book, "The Golf 100," ranks the greatest players of all time. Who would you rank as the top 10 of all time (male or female; in order)?

Send replies on this question or other topics and questions you would like to have asked to shall@buffalogroupe.com. For a response to be published, you must include your first and last name, along with the city and state of residence.

> Last week's question: What are your final thoughts about the 2025 Masters? | Read

The Starter: Justin Thomas' mojo, the question of why and the Chevron major

Mike Purkey asks some thought-provoking questions as April's final weekend has arrived

BUSINESS

Audubon International: Marks Earth Day in growth mode

Organization reports that it is seeing strong growth in first-time membership and recertification applications across its six flagship programs

Bobby Jones Links: To manage The Club at Forest Ridge

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, club opened in 1989

Five Iron Golf: Announces new flagship locations in New York City, Cleveland

Flatiron flagship in New York moves to a new, expanded location; Shaker Heights, Ohio, facility to become first-ever Five Iron family entertainment center

Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, Flightpath Golf Tees: Announce strategic partnership

As part of the multi-faceted agreement, Flightpath will become the Tour's official golf tee

PGA of America: Names Makse Group as its official supplier

Makse Group, a Workday Services Partner, signs a multiyear partnership

PGA Tour: Zurich Insurance extends title sponsorship

A PGA Tour partner since 2005, the company will continue to sponsor the Zurich Classic of New Orleans through 2030

CLUBS / COURSES

Pinehurst Resort: To open Pinehurst No. 11

Expected to open in fall 2027 at the Sandmines, the new course will be designed by Coore & Crenshaw

University Club of Kentucky: Selected as 1 of the nation’s top college courses

The 36-hole facility in Lexington, Kentucky, has been recognized as one of GolfPass’ Top 20 College Golf Courses in its Golfers’ Choice 2025 awards

COMPETITION

Egyptian Golf Federation: Site set for Pan Arab Junior and Ladies Golf Championship

Tournament will be held at Madinaty Golf Club and Katameya Dunes Golf Club in Cairo, Egypt, May 7-10

PGA of America: PGA Professional Championship starts April 27

Defending champion Ben Polland headlines 312-player field at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida

PGA Tour Champions: Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic to debut in 2026

Lehigh Country Club in Allentown, Pennsylvania, will host the annual stop

PGA Tour: Announces field, format for Creator Classic at Philly Cricket

On-site fans, viewers to witness a nine-hole competition featuring celebrities and content creators on May 7 at the Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course

DESTINATIONS

Balsam Mountain Preserve: Opens Boarding House Marketplace

Farm-to-table dining and local goods offered at gourmet experience at Sylva, North Carolina, destination

Discover Puerto Rico: Touts golf, after-round activities, amenities

Island features 18 diverse, yet complementary, playing venues along with a variety of concerts, cuisine, nightlife, festivals, art galleries and bio-diverse natural wonders

Horseshoe Bay Resort: Unveils 2025 special event lineup

Year-round schedule in Texas Hill Country features festivals, live music and more

Island Resort & Casino: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula receives honor

The region, which includes courses such as Sweetgrass, Sage Run, Greywalls and Timberstone, ranks among USA Today's 10BEST Golf Destinations

Marriott Golf: Shadow Ridge GC touts summer offering

Palm Desert, California, destination announces its 2025 Summer Access Pass Program

EVENTS

BallenIsles CC: To host 2025 ITF World Tennis Masters Tour World Championships

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, club will hold the Team Championships, May 11-16; the Individual Championships, May 17-24

Noteefy: To host destination golf webinar on April 29

'The Future of Destination & Resort Golf Management' will feature a panel of five industry leaders

Troon: Introduces Community Swing events series

Nationwide series of free events is designed to bring golf and communities together

GEAR

Nicklaus Companies: Brand ambassador Neal Shipley earns 1st pro title

Shipley won the LECOM Suncoast Classic wearing a selection of Nicklaus Companies’ Black Label apparel in conjunction with Jack Nicklaus Blue Label apparel by Perry Ellis International

SuperStroke: Justin Thomas, Garrick Higgo win with Zenergy

Thomas won the RBC Heritage with a Zenergy Pistol Tour grip; Higgo won the Corales Puntacana Championship with a Zenergy Pistol 1.0

LIFESTYLE

Malcolm DeMille: Work on display at RBC Heritage, JM Eagle LA Championship

Justin Thomas and Ingrid Lindblad each listed champions trophies that were handcrafted by Malcolm DeMille

MEDIA

GolfPass: Newest episode of ‘Glam Golf with Blair O’Neal’ debuts

Episode features golf content creators Bryce Cope and Schyler Horne in a match against O'Neal and Cheyenne Woods

LPGA: ESPN+ to stream featured groups coverage at Chevron Championship

Approximately 48 hours of live coverage over four days from the LPGA's first major begins April 24

PGA of America: CBS special to spotlight 6 PGA of America Professionals

'We Love to Play this Game' to air April 27 on CBS, stream on Paramount+

PEOPLE

LPGA Foundation: Announces 2025 Chevron Scholarship recipients

Seven seniors recognized with Chevron Dinah Shore and Chevron Changing the Face of Golf scholarships

Newton Golf Co.: Announces Andy Harris, Jeff Opheim as PGA Tour reps

Harris and Opheim will also service the PGA Tour Champions and Korn Ferry Tour, while company founder and CTO Aki Yorihiro will serve as tour representative for the LPGA and PGA Tour Champions

PGA of America: John Lindert to captain 2026 U.S. PGA Cup Team

Points qualification process begins at 2025 PGA Professional Championship

Srixon: Signs Bev Boys as newest brand ambassador

Nick Bonilla, the creator behind Bev Boys, has built a following by blending comedy, original songs and creative content surrounding golf culture

PHILANTHROPY

GCSAA: Rounds 4 Research online auction begins

More than 1,600 rounds of golf are available to bid on now through April 27

USGA: Makes $1 million investment in Pittsburgh region

In celebration of the 125th U.S. Open, the USGA teams with Oakmont Country Club and the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association on investment into public golf, community, leadership programs

TECHNOLOGY

Full Swing: Launches Full Swing Combine featuring Clippd 'shot quality' scores

Premium app subscribers using the KIT Launch Monitor can now assess shot-to-shot performance via a single, AI-derived number

GolfNow: Launches golfer tee time alerts

Golfer notification system now available for courses using GolfNow booking technology

INDUSTRY NOTES

GEAR

The Byrd Golf: Introduces its Braided Byrd Belt, a premium-designed belt that integrates discreet, easy-access storage for tees, ball markers and divot tools within its flexible braid.