TFC Week In Review 05-02-2025

THIS WEEK'S EDITIONS OF THE FIRST CALL

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK

We are four months into the 2025 golf year, what have been the top storylines, surprises, disappointments?

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> Last week's question: 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)? | Read

The Starter: A major case for Joaquin Niemann?

Brandel Chamblee puts Bryson DeChambeau and LIV Golf in his crosshairs; Should LIV Golf get (OWGR) points for trying and other questions.

BUSINESS

GCSAA: Foley Company attains Silver Partner status

Leader in turf equipment innovation joins GCSAA’s Partner Recognition Program

Golf VX: Accelerates U.S. expansion with new Massachusetts franchise

Dartmouth, Massachusetts, location brings next-generation golf simulator technology, leagues, PGA instruction and full-service entertainment

Golfzon Leadbetter Academy: Reopens at Zimbabwe's Royal Harare GC

Facility partners with ENDA Sportswear, which becomes the title sponsor

Lightspeed, Oki Golf Management: Enter into multiyear agreement

Lightspeed will serve as Oki Golf’s commerce and technology provider, delivering an integrated platform that connects tee sheet management with retail, restaurant and payments solutions

Mizuho Americas: Extends agreement with LPGA to 5 years

Company will remain as title sponsor of the Mizuho Americas Open and raise purse to $3.25 million in 2026; Liberty National Golf Club to host event in 2028-2030, Mountain Ridge Country Club added for 2026-2027

NGCOA: Names SkimTurf Management as turf management partner

Members will benefit from state-of-art turf management tools through the NGCOA Smart Buy Marketplace

Troon: To assist in development, management of Three Bridges project

Company to provide development services at Three Bridges, a new luxury residential-resort community in Salem, Utah

Troon: To manage New Orleans' English Turn Golf & Country Club

Troon Golf, the resort and daily-fee division of Troon, will manage golf operations, agronomy, food and beverage as well as sales and marketing for the semi-private club

CLUBS / COURSES

Dubsdread GC: Announces new state-of-the-art driving range

The City of Orlando, Florida, has constructed a driving range and golf learning center that is designed to enhance the golf experience for players of all skill levels

Riverton Pointe G&CC: Hosts 2025 Big East Women's Championships

Hardeeville, South Carolina, club saw Xavier University claim its sixth straight Big East team title, while Xavier’s Emma Welch won the individual championship

The Club at Weston Hills: Unveils major multimillion dollar transformation

Arcis Golf brings new life, excitement to Weston, Florida, property

COMPETITION

Crystal, Troon: Collaborate on launch of inaugural Crystal Cup

Luke Donald and Lexi Thompson will serve as ambassadors for the tournament that will culminate in October with the grand finale at Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simons Island, Georgia

Estero Senior Amateur Invitational: Set for April 28-May 1

Top senior amateurs ready for 54-hole competition at Estero Country Club in Estero, Florida

Future Champions Golf: Callaway champ exempt into Annika WAPT event

Champion of the 2025 FCG Callaway World Championship's Girls 15-18 Division, July 14-16, will earn an exemption into a 2025 Annika Women's All Pro Tour event, August 26–28 in Abilene, Texas

Jackson T. Stephens Cup: Texas, Stanford headline 2025 field

Shoreacres in Lake Bluff, Illinois, to serve as host venue

LPGA Riviera Maya Open: Britain's Charley Hull joins field

Tournament to be held at Riviera Maya's El Camaleon Mayakoba course, May 22-25

PGA Jr. League: Announces 2025 all-star season sites and dates

13u and 17u All-Star players will compete for one of 12 team spots in their divisional Championship this fall

PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship: Heads to Whistling Straits

38th PWCC is May 5-7 with 27 teams and 45 individuals taking on the Straits and Irish courses

DESTINATIONS

Marriott Golf: JW Marriott Miami Turnberry unveils unlimited golf package

New offering, when booked through Sept. 30, features 20% discounted golf, complimentary replay golf, resort credit and more

EVENTS

American Golf Industry Coalition: Celebrates National Golf Day

Event highlights the sport’s economic, societal and community contributions across the country

Fore Hire, PGA of America: Announce 5th Course to Career Networking Summit

The Summit, May 18-20 in Carlsbad, California, is specifically for former collegiate golfers looking to take their respective careers to the next level

PGA Buying Summit: Registration opens for July 28-30 event

Three-day gathering in Frisco, Texas, to include 150-plus golf brands, One2one buying appointments and extensive education programming

GEAR

MNML Golf: Launches MR2 golf bag

The bag builds off the popularity of the MR1 bag, but includes enhanced durability, a filming pocket expanded to fit both standard and max-sized phones, replaceable legs and tour velour top/club divider

Newton Golf: Launches Newton Fast Motion shaft family

Shafts are made in the United States and now available, and expand the company's U.S. manufacturing footprint and clubfitter adoption

Srixon: Andrew Novak captures 1st PGA Tour victory

Novak teamed with Ben Griffin to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans while playing Srixon ZX7 Mk II irons, Cleveland Golf RTZ wedges and Z-Star Diamond golf ball

SuperStroke: Ben Griffin earns 1st PGA Tour win at Zurich Classic

North Carolina native secures maiden victory with Zenergy 1.0PT putter grip

True Spec Golf: Which mini driver is right for you?

Brand-agnostic clubfitting company highlights the differences between the new TaylorMade R7 Quad, Callaway Elyte and Titleist GT280 mini drivers

LIFESTYLE

Malcolm DeMille: Artistry in victory at Chevron, Zurich Classic

The company handcrafted the champion trophy for the Chevron Championship and the champion belt buckles for the Zurich Classic

MEDIA

Golf.ai: Launches the 'Today in Golf' AI podcast

Episodes debut May 1 and will feature daily artificial intelligence summaries of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf events

Golf Channel: CJ Cup Byron Nelson leads robust week of live coverage

LPGA's inaugural Black Desert Championship at Black Desert Resort in Utah to air live in primetime all four rounds

ThorGuard: Reports on reception of CEO Robert Dugan's 'All I Am'

Company shares Amazon.com comments posted about the book

PEOPLE

Five Iron Golf: CEO Jared Solomon named a finalist for entrepreneur award

Ernst & Young announces the finalists for the Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 New York Award, which celebrates leaders from New York and Connecticut

Lodge of Four Seasons: Hires Matt Dillman as head golf professional

Dillman will oversee golf operations at the Lake Ozark, Missouri, resort's two award-winning golf courses — The Cove and The Ridge

MGI Golf: Partners with 4 Epson Tour players for 2025 season

Savannah Carlson, Hailee Cooper, Jillian Hollis and Su Oh to use electric caddies in competition

Presidents Cup: Announces Brandt Snedeker, Geoff Ogilvy as 2026 captains

Snedeker and Ogilvy to lead the United States and International teams, respectively, as Presidents Cup makes its debut at Medinah Country Club’s famed Course No. 3

Solheim Cup: U.S. names Paula Creamer as 2026 assistant captain

Creamer will join Stanford and fellow assistant captain Kristy McPherson in leading the U.S. at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, Sept. 11-13, 2026

PHILANTHROPY

Ad Council, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation: Partner on mental health message

Georgia athletes, sports organizations unite to reach Georgians with localized mental health resources

GCSAA Foundation: Harrell’s continues longstanding support

Agronomic solutions company makes donation to support priority initiatives

GolfNow: ‘Changing Lives’ is focus of May round-up campaign

The fourth annual fundraising effort throughout the month will benefit Folds of Honor

TECHNOLOGY

GolfLogix: Unveils 3D virtual golf GPS experience

Company launches its 3D Virtual Reality feature and enhanced app interface

Supreme Golf, Aquimo: Launch interactive virtual golf game with cash prizes

The Supreme Golf 50/50 Cash Contest challenges players to use their mobile devices to compete in a skill-based golf game created by Aquimo

INDUSTRY NOTES

CLUBS / COURSES

Champion Hills Golf Club: Reconstruction of the 18th hole is projected to be completed in early May. In September 2024, damage from Hurricane Helene forced the Hendersonville, North Carolina, course to close. The front nine of the Tom Fazio-designed course reopened in early October 2024, while eight of the back nine holes were opened by April 1, 2025.

Omni Amelia Island Resort and Spa: Announces the reopening of its Oak Marsh Golf Course following a comprehensive renovation carried out by Beau Welling Design. The course will officially reopen for resort guests and club members on May 16 after the overarching goal of the $7.4 million renovation from Welling and his team was to protect the architectural feel of Pete Dye’s original 1972 creation.

COMPETITION

Dow Championship: Tickets are now available for the LPGA tournament to be held June 23-29 at Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan. Tickets can be purchased at DowChampionship.com/tickets.

GEAR

Sunday Swagger: Announces the Guinness x Sunday Swagger collaboration on a one-of-a-kind collection of golf apparel. The collection will feature T-shirts, polos, quarter zips, hoodies and jackets that incorporate the visual elements, color palette and tone associated with Guinness. It will be available at SundaySwagger.com and in select stores later this spring in the U.S. and Dublin, Ireland.

PHILANTHROPY

Eastside Golf: Announces the Eastside Golf Foundation, a new initiative dedicated to fostering access, education and excellence in the game. Areas of support in its first year will include Morehouse College Golf, collegiate golf programming, support of local grassroots organizations and the annual Eastside Golf Invitational.