TFC Week In Review 05-09-2025

THIS WEEK'S EDITIONS OF THE FIRST CALL

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

All things 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club: What are your expectations? Your thoughts on the site? Memories of 2017? Rory McIlroy's chances for the calendar Grand Slam? Favorites, dark horses?

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

The Starter: Questions heading into 2025 PGA

With recent wins in their back pocket, are Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau the players to beat at Quail Hollow? And don't forget about Rory McIlroy.

BUSINESS

FCG: StrackaLine named title sponsor of 36-hole, one-day event

The Future Champions Golf's National Summer Championship will be held July 7 at The Crosby Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California

Five Iron Golf: Expands in New York, Connecticut with 3 franchise locations

Port Chester and Syracuse, New York, along with Norwalk, Connecticut, build on brand's momentum with 50-plus locations in development

KemperSports: To manage McHenry GC

Private McHenry, Illinois, club opened in 1922 and is regarded as the birthplace of TaylorMade Golf and the first metal wood

PGA of America: VendorMatch opens for 2026 major championships

Registration open until June 3, 2025, for local supplier business opportunities at 2026 PGA Championship and KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

PGA Tour Superstore: To open store in Woodbury, Minnesota

New location joins into booming Metro-Twin City golf market, which is home to more than 90 golf courses

True Spec Golf: Opens new location in Chicago

Chicago West location will serve the Lisle, Naperville, Wheaton and Hinsdale communities

USGA: SeatGeek to power ticketing for national championships

Multiyear agreement makes SeatGeek become the USGA's official ticketing partner

CLUBS / COURSES

Full Cry at Keswick Hall: To host U.S. Open Local Qualifier

Pete Dye design is a local qualifying site for the third straight year

Oldfield Club: Retains Audubon International recognition

Private Okatie, South Carolina, club retains its designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Course

TPC Craig Ranch: Launches renovations led by Lanny Wadkins

Work to incorporate new turfs, deliver revamped design commenced at the McKinney, Texas, course following Scottie Scheffler’s record-setting win at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson

Troon: Mecklenburg County golf courses benefit from partnership

Investments by the North Carolina county, First Tee and Troon paying dividends just 15 months into the collaboration

COMPETITION

FCG: 500 players registered for 18th FCG International Junior Championship

Registration remains open for Future Champions Golf tournament set for June 29–July 3 around San Diego, California

National Golf Invitational: Begins at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes GC

Postseason tournament, known as the NIT of college golf, is in its third year

PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship: Arkansas at Pine Bluff wins men’s title

Texas A&M International University takes Men’s Division II; Egor Zubov claims Men’s Individual crown

PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship: N.C. Carolina A&T wins women's title

Ekaterina Prokhorova earns women’s team medalist honors; Hyunji Kim wins women’s individual division in playoff

ShopRite LPGA Classic: No. 1 Nelly Korda, No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul commit

Collegiate juniors Gianna Clemente and Kary Hollenbaugh receive sponsor exemptions

DESTINATIONS

LinksVideo.net: Golf360 highlights Horseshoe Bay Resort

Texas Hill Country destination offers world-class golf, amenities

Marriott Golf: Alabama destination offers Grand Golf Package

Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa in Point Clear, Alabama, touts getaway that includes two rounds of golf at Lakewood Golf Club, site of the 2021 U.S. Senior Women's Amateur

Marriott Golf: JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort touts special golf offer

For stays through Sept. 27, the Aventura, Florida, destination is offering an Unlimited Golf Special

Marriott Golf: Orlando academy offering 2-, 3-day sessions

Book the Marriott Golf Academy's Summer Golf School through Sept. 15 and receive a free night of lodging

EVENTS

First Tee – Greater Richmond: Celebrates First Tee Week

After serving 70,756 Richmond, Virginia-area youth in 2024, First Tee – Greater Richmond is joining chapters across the country to celebrate the week with coach appreciation, 'Dear Coach' campaign and golf club donation drive

PGA of America: Launches 2025 Ryder Cup ticket giveaway

3,000 Ryder Cup tickets were reserved to be distributed to local New York residents for event that will be played at Bethpage Black

GEAR

Ecco Golf, Random Golf Club: Launch Greenland-inspired BIOM H5 collaboration

At $249, a limited number of pairs will be available to U.S. customers exclusively through the Random Golf Club website on May 6

Performance Golf: Introduces the Thriver driving wood

Club features proprietary Triangle Technology, created to help amateur golfers achieve both accuracy and distance on long par-4 and -5 holes

PXG: Introduces the PXG Bat Attack ZT putter

The zero torque design minimizes face rotation throughout the putting stroke by aligning the shaft axis just above the center of gravity

Stewart Golf: Launches Nexas hybrid bag, Nero 2 cart bag

Both are designed specifically to work with Stewart’s golf trolleys as well as on their own

True Linkswear: Debuts 1st spike shoes — the Lux2 Maven, Lux2 Player

After three-year design and construction process, golfers now have two options for additional traction in a spiked outsole

LIFESTYLE

Malcolm DeMille: Sculpts The Dinah! leadership award

Handcrafted award was introduced by Golf Digest, in partnership with Chevron, to honor Dinah Shore’s legacy and celebrates a visionary leader who exemplifies generosity and dedication to advancing women

MEDIA

CBS Sports: Outlines 2025 PGA Championship coverage plans

Network to broadcast the PGA Championship for the 35th consecutive year and 42nd time overall; Live multiplatform coverage will be led by the third and final rounds airing from 1:00-7:00 p.m. ET on May 17-18

Golf Channel: Johnson Wagner to recreate iconic Tiger Woods shots from 2000

Wagner will recreate shots from four different golf courses across North America live on Golf Central Thursday, May 8, through Sunday, May 11

NBC Sports: To air nearly 400 hours of live USGA championship coverage

NBC Sports to present coverage of nine USGA championships across NBC, Golf Channel, USA Network and Peacock in 2025

NBC Sports: Truist Championship headlines live coverage

Golf Channel to also air coverage of PGA Tour's Oneflight Myrtle Beach Classic, LPGA Tour’s Mizuho Americas Open, PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship and DP World Tour’s Turkish Airlines Open

PGA of America, CBS Sports: Partner on 2 specials to air May 10

"PGA of America REACH Foundation: So all can Love this Game" and "PGA Championship Preview Show" to air on CBS and stream on Paramount+

PGA Tour: Launches ‘The Drop’ presented by Servpro

Luke Clanton, Jordan Spieth are among the first guests for the first weekly show originating from PGA Tour Studios and that debuts on Golf Channel, PGA Tour YouTube and Fast Channels

PEOPLE

Arcis Golf: Names Zoe Campos as newest brand ambassador

Campos recently turned professional and currently plays on the Epson Tour; Joins Lilia Vu, currently No. 4 in the Women’s World Golf Rankings, and Maisie Filler as fellow ambassadors

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club: Names Dennis Watson as Captain for 2025/26

Watson, nominated by the past Captains of the club, will begin his year in office after the traditional driving-in ceremony on the first tee of the Old Course on Sept. 19.

PHILANTHROPY

APGA Tour: Presents fire relief donation to Pasadena youth organizations

Advocates Professional Golf Association Foundation presented a $30,400 donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena and First Tee – Greater Pasadena to support fire relief efforts for the neighboring Altadena community

Flag & Anthem: To support PGA HOPE’s 2025 flagship events

Menswear brand to donate apparel for PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup, national golf and wellness week

Youth on Course: Expands affordable golf access in Tennessee

Nonprofit partners with Tennessee Golf Foundation and Kids Play Free to offer $5 rounds and opportunities for youth golfers

TECHNOLOGY

GolfNow: Partners with Back Nine

Collaboration to offer 24/7 reservations for indoor golf training and entertainment throughout the U.S.

Shot Scope: Partners with The Hackers Paradise for Data Experience

Attendees enjoyed golf at Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh, Indiana, obtained an inside look into Shot Scope’s technology development and products

INDUSTRY NOTES

BUSINESS

LIV Golf: Announces Maaden as the presenting sponsor for LIV Golf Virginia, the eighth event on the 2025 schedule. LIV Golf Virginia presented by Maaden will be held June 6-8 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia. Previously known as LIV Golf DC, the new naming rights embrace Virginia’s distinct regional pride and was developed in collaboration with the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

CLUBS / COURSES

Fox Harb’r Resort: Celebrates the opening of its new Ocean Course, which was designed by Canadian golf architects Doug Carrick and Tom McBroom. The resort, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, is located along the Northumberland Strait in Nova Scotia and will open a new Spa & Wellness Centre later this spring.

True Blue Golf Club: Pawleys Island, South Carolina, club acquires the Steve Dresser Golf Academy, an instructional facility that has been a staple at the course for decades. The transition integrates it more closely with the top 100 layout’s daily operations. The academy will continue to offer private instruction, golf schools, junior clinics and club fittings.

GAMING

2K: Announces that the Old Course at St Andrews will be a free update to season 2 of PGA Tour 2K25. Also featured is the Greenskeeper Archetype, which will allow players to complete specific seasonal quests and earn rewards. Season 2 will launch May 14.

GEAR

Nippon Shaft: Scottie Scheffler used a N.S. Pro Modus3 Hybrid Tour X-flex shaft in his utility iron in winning the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.

PEOPLE

Bernhard and Company: Appoints Daryl Nagy as the new sales manager for North America for the turf maintenance solutions company. Nagy has been with Bernhard and Company since October 2023 and brings with him over 30 years of experience in the turf industry.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews: Unveils a new portrait of Sir Michael Bonallack and his wife Angela in the clubhouse's Big Room. Painted by portrait artist Paul Brason, the work recognizes their legacy as two of the most respected figures in amateur golf. Angela Bonallack died in July 2022 at age 85; Michael Bonallack died September 2023 at age 88.