TFC Week In Review 05-23-2025

THIS WEEK'S EDITIONS OF THE FIRST CALL

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What were your impressions of the 2025 PGA Championship?

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> Last week's question: How do you believe the United States' plans for tariffs will impact the golf industry? | Read

The Starter: Is this the best version of Scottie Scheffler?

With three majors at age 28, Scheffler may be heading somewhere special; why the PGA did not give us the best version of Rory McIlroy, Wyndham Clark, Jon Rahm or Bryson DeChambeau.

BUSINESS

Arcis Golf, iFit: Announce exclusive content partnership

Industry leaders to combine complementary expertise to produce personalized golf-fitness workouts

Five Iron Golf: Announces flagship location in Miami

Indoor golf and entertainment company expands in Florida at The Plaza Coral Gables

GCSAA: Survey shows salaries rising for golf course careers

Golf course superintendent salaries up 10.6% in biennial report

Lennar: Southwest Florida division introduces Lennar Family Golf

Initiative gives juniors opportunities to play free or discounted golf at five Lennar golf facilities

Magellan Jets: Experiencing record-high numbers for advance bookings

Private aviation provider transporting golf fans to and from major golf tournaments and the Ryder Cup this summer and fall

Principal Charity Classic: Receives 2025 statewide sustainability award

Iowa Travel Industry Partners honors the PGA Tour Champions event with the 2025 Sustainability Initiative Award for integrating environmental and social responsibility into all aspects of its tournament operations

Ryder Cup Europe, PGA of America: SAP becomes partner for Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup will leverage SAP technology to enhance the fan experience

Sqairz: ACFAS recommends clinical study for manuscript publication

Out of more than 400 poster submissions, Sqairz becomes the first first sports shoe brand to have its clinical research recommended

CLUBS / COURSES

BallenIsles CC: Members approve Rees Jones-designed short course

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, club will construct a 10-hole short course and putting course that is expected to open for member play in the fall 2026

Boulders Resort and Spa: Begins North Course refinement project

The current renovation project will enhance the playability of the Scottsdale, Arizona, course as green surfaces will be restored to their original shape and size, and resurfaced with TifEagle turf

Broken Top Club: Invests in series of amenity enhancements

Three projects — a new pro shop, a new Lakehouse and construction of a Pickleball Court Complex represent more than $1.5 million in capital investments for the Bend, Oregon, club

PGA of America: The Concession GC to host 2026-28 Senior PGA Championship

Three in a row begins with 86th edition of the longest-running major in senior golf on April 16-19, 2026

Poppy Ridge GC: To reopen on May 31

Operated by the Northern California Golf Association, the Livermore, California, course underwent a 13-month construction and grow-in process guided by architect Jay Blasi

The Club at Starr Pass: Completes desert restoration project

Tucson, Arizona, club removed invasive species such as Salt Cedar, African Sumac and Buffel Grass, opening the door for native plants and local wildlife to thrive

The International: Opens the Pines Course for member play

New Coore & Crenshaw-designed golf course emphasizes playability and strategy amid Bolton, Massachusetts, setting

COMPETITION

Epson Tour: Announces Pure Michigan Cup for 2025 Midwest swing

Three tournaments, in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, will comprise the competition and award athletes with bonus money.

Epson Tour: Renews partnership with City of Indian Wells for 2025 season finale

Epson Tour Championship at Indian Wells will return to Indian Wells Golf Resort in October and will be played on the Celebrity Course

FCG: 600 players registered for FCG Callaway World Championship

Seventeenth annual event is scheduled for July 14-16 across 11 golf courses in the Palm Desert, California, region

NBC Sports: Announces early American Century Championship commits

First-time participants to include Seattle Seahawks’ Sam Darnold, San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle and television sportscaster Rich Eisen

Rocket Classic: Ole Miss junior Michael La Sasso receives sponsor exemption

La Sasso is 11th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and fourth in the Scoreboard men’s collegiate ranking

ShopRite LPGA Classic: Reinforces commitment to women’s golf

"Team ShopRite" sponsorship program part of an expanded partnership with the LPGA; ShopRite will provide complimentary hotel accommodations for entire 2025 ShopRite LPGA Classic field

USGA: Announces 36 additional players exempt for 125th U.S. Open

U.S. Open champions Lucas Glover and Justin Rose and two-time runner-up Jason Day among group that brings total to 85

DESTINATIONS

Gamble Sands: Set to open 40 new rooms at The Inn at Gamble Sands

Rooms are scheduled to open on June 3; Golf resort launches new website

Marriott Golf: Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa celebrates summer

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, destination offers ideal summer family vacation

Marriott Golf: Spotlights golf at Atlantis Paradise Island

Paradise Island, Bahamas, destination offering upgrades that total 25% in savings plus up to $1,000 resort credit

Sea Pines Resort: Unveils the Love-Dye Golf Package

Golfers can play one round apiece on Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III and Heron Point by Pete Dye

EVENTS

First Tee: First Tee Week shines spotlight on coaches

In addition to chapter events, First Tee alumni will celebrate First Tee Week with a meetup at the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge

Five Iron Golf: Celebrates Women’s Golf Month

The brand will offer free play, social events, expanded offers and other collaborations

Omni Hotels & Resorts: To celebrate Women’s Golf Day across its 12 golf resorts

Events were created to to empower women’s golf participation and camaraderie across the U.S.

PGA Tour Superstore: Presents The Hammer Challenge

TGL-style gameplay with a twist to be held on May 25

Youth on Course: Announces 2025 100 Hole Hike schedule

Celebrating over a decade of impact, golf’s charitable challenge expands coast to coast with creator hosts and new markets

GEAR

Flagstick50: Expands state-themed golf apparel to all 50 states

Brand will exhibit its hat collections at the PGA Buying Summit, July 28-30 in Frisco, Texas

GolfForever: Brand ambassador Scottie Scheffler wins PGA Championship

The 28-year-old world No. 1 now has 15 PGA Tour victories, including three majors

Orca Golf: Unveils Bourbon Collection of golf bags

Perfectly timed for Father’s Day, the Dorsal 1 and 2 are now available for shipping

PXG: Drops 2025 Stars & Stripes Capsule Collection

New seasonal accessories from golf bags and headcovers to golf gloves and hoodies are now available

Srixon: Announces buy 2, get 1 free golf ball deal

Limited-time offer runs through June 15

LIFESTYLE

Malcolm DeMille: Crafts Regions Tradition champion's trophy

Angel Cabrera won the senior major, his first

Malcolm DeMille: Trophy adds vibrant flair to AdventHealth Championship

S.H. Kim claimed the event’s signature handcrafted trophy for delivering the tournament’s lowest 72-hole score since 2019

MEDIA

First Tee: PSA campaign honors youth coaches as game changers

The "Dear Coach" ads are debuting during First Tee Week

PEOPLE

Boyne Golf: Announces Epson Tour player Sarah White as brand ambassador

Michigan native who has been playing the Epson Tour since 2020 will represent the Northern Michigan golf destination

LPGA: Board of directors elects Craig Kessler as commissioner

Kessler most recently served as chief operating officer of the PGA of America, where he oversaw all operations of the 30,000-member organization, including its non-profit foundation

LPGA: Six-time winner Jo Ann Prentice dies at 92

Prentice, a native of Alabama, was instrumental in creating the Birmingham Classic, a tournament she never won but one that remained a popular mainstay on the LPGA Tour from 1972-82

PGA of America: Corebridge Financial Team highlights its 36-man team

PGA of America Professionals to compete in the 85th Senior PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club

PGA of America: Hae-Yoon Jung-Kim becomes PGA Master Professional

Jung-Kim, a member of the Southern California Section PGA, joins a group as the 454th PGA Member and 13th woman to earn Master Professional status

SuperStroke: Instructor Daichi Sugawara becomes a brand ambassador

Popular golf social media instructor to demonstrate the game-improvement merits of SuperStroke

USGA: Selects 24 students for Pathways Internship Program at U.S. Open

Development program provides opportunity for emerging talent to launch careers in golf through job exposure and leadership training on-site at Oakmont Country Club

PHILANTHROPY

Grayson Murray Foundation, Ben Hogan Foundation: Partner on 1st contribution

Foundation in Murray’s honor announces donation to help children who have lost a parent to suicide; PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour tournaments show support on one-year anniversary of Murray’s passing

PGA of America: Supports Patriot Golf Days over Memorial Day weekend

Since 2007, more than 200,000 rounds have been played to benefit families of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders

TECHNOLOGY

Golf.ai: Launches AI Verified verification program

Company unveils the first such program for golf courses at Golf Business Technology Conference 2025

INDUSTRY NOTES

EVENTS

Toptracer: The month-long virtual competition on Old Course Reversed at St. Andrews totaled 41,354 rounds played by golfers from over 35 countries. The virtual tournament was inspired by St. Andrews Links bringing back the clockwise routing to the Old Course for six days. For April, golfers had the opportunity to compete virtually for a chance to win a tee time on Old Course Reversed in 2026. The best score and unofficial winner of Old Course Reversed – Global Challenge was 12-year-old Chaemin Kim of South Korea with a score of 51 at BGJ Golf Club in the city Gwangju.

GEAR

SkyGolf: Introduces the SkyCaddie Pro 4X rangefinder, equipped with SkyGolf’s proprietary dual-frequency TruePoint Positioning Technology. The Pro 4X is a compact yet equally powerful version of the Pro 5X version and provides complete full-color, high-definition professional tour book experience, preloaded with over 35,000 professionally ground-verified maps. Also, the Pro 4X connects to SkyGolf 360, a platform that offers detailed insights into a golfer's performance. The Pro 4X is now shipping.

Women’s Golf Day: Collaborates with Ahead to introduce an exclusive collection of Women’s Golf Day-themed headwear, designed to celebrate WGD 2025. The global initiative that promotes female empowerment through golf is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. The hats are available in either black or white and with a choice of the Women’s Golf Day logo or commemorative 10-year anniversary design. The hats are available online at WomensGolfDay.com or Aheadweb.com.

TECHNOLOGY

Hole-in-One Media: Creators of the on-course video system ReelGolf received its 15th U.S. patent for its AI-enabled autonomous video recording and editing technology. This patent grants HIO Media the rights to use its technology at any sporting event or athletic facility, expanding its capabilities beyond golf. The technology can be leveraged to record, splice and produce video footage for individual athletes during games and practices, and sending the final reel to any location within seconds of recording.