TFC Week In Review 06-13-2025

THIS WEEK'S EDITIONS OF THE FIRST CALL

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Phil Mickelson, 54, has said the 2025 U.S. Open may be his final appearance in the national championship that he has finished second in a record six times. What have been your favorite Mickelson U.S. Open memories?

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.

The Starter: Trying to make sense of the U.S. Open

A demanding Oakmont layout has lived up to the hype this week, which means expect the unexpected.

BUSINESS

Arcis Golf: Acquires 3 Atlanta, Georgia, golf clubs

The Country Club of the South, The Manor Golf & Country Club, and White Columns Country Club are now part of the company's growing portfolio

BMW Korea: Extends sponsorship of LPGA's BMW Ladies Championship

Total prize money to increase annually, starting from $2.3 million in 2025 to $2.6 million by 2029; Tournament to rotate across prestigious courses nationwide

Club Champion: Fitting studio opens at Golfinity Austin

Clubfitter opens additional fitting bay in the Austin, Texas, area and its 12th in Texas

Dunning Golf: Announces partnership with Fury Athletix

Companies collaborate on the launch of premium co-branded headwear, Dunning x Fury Athletix

Golf.AI, OnCore Innovations; Announce strategic partnership

The companies will collaborate on bringing immersive, real-time AI powered experiences to golfers of all skill levels

Inrange: Multiple U.S. ranges select its technology

Nine venues across seven states are due to go live with Inrange in the coming months

KemperSports: To manage The Country Club of New Hampshire

The North Sutton, New Hampshire, club represents KemperSports' first property in the state and fifth course in New England

CLUBS / COURSES

Aviara GC: To host Crystal Cup qualifier on July 10

Amateur golfers to compete for spots in the Crystal Cup finale at Georgia's Sea Island Resort in October

Belvedere GC: Hosts 114th Michigan Amateur

Northern Michigan golf club hosts historic event for the 41st time

Circling Raven: Receives Golf Digest's No. 1 public course rating for Idaho

Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel amenity is ranked Idaho's sixth best overall in the national magazine’s biennial best-of list

Explore Branson: Golf Digest ranks 4 courses as Best in Missouri

Publication also cites the area as home to the state’s finest public courses

Quintero GC: Begins 4-month renovation project

The Peoria, Arizona, course is expected to reopen for play in October after the Rees Jones renovation

Zinkand Golf Design: Begins master plan's 2nd phase at Big Foot CC

Work on 1924 Tom Bendelow design includes rerouting holes 12, 13 and 14

COMPETITION

Kroger Queen City Championship: Reigning champ Lydia Ko to return

Field of 144 to also feature winner of the Women’s Western Junior Championship, June 9-13

Omni Hotels & Resorts: Celebrates 1st Generation Cup

The tournament that drew more than 700 participants concluded with the National Championship, May 30 – June 1 at Omni PGA Frisco Resort and Spa in Frisco, Texas

EVENTS

Sqairz: Founder, CEO Bob Winskowicz to speak at 2025 Consistent Golf Summit

The global virtual summit is designed to help golfers play more consistently, gain distance and build confidence on the course, and is free to attend

GEAR

Mnml Golf: Launches M Comp carry bag

The lightweight, high-performance bag embodies Mnml Golf’s design ethos, stripped down to the essentials without sacrificing function, quality or style

Payntr Golf: Launches exclusive 'Clubhouse Collection'

Limited-edition release that pays homage to U.S. Open and British Open will be available at Dick’s Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy

Srixon: Ryan Fox delivers playoff win at RBC Canadian Open

Fox played a variety of Srixon clubs, including the ZXi driver and fairway wood, ZXi utility, ZXi5 irons (4-5) and ZXi7 irons (6-PW) and the Z-Star XV golf ball

SuperStroke: Introduces Revl line of club grips

Element, player and comfort models with ‘Lamkin100’ stamp offer responsive feel and comfort

SuperStroke: Ryan Fox wins RBC Canadian Open

New Zealander secured his second PGA Tour win in four weeks while playing the Zenergy 1.0P 17-inch putter grip

MEDIA

NBC Sports: Details live coverage of 125th U.S. Open

Nearly 300 hours of U.S. Open programming including broadcast, featured groups, and studio coverage across NBC, Peacock and Golf Channel

NBC Sports: Previews coverage of 125th U.S. Open

Nearly 300 hours of U.S. Open championship programming to include broadcast, featured groups and studio coverage

SiriusXM: Exclusive national audio broadcaster for 2025 U.S. Open

SiriusXM to provide live shot-by-shot coverage of all four rounds at Oakmont Country Club, June 12-15; Exclusive shows hosted by U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover and U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate highlight network's talk programming lineup

PEOPLE

BallenIsles CC: Foursome partners make pair of aces

Club members Lori Garon and Lisa Hoberman, playing in the same foursome on May 6, each aced the 97-yard, par-3 second hole just minutes apart. The odds of two players from the same foursome acing the same hole are one in 17 million.

Callaway Golf: Inducts Hawaii's Tom Freestone into HOF

Ocean Course at Hokuala general manager accepts honor into the Callaway Golf Staff Professional Hall of Fame during surprise ceremony

PGA of America: John Mousley earns PGA Master Professional designation

Mousley is the founder and director of instruction of JM Golf Performance and PGA Golf Instructor at University of North Florida Golf Complex in Jacksonville, Florida

Troon: Announces promotions within Food and Beverage Division

Joe Martin, Tom Bannwart and Jerome Louie are named senior directors of F&B; Jessica Toy is promoted to corporate F&B manager; and Renee Washer is promoted to corporate director of F&B

PHILANTHROPY

First Tee: Names 27 college scholars

This year’s scholar class includes six first-generation college students and five collegiate golfers; Scholars will receive financial support, mentors and professional development opportunities

LPGA: Unveils largest fundraising initiative in its history

LPGA to hold 75th Anniversary Pro-Am, Jan. 12-15, 2026 at Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Hay and The Links at Spanish Bay, to support the LPGA Foundation’s mission of inspiring the next generation of female golfers

Make Golf Your Thing: 70 organizations to receive funding

The program is administered by the American Golf Industry Coalition, and was created to help make the game more inclusive and accessible. Launched in 2020, the grants program is distributing $500,000 to grassroots organizations nationwide, bringing the total program investment to $3 million over six years.

TECHNOLOGY

Ace Indoor Golf: 18 simulator gift ideas for Father's Day

Give the ultimate upgrade with a premium golf simulator setup to bring the game home

Shot Scope: The data behind Oakmont's Church Pews

Golfers can expect to lose roughly 1.5 strokes when in the fabled bunkers compared to when they are in the fairway or rough

INDUSTRY NOTES

BUSINESS

Spirit Golf Management: Selected to manage overall club operations at Fairways Golf Club, a public facility in Warrington, Pennsylvania. Spirit Golf will oversee course maintenance, sales and marketing, player development programming and food and beverage. It also named Ryan Skeirski as the club’s first head golf professional and who will lead all player development programming, including a new PGA Jr. League team.

COMPETITION

Dubai Creek Resort: Announces the Dubai Creek International Pairs Tournament, scheduled for Dec. 8-13 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The six-day event will unfold across Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates' Earth Course, home of the DP World Tour Championship. The tournament will feature a three-round, better-ball format and is open to any pairing of amateur and professional golfers. Packages start at AED 14,000 per person, with single and double room options available. To register, visit DubaiCreekResort.com/golf.

PEOPLE

Club Car: Appoints Craig Scanlon as president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Scanlon succeeds Mark Wagner, who announced his retirement in March. Scanlon has held key officer roles in both private equity-owned and Fortune 500 organizations, most recently as CEO of K&N Engineering.