TFC Week In Review 06-20-2025

THIS WEEK'S EDITIONS OF THE FIRST CALL

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What are your thoughts on the 2025 U.S. Open?

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: 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? | Read

The Starter: Should Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler make room for J.J. Spaun in POY race?

What will changes in PGA Tour leadership mean for LIV Golf negotiations and Jay Monahan's legacy?; Pace of play continues to be a thing; Fairways are apparently still hard to hit, even with today's modern technology

BUSINESS

Bobby Jones Links: Founders reflect on 25 years of changes, milestones

Owners Steve Willy and Whitney Crouse discuss the highs, lows of the golf industry

Callaway Golf, Leaderboard: Partner to launch Callaway Leaderboard Challenge

New partnership bridges the gap between tee box and touchscreen, gamifying on-course play and driving loyalty through digital engagement

College Golf Experience: Partnering with Circles through 2026

Expanded partnership to deliver AI-powered player analytics to junior golfers and college golf coaches

Noteefy: Secures strategic investment

Investment round led by Powerhouse Capital, with participation from Teamworthy Ventures, Phoenix Capital Ventures, PerotJain and a syndicate of industry veterans, will accelerate AI-powered golf and resort demand management platform

Tagmarshal: Record year drives European expansion plans

Provider of pace of play management and course optimization software increases its footprint and influence in Europe and the UK

Troon: Publishes in-depth U.S. golfer report

Research provides insights into the playing, spending and travel habits of U.S. golfers

CLUBS / COURSES

Concert Golf Partners: Adds The Club at New Seabury to private club portfolio

Storied U.S. Open champion Francis Ouimet once described the 300-acre Cape Cod oceanfront property as the “Pebble Beach of the East”

Pearl at Kalauao: Welcomes Na Momi ‘Ekolu to its golf experience

Translated as "The Three Pearls," new three-hole short course opened on June 14 and special promotions will run through July 14

Tamarack GC: Reopens West Course following 18-month renovation

East Brunswick, New Jersey, course is owned by Middlesex County and managed by Indigo Sports, a Troon company

TPC Harding Park: Celebrates 100th anniversary

Opened in 1925, TPC Harding Park joined the TPC Network in 2010; Centennial celebration to be held July 18

COMPETITION

Costa Navarino: Legends Tour returns

Greece destination hosted the Costa Navarino Legends Tour Trophy, which was won by Peter Baker

Dow Championship: Final 2025 field announced

LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko and 2024 champions Jeeno Thitkul and Ruoning Yin are set to return to Midland Country Club, June 23–29

Jackson T. Stephens Cup: Tickets go on sale

Fifth annual collegiate event to be held Sept. 15–17 at Shoreacres in Lake Bluff, Illinois

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship: $12 million purse tied for highest on LPGA

KPMG adds AI-enhanced features to KPMG Performance Insights Program, enabling the field to elevate their game with data and analytics; Will be the first women’s major hosted at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco

DESTINATIONS

Marriott Golf: Introduces India stay-and-play

Golf getaway to JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa includes one round at Prestige Golfshire Club

EVENTS

NGCOA: To celebrate 30th Multi-Course & Resort Operators Retreat

The 2025 edition will be held June 24-25 in Monterey, California

PGA WORKS: Students attend PMG Women’s PGA Championship event

Young women attend career-exploration event at PGA Frisco to learn about careers in and around golf

GEAR

Ecco Golf: Launches laid-back, street-inspired 'Not My Day' collection

The collection blends the brand's craftsmanship with subtle storytelling and retro vibes; Shoes to retail for $229 and $249, and are available at select retailers and at Ecco.com

Srixon: J.J. Spaun wins 125th U.S. Open

Spaun played with a bag that included Srixon ZXi5 iron (4i) and ZXi7 irons (5i-PW), Cleveland Golf's RTX ZipCore wedge (50 degrees), RTZ wedge (54 degrees full), RTX 6 ZipCore (60 degrees low) and a Srixon Z-Star Diamond golf ball

LIFESTYLE

Sea Pines Resort: Debuts Justin Thomas’ 'defending champion burger'

The 2025 winner designs signature menu item for Fraser’s Tavern

Suite Expectation: Making way into country clubs

Luxury scent brand bringing fragrances to private golf scene with high-end diffusers and signature scent oils

MEDIA

NBC Sports: KPMG Women’s PGA Championship headlines week's coverage

Nearly 100 hours of championship coverage from Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco — Thursday/Friday coverage on Golf Channel and weekend coverage on NBC and Peacock

PEOPLE

Audubon International: Announces retirement of Frank LaVardera

Director of Environmental Programs for Golf will retire on June 26 after 45 years in the field of environmental project consultation and planning

Corebridge Financial Team: Fields 10 pros for KPMG Women’s PGA

The championship, hosted at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco in Frisco, Texas, will feature a Corebridge team of PGA of America Golf Professionals and LPGA Professionals

English Turn G&CC: Announces new leadership

Semi-private New Orleans, Louisiana, club recently named Claude Thorn as its general manager and Vanessa Porto as assistant general manager

Five Iron Golf: CEO, co-founder Jared Solomon receives EY US honor

Solomon was named Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 New York Award winner for his leadership and company's growth

Indoor Golf Shop: Tells of Rupe Taylor's PGA

Teaching professional from Virginia Beach, Virginia, honed his game by playing Quail Hollow on his Trackman software in his home simulator space

Newton Golf Co.: Signs Miguel Ángel Jimenez following latest win

PGA Tour Champions player won for second time playing the Newton Fast Motion shaft

The Sea Pines Resort: Appoints John Haskins as director of golf sales

Haskins previously served nearly two decades at a five-star resort, where he managed incoming golf group leads, meeting planners and third-party inquiries

Troon: Names David Curtis as its 2025 Coach of the Year

Curtis, the lead teaching professional at The Classic Club in Palm Desert, California, by Troon’s Education and Player Development team

PHILANTHROPY

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship: To fund PGA Jr. League programs

10 league sites in past, present and future championship markets will be funded through the initiative

INDUSTRY NOTES

DESTINATIONS

McLemore: The Lookout Mountain, Georgia, golf and resort destination, announces a collaboration with United Kingdom hospitality properties Seaton House, of St. Andrews, Scotland, and Dunluce Lodge, of Portrush, Northern Ireland. As part of Valor Hospitality Partners, the three properties form an international relationship that connects through golf, travel and dining. As part of this collective, the culinary experiences at these properties are curated by Savor, the award-winning food and beverage division of Valor Hospitality. Also, the properties will offer one-of-a-kind packages and tailored joint itineraries.