TFC Week In Review 08-23-24

FIRST THOUGHT

THIS WEEK'S EDITIONS OF THE FIRST CALL

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

POLL

> Do you understand the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Playoffs format? | Vote
> Previous: Keegan Bradley, LIV Golf and the 2025 Ryder Cup | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Do you believe the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which backs LIV Golf, will ever reach an agreement? If, yes, what would be the time frame?

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.

> Read responses to last week's question.

BUSINESS

Five Iron Golf: Launches worldwide indoor golf league

Players will compete globally for $500,000 in prizes and a grand-prize trip to Dubai

CLUBS / COURSES

Go Golf Kauai: Courses recognized by Golfweek, GolfPass

Collection of resort and daily-fee golf courses have been honored by the publications in their respective 2024 Best Courses in Hawaii rankings

RTJ II Golf Course Architects: Tamarack Resort reopens Osprey Meadows

Tamarack, Idaho, destination's renovation by Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects includes a unique 19th Gambler’s Hole

Vineyards Country Club: Private Naples, Florida, club is honored as the Best Golf Course to do Business in Gulfshore Business' 12th Best of Business poll. The Best of Business poll reflects the opinions of its readership, who cast their votes via an online survey. The poll spans 30 categories with Vineyards Country Club named the top choice for conducting business on the golf course.

COMPETITION

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship: Tickets on sale for 2025 event

‘Be There for Both’ ticket package gives spectators opportunity to attend the 2025 championship and have priority access to purchase tickets for the 2027 PGA Championship at PGA Frisco

PGA of America: Plans set for PGA NCCGA Fall Championship and Invitational

Collegiate club teams will compete in respective regions throughout September and October for an opportunity to advance to the Championship and Invitational, Dec. 7-8 at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club

DESTINATIONS

Discover Puerto Rico: Travel report aligns with golf destination

Results of Future Partners' 'State of the American Traveler' reveal that more than half of American travelers are expected to take a vacation during late summer and early fall

EVENTS

Audubon International: Announces 8th BioBlitz competition winners

Month-long event documents large diversity of species living on golf course

Jackson Park Driving Range: Cheyenne Woods returns for clinic

Woods, a former LPGA golfer, current golf ambassador and Team Troon athlete, will host a golf and sports clinic for Chicago youth on Sept. 7

GEAR

Dunlop Sports Americas: Hideki Matsuyama earns 1st FedEx Cup Playoffs win

Matsuyama played Z-Forged II irons and RTX4 wedges

PXG: Debuts Allan Putter

Zero torque balance design simplifies putting for all stroke styles and abilities

Nippon Shaft: Max McGreevy won his second Korn Ferry Tour event of 2024, the Magnit Championship, using Nippon Shaft’s N.S.Pro Modus3 Prototype S flex shaft in his irons.

PEOPLE

CRMC Championship: Names Jake Knapp as honorary chairman

Winner of the 2022 championship is now finding success on the PGA Tour, having won in his rookie season

GCSAA: Eight chosen for 7th EXCEL Leadership Program class

Funded by Nufarm, the EXCEL Leadership Program offers leadership training for future leaders in golf course management

PGA of America: Brian Jones earns PGA Master Professional designation

Jones serves as associate director of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas PGA Golf Management University Program

Soleta GC: Hires Aaron Crooks as head golf professional

Club in Myakka City, Florida, is new luxury golf and lifestyle community in the Sarasota/Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch markets

Summit Golf Brands: Hires Thomas De Stio as CMO

De Stio will oversee all elements of SGB’s ecommerce and marketing strategy and execution across each of its premium apparel brands — B. Draddy, Zero Restriction, Fairway & Greene and EP New York

Presidents Cup: International Team Captain Mike Weir announces Japan’s Shigeki Maruyama as his fifth and final captain’s assistant for the 2024 Presidents Cup, which returns to The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Canada, Sept. 24-29. Maruyama joins fellow captains assistants Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas, who were announced in April. Maruyama competed in the Presidents Cup in 1998 and 2000, compiling a 6-2-0 record, including a 5-0-0 performance in the former, when the International Team defeated the U.S. Team in Australia, 20.5-11.5.

PHILANTHROPY

BallenIsles CC: Leaders raise $17,000 for The First Tee of the Palm Beaches

General Manager and CEO Ryan Walls and director of golf Jeff Fitzherbert played a combined 288 holes on Aug. 9, participating in the ninth 100 Hole Challenge Golf Marathon held at the Palm Beach Par 3