TFC Week In Review 11-07-2025

THIS WEEK'S EDITIONS OF THE FIRST CALL

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Gary Player, 90, says the three best players ever are Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and himself. Who do you believe are golf's three greatest players?

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: Is LIV still LIV or is it now LXXII?

Going from 54 to 72-hole tournaments was a big deal this week for the fledgling league; The LPGA and the Saudi PIF hook up; Phil Mickelson is in the news — again; Luke Kwon ... need we say more?

BUSINESS

Golf Channel: Names Optum as title sponsor of Golf Channel Games

December 17 event to feature Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler competing head-to-head and captaining two four-man teams in a rapid-fire team format at Trump National Golf Club Jupiter in Jupiter, Florida

Golf Galaxy | Dick's House of Sport | Youth on Course: Announce partnership

Partnership adds new pathways to the sport via $5 SIM rentals

Hurricane Junior Golf Tour: Names Cirkul as official hydration partner

New partnership delivers personalized hydration to keep golfers’ performance dialed in

Indoor Golf Alliance: Launches Indoor Golf Job Opportunities Board

The board is designed to connect companies and job seekers across the indoor golf industry

Noteefy: Launches lead management platform built for resorts

Now live at several top 50 resorts, including Kohler, Wisconsin, the platform unifies guest inquiries, automates follow-ups and delivers real-time visibility into revenue opportunity

Troon: Selected to manage Reading CC

Troon Golf, the resort and daily-fee division of Troon, will manage golf operations, agronomy, food and beverage, sales and marketing for the daily-fee facility in Reading, Pennsylvania

CLUBS / COURSES

Nemacolin: Mystic Rock, Shepherd’s Rock courses honored

The Farmington, Pennsylvania, destination's courses were named to Golfweek’s Top 50 Casino Courses in the U.S. list

COMPETITION

Future Champions Golf | Mexican Golf Federation: Collaborating for 2026

The FCG Mexico Series will expand from four to eight events in 2026, featuring a qualifying event in each FMG regional zone

LPGA: Lake Merced GC to host 2027 Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown

San Francisco, California, club will host the sixth playing of the event

LPGA | LET: Deepen collaboration through the PIF Global Series

Co-sanctioned Aramco Championship at Shadow Creek Golf Club is a $4 million purse event in partnership with Golf Saudi

Phoenix CC: To host PGA Tour Champions’ Charles Schwab Cup Championship

The season finale will be held Nov. 13-16 with Steven Alker, the reigning champion, leading the 36-player field

The Annika: Major, past champions headline field

Three-time champion Nelly Korda looking to become first LPGA Tour player to win same event four times since Annika Sorenstam in 2005

DESTINATIONS

Marriott Golf: Spotlights Orlando World Center Marriott

Orlando, Florida, destination readies for holiday season, Dec. 20-31

EVENTS

First Tee: Kathryn Newton to headline First Tee Drive Your Future Academy

The annual female empowerment event will be making its Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, debut

PGA Show: Expands to welcome golf’s top brands, buyers, innovators

The 2026 edition will be held in Orlando, Florida, Jan. 20-23

GEAR

Johnnie-O: Selected as travel wear partner of the NHL's Nashville Predators

The licensed apparel is available for purchase in-store and online

True Linkswear: Debuts the Ascent PNWProof

The all-weather athletic shoe is engineered for both golfers and non-golfers

Srixon: Miyu Yamashita wins LPGA Maybank Championship

Yamashita hit 50 of 59 fairways with a Srixon ZXi driver and found over 77% of greens in regulation using a combination set of ZXi7 and ZXi5 irons

PEOPLE

GCSAA: Kevin Komer earns Excellence in Government Affairs Award

Komer, a 34-year GCSAA member, is the director of agronomy at The Mountain Course at Spruce Peak and Stowe (Vermont) Country Club

Golf VX: Appoints Brian Jung as COO

Jung will oversee operational growth, innovation and franchise scalability across the brand’s expanding footprint

LPGA: Lexi Thompson receives inaugural Dow Impact Award

Thompson wins with nearly half of the total votes cast by fans

PGA of America: 2025 Hall of Fame Class honored at PGA Annual Meeting

Inducted were PGA past president Jim Richerson, PGA members Ronny Glanton, Jim McLean and JD Turner, LPGA legend Nancy Lopez, and trick-shot artist Dennis Walters

PGA of America: Celebrates national award recipients at PGA Annual Meeting

Scott Paris, Jason Baile and Tony LaFrenere highlight Awards Ceremony

PGA of America: Northern Texas PGA Section honored

The Section receives the 2025 Herb Graffis Award at 109th PGA of America Annual Meeting

PHILANTHROPY

First Tee — Greater Richmond: Honored with national community award

Organization receives the Barbara A. Douglas and Dr. William J. Powell Community Award, a national recognition celebrating the chapter’s outstanding leadership and commitment to reaching underserved and underrepresented youth while promoting inclusion

First Tee | Golf Digest: Honor 2025 network award winners

Golf Digest awards $175,000 to winning First Tee chapters in celebration of their impact

Semper Fi & America’s Fund: Opens Double Down for Veterans Match Campaign

This year’s campaign aims to raise $15 million to support critically wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans and military families

The Annika | BayCare Health System: Launch its ‘Birdies for Babies’ program

The Annika to donate $50 for every birdie and $100 for every eagle made during competition, Nov. 13-16; More than $360,000 donated since 2020

TECHNOLOGY

Shot Scope: Reports on assistance to pro Sarah White

White leads the Epson Tour in driving distance with an average of 291 yards

INDUSTRY NOTES