TFC Week In Review 11-21-2025

THIS WEEK'S EDITIONS OF THE FIRST CALL

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

If you could create a made-for-television Silly Season event, what format would it be and what players would it attract?

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: When a loss still feels like a win

Justin Thomas has something in common with Tiger Woods; Adam Schenk has plenty to be thankful for; LPGA gets massive upgrade, but will anyone watch?

BUSINESS

Inrange: Strengthens U.S. presence with 4 partner venues

Westwood Golf (Washington) and North Columbus Driving Range (Iowa) have joined the Inrange network, while Pinseekers has upgraded its existing range technology at two locations in Iowa and Wisconsin

NGCOA: CEO Jay Karen to testify at House Subcommittee hearing

Karen is set to represent the golf industry at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade on Nov. 20. The hearing is titled "Daylight and Destinations: Examining Time, Travel, and Tourism"

NGCOA: Titleist extends as Champions Circle patron through 2030

The NGCOA Champions Circle brings together companies and organizations that believe in a strong, unified advocacy voice for golf course ownership and management

True Spec Golf: Opens at Indian Wells Golf Resort

Brand-agnostic clubfitting company launches True Spec Palm Springs-Indian Wells at one of Southern California’s most iconic golf destinations

Whoosh | Landscapes Golf Management: Partner on operations software deal

Whoosh becomes the preferred tee sheet and operations software provider for Landscapes' private clubs

CLUBS / COURSES

Apes Hill Barbados: Earns 2025 World Golf Awards distinction

Little Apes short course is named the "Best 9-Hole Course in Caribbean"

Bobby Jones Golf Links: Cobblestone GC pinch hits to host college event

Acworth, Georgia, public course held the mid-October collegiate tournament hosted by Kennesaw State University

Forest Hills GC: Augusta course rises above the storm

The Bobby Jones Links-operated course in Georgia overcomes the impact of Hurricane Helene

COMPETITION

APGA Tour: Willie Mack III wins Farmers Insurance Fall Series

Mack III claimed his 17th Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour victory at the Farmers Fall Series Finale in Tustin, California

Assistant PGA Pro Championship: Sandra Changkija is 1st woman champ

Changkija, a former LPGA Tour player who is an Assistant PGA Professional at Lake Nona, won by five shots

Grass League: Tickets on sale for 2025 GL Championship

Championship set for Dec. 5-6 at Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe, Arizona

Kroger Queen City Championship: Maketewah CC to host starting in 2026

Cincinnati’s LPGA Tour event is moving to the spring, taking place May 11-17

LPGA: Announces 2026 schedule

Players are to compete for the largest prize fund in the Tour’s history

LPGA: Announces 2025 Gold Driver Awards

Tournament of the Year distinction awarded to FM Championship, a first-time honoree

PGA Tour: Season to conclude at The RSM Classic

Top 100, Aon Next 10, other competitive implications at stake during the final week of the FedEx Cup Fall

DESTINATIONS

Boyne Golf: Inn at Bay Harbor begins new chapter

Luxury lakeside destination expands golf package offerings through Boyne's 11 golf courses

Marriott Golf: 2 Panama destinations, 1 holiday tee time

Panama City's The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort Panama and The Santa Maria are offering a holiday escape that includes golf on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course

Marriott Golf: Trade snow for sunshine this holiday season

The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburon in Naples, Florida, offers numerous amenities, including golf on two Greg Norman-designed courses

Sea Pines Resort: Debuts new DL III Burger

Newest past champions’ burger, which celebrates five-time RBC Heritage champion Davis Love III, is now on the menu at Fraser’s Tavern

EVENTS

Fairway Jockey | Bettinardi Golf: Announce Black Friday giveaway

The online custom golf club retailer is offering the VIP Experience Giveaway, a chance to automatically qualify to win a trip to Bettinardi headquarters for a tour and a custom-fit putter

Indoor Golf Alliance: Announces 1st international trade show, conference

The International Indoor Golf and Technology Trade Show and Conference will be held July 7-9 at the Bellagio Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada

NGCOA: Hosts industry-wide Golf Tee Time Summit

Event brought in nearly 100 golf industry leaders to address growing marketplace challenges

True Spec Golf: Black Friday, Cyber Monday savings underway

Custom club fitter is offering free fittings with qualified club purchases, as well as deep discounts on gift cards and gear

GEAR

Forrester’s | Payntr Golf: Unite to launch the FO Rainshedder RS1

The Oregon brands announce a first-of-its-kind collaboration of the golf shoe that is engineered as true performance equipment and built to thrive in any weather

Sqairz: XRZ named Best Pickleball Shoe of 2025 by Pickleheads

Ranked first overall after months of testing against leading brands

SuperStroke: Adam Schenk wins Butterfield Bermuda Championship

Indiana native secures one-stroke victory and his first PGA Tour title with a Zenergy Flatso 1.0 putter grip

True Linkswear: Announces biggest sale event with savings up to 70%

Limited-time holiday savings include $99 fan favorites, sitewide discounts, and special deals on footwear, apparel and accessories

U.S. Solheim Cup: B. Draddy, Zero Restriction to supply uniforms for 2026, 2028

In addition to Zero Restriction outerwear, the U.S. team will wear apparel from the new Draddy Sport Women’s Collection, launching March 2026

LIFESTYLE

Malcolm DeMille: Celebrates Bruno Award winner Peter Jacobsen

Jacobsen received a handcrafted trophy that is presented annually by the PGA Tour Champions Advisory Council and honors individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the tour

Malcolm DeMille: Handcrafts The Annika trophy

Winner Linn Grant received the trophy that displays the tournament’s logo in a raised two-dimensional design, while the lid is crowned with a sculpted golfer in mid-swing

MEDIA

Capital One Skins Game: Names its on-air announcers

Colt Knost, Andrew Catalon and Dan Rapaport to call the event set for Black Friday on Prime Video

Golf Channel: To present unprecedented LPGA Tour coverage in 2026

Golf Channel will televise every LPGA Tour event in 2026 and every round on Versant platforms will be live

LPGA: Announces 2026 broadcast coverage enhancements

FM, LPGA partner on multiyear deal that will transform the tour's broadcast coverage as all rounds will air live and camera coverage to increase by 50%; Trackman and Golf Channel will help power new changes

PEOPLE

APGA Tour: Marcus Byrd earns Jeff Dailey Player of the Year Award

Washington, D.C.-area native won the season-long points title

Dunlop Sports Americas: Hires Bill Price as director of fitting

Price will lead the company's fitting strategy, driving initiatives in advanced fitting technologies, software development and fitter education

GCSAA: Jim Pavonetti receives President’s Award

Thirty-year GCSAA member is a highly decorated superintendent at Fairview Country Club in Greenwich, Connecticut, and won the award for environmental stewardship

PGA of America: Announces leadership changes

Chief administrative officer role added among senior leadership transitions

Skechers World Champions Cup: Names 4 Skechers brand ambassadors

Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie, Billy Andrade and Mark Hensby to serve during the Dec. 4-7 event at Feather Sound Country Club in Clearwater, Florida

USGA: Kevin Hammer nominated as USGA president

Brenda Corrie Kuehn and Suzy Whaley are nominated to join the USGA Executive Committee

PHILANTHROPY

GCSAA Foundation: GivingTuesday is scheduled for Dec. 2

The event secures funding and support to strengthen advocacy, education and research that advances the work of golf course management professionals

TECHNOLOGY

Arnold Palmer Enterprises: Arnie’s Birdies to debut on Scor platform

Fast-paced golf mini-game, developed by Sweet, will be the first Web3 golf title and will launch in December

Full Swing: Launches Skill Strike gaming platform for golf simulator play

With the AI-powered, skill-based platform, users can pay an entry fee and win money by outperforming their expected shotmaking abilities in closest-to-the-pin gameplay

Platform Golf: Celebrates Sky Sports Golf's win at Broadcast Sports Awards

Collaboration chosen as "Best Visual Storytelling Using Data & Insight" for coverage of the British Open

The Indoor Golf Shop: On owning a home golf simulator

The company that specializes in the indoor sector believes owning a home simulator is "more accessible than ever"

INDUSTRY NOTES

COURSES / CLUBS

Travis Club Austin: Private Lake Travis community in Austin, Texas, breaks ground on first homesites with 140 already sold and more than $145 million in sales. Cedar Oak, Texas Sage Homes, Sendero Homes and Elev8 Builders are among the first builders in the community. Also, Travis Club hires chef Shawn Benson as director of culinary, and Roman O’Rourke as director of golf.

Todd Eckenrode – Origins Golf Design: Annandale Golf Club, located in Pasadena, California, begins construction on a comprehensive renovation-restoration of its historic golf course. Completion is expected in spring 2026. The restoration, inspired by the work of William P. Bell from the 1920s, will honor the club’s architectural heritage. Construction is being executed by LaBar Golf Renovations, with Gradoville & Hertzing Management Group overseeing all aspects of project coordination and implementation. The course was originally founded in 1906.

PEOPLE

Full Turn Custom Apparel: Appoints Christopher Heyn to its board of directors. Heyn currently serves as CEO of Brrr° and brings more than three decades of leadership experience in premium apparel, lifestyle and performance brands.