TFC Week In Review 12-19-2025

FIRST THOUGHT

THIS WEEK'S EDITIONS OF THE FIRST CALL

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

▪️ What golf resolutions do you have for 2026?

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: Tiger Woods is turning 50. Sit with that thought

While Woods may be winding down, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are hitting their prime; Andrew Novak makes 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup team statement; Does Santa have the magic to fix your game?

LISTEN

BUSINESS

CGX: Names Aeon School as partner for Academic Camp Series

Aeon School, a leading private online school, becomes the exclusive online school partner

PGA Show: Golf Travel Pavilion spotlights destinations, growing demand

Austria, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Portugal, Scotland and South Africa headline premier destinations; IGTM expands PGA Show partnership with curated content and show floor presence

PGA Show: Innovation District to feature new products, golf inventions

Global golf industry returns Jan. 20–23 to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida

PGA Show: Runway Fashion Show to spotlight on- and off-couse trends

Industry reception, sponsored by Johnnie-O, will precede the live runway showcase in The Retreat on the Show Floor

PGA Show: The Range offers hands-on testing experience

The Range will be a refreshed and reimagined testing destination on the show floor

PGA Tour: Cadillac named sponsor of the Cadillac Championship

Signature event marks the PGA Tour’s return to Trump National Doral’s Blue Monster, where Cadillac also sponsored a Tour event from 2011-2016

Power Tee: To celebrate 30 years of innovation at the PGA Show

The company, a provider of automated golf ball teeing systems and training aids, will exhibit in Orlando, Florida, Jan. 20-23

Stitch Golf: Showcasing new products at the PGA Show

Among the highlights will be the Stitch Link Strap, a re-engineered, ergonomic golf bag strap, and new Player puffer vests and jackets

Thor Guard: To exhibit at 2026 PGA Show

Company will pass the 30-year mark as an exhibitor

Versant: Extends partnership with Rory McIlroy

The career Grand Slam winner will continue as the global face of GolfPass through 2038; Firethorn Productions, a new media and production venture between Versant and McIlroy, to produce original multi-platform content

Whoosh | Golf Genius: Expand partnership to serve indoor simulator market

Each company is now a preferred partner of the other for the simulator segment in an effort to give operators a modern, unified workflow for league play, tournaments and day-to-day reservation

COMPETITION

Chubb Classic: Tickets on sale, volunteer registration opens

PGA Tour Champions event set for Feb. 12-15 at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida

USGA: Announces 2026 U.S. National Junior Team

Third roster marks the program’s largest class to date, with 24 athletes representing the nation’s top juniors

DESTINATIONS

Costa Navarino: Celebrates award-winning 2025

The Messinia, Greece, destination is set to expand golf events calendar in 2026

EVENTS

Indoor Golf Alliance: Announces guest speakers for Dec. 17 webinar

Guest speakers include Sera Hennrich, general manager of X-Golf in Scottsdale; Chris Austin, chief marketing officer, CAMO; and Phil Immordino, executive director, Indoor Golf Alliance and GTAA

GEAR

GolfForever: Scottie Scheffler wins 4th Player of the Year award

Scheffler's six-win campaign included two majors to earn him the Jack Nicklaus Award

Sqairz: XRZ Pickleball becomes the first shoe approved by Medicare

The shoe is approved by Medicare for reimbursement, marking the first time a pickleball shoe has earned that distinction

PEOPLE

GCSAA: Names Shelly Robbins as senior director

Senior executive will provide strategic direction for revenue-generation areas of the foundation, corporate sales and events

Keswick Hall: Ambassador Lauren Coughlin wins Grant Thornton Invitational

The Charlottesville, Virginia, destination congratulates Coughlin on her three-shot victory alongside playing partner Andrew Novak

Outlyr: Elevates Ryan Dever, Rachel Reece to vice president

Dever and Reece have worked in various capacities on multiple golf tournaments, sporting events, hospitality and consulting programs during their 10-plus-year careers with the agency

PGA of America: George Puchinsky earns PGA Master Professional designation

Puchinsky is golf instructor at Bonita Bay Club in Bonita Bay, Florida

PGA Tour: Scottie Scheffler, Aldrich Potgieter earn top player honors for 2025

Scheffler is PGA Tour Player of the Year; Potgieter takes Rookie of the Year

PGA Tour Superstore: Names Rebecca Charles as CCO

Charles will be responsible for initiatives across marketing, personalization and loyalty; introducing new approaches to acquire, engage and retain customers in-store and online

Revelyst Golf Technology: Appoints David Ponce as senior director of sales

Ponce will lead RGT’s strategic partnerships, including the company’s critical retailer and reseller programs

Revelyst Golf Technology: Appoints Kerri Costello as regional sales director

Costello will lead sales efforts for all RGT brands — Foresight Sports, Bushnell Golf, GolfLogix and PinSeeker — in the Northeast region

Revelyst Golf Technology: Appoints Kevin Noble as VP

Noble will oversee the company’s customer support duties and indoor solutions strategy

PHILANTHROPY

Boyne Golf: Harbor Cup raises $125,000 for local charities

Boyne Golf PGA professionals celebrate 29 years of raising funds for Manna Food Project and First Tee-Northern Michigan to impact families and youth through golf

TECHNOLOGY

Shot Scope: Spotlights golf content creator Iris Wong

Wong uses Shot Scope technology to improve her game

The Indoor Golf Shop: Lays out pros, cons of purchasing a home golf simulator?

Practical Golf’s Jon Sherman offers advice on navigating the marketplace