The First Call 01-09-2025

FIRST THOUGHT

While it may be the new year, there remains a bit of unfinished business from 2024 to attend. According to the National Golf Foundation, national rounds played in November a 3% gain over 2023 totals and all but assured that 2024 will set a new record for rounds played. Through November, year-to-date play was 2.6% ahead of 2023’s pace.

POLL

> Will Scottie Scheffler equal or better his 2024 PGA Tour season, which saw him win seven times, including the Masters? | Vote
> Previous: Do you expect to lower your golf handicap in 2025 | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What are your opinions on the new TGL, which Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy helped create, that debuts on Jan. 7?

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.

> Responses to the last question: From a golf perspective, what are you most looking forward to — either personally or for the sport as a whole — in 2025?
| Read

INDUSTRY NEWS

PGA Show: Complimentary programming featured at the Inventors Spotlight

United Inventors Association will present programming, provide complimentary inventor counsel during the annual event, Jan. 22-24, in Orlando, Florida

Gemline, Ahead: Announce exclusive partnership

The collaboration positions Gemline as the sole supplier of Ahead’s products in promotional channels

U.S. Ryder Cup: Names Kevin Kisner as U.S. Vice Captain for 2025

First-time vice captain joins Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker in Captain Keegan Bradley's U.S. team room

Cleveland Golf: Introduces RTZ wedges

Wedges feature the brand’s new steel Z-Alloy, a material that offers a combination of feel, forgiveness and greenside control

Noteefy: Automated system available for The Sea Pines Resort courses

Tee time demand system is implemented for use by the Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, destination's three championship courses

MGI Golf: To showcase latest innovations at PGA Show

Electric caddies will take center stage at Demo Day and on Show floor

Marriott Golf: Winter golf at Williamsburg Lodge

Enjoy historic Williamsburg, Virginia, and two championship courses at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club

PGA Tour, Pro Shop Studios: To launch a season-long sequence of events and content featuring prominent YouTube creators in golf. The creator series will unfold across three PGA Tour events throughout the 2025 FedEx Cup Season. More than 20 creators will participate across the following three events — The Players Championship (Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, Wednesday, March 12), Truist Championship (Wissahickon Course at The Philadelphia Cricket Club, Wednesday, May 7) and the Tour Championship (East Lake Golf Club, Wednesday, Aug. 20). The events will be streamed via PGA Tour YouTube channel, PGA Tour Fast channels, ESPN+ and NBC platforms.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> How did TGL do on opening night? How golf’s new league looked in person, on ESPN
[Brody Miller / Hugh Kellenberger | The Athletic | Read]

> Trevor Immelman named next chairman of Official World Golf Ranking
[Brentley Romine | Golf Channel | Read]

> “You focus on the golf ball. Not on the past or the future.”
[Bryan Smith | Men's Health | Read]

#QOTD

"We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles."

— Jimmy Carter

TUNING IN

PGA Tour: Sony Open
Site: Waialae Country Club, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Television [ET]: Today-Friday, 7-10:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 4-6 p.m. (NBC), 6-8 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

European Tour: Team Cup
Site: Abu Dhabi Golf Resort, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Television [ET]: Friday, 3-8 a.m. (Golf Channel), 10:30-11 p.m. (NBC Sports app), 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 1:30-7 a.m. (Golf Channel).

Korn Ferry Tour: Bahamas Golf Classic
Site: Ocean Club Golf Club at Atlantis, Nassau, Bahamas.
Television [ET]: Sunday, noon to 3 p.m. (Golf Channel); Monday-Tuesday, 2-5 p.m. (Golf Channel); Wednesday, 1-4 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

> Golf Instructor
Aces Indoor Golf Club
Roanoke, Texas | Info

> First Assistant Golf Professional / Tournament Director
Monarch Beach Golf Links
Dana Point, California | Info

> Racquets Superintendent
Wilmington Country Club
Wilmington, Delaware | Info

> The First Call Job Board

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

PODCASTS

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
The rise of Concert Golf Partners
Guest: Jordan Peace, Concert Golf Partners senior vice president of corporate development
[Listen | More "Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori" episodes]

VIDEOS

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
5 tips to help women get into golf
Birdies Babes Golf founder Courtney Campbell joins host Colin Weston to discuss ways in which the first-timer's intimidation factor can be mitigated
[Watch | More "The ModGolf Podcast" edpisodes]

THE COACH MO GOLF SHOW
LPGA*USGA Girls Golf not stopping at 1 million
LPGA Foundation's Stephanie Peareth joins host Mo Gesualdi to discuss the transformative initiative for female junior golfers
[Watch | More "The Coach Mo Golf Show" episodes]

LIBRARIES: Podcasts | Videos

TFC EVENTS

The Friars Golf Club: Best of Napa '25

July 23-27, 2025 | Napa, California

CALENDAR

JANUARY
20-22: NGCOA Golf Business Conference, Orlando, Florida | Info
21-24: PGA Show, Orlando, Florida | Info

FEBRUARY
3-6: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, San Diego, California | Info
5-9: Club Management Association of America World Conference and Club Business Expo, Tampa, Florida | Info

> View complete calendar

To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.