The First Call 01-15-2026

FIRST THOUGHT

The results to The First Call | Extra poll question, "Rate your interest in watching the women's TGL, which will debut in winter 2026-27."
▪️ None (0): 45%
▪️ Meh (1-3): 20%
▪️ Curious (4-6): 17%
▪️ Very interested (7-9): 14%
▪️ Can't wait, all in (10): 4%
Respondents: 648

POLL

▪️ Will your bag of clubs look different in 2026? | Vote
▪️ Previous: Will Brooks Koepka return to the PGA Tour in 2026? | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

▪️ In LPGA Tour commissioner Craig Kessler's first full season, what do you believe should be his main objectives? | Respond
▪️ Previous: Looking into a crystal ball for 2026, what do you believe will be the major storylines in golf? | Read

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS

Srixon: Launches new global brand platform

"Obsessed With It" marks a "powerful reintroduction of the brand’s voice, identity and vision worldwide," the company said

Golf Channel: 'Opening Drive' begins with Sony Open in Hawaii

2026 PGA Tour season opener to air live at 7 p.m. ET Thursday-Sunday; ‘Happy Hour with Smylie' returns for 2026 season on Friday during tournament coverage of Sony Open

National Golf Foundation: Announces key executive hires

The company adds Reid Gorman as senior vice president of business intelligence and operations and Bill Golden as senior vice president of strategic services

Tournament Solutions: Appoints Brian Lucas as managing director

Lucas will oversee company operations, drive strategic growth initiatives and work to strengthen Tournament Solutions’ market position

MGI Golf: Inks agreement with LPGA Tour newcomer Hailee Cooper

The deal is MGI Golf's first with a professional American athlete

PGA Jr. League: Opens player registration for 2026 seasons

Over 80,000 junior golfers experienced team-based golf in 2025; New 9U age division expands playing opportunities

Homestead: Begins multimillion-dollar golf course renovation

Heritage membership opportunities are now available for the Midway, Utah, destination

KemperSports: To manage Village Greens of Woodridge

Doug Friess is named general manager of the Woodridge, Illinois, course

JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa: Showcases premier Cabo getaway

Los Cabos, Mexico, destination pairs its amenities with Puerto Los Cabos Golf Club, which features 27 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman

PGA of America: Unveils PGA Show Industry Stage programming

This year’s schedule will feature programming from leading golf organizations, business experts and top PGA coaches, offering insights and innovative strategies to attendees

True Linkswear: Introducing the Antigravity at the PGA Show

Footwear design features featherlight feel with serious performance

J.Lindeberg: Celebrating 30 years of performance, lifestyle at PGA Show

Scandinavian apparel brand will launch its new lifestyle-driven collection

Killer Golf: Debuts putter built to calibrate weight, balance before play

Artifact putters and modular system will be showcased at the PGA Show

ING: Selects 5 presenters for Media Showcase at PGA Show

The companies are Runner Putters, Blue Tees Golf, Stitch Golf, Makefield Golf and Shot Scope

AuraWell: To unveil frequency therapy tech at PGA Show

Innovative wellness technology helps golfers recover faster, stay active longer

Sqairz: Named the official softball cleat of Alliance Fastpitch

This partnership continues Sqairz's expansion into softball

International Network of Golf: Will host the Hal Sutton Makefield Putters presentation and reception at the PGA Show. ... Ripper GC: Signs Australian Elvis Smylie for the 2026 LIV Golf League season. ... 4Aces GC: Signs captain and two-time major champion Dustin Johnson to a multiyear extension and European rising star Thomas Detry ahead of the LIV Golf League's 2026 season. ... McLemore Resort: Receives three honors for The Keep, the Bill Bergin and Rees Jones designed amenity of the Lookout Mountain, Georgia, destination. ... Balsam Mountain Preserve: Appoints Gayle Starke as the new club general manager for the Sylva, North Carolina, destination. ... 2K: Announces two new editions of PGA Tour 2K25 are available now on PlayStation5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

EXPANDED NOTES >

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

▪️ According to Tiger Woods, here’s how Brooks Koepka returned to PGA Tour
[Nick Piastowski | Golf.com | Read]

▪️ SentryWorld to host 2028 U.S. Senior Women's Open, 2034 U.S. Senior Open
[Jonathan Coe | USGA | Read]

ICYMI

Once perceived as a mirage, Middle East golf courses are a flourishing reality

Emirates Golf Club was the first of 22 current golf courses in the UAE. Beginning with this week's Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek Resort, the DP World Tour will make six trips to the region.

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

RECENT DROPS

🎧 GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Oh how the Irish eyes are smiling
Guests: Paul McGinley, Padraig Harrington and Ed Walsh, the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland.
Listen | Archives

🎧 GOLF AND THE GOOD LIFE
AI and golf travel planning: What it gets right and where it falls short
Hosts: D.J. Jones and Connor Evers, Haversham & Baker Expeditions.
Listen | Archives

ARCHIVES: 🎧 Podcasts | ▶️ Videos

TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

▪️ Assistant Director — LIVE
PGA Tour
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida | Info

▪️ Director of Golf
Downingtown Country Club
Downingtown, Pennsylvania | Info

▪️ Event Coordinator
Epic Golf Club
Scottsdale, Arizona | Info

▪️ The First Call Job Board
▪️ Buffalo Groupe Job Openings

CALENDAR

JANUARY
19-21: Golf Business Conference, Orlando, Florida | Info
20-22: BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition, Harrogate, England | Info
20-23: PGA Show, Orlando, Florida | Info

FEBRUARY
17-21: Club Management Association of America World Conference and Club Business Expo, Anaheim, California | Info

COMPLETE CALENDAR >

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