The First Call 01-16-2026

FIRST THOUGHT

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19, The First Call will not publish. We will resume publishing on Tuesday, Jan. 20, from the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida.

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

Design Notes: Brian Curley, Fred Couples spruce up The Palms

North Carolina’s Jefferson Landing debuts its John LaFoy-designed short course; Greg Norman Design set to open Vietnam’s Van Lang Empire

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS

NGF: President/CEO Greg Nathan to give State-of-Industry update at PGA Show

Nathan will offer fresh data and insight on the health and momentum of the U.S. golf economy

TMRW Sports: Alex Morgan’s Trybe Ventures becomes capital partner in WTGL

Investment group includes roster of business leaders — Linnea Roberts, Jenny Just, Susan Lyne, Jen Mackesy, Ellie Rubenstein, Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach

Golf Channel: Announces multiyear media rights extension with DP World Tour

2026 coverage kicks off with this week's Dubai Invitational; Nearly 600 hours of live DP World Tour coverage to air on network annually

Golf Channel: 'Happy Hour with Smylie' returns for 2026

The Friday segments will return to select PGA Tour events, debuting at this week's season-opening Sony Open in Hawaii

PGA Tour: Offers competition updates for 2026 PGA Tour season

Aon Swing 5 begins at Sony Open in Hawaii; 750 FedEx Cup points awarded to winners of first two FedEx Cup Playoffs events

Whoosh | Textron E-Z-Go: Collaborate to streamline golf operations

Whoosh will integrate its tee sheet platform with the Pace Technology GPS fleet management system to give course operators a more efficient workflow and clearer operational insights

Arcis Golf | Golfzon America: Form strategic partnership

Golfers using Golfzon simulators will have access to Arcis Golf’s portfolio of courses

GolfPass: Reveals 2026 Golfers’ Choice lists

Recreational golfer reviews throughout 2025 determined the best courses of the year, including Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington, as the top public golf course in America

PXG: Debuts new 0311 Gen8 irons

New irons' weighting system transforms adjustability

PGA Show: To feature an enhanced Career Zone

This year's event will have a dedicated Golf Industry Career Resource Center

PGA Golf Exhibitions | NBTV: Announce air dates for 'Unlocked: The PGA Show'

Consumer shoppable video series will launch Friday, January 23

Bobby Jones | Sunice: To unveil new apparel collections at PGA Show

Iconic brands mark historic milestones with performance-driven designs and timeless style

VisitScotland: Readies for return to PGA Show

A delegation of 17 businesses will be in attendance, while the Scotland Pavilion will be a hub for attendees to connect with Scottish golf businesses and explore opportunities for collaboration

Icon EV: To debut Epic FX, Icon X-Series at PGA Show

The complete Icon X-Series will include the i20X, i40X and i60LX, alongside the debut of the Epic E20FX and Epic E60FX

GolfForever: To showcase products Demo Day, PGA Show

Company will welcome attendees at Booth No. 2392 and Demo Day space, and has two featured speaker events

Genius: Launches smart golf ball that captures putting data

The ball, which features embedded electronics to track putting metrics, will debut at the 2026 PGA Show

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

▪️ For Oklahoma golf course superintendent, one job is enough
[Howard Richman | GCMOnline | Read]

▪️ Bryson DeChambeau’s next move will be momentous — no matter where he lands
[Alan Bastable | Golf.com | Read]

▪️ ‘Paying for exact same thing’: Rory McIlroy questions Bryson-LIV talks
[Nick Piastowski | Golf.com | Read]

▪️ Tiger Woods receives $20 million pledge from Falcons owner to build Atlanta learning center
[Jay Coffin | Golf Digest | Read]

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.