Daniel Berger is back. Maybe not in the way Tiger Woods has come back a few times, but he's back to playing. Berger, 30 and a four-time PGA Tour winner, is making his first Tour start at this week's The American Express since a back injury sidelined him following the 2022 U.S. Open. At the time, Berger was No. 25 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Today he's No. 664.

IN THIS ISSUE

> Hey, Mr. Van Sickle, I have a question | Read

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

As the PGA Tour begins its five-tournament West Coast Swing, which is the tournament you are most looking forward to in this stretch — The American Express, Farmers Insurance Open, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, WM Phoenix Open or Genesis Invitational?

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.
> Read responses to last week's question.

USGA: Creates a state team pilot program that will expand the pipeline for elite junior golfers into the recently created U.S. National Development Program. Seven states will participate in the initial phase with the goal of all states having a team by 2033. The first seven participants are California (Southern), Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Ohio and Tennessee. The program will come to fruition through close collaboration between the USGA, its allied golf associations, the PGA of America and relevant state junior programs.

> Carl Paul, Golfsmith co-founder and devoted clubmaker, dead at 83
[Jessica Marksbury | Golf.com | Read]

> Women are driving golf’s growth since the pandemic
[Sydney Page | Washington Post | Read ($)]

> Brandel Chamblee to serve as NBC Sports lead analyst for 2024 American Express coverage
[Cameron Jourdan | Golfweek | Read]

> What is the best course yardage for you? New tour data reveals a stark answer
[Drew Powell | Golf Digest | Read]

> Two-time champion Bernhard Langer will play Masters for final time in 2024
[Adam Woodard | Golfweek | Read]

PGA Tour: The American Express
Site: PGA West (Stadium), PGA West (Nicklaus), La Quinta, California.
Television [ET]: Today-Sunday, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

LPGA Tour: Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions
Site: Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, Orlando, Florida.
Television [ET]: Today-Friday, 1-4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 2-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-5 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, 2-5 p.m. (NBC).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

European Tour: Hero Dubai Desert Classic
Site: Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Television [ET]: Today-Friday, 2:30-8:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 2-8 a.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard

PGA Tour Champions: Mitsubishi Electric Championship
Site: Hualalai Golf Club, Ka’upulehu-Kona, Hawaii.
Television [ET]: Today-Saturday, 7-10 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Leaderboard

Augusta National, USGA, R&A: Latin America Amateur Championship
Site: Santa Maria Golf Club, Panama City, Panama.
Television [ET]: Today-Friday, 2-5 p.m. (ESPN2); Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (ESPN+).

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
What is your superpower?
Amy Bockerstette and her father Joe join host Colin Weston to discuss her viral moment at the WM Phoenix Open and how that led to her I Got This Foundation
[Listen | More 'The ModGolf Podcast' episodes]

DRIVER$: INSIDE THE GOLF INDUSTRY
An app that cracks the code on optimizing tee-time availability
Noteefy founder Jake Gordon joins co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein to discuss the platform that fills last-minute cancellations with close-in demand
[Listen | More 'Driver$: Inside the Golf Industry' episodes]

BEHIND THE GOLF BRAND
SuperStroke stakes its claim to No. 1
SuperStroke's executive vice president Ian Zubkoff joins host Paul Liberatore to discuss the putter grip company's position in the marketplace
[Listen | More 'Behind the Golf Brand' episodes]

> Head Golf Professional
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
San Antonio, Texas | Info

> General Manager
Port Huron Golf Club
Fort Gratiot, Michigan | Info

> Outside Services
Hunters Run Golf and Racquet Club
Boynton Beach, Florida | Info

> View a complete listing of jobs

Make Golf Your Career is a golf industry DE&I initiative launched by Make Golf Your Thing that allows job seekers to search, find and apply for opportunities throughout the industry in one place.

JANUARY
23-24: Golf Business Conference, Orlando, Florida | Info
23-26: PGA Show, Orlando, Florida | Info
29-February 1: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Phoenix, Arizona | Info

MARCH
4-8: Club Management Association of America World Conference and Club Business Expo, Las Vegas, Nevada | Info

> View complete calendar

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