Charley Hoffman's career was in something of a downward spiral. in 2023, he failed to record a top-10 finish in 31 PGA Tour starts and finished 137th in the FedEx Cup standings. To stay on Tour in 2024, Hoffman, 47, needed to use his top 50 career money exemption. Hoffman then finished outside the top 40 in his opening three starts of the new year. He found his mojo, though, at the WM Phoenix Open, firing 64-64 on the weekend only to lose in a playoff with Nick Taylor. However, Hoffman, who was attempting to become the oldest winner on Tour since Phil Mickelson won the 2021 PGA Championship (50 years, 11 months, 7 days), has managed to qualify for this week's Genesis Invitational.

IN THIS ISSUE

> Design Notes: Raymond Floyd spices up Florida’s Saltleaf | Read
> TFC Inbox: Marshal tales — the good, bad and humorous | Read
> 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' podcast: Donnie Dawson, founder of the Jamaica Pro-Am | Listen

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Does the WM Phoenix Open have an alcohol problem after the hole-in-one celebrations in 2022 and the suspension of alcohol sales on Saturday at this year's event?

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.

The Club at Olde Cypress: To undergo a clubhouse renovation project beginning in spring of 2025. When the Naples, Florida, club's multimillion dollar project concludes in January 2026, the clubhouse will boast an additional 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, including a 2,000-square-foot kitchen to support the casual and fine dining options, expansion of its covered second floor terrace and sun deck, highlighted by a new bar area, and the addition of a golf simulator and movie theatre experience.

USGA: Announces local and final qualifying sites for the 124th U.S. Open, set for Pinehurst Resort & Country Club’s Course No. 2, June 13-16. Local qualifying, conducted over 18 holes at 109 sites in 44 U.S. states and Canada, will take place between April 22-May 20. Those players who advance out of local qualifying will join a group of locally exempt players in final qualifying, which will be conducted over 36 holes. This final stage will be held in England and Japan (May 20) and Canada (June 3) as well as 10 U.S. sites, one on May 20 and nine on June 3. Online player registration for the 2024 U.S. Open will begin on Feb. 21 and continue through April 10.

> 'A little bit too much': Fans, players call for change after chaos at WM Phoenix Open
[Theo Mackie / Laura Daniella Sepulveda / Lillian Boyd | Arizona Central | Read]

> ‘A new chapter’: Tiger Woods unveils new logo, apparel brand ahead of PGA Tour return
[Jack Hirsh | Golf.com | Read]

> Inside Tiger Woods’ blueprint for a massive 2024
[Dylan Dethier | Golf.com | Read]

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Why Annie's Revenge is quite the pro-am experience
Jamaica Pro-Am founder Donnie Dawson joins host Ann Liguori how the tournament serves up some of the best experiences the island has to offer
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori' episodes]

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]

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The Club at Falcon Point
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PGA Tour
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Golf, at its very core, is supposed to be about having fun, which often includes a little laughter. So, The First Call would like you to share you favorite golf joke(s) with us. To submit, email the joke to shall@buffalogroupe.com.

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

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