The First Call 02-25-2026

FIRST THOUGHT

Just how many courses can a state have? Apparently, not enough. According to the National Golf Foundation, Florida has not only the most course openings over the past three years (2023-2025) with 28, but also the most courses in development (23). Combined, Florida, Texas and South Carolina accounted for 50% of new course debuts during that same three-year period and account for 37% of courses in development in the United States.

POLL

▪️ Which is the better schedule swing on the PGA Tour? | Vote
▪️ Previous: How much would you pay for one round of golf? | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

▪️ What are the key ingredients to the ideal buddy trip? | Respond
▪️ Previous: Anthony Kim, 40, won LIV Golf Adelaide, his first win since 2010, a period that included a 12-year absence from professional golf. In your opinion, where does that rank among all-time golf comebacks?
| Read

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

RECENT DROPS

🎧 | ▶️ CONTENT CLUBHOUSE
Gabe Aluisy: Building authority from scratch
Guest: Gabe Aluisy, founder and host of "Let's Play Thru" YouTube channel.
Listen / Watch | Archives

🎧 GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Stephen Ames: The senior life
Guest: Stephen Ames, PGA Tour Champions player.
Listen | Archives

🎧 ROAD TO AUGUSTA
Now on the tee, from Durham, North Carolina ...
Guest: Ward Clayton, host.
Listen

ARCHIVES: 🎧 Podcasts | ▶️ Videos

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS

GCSAA: Conference and Trade Show ranked among fastest-growing in the U.S.

Golf course management’s largest event makes Trade Show Executive’s “Next 50” list

PGA Tour | PAM: Partner to provide interactive smart maps at Tour events

PGA Tour also makes investment in PAM to enhance onsite experience for fans and partners

VSGA: CGN to live stream State Opens for 2nd straight year

Virginia State Golf Association and Middle Atlantic PGA will partner with Championship Golf Network to provide live streaming coverage of the Women’s Open of Virginia and the State Open of Virginia

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes GC: Breaks ground on new clubhouse

The $20-plus million-dollar project to expand clubhouse and Arroyo Grille, add wedding/event space

Apes Hill Barbados: Voted favorite Caribbean course by GolfPass, GolfNow

Caribbean destination tops GolfPass' Golfers’ Choice list of recreational players’ favorite warm-weather courses

Explore Branson: 8 Southwest Missouri Ozarks courses recognized

The latest accolades include a top-10 U.S. ranking for the championship course at Branson Hills Golf Club and all three Big Cedar Resort par-3 short courses

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

▪️ A 72-year GCSAA member looks back
[Howard Richman | GCM | Read]

▪️ Tiger Woods nearing decisions on whether to play in the Masters and be Ryder Cup captain
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]

▪️ This rookie course designer’s advice for aspiring architects is disarmingly simple
[Josh Sens | Golf.com | Read]

ICYMI

Why SeeMore was ahead of its time

Zero torque putters are all the rage these days — and SeeMore Putter Co. has its own with the new SKx and SBx models — but the brand was manufacturing blade putters that essentially featured the spec as far back as when Payne Stewart won the 1999 U.S. Open.

TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

▪️ Head Men's Golf Coach | Part-time
Hope College
Holland, Michigan | Info

▪️ Customer Service Agent
PGA Tour
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida | Info

▪️ Compensation and Performance Analyst
PGA of America
Frisco, Texas | Info

▪️ The First Call Job Board
▪️ Buffalo Groupe Job Openings

CALENDAR

MARCH
3: Ohio Golf Course Owners Association Conference, Mansfield, Ohio | Info
4: ForeUp Digital Summit | Info
9-13: ASGCA Design Boot Camp, Pinehurst, North Carolina | Info
23-25: Asia Golf Tourism Convention, Thailand | Info

COMPLETE CALENDAR >

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