There clearly is no shortage of golf courses in Florida. The National Golf Foundation reports that at year-end 2023, the Sunshine State totaled 1,262 courses — 31% more than California, which had the second-most total. And to put that number into further context, the only countries to have more courses than Florida are Japan, the U.K. and Canada.

IN THIS ISSUE

> Design Notes: Kyle Franz, Mike Koprowski plant the seeds at Broomsedge | Read
> Sun Mountain ascends to new branding challenge | Read

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

How would you describe the state of golf today?

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.

BEHIND THE GOLF BRAND
What's the right collegiate fit for a junior golfer?
Founder Joshua Jacobs joins host Paul Liberatore to discuss how College Golf Experience has become a way for young golfers to be scouted by colleges and universities
[Listen | More 'Behind the Golf Brand' episodes]

DRIVER$: INSIDE THE GOLF INDUSTRY
56 PGA Shows and counting
Legendary golf executive Jim Vincent joins co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein to reflect on a lifetime in the industry
[Listen | More 'Driver$: Inside the Golf Industry' episodes]

DRIVER$: INSIDE THE GOLF INDUSTRY
Unlocking the keys to sustaining the golf participation surge
Del Ratcliffe, a successful multi-course operator, looks back to look forward, and joins co-hosts Jon Last and David Klein to discuss golf's current popularity
[Listen | More 'Driver$: Inside the Golf Industry' episodes]

CIARAN CARR
General manager, Wintonbury Hills Golf Course

What podcasts would you recommend? "No Laying Up," "The Golfer's Journal Podcast," and "Get a Grip" with Shane Bacon.

The First Call: What is your favorite instructional tip to share with a golfer?
Ciaran Carr: Golf is like a magic trick, once you learn the trick, practice. The movement is like skipping a rock, learn to use the right side of brain,

TFC: What is one challenge you currently see in the industry? Thoughts on how to address it?
CC: Introducing golf into sections of the U.S. that either don't have access or funding to start to learn. Bringing golf into these communities by bringing golf to them using products like SNAG and setting up small courses in open areas. Club ownership would have to be engaged and promote their professional to take the time to build on this endeavor.

READ MORE >

> RELATED: PGA / LPGA Professional Spotlight archive

> Rings of rough around water at 2024 Players Championship would have Pete Dye rolling his eyes
[Jason Lusk | Golfweek | Read]

> Fair or unfair? In Sawgrass 17th-hole setup, difference can be inches
[Josh Sens | Golf.com | Read]

PGA Tour: The Players Championship
Site: TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium), Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Television [ET]: Today, 1-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 2-7 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, 1-6 p.m. (NBC).
Leaderboard | GCSAA Fact Sheet

The First Call has joined with SportGo Travel to provide our readers exclusive travel savings up to 50%. Registration is free and gives you access to unbeatable deals that are perfect for your next buddy or family trip.

REGISTER FOR FREE

> PGA WORKS Fellowship
Gulf States Section 
Waveland, Mississippi| Info

> Outside Services Supervisor
Country Club at Castle Pines
Castle Rock, Colorado | Info

> Communications Manager
Florida State Golf Association
Tampa, Florida | Info

> View a complete listing of Make Golf Your Career jobs
> View a complete listing of Florida State Golf Association 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.

JULY
30-31: Multi-Course and Resort Operators Retreat, Monterey, California | Info

> View complete calendar

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