The First Call 03-31-2026

FIRST THOUGHT

Without looking, can you name the state with the most public golf courses? If you guessed Florida (second), Texas (fifth) or California (third), then you would be wrong. New York, right? Nope, the Empire State is fourth. According to the National Golf Foundation, the end of 2025 saw Michigan with the most — 748. Florida has 686, followed by California (630), New York (597) and Texas (534).

POLL

▪️ Should Tiger Woods captain the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup team? | Vote
▪️ Previous: What yells from the gallery do you most not want to hear? | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

▪️ What are your expectations and predictions for the 2026 Masters? | Respond
▪️ Previous: If you won the Masters, what would you serve at the next Champions Dinner? | Read

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS

CBS Sports: Masters on CBS returns for the 71st consecutive year

CBS Sports’ comprehensive multiplatform programming plans feature return of expanded weekend coverage and more than 100 hours of "Masters Live" feeds

Old Westbury G&CC: Hires head golf professional, director of instruction

Old Westbury, New York, club names Chris Gabriele as head golf professional and Carly Newman as director of instruction

Arcis Golf: Launches nationwide ‘Round Up 4 Els For Autism’ campaign

Eighth-year partnership with Els for Autism raises funds through September

Aegean Messinia Pro-Am: Record 75 teams to play in June event

Professionals and amateurs to compete Costa Navarino in Messinia, Greece, June 24-27

Full Swing: Gary Woodland wins Texas Children’s Houston Open

Brand ambassador uses two of Full Swing’s flagship products — the Pro 2.0 Simulator and Virtual Green — in his training.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

▪️ How CBS plans to handle Tiger Woods’ latest travails during its Masters coverage
[Dave Shedloski | Golf Digest | Read]

▪️ Nelly Korda’s winless 2025 was ‘weird.’ Things are different so far in 2026
[Josh Shrock | Golf Digest | Read]

▪️ Prime Video enters Masters broadcast debut with enhanced digital coverage
[Cameron Jourdan | Golfweek | Read]

▪️ PGA Tour confirms American Express will return in January 2027
[Larry Bohannan | Palm Springs Desert Sun via Golfweek | Read]

ICYMI

TFC Inbox: Masters Champions Dinner takes on a personal touch

Readers of The First Call share their menu for the traditional dinner if they were to win the Masters. (Just don't read if hungry).

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

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ARCHIVES: 🎧 Podcasts | ▶️ Videos

TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

▪️ Tournament Manager
Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Tour
Greensboro, North Carolina | Info

▪️ Assistant Superintendent
Palmetto Bluff
Bluffton, South Carolina | Info

▪️ Field Technician
PGA Tour
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida | Info

▪️ The First Call Job Board
▪️ Buffalo Groupe Job Openings

CALENDAR

MAY
4-6: National Golf Day, Washington, D.C. | Info
5-7: Golf Business Technology Conference, Belfast, Ireland | Info
15-16: British Golf Show, Marlow, England | Info

COMPLETE CALENDAR >

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