Thursday Apr 03, 2025
FIRST THOUGHT

According a National Golf Foundation March 2025 report, New Jersey has more golfers per public course (5,339) than any other state due to it having the highest U.S. population density and the highest proportion of private golf clubs. On the opposite end of the spectrum is North Dakota with 662.

IN THIS ISSUE

> Curating the curious career of Rory McIlroy | Read
> Design Notes: Andrew Green plots renovation of AAC’s Highlands Course | Read
> 'Driver$: Inside the Golf Industry': Joe Assell, co-founder and CEO, Golftec | Listen

POLL

> Who will win the 2025 Masters? | Vote
> Previous: Would you play hickory-shafted clubs? | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What are your thoughts on the upcoming Masters? Who do you expect to win and what do you believe will the biggest storylines?

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.

Regarding professional golfers and the media, should players be obligated to speak to reporters during a tournament week? Or does a player's communication via social media suffice? | Read

Curating the curious career of Rory McIlroy
The First Call contributor Bradley Klein reviews an upcoming biography, 'Rory Land: The Up-and-Down World of Golf's Global Icon,' that picks at perceptions of the four-time major champion.
Design Notes: Andrew Green plots renovation of AAC’s Highlands Course
Boca Woods celebrates the Rees Jones redesign of its Woods course; Chris Wilczynski to master plan Oakland University's Katke-Cousins course.
TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

NEW

DRIVER$: INSIDE THE GOLF INDUSTRY
Golftec celebrates 30 years, 20 million golf lessons
Guest: Joe Assell, co-founder and CEO, Golftec
Listen | Archive

PODCASTS

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
How the Valspar Championship flies under the radar
Guest: Bobby Barnes, resort manager / interim general manager, Innisbrook Golf Resort
Listen | Archives

VIDEOS

THE COACH MO GOLF SHOW
How Rapsodo Golf is changing golf technology
Guest: Justin Bryant, Community Manager / Golf, Rapsodo
Watch | Archives

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
Fun is the leading message for golf
Guest: Jay Karen, CEO, NGCOA
Watch | Archives

ARCHIVES: Podcasts | Videos

RAIN CHECK
Forecast: April 2025
As winter begins to fade, the stage may begin to set for an active hurricane season based on seven historical parallels.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Ann Arbor, Michigan, club will host its first Senior Women’s Open and third USGA championship
Read More
New initiative blends the Nicklaus Companies' legacy of excellence with Stix’s commitment to simplicity
Read More
More golfers are shipping their clubs to avoid airport logistics and escalating fees
Read More
Course superintendent John Kopack celebrates 50 years of service to the golf industry by leading course to Signature Sanctuary Certification
Read More
Golfers can find which public-access golf courses their peers have determined as the best to play in Canada, Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales
Read More
Golf entertainment company adds features, partners to enhance participant experience
Read More
The 10-year management agreement renewal with Forest Preserves of Cook County is to manage the Illinois county’s 11 golf facilities
Read More
Swansea is a semi-private club in Swansea, Massachusetts, that features an 18-hole golf course and nine-hole par-3 course
Read More
The lifestyle brand commits to Metropolitan PGA Section Sponsorship Program and will participate in the Spring Meeting at Brae Burn Country Club on April 3
Read More
A five-night golf package for two at includes instruction, golf on the resort’s Greg Norman-designed nine-hole course and a 90-minute massage at the award-winning Ritz-Carlton Spa
Read More
Bradham tapped in for par on the fourth playoff hole to win the APGA at Magnolia Grove, his second career APGA title
Read More

Arccos, Titleist: Partnering to bring new analytics, content and special offers to Team Titleist. Members of the brand's loyalty program can visit Titleist.ArccosGolf.com to claim a free Arccos Smart Sensor and a complimentary trial. ... Golf As Life: Launches a weekly e-card series, curated by renowned photographer Mike Klemme. The series offers subscribers access high-quality images of a course, accompanied by a story that delves into its history and includes anecdotes from Klemme’s visit to the property. ... Breakthrough Golf Technology: Introduces the Paradox putter, a zero-torque putter that was designed using Swing Balance Technology. The putter retails for $699.99 with a Stability Tour shaft.

RELATED: Industry press releases | Industry press release videos
RELATED: The First Call / PR Newswire feed

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> LIV CEO says a deal with the PGA Tour isn’t necessary but can work if it grows the game
[Tim Reynolds | Associated Press | Read]

> 18 reasons why the Masters is sports’ greatest event
[Josh Sens | Golf.com | Read]

> Brooks Koepka’s blunt LIV Golf take: ‘We all hoped it would have been a little bit further along’
[Jay Coffin | Golf Digest | Read]

#QOTD
"Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy."
— Leo Buscaglia
TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

> Golf Course Superintendent
The Golf Club at Dove Mountain
Marana, Arizona | Info

> General Manager
Atlanta National Golf Club
Alpharetta, Georgia | Info

> Director of Instruction
Sylvania Country Club
Sylvania, Ohio | Info

The First Call Job Board

TFC EVENTS
The Friars Golf Club: Best of Napa '25
July 23-27, 2025 | Napa, California
ON TOUR

PGA Tour: Texas Valero Open
Site: San Antonio, Texas.
Course: TPC San Antonio (Oaks).
Television [ET]: Today-Friday, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 1-3:30 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3:30-6 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, 1-2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2:30-6 p.m. (NBC).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

LPGA Tour: T-Mobile Match Play
Site: North Las Vegas, Nevada.
Course: Shadow Creek Golf Club.
Television [ET]: Today-Friday, 6-7 p.m. (NBC Sports app), 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 6-9 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. (NBC Sports app), 6-6:30 p.m. (NBC Sports app), 6:30-9 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

LIV Golf League: LIV Golf Doral
Site: Doral, Florida.
Course: Trump National Doral.
Television [ET]: Friday, 1-6 p.m. (Fox); Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (FS1); Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. (Fox).

PGA Tour Champions: James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational
Site: Boca Raton, Florida.
Course: The Old Course at Broken Sound Club. Yardage: 7,008. Par: 72.
Television [ET]: Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 3:30-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 2:30-4:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

Korn Ferry Tour: Club Car Championship
Site: Savannah, Georgia.
Course: The Landings Golf and Athletic Club (Deer Creek).
Television [ET]: Today, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Friday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 4-6 p.m. (NBC Sports app), 10 p.m. to midnight (Golf Channel-Tape Delay); Sunday, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

Augusta National: Augusta National Women’s Amateur
Site: Augusta, Georgia.
Course: Champions Retreat (Today) and Augusta National Golf Club (Saturday).
Television [ET]: Today, 1:30-3:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, noon to 3 p.m. (NBC).

Ladies European Tour: Joburg Ladies Open
Site: Johannesburg, South Africa.
Course: Modderfontein Golf Club.

PGA Tour Americas: Brazil Open
Site: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Course: Rio Olympic Golf Club.

Japan LPGA: Yamaha Ladies Open
Site: Shizuoka, Japan.
Course: Katsuragi Golf Club (Yamana).

Korea LPGA: Doosan E&C We’ve Championship
Site: Busan, South Korea.
Course: Dongrae Benest Golf Club.

CALENDAR

APRIL
3: CMAA, Communications Summit, Charleston, South Carolina | Info
2-4: Asia Golf Tourism Convention, Danang, Vietnam | Info

MAY
19-21: IAGTO European Convention, Gran Canaria, Spain | Info

JUNE
17-19: North America Golf Tourism Convention, Birmingham, Alabama | Info
24-25: NGCOA Multi-Course & Resort Operators Retreat, Monterey, California | Info

JULY
29-30: PGA Buying Summit, Frisco, Texas | Info

View complete calendar

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