The First Call 04-06-2026

FIRST THOUGHT

Masters week has arrived and The First Call senior editor Stuart Hall will moderate a daily chat thread on the publication's The First Call | Extra Substack platform. On Thursday, from 12-1 p.m. ET, contributor Gary Van Sickle will join the chat from Augusta to discuss this year's Masters. Also, Substack subscribers will receive additional Masters content throughout the week.

If you are already a The First Call | Extra subscriber on Substack, you will receive an email invitation each morning to join the chat starting at 9 a.m. ET. If you would like to sign up for The First Call | Extra, simply click here.

POLL

▪️ Who should be the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup captain? | Vote
▪️ Previous: Should Tiger Woods captain the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup team? | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

▪️ What changes to Augusta National Golf Club or the Masters would you make? | Respond
▪️ Previous: What are your expectations and predictions for the 2026 Masters? | Read

A sobering journeyman's tale

Former tour pro Steve Wheatcroft bares his darkest moments and sees a light of hope in his memoir, “Cocktails and Range Balls: One’s Too Many, Ten’s Not Enough.”

TFC Inbox: Why the 2026 Masters could go any which way

The First Call readers share their expectations for the 90th playing of the major, along with a variety of possible winners and no clear favorite.

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

RECENT DROPS

🎧 GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Alan Shipnuck: The book on Rory McIlroy
Guest: Alan Shipnuck, author of "Rory: The Heartache and Triumph of Golf’s Most Human Superstar."
Listen | Archives

🎧 DRIVER$: INSIDE THE GOLF INDUSTRY
Golf course operations in the land of 8:30 p.m. tee times
Guests: Settlers Bay Golf Course's Amos Stephens (superintendent, partner and general manager) and Vicky Urbina (executive director, partner and operator).
Listen | Archives

ARCHIVES: 🎧 Podcasts | ▶️ Videos

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS

John A. White Golf Course: $30 million clubhouse under construction

Expansive, amenity-rich facility is home to National Black Golf Hall of Fame

Future Champions Golf: Announces video series with Mr. Short Game

YouTuber Mr. Short Game will compete in Future Champions Golf Tour events across multiple age divisions as part of a new content initiative

Hurricane Junior Golf Tour | Revelyst Golf Technology: Extend partnership

Through the renewed agreement, Revelyst Golf Technology will maintain a highly visible presence across the HJGT ecosystem, supporting both player development and championship experiences

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

▪️ J.J. Spaun rallies to win Texas Open for first title since US Open
[Associated Press | Read]

▪️ Lauren Coughlin wins the Aramco Championship by 5 shots at Shadow Creek
[Mark Anderson | Associated Press | Read]

▪️ Golf Saudi: More LPGA-European tour co-sanctioned events in North America likely
[Mark Anderson | Associated Press | Read]

TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

▪️ Partnerships Intern
United States Golf Association
Bernards, New Jersey | Info

▪️ Club Fitter Development Program
2nd Swing
Wilmington, Delaware | Info

▪️ Shop and Tournament Manager
The Plantation Golf and Country Club
Fort Myers, 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.