The First Call 05-21-2026

FIRST THOUGHT

According to the National Golf Foundation, golf leagues are on a massive rise. Whether run individually by golf facilities or by national organizations such as Twilight Golf and Spark Golf, league play has jumped 68% since 2019. Over that same post-Covid period, the rise in the number of on-course golfers is 20% (24.3 million to 29.1 million).

POLL

▪️ Will PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai, 31, be a one-hit major champion or will he win more? | Vote
▪️ Previous: What will become of Bryson DeChambeau's professional career? | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

▪️ What are your opinions of the PGA Championship — the winner, the overall play, the course? | Respond
▪️ Previous: The 19th hole. After a round, what is your go-to drink and / or meal? | Read

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

RECENT DROPS

🎧 DRIVER$: INSIDE THE GOLF INDUSTRY
Satisfying a hunger for golf
Guest: Spencer Potter, founder, Club Grub..
Listen | Archives

🎧 CONTENT CLUBHOUSE
Golficity's Frank & Mike Fasano: Family Business
Guests: Frank Fasano and Mike Fasano, co-founders, Golficity.
Listen | Archives

ARCHIVES: 🎧 Podcasts | ▶️ Videos

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS

Presidents Cup: U.S. names Jim Furyk, Keegan Bradley as assistant captains

U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker selected the veteran duo to serve as his first two assistants at Medinah this September, bringing extensive Ryder and Presidents Cup experience

Five Iron Golf: Returns Women’s Golf Month for June

Partnering with Golf Digest and women-led golf communities, the campaign offers free Wednesday play, $5 first-month memberships and introductory swing tips across 40 locations

GolfNow: Platform expands presence in Myrtle Beach with 10 course partners

Online tee time marketplace grew its footprint in the South Carolina destination, adding premier courses like Caledonia Golf and Fish Club and Barefoot Resort properties to its tech and booking platform

Babygrande Golf: Partners with Golf Channel to expand collegiate coverage

Collaboration increases live tournament access by providing digital streaming for opening rounds and select coverage windows during the championships in late May

Grass League: Names Blue Tees Golf as technology, Match Series title sponsor

The multiyear partnership establishes Blue Tees as the league's official distance-measuring device, integrating its Rainmaker launch monitor data into upcoming YouTube broadcasts

PGA of America: 32 First Tee chapters awarded funding for Junior League Golf

Backed by a $7.6 million grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the initiative will provide 6,000 scholarships to remove entry barriers for young golfers over three years

ShopRite LPGA: Boosts 2026 purse, expands player support

The championship raised its purse to a record $2 million and brought back its complimentary lodging program, alongside a historic $2 million in local charitable grant distributions

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

▪️ Maintaining the 2026 U.S. Open Venue: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
[Fried Egg Golf | Watch]

▪️ 295-over par at a college event? Here’s the uplifting story behind it
[Nick Piastowski | Golf.com | Read]

▪️Arizona photographer Rob Schumacher shined a light on golf for decades
[Jason Lusk | Golfweek | Read]

ICYMI

Frank Fasano, Mike Fasano: The Golficity family business

Cousins and co-founders of Golficity tell the story of how a shared passion grew into one of the largest, and longest lasting, brands in golf content.

Listen

TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

▪️ Rules Official | Epson Tour
LPGA
Daytona, Florida | Info

▪️ Head Golf Professional
The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
St. Simon's Island, Georgia | Info

▪️ Director of Sales
Troon
Wailuku, Hawaii | Info

▪️ The First Call Job Board
▪️ Buffalo Groupe Job Openings

CALENDAR

JUNE
9-10: Multi-Course & Resort Operators Retreat 2026, Monterey, California | Info

COMPLETE CALENDAR >

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