The First Call 05-23-2025

FIRST THOUGHT

In observance of Memorial Day, The First Call will not publish its Monday, May 26, edition. The First Call will resume publishing on Tuesday, May 27.

POLL

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What were your impressions of the 2025 PGA Championship?

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.

> Last week's question: How do you believe the United States' plans for tariffs will impact the golf industry? | Read

Design Notes: Beau Welling rejuvenates Oak Marsh at Omni Amelia Island

North Carolina’s Starmount Forest gets a Kris Spence renovation; Vietnam’s Vinpearl Golf Leman opens the first of its two Golfplan designs

INDUSTRY NEWS

LPGA: Board of directors elects Craig Kessler as commissioner

Kessler most recently served as chief operating officer of the PGA of America, where he oversaw all operations of the 30,000-member organization, including its non-profit foundation

Magellan Jets: Experiencing record-high numbers for advance bookings

Private aviation provider transporting golf fans to and from major golf tournaments and the Ryder Cup this summer and fall

Principal Charity Classic: Receives 2025 statewide sustainability award

Iowa Travel Industry Partners honors the PGA Tour Champions event with the 2025 Sustainability Initiative Award for integrating environmental and social responsibility into all aspects of its tournament operations

PXG: Drops 2025 Stars & Stripes Capsule Collection

New seasonal accessories from golf bags and headcovers to golf gloves and hoodies are now available

Srixon: Announces buy 2, get 1 free golf ball deal

Limited-time offer runs through June 15

Epson Tour: Renews partnership with City of Indian Wells for 2025 season finale

Epson Tour Championship at Indian Wells will return to Indian Wells Golf Resort in October and will be played on the Celebrity Course

Lennar: Southwest Florida division introduces Lennar Family Golf

Initiative gives juniors opportunities to play free or discounted golf at five Lennar golf facilities

Omni Hotels & Resorts: To celebrate Women’s Golf Day across its 12 golf resorts

Events were created to to empower women’s golf participation and camaraderie across the U.S.

Platform Golf, Precision Golf: Announces partnership

Platform Golf to install two full-swing bays that allow players to hit full simulator shots and make real putts on a dynamic, slope-adjusting surface, and a TrueBreak Putting Platform

Rocket Classic: Ole Miss junior Michael La Sasso receives sponsor exemption

La Sasso is 11th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and fourth in the Scoreboard men’s collegiate ranking

Marriott Golf: Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa celebrates summer

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, destination offers ideal summer family vacation

Toptracer: The month-long virtual competition on Old Course Reversed at St. Andrews totaled 41,354 rounds played by golfers from over 35 countries. The best score and unofficial winner of Old Course Reversed – Global Challenge was 12-year-old Chaemin Kim of South Korea with a score of 51. ... Hole-in-One Media: Creators of the on-course video system ReelGolf received its 15th U.S. patent for its AI-enabled autonomous video recording and editing technology. ... SkyGolf: Introduces the SkyCaddie Pro 4X rangefinder, equipped with SkyGolf’s proprietary dual-frequency TruePoint Positioning Technology. The Pro 4X is now shipping.

EXPANDED NOTES >

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> LPGA names PGA of America executive Craig Kessler its 10th commissioner
[Beth Ann Nichols | Golfweek | Read]

> ‘Ask those guys:’ Scottie Scheffler hasn’t wavered on golf’s reunification
[Jack Hirsh | Golf.com | Read]

> Martin Hall's final 'School of Golf' has aired on Golf Channel — but he's not retiring
[Craig Dolch | Palm Beach Post | Read]

#QOTD

"It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference."

— Tom Brokaw

ON TOUR

PGA Tour: Charles Schwab Challenge
Site: Fort Worth, Texas.
Course: Colonial Country Club.
Television [ET]: Today, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (CBS).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

PGA of America / PGA Tour Champions: Senior PGA Championship
Site: Bethesda, Maryland.
Course: Congressional Country Club (Blue).
Television [ET]: Today, 1-4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m. (NBC).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

LPGA Tour: Mexico Riviera Maya Open
Site: Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Course: El Camaleon Golf Club at Mayakoba.
Television [ET]: Today, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Golf Channel), 1-2 p.m. (NBC Sports app); Saturday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, noon to 1 p.m. (NBC Sports app), 1-3 p.m. (CBS).

European Tour; Soudal Open
Site: Antwerp, Belgium.
Course: Rinkven International Golf Club.
Television [ET]: Today, 7-11 a.m. (Golf Channel), 11 a.m. to noon (NBC Sports app); Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Sunday, 7 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel).

COMPLETE SCHEDULE >

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

RECENT DROPS

▶️ CONTENT CLUBHOUSE
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🎧 THE MODGOLF PODCAST
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Guest: Agustin Piza, golf course architect
Listen | Archives

🎧 GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Gary Player talks Rory McIlroy, career Grand Slam
Guest: Gary Player, nine-time major champion
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ARCHIVES: 🎧 Podcasts | ▶️ Videos

TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

> Customer Service Analyst
PGA Tour
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida | Info

> Senior Assistant Golf Professional
The Club At Snoqualmie Ridge
Snoqualmie, Washington | Info

> Director of Instruction
Vestavia Country Club
Vestavia, Alabama | Info

> The First Call Job Board

TFC EVENTS

The Friars Golf Club: Best of Spain

November 10-17, 2025 | Andalusia, Spain

CALENDAR

MAY
27 – June 3: Women's Golf Day | Info
28: AGM, webinar, 4 p.m. ET, "The Real Impact of One." Speaker: Rita Goodroe, Business coach | Info

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

JULY
28-30: PGA Buying Summit, Frisco, Texas | Info

OCTOBER
6-7: Golf Business Network Instructing Summit, Palm Desert, California | Info
14-15: Golf Business TechCon 2025, 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.