The First Call 05-26-2026

FIRST THOUGHT

Charles Schwab Challenge Talking Points:
▪️ 2025 winner Ben Griffin looks to become the first back-to-back champion at Colonial Country Club since Ben Hogan, while the tournament celebrates its 80th year at the venue — the longest-running non-major host site on the PGA Tour.
▪️ The event features seven of the world’s top 20 players, headlined by world No. 9 J.J. Spaun and 16-time Tour winner Justin Thomas, who is continuing a strong comeback season following 2025 back surgery.
▪️ Alex Smalley enters the week at No. 15 in the FedEx Cup standings following a career-best T2 finish at the PGA Championship and a streak of six consecutive top-25 finishes.
▪️ Beyond the trophy and tartan jacket, the winner will receive a custom 1982 Jeep Scrambler, and players must navigate the "Horrible Horseshoe," a notoriously difficult three-hole stretch (Nos. 3-5).

POLL

▪️ If you were the Golf Czar for a day, which PGA Tour rule change would you implement first? | Vote
▪️ Previous: Will PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai, 31, be a one-hit major champion or will he win more? | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

▪️ Do you believe the PGA Tour needs a cut line to remain competitive, or is the no-cut model better for the fans who just want to see the big names? | Respond
▪️ Previous: What are your opinions of the PGA Championship — the winner, the overall play, the course? | Read

TFC Inbox: Reviews are in for Aronimink, PGA

The First Call readers weigh in on Aaron Rai’s 2026 PGA Championship victory, debating whether the course's punishing setup was a brilliant return to form or simply too slow and severe.

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS

Babygrande Golf: Expands partnership for 2026 Pinehurst amateur broadcasts

Company will provide live streaming and digital storytelling for four historic events, including the North & South Men’s and Women’s Amateurs

AJGA: Luke Ringkamp wins AJGA Invitational

The Pepperdine commit carded a final-round 64 to overcome a five-shot deficit, finishing at 13-under-par 197 to secure the title over runner-up Bodie Brumlow in Belleair, Florida

GTAA: Launches Golf Tournament Event Planner master classes on June 3

This educational webinar features three high-impact sessions focused on client acquisition, sponsorship innovation and event production

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

▪️ 'Jobs not done': Even after winning national championship, Farah O'Keefe has bigger goals
[Cameron Jourdan | Golfweek.com | Read]

▪️ Why London deserves consideration as the world’s greatest golf city
[Simon Holt | Golf.com | Read]

▪️Wyndham Clark admits ‘comeback’ victory at Byron Nelson made sweeter after Oakmont ‘downfall’
[Dave Shedloski | Golf Digest | Read]

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

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Guests: Frank Fasano and Mike Fasano, co-founders, Golficity.
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ARCHIVES: 🎧 Podcasts | ▶️ Videos

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.