Friday Jun 27, 2025
FIRST THOUGHT

The National Golf Foundation estimates that 7.9 million women played on-course golf in 2024 and another 8.2 million engaged exclusively away from the course. That means only 49% of female participants play traditional golf — a significant crossover gap compared to men, where 65% (20.2 million of 31.2 million) include 'green grass' in their recreational portfolio. 

POLL

> Tommy Fleetwood, a seven-time DP World Tour winner, has 42 top-10 finishes in 159 starts on the PGA Tour — including a runner-up finish at the 2025 Travelers Championship. The total number of top-10 finishes is the most of any player without a win on Tour since 1983. Will Fleetwood ever win on the PGA Tour? | Vote
> Previous: Was Oakmont Country Club a fair U.S. Open test? | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What should be new PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp's top priorities as he transitions into the position that will succeed current commissioner Jay Monahan?

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: What are your thoughts on the 2025 U.S. Open? | Read

THE RESTORATION OF A FABLED CLUB
How Gil Hanse merged Baltusrol's Upper past with the future
TFC contributor Bradley Klein examines Hanse's restoration of A.W. Tillinghast's classic design, revealing there was more than meets the eye in returning the Upper Course to its intended roots.
Baltusrol completes new chapter
For course architect Gil Hanse, the opportunity to restore the club's Upper Course to A.W. Tillinghast's original vision was too good to pass on.
EPSON TOUR
Erica Shepherd finding form heading into a 'home' event
The former Duke University All-American is starting to find her professional groove as she returns to the Otter Creek Championship, which is being played on a course she won on as an amateur.
INDUSTRY NEWS
The St. James, Barbados, destination is well suited for people seeking luxury homes or vacation destinations
Read More
READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> PGA Tour gives pace-of-play updates, data to be posted publicly for first time
[Adam Schupak | Golfweek | Read]

> Minjee Lee on her Callaway gear, the putter that helped her win the Women's PGA and why the 8-iron is her favorite club
[E. Michael Johnson | Golf Digest | Read]

> Why late FedEx founder Fred Smith poured hundreds of millions into PGA Tour
[Michael Bamberger | Golf.com | Read]

#QOTD
"Comedians kind of write what comes to them. You can give yourself little assignments, but it's what inspires you."
— Jim Gaffigan
ICYMI
Design Notes: Rees Jones refreshes Arizona’s Quintero
Farm Neck on Martha’s Vineyard reopens after a Mark Mungeam renovation; Thomas Himmel restores the parkland feel to Germany’s Bad Ems.
TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

RECENT DROPS

🎧 GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
The Big Easy: The story of a storied career
Guest: Ernie Els, a four-time major champion and Hall of Famer.
Listen | Archives

🎧 CONTENT CLUBHOUSE
Daniel Saloner: Becoming the 'Short Game King'
Guest: Daniel Saloner, golf content creator.
Listen | Archives

ARCHIVES: 🎧  Podcasts | ▶️  Videos

ON TOUR

PGA Tour: Rocket Mortgage Classic
Site: Detroit, Michigan.
Course: Detroit Golf Club.
Television [ET]: Today, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (CBS).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

USGA / PGA Tour Champions: U.S. Senior Open
Site: Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Course: The Broadmoor Golf Club (East).
Television [ET]: Today, 1:30-3 p.m. (Peacock), 6-9 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 2-6 p.m. (NBC).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

LIV Golf League: LIV Golf Dallas
Site: Carrollton, Texas. 
Course: Maridoe Golf Club.
Television [ET]: Today, Noon-2 p.m. (Fox Sports app), 2-5 p.m. (Fox); Saturday, 1-3:30 p.m. (FS2), 3:30-6 p.m. (Fox); Sunday, 1-6 p.m. (FS2).

LPGA Tour: Dow Championship
Site: Midland, Michigan.
Course: Midland Country Club.
Television [ET]: Today, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

DP World Tour: Italian Open
Site: Tuscany, Italy.
Course: Argentario GC. Yardage: 6.857. Par: 71.
Television [ET]: Today, 7:30-11 a.m. (Golf Channel), 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (NBC Sports app); Saturday, 6:30-11 a.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 6-11 a.m. (Golf Channel).

FULL SCHEDULE >

TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

> Marketing Manager
Aotearoa Open
New Zealand | Info

> Vendor Finance Program Manager, Golf and Turf
Wells Fargo
Des Moines, Iowa | Info

> Senior Director, Marketing & Communications
GCSAA
Lawrence, Kansas | Info

The First Call Job Board
> Buffalo Groupe Job Openings

TFC EVENTS
The Friars Golf Club: Best of Spain
November 10-17, 2025 | Andalusia, Spain
CALENDAR

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.