The First Call 07-09-2025

FIRST THOUGHT

Get your popcorn — or tattie scones — ready. Starting tomorrow, the Genesis Scottish Open serves as the final tune-up before the 153rd Open Championship — and the last chance to qualify. The top three players who make the cut at The Renaissance Club — and are not already exempt — will earn a last-minute invite to The Open. Among those vying for a spot are past Ryder Cup players and regulars on the Tour, all hoping to secure a late entry into the year's final major.

POLL

> Who will win the 2025 Open Championship | Vote
> Previous: How should the year's final major be referred — British Open or Open Championship? | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What are you looking forward to regarding the 2025 Open 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: Would you like to see the PGA Tour Champions revamped? If so, how? | Read

Design Notes: Jay Blasi reimagines Northern California’s Poppy Ridge

Fry/Straka break ground at Hong Kong’s Plover Cove; Hawaii’s Pearl at Kalauao opens its Golfplan-designed short course.

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS

Buffalo Groupe: Merges with Oswego Creative to strengthen video content capabilities

The award-winning marketing agency that connects golf, hospitality, and real estate brands with escape-seeking consumers, today announced the addition of Oswego Creative, a video production studio based in Golden, Colorado.

Hidden Links: Releases dramatic skydiving commercial featuring Sir Nick Faldo

It debuted on the Golf Channel during the U.S. Open at Oakmont and will continue to run alongside several other Hidden Links commercials which highlight their extensive experience booking custom golf tours throughout Scotland, Ireland and beyond.

Marriott Golf: August Decker named CFHLA Executive of the Year

August Decker, Golf General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, has been honored as the Executive of the Year by the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA).

GCSAA: Ron Prescott named Southeast regional field representative

Experienced superintendent will assist affiliated chapters in seven states.

First Tee: 80 teens to compete during PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach

Golf Channel announced the full field of teens which includes exceptional students, tournament winners and committed collegiate golfers.

Fairway & Greene: Launches New Custom Cutaway Polo

Available in a variety of colors and prints, key features of Fairway & Greene's updated polo design include a lighter-weight fabric, a customizable memory collar, and a slightly tapered silhouette.

Short Game Chef: Partners with Folds of Honor, uniting communities for a greater cause

The premier short game golf program teams with an organization that has become synonymous with providing educational scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled military members and first responders.

PGA Buying Summit: Sold-out fashion show shines spotlight on emerging brands and spring 2026 apparel collections, July 28-30

Fifteen emerging and established brands will present their collections in an elevated runway showcase during the event’s Fashion Show Reception.

First Tee: Game Changers Academy celebrates 25 years of impact

Thousands of First Tee participants have attended Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., the nonprofit youth development organization's flagship event, where they learn about inclusive leadership and community building.

Marriott Golf: Book an iconic weekend of indulgence and play in Aruba

St. Regis Casino Cup Golf Tournament, Aug. 7-10

NBC Sports: Golf Channel and St. Andrews Links Trust announce field for 2025 St. Andrews Links Collegiate

Three-day college event will be held at Jubilee Course and Old Course, October 13-15, 2025.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Could AI ruin golf?
[Tim Gavrich | GolfPass | Read]

> Attention to detail means more at U.S. Adaptive Open, which sets standard in disabled golf
[Beth Ann Nichols | Golfweek | Read]

> For the first time a former LIV Golf winner is about to play a PGA Tour regular season event
[Ryan Herrington | Golf Digest | Read]

#QOTD

"Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow’s reality."

— Malala Yousafzai

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

RECENT DROPS

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Guest: Nick Dimengo, founder of Rainmakers Golf Club.
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Guest: Ernie Els, a four-time major champion and Hall of Famer.
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ARCHIVES: 🎧 Podcasts | ▶️ Videos

ON TOUR

PGA Tour / DP World Tour: GENESIS SCOTTISH OPEN
Site: North Berwick, Scotland
Course: The Renaissance Club
Television [ET]: Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel), noon to 3 p.m. (CBS).

PGA Tour: ISCO CHAMPIONSHIP
Site: Louisville, Ky.
Course: Hurstbourne Country Club
Television [ET]: Thursday-Friday, 4 to 7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 5 to 7 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

PGA Tour Champions: DICK'S OPEN
Site: Endicott, NY
Course: En-Joie GC
Television [ET]: Friday-Saturday, 2 to 4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

FULL SCHEDULE >

TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

> Outside Services
Loblolly
Hobe Sound, Florida | Info

> Territory Sales Manager
Tour Edge Golf
Batavia, Illinois | Info

> Director of Golf
The Cliffs at Walnut Cove
Arden, North Carolina | Info

> The First Call Job Board
> Buffalo Groupe Job Openings

TFC EVENTS

The Friars Golf Club: Best of Napa '25

July 23-27, 2025 | Napa, California

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.