The First Call 08-11-2025

FIRST THOUGHT

Just 11 days past his 45th birthday, Justin Rose is aging quite nicely. Playing inspired golf Sunday, the Englishman defeated J.J. Spaun on the third playoff hole to win the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis. The win was his 12th PGA Tour title, the second most ever by a European player on the PGA Tour (behind Rory McIlroy's 29) and the most by an Englishman since 1940 (Nick Faldo is second with nine). Rose also became the oldest winner on Tour since Phil Mickelson at the 2021 PGA Championship and all but locked up his seventh Ryder Cup appearance in September.

POLL

> What is the most overhyped club in the golf bag? | Vote
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What has been the most surprising story in golf in 2025?

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 do you think of an idea where the PGA Tour does not end the FedEx Cup Playoffs with the Tour Championship, but a revamped Players Championship? And either eliminating the Tour Championship or changing its format and dates? | Read

What to make of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Playoffs

Readers of The First Call are mostly in favor of modifying the current postseason format, but how that would look is anybody's guess.

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS

Concert Golf Partners: Taps Don Smith for senior VP role

Smith, as senior vice president of operations for the premier division of upscale clubs, will oversee Concert Golf’s premier properties, such as The Club at New Seabury, Renaissance and Longview

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> How U.S.-China trade tensions now extend to ... golf carts
[Justin Girshon | Golf Digest | Read]

> Justin Rose rallies late and beats J.J. Spaun in Memphis playoff
[Associated Press | Read]

> Grant Forrest wins at Trump International and gets congratulatory call from the U.S. president
[Associated Press | Read]

> Steve Allan wins Boeing Classic for 3rd PGA Tour Champions victory of the season
[Associated Press | Read]

> Dean Burmester beats Jon Rahm and Josele Ballester in a playoff for 2nd LIV title
[Associated Press | Read]

#QOTD

"No legacy is so rich as honesty."

— William Shakespeare

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

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TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

> Irrigation Technician
North Ridge Country Club
Raleigh, North Carolina | Info

> Visual Designer
Rooted Solutions
Detroit, Michigan | Info

> Head Golf Professional
TPC Prestancia
Sarasota, Florida | 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

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.