The First Call 08-13-2025

FIRST THOUGHT

Of the 684 respondents to The First Call | Extra poll question "What's the best season to play golf?", 60% chose fall, followed by spring and summer (19% each) and winter (2%). In 2025, the autumnal equinox begins on Sept. 22 at 2:19 p.m. ET.

POLL

> What is the most overhyped club in the golf bag? | Vote
> Previous: Who will win the FedEx Cup? | Results

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

Maximizing range revenue, Part 3: Price

Pricing is a critical decision in revenue strategy, and the best operators balance revenue and accessibility by adjusting for peak times, tailoring prices to different groups, and bundling smartly.

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS

NBCUniversal, USGA: Extend media rights agreement through 2032

Partnership extension ensures ongoing airtime for 11 USGA Championships and more broadcast network coverage for the U.S. Open than any other major

USA Network, Golf Channel: To air USGA championships through 2032

Announcement marks the first sports media rights acquisition for Versant, a new independent media company set to be spun out from Comcast Corporation

USGA, NBCUniversal: New media rights agreement extends through 2032

NBC and Peacock to present live coverage of U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open; U.S. Open adds four hours of broadcast coverage across Thursday and Friday, including an additional hour of primetime coverage on NBC each day

Epson Tour: Announces new tournament on the 2026 schedule

The LPGA's official qualifying tour will head to Tennessee for the first time since 1991

GolfNow: Enjoys best course growth since March 2023

Expanded GolfNow global footprint highlights 2025 momentum with six, month-over-month increases in golf course partners, boosting tee time availability and rounds sold

Shot Scope: The Ryder Cup from an average player's perspective

Shot Scope delves into statistics to see how difficult Bethpage State Park's Black Course is for the average golfer from the professional tees

Inrange: Back 9 partners with LIV Golf

The golf and entertainment brand is powered by Inrange's radar ball-tracking and software

LA Golf: Named presenting sponsor for Grass League’s Summer Grind

Tournament will be held Aug. 30-31 at Goat Hill Park in Oceanside, California

Blue Cypress GC: Unveils 3 new golf holes

Jacksonville, Florida, 9-hole course now offers 12 golf holes

MyGolfConcierge: Blending golf culture, history, luxury in Europe

Company designs custom itineraries that go beyond a typical golf vacation

Marriott Golf: Showcases fall golf in Williamsburg

Virginia destination features accommodations at the Williamsburg Lodge and golf at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club's Gold Course

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> Why PGA Tour pros (and I) are embracing cold plunge therapy for golf recovery
[David Dusek | Golfweek | Read]

> What CBS’s new $7.7 billion sports partner tells us about golf
[James Colgan | Golf.com | Read]

> Why LIV Golf is in its most fascinating, complex era
[Sean Zak | Golf.com | Read]

#QOTD

"Only the educated are free."

— Epictetus

ICYMI

Are the FedEx Cup Playoffs too flawed to fix?

Do you care that Jake Knapp finished outside the top 50 in the playoffs' first round? If the answer is no, then it's likely a sign that the current system is not generating enough excitement.

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

RECENT DROPS

🎧 GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson riffs on golf
Guest: Alex Lifeson, Hall of Fame guitarist.
Listen | Archives

ARCHIVES: 🎧 Podcasts | ▶️ Videos

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

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.