The First Call 09-02-2026

FIRST THOUGHT

A BRIEF RESPITE

➡️ Is the golf calendar too long? This week marks the first since the week of January 12 that neither the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions nor Korn Ferry Tour are in action. The next breaks in the Tour's calendar are for the Presidents Cup and Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday weeks.

POLL OF THE WEEK

MATCH PLAY IT IS
Do you like the PGA Tour's move to a two-week match-play format for the Tour Championship starting in 2028?
>> Vote

Last week: Should the PGA Tour's Tour Championship be played at a different venue each year? | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

WILL IT WORK?
What is your opinion of the PGA Tour's revamped Tour Championship plans, which will feature a two-week, match-play format?
>> Respond

Last week: What venues would you like to see host the Tour Championship? | Read

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS

Presidents Cup: Respective captain's picks announced

U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker and International captain Geoff Ogilvy each had six picks for this year's matches; Snedeker announces Four-ball to be played in first round at Medinah

Ecco Golf: Introduces the BIOM C5 Premium shoe

The latest offering blends stability, premium Ecco Performance leather and the aluminium BOA Fit System dial to deliver comfort and control

Tour Edge: Launches Max-J junior golf sets

New junior lineup brings the company's performance engineering, real parent insight and player-tested design to a complete equipment solution

Tour Edge: Introduces Exotics Milled Wedge Series

The Series offer three purpose-built bounce profiles and new groove technologies to improve contact, flight and spin

Big Max: Announces Labor Day sale

The European company is offering U.S. golfers $40 off the Dri Lite Hybrid Plus, Sept. 3-8

GCSAA: Chad Braun wins 2026 Edwin Budding Award

Braun has become a force on social media among equipment managers

Power Tee: Debuts Smart In-Bay Dispensers at Kansas facility

Power Tee installs 36 of its bays, featuring the next-generation dispensers at MMTH Clubhouse in Wichita, Kansas

Five Iron Golf: Opens Madrid location

The venue marks the brand's second location in Spain as Five Iron Golf continues its growth across Europe

True Spec Golf: Becomes clubfitting partner for Arizona State men's golf

Unique deal pairs the Sun Devils with the clubfitting company that is based in Scottsdale, Arizona

Golf Channel: Walker Cup highlights the week's live coverage

Top amateurs from the United States and Great Britian and Ireland will compete head-to-head at at Ireland's Lahinch Golf Club, Sept. 5-6

Marriott Golf: Spotlights JW Marriott Desert Springs & Springs

Palm Desert, California, destination features championship golf and a number of amenities

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

➡️ Tiger Woods plans to change not guilty plea in DUI case in Florida, court documents show
Associated Press | Read

➡️ Callaway content head, Good Good marketing VP out after ad fallout
David Rumsey | Front Office Sports | Read

➡️ Colt Knost’s amateur status bid put on hold as USGA reviews reinstatement rules
Cameron Jourdan | Golfweek | Read

➡️ How would the Tour Championship have played out using the new match-play format?
Shane Ryan | Golf Digest | Read

ICYMI

Funny how? 3 top golf writers dish on influence, humor and humiliation

David Owen, Rick Reilly and Tom Coyne explain why golf is ripe for comedy, how they developed their distinct literary voices, and why the game is the ultimate humiliator.

TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

▪️Golf Coach
Five Iron Golf
Detroit, Michigan | Info

▪️Director of Golf
Troon / Fairmont Grand Del Mar
San Diego, California | Info

▪️Studio Golf Fitting Specialist / Instructor
PGA TOUR Superstore
Cherry Hill, New Jersey | Info

▪️ The First Call Job Board
▪️ Buffalo Groupe Job Openings

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

RECENT DROPS

🎧 | ▶️ CONTENT CLUBHOUSE
Hally Leadbetter | Andrew Wantuck: (Un)Serious business
Guests: Hally Leadbetter and Andrew Wantuck, co-founders of Better Co. and consultants on Netflix's "The Hawk."
Listen | Watch | Archives

ARCHIVES: 🎧 Podcasts | ▶️ Videos

GOLF IN MOTION MONTHLY

Buffalo Research's new Golf in Motion Monthly tracks year-over-year visitation trends across traditional golf facilities, off-course retail, golf entertainment venues and sporting goods retailers using anonymized movement data from approximately 30 million mobile devices.

Each monthly report is designed to provide the golf industry with a consistent, data-driven benchmark to help operators, brands, investors and industry leaders identify trends, and make more informed business decisions.

The report is free. Upon signing up, you will receive the updated monthly reports straight to your inbox.
>> Sign Up

CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER

29-30: Golf Inc. Strategies Summit, Hilton Head, South Carolina | Info

OCTOBER

1: Golf Inc. Strategies Summit, Hilton Head, South Carolina | Info

NOVEMBER

8-11: International Association of Golf Administrators Annual Conference | Info

9-11: Golf Business Network Leadership Summit, Pinehurst, North Carolina | Info

COMPLETE CALENDAR >

To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.