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| Thursday Sep 04, 2025 |
Now that the calendar has flipped to September and the year begins to step out of golf's peak season, it's a good time to begin taking stock in what type of year it's been. In terms of golf rounds played in the United States, 2025 is trending at a healthy level post-COVID. According to the National Golf Foundation, based on data available through the first half of the year, total play trails last year’s record rounds by less than 1% and is above 2021 and 2023 when each post then-record years. In the 61 months since pandemic-related restrictions on golf were lifted, only three times have rounds for that month failed to surpass their pre-pandemic equivalents (using 2017-2019 monthly averages for comparison).
POLL
> How would you grade European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald's six selections (Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, Matt Fitzpatrick}? | Vote
> Previous: How would you grade U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley's six selections?| Results
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Looking at the U.S. and European Ryder Cup teams, what are their respective strengths and weaknesses?
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 were the best moments of the 2025 PGA Tour season? | Read
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Club leaders and their teams create value for their members but often face challenges in measuring and effectively communicating it. GGA Partners offers solutions.
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Blue Jeans Golf: Closes the first round of its $20 million Series B fundraising, led by Old Tom Capital and Creator Sports Capital. Founded in 2021, Blue Jeans Golf's equity round will fund its Golf Ranch brand's 2026 growth pipeline, enabling the acquisition and development of new sites nationwide. ... Bernhard Academy: Announces the launch of five new online leadership and management courses for Autumn / Winter 2025. These interactive digital sessions are designed to support professionals at every stage of their career, offering practical tools and insights to help participants become effective leaders. ... Myrtle Beach National: Phase 2 of architect Brandon Johnson's renovation of King's North is on schedule for an early October reopening. After the front-nine redesign opened in summer 2024, the Arnold Palmer original closed again in May 2025 for the renovation of the back nine.
RELATED: Industry press releases | Industry press release videos
RELATED: The First Call / PR Newswire feed
> Rory McIlroy plans to follow Novak Djokovic’s lead in dealing with Ryder Cup hostility
[Associated Press | Read]
> At this seaside golf resort, dogs play a surprising (and lovable) role
[John Scott Lewinski | Golf.com | Read]
> PGA Tour’s viewership bounces back in big way from 2024’s drops
[Josh Carpenter | Sports Business. Journal | Read]
> Trust the process
[Adrianna Gasiewski | Golf Course Industry | Read]
"It’s one of the greatest honors of my life. But Lord, I wouldn’t want to be captain of the (Ryder Cup) team that loses."
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Raymond Hearn earns the master plan nod to renovate Illinois’ Aurora Country Club; Faldo Design forges ahead with Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya
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European Tour: Irish Open
Site: The K Club (Palmer), Straffan, Ireland.
Television [ET]: Today-Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).
United States Golf Association: Walker Cup
Site: Cypress Point Club, Pebble Beach, California.
Television [ET]: Saturday-Sunday, 12:30-3:30 p.m. (Peacock), 5-9 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet
PGA Tour Champions: Stifel Charity Classic
Site: Norwood Hills Country Club, St. Louis, Missouri.
Television [ET]: Friday, 2-5 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet
RECENT DROPS
🎧 GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
David Cone's transition from pitching mound to golf tee
Guest: David Cone, MLB Cy Young Award winner and five-time World Series champion.
Listen | Archives
🎧 CONTENT CLUBHOUSE
Michael Rodriquez: You may know him as 'Homie Golf'
Guest: Michael Rodriguez (Homie Golf), content creator.
Listen | Archives
▶️ NATIONAL GOLF COURSE OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Golf Business Live: Evan Roosevelt
Guest: Evan Roosevelt, co-founder, Old Tom Capital.
Watch | Archives
OCTOBER
SEPTEMBER
9: Envu, webinar, 1 p.m. ET. "Southern turf issues: Poa annua and shoulder season disease control," Speakers: Envu's Jesse Benelli and Adam Gore. | Info
OCTOBER
6-7: Golf Business Network Instructing Summit, Palm Desert, California | Info
14-15: Golf Business TechCon 2025, Frisco, Texas | Info
NOVEMBER
18-20: Golf Business Canada Conference and Trade Show, Niagra Falls, Ontario | Info
JANUARY
20-23: PGA Show, Orlando, Florida | Info
To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.
