The First Call 09-16-2025

FIRST THOUGHT

According to a National Golf Foundation survey, golfers spent 28% more time at golf facilities than they did compared with 2019. No, the change is not attributed to longer rounds, but the reinvestment in facilities — both public and private — such as the clubhouse, practice facilities, restaurants and other food and beverage options, gym and fitness centers, tennis and pickleball, and other lifestyle-focused amenities.

POLL

> Which team will win the 2025 Ryder Cup? | Vote
> Previous: Which are you more likely to watch on Sundays in the fall? | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What have been your favorite Ryder Cup moments?

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.

> What will be the keys to winning the 2025 Ryder Cup? | Read

BUSINESS

Using SEO keywords to take organic social media strategy to next level

9914169079--ClubWorks--The-First-Call--LiftOff-1200x600-SEO.jpg

Understand why SEO keywords are a little-known secret weapon on Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook — and how to put them to action for your brand.

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS

Ryder Cup: To hold All-Star Celebrity Match

American and European celebrities will compete in a six-hole match Sept. 24 at Bethpage Black ahead of Ryder Cup; Celebrities to include Michael Strahan, Eli Manning, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Pau Gasol

First Tee: Launches National Alumni Advisory Council

The council held its first in-person meeting in Charlotte

Tagmarshal: Appoints Patrick Parenti as director of sales, U.S.

In his 18 months with Tagmarshal, Parenti has closed on several new business deals, including a partnership with PGA West

Youth on Course: Names Ashley Offermann as chief development officer

Offermann, a seasoned fundraiser and development leader with more than two decades of experience, most recently served as senior associate athletic director at Cal Poly

Malcolm DeMille: Retief Goosen wins handcrafted trophy

Goosen earned the DeMille-designed and crafted piece for winning the PGA Tour Champions Sanford International

Skechers World Champions Cup: Tickets go on sale

PGA Tour-sanctioned event will feature U.S., European and International teams and be contested Dec. 4-7 in Clearwater, Florida

Marriott Golf: Spotlights the Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas

Irving, Texas, destination's retreat package includes villa accommodations and golf on one of its two championship courses

Golf.AI: Names Nick Faldo as the official voice of its new AI Tee Times golf booking platform. The platform will allow golfers to instantly book a round of golf at public and resort courses from one centralized location via a simple voice call, WhatsApp, SMS or the Golf.AI website or mobile app.

EXPANDED NOTES >

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

> This late billionaire’s Top 100 golf course is opening its gates — if ever so slightly
[Josh Sens | Golf.com | Read]

> Tee time brokers arrested, charged with failing to report $1 million in income to IRS
[Todd Kelly | Golfweek | Read]

> U.S. Solheim Cup captain says securing team charter flight to Amsterdam is massive hurdle
[Beth Ann Nichols | Golfweek | Read]

> The Domino Effect: How the U.S. National Development Program's grant program is changing lives
[Ryan Herrington | Golf Digest | Read]

#QOTD

"More business is lost every year through neglect than through any other cause."

— Rose Kennedy

ICYMI

Design Notes: Big Foot sizes up phase 2 of Dave Zinkand master plan

Tyler Rae’s renovation progresses at Michigan’s Detroit Golf Club; Mike Beebe aims straight with new holes at Florida’s Blue Cypress.

TFC Inbox: The keys to winning the Ryder Cup

Readers of The First Call offer their views on what Europe and the United States need to accomplish in order to win this year's edition.

Blair Wheeler's fine-line balancing act

The resident family man in the golf content creator space joins host Nate Moore and shares the challenges he faces in both worlds.

LISTEN

HOME FRONT

Whitetail Club | McCall, Idaho

Listing: 660 Aster Court.
Stats: 7,000-plus square feet | 6 bedrooms | 6.5 bathrooms.
Price: $6,199,000

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

RECENT DROPS

🎧 DRIVER$: Inside the Golf Industry
Did AI choose that nasty pin position?
Guest, Jon Schultz, founder, EZLocator.
Listen | Archives

🎧 / ▶️ CONTENT CLUBHOUSE
Michael Rodriquez: You may know him as 'Homie Golf'
Guest: Michael Rodriguez (Homie Golf), content creator.
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ARCHIVES: 🎧 Podcasts | ▶️ Videos

TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

> Studio Director, Original Production
PGA Tour
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida | Info

> Certified Personal Coach
Golftec
Salt Lake City, Utah | Info

> First Assistant Golf Course Superintendent
Omni PGA Frisco (West Course)
Frisco, Texas | Info

> The First Call Job Board
> Buffalo Groupe Job Openings

TFC EVENTS

The Friars Golf Club: Spring Couples Trip

March 5-8, 2026 | Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

CALENDAR

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

COMPLETE CALENDAR >

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