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| Friday Sep 18, 2026 |
BILTMORE CHAMPIONSHIP ASHEVILLE NOTEBOOK
➡️ The inaugural Biltmore Championship Asheville opened the eight-event FedExCup Fall season Thursday at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove following a 40-minute morning fog delay. Tournament officials implemented preferred lies for all four rounds because of agronomic challenges brought on by high temperatures and heavy rainfall in Western North Carolina.
➡️ Max Greyserman shot a 7-under-par 64 to earn a share of the first-round lead, matching his lowest opening round of the PGA Tour season. The former Duke standout, who enters the week 103rd in the FedEx Cup Fall standings and holds five career runner-up finishes on tour, held an 18-hole lead or co-lead for the third time in his career.
➡️ Eric Cole carded a 7-under 64 to tie for the lead, securing his third opening-round lead or co-lead of the season and fifth of his tour career. Cole, who owns three career runner-up finishes, is one of five players in the field who finished the regular season ranked inside the top 50 of the FedEx Cup standings.
➡️ Jacob Bridgeman, the only player in the field who advanced to the Tour Championship, shot a 5-under 66 to lead the U.S. Presidents Cup team members in attendance. International team member Nick Taylor posted a 4-under 68, while Jonathan Byrd marked his 500th career PGA Tour start with a 1-under 70.
POLL OF THE WEEK
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Last week: Despite Great Britain & Ireland's stunning comeback to win the 51st Walker Cup Sunday, the United States still leads the series 40-10-1. Should the Walker Cup expand, similar to the Ryder Cup, so that Great Britain & Ireland includes players from continental Europe? | Results
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
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Last week: The United States holds a 13-1-1 advantage in the Presidents Cup. What changes, if any, would you make in an attempt to make it more competitive? | Read
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Escalante breaks ground at Black Diamond Ranch, Walden acquires Baytree National, Brooke Management expands in New York, and Naples advances a new private club.
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Paramount+: The streaming platform debuts "A Course Called Ireland," a six-part golf documentary series launching October 25, 2026. Produced by Skydance Sports and Stellify Media, the series features actor Bill Murray, author Tom Coyne and special guests exploring golf, culture and scenery across Ireland. ... Toptracer: Expands its executive team, naming Justin Honea as chief operating officer and Peter Barry as vice president of global sales. Honea assumes responsibility for the brand's technology operations and customer service, while Barry leads the international sales division. ... Mountain Lake: The private Lake Wales, Florida, community finishes the construction portion of its historic Seth Raynor golf course restoration. Set to reopen in early November, the project now transitions to the grow-in phase for its newly reconstructed TifEagle Bermuda putting surfaces and modernized bunker systems. ... Cornerstone Club: The private Montrose, Colorado, community appoints Ben Powers as director of membership sales and promotes longtime team member Jason Stroehlein to sales director. ... Johnnie-O: The lifestyle brand enters an official partnership with the University of California, Berkeley men’s golf team for the 2026-27 season. The agreement provides custom blue and gold performance golf apparel and travel wear to Cal players and coaches. ... Spirit Golf Management: The management firm announces a $25 million clubhouse construction project at Five Ponds Golf Club in Warminster, Pennsylvania. The 27,000-square-foot municipal facility includes an indoor teaching studio equipped with four golf simulators, expanded food and beverage services, and a 250-guest event venue.
RELATED: Industry press releases | Industry press release videos
RELATED: The First Call / PR Newswire feed
➡️ Pebble Beach course change draws scorn. But critics didn’t have full story
Josh Sens | Golf.com | Read
➡️ University of Florida announces plans for new golf course, team facility in Gainesville
Nick Stavas | Golfweek | Read
➡️ Former NBA teammates Dorell Wright and Dwyane Wade launch a golf business
Alex Myers | Golf Digest | Read
RECENT DROPS
🎧 | ▶️ CONTENT CLUBHOUSE
One-Way Ticket: Alissa Kacar
Guests: Alissa Kacar, golf content creator, media personality and social media host of the former Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour.
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▶️ GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Ireland golf boom: Championships put country in global tourism spotlight
Guest: Alison Metcalfe, executive vice president, North America, Tourism Ireland.
Listen | Archives
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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
To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.
