The First Call 10-02-2025

FIRST THOUGHT

Think about this stat that the AP's Doug Ferguson noted in his weekly notes column: Starting with the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone, Scottie Scheffler has won 38% of the tournaments he has played and 22% of his Ryder Cup matches.

POLL

▪️ Should the Ryder Cup "envelope rule" be eliminated? | Vote
▪️ Previous: Has the Ryder Cup become overhyped? | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What are your observations about the 45th Ryder Cup?

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.

▪️ Previous: Who should be the 2027 Ryder Cup captains for Europe and the United States? | Read

BUSINESS

The power of a hat

How Kenwood Country Club drove engagement and sales with the Cincy Hat Program.

Links Living: Golf course realty fundamentals remain strong in 2025

Screenshot 2025-10-01 at 10.40.37 AM.png

Calusa CC, BallenIsles CC propel short-course development boom; Piza Golf’s St. Regis Papagayo project embraces new alternative ‘wellness golf’ concept

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS

LPGA: Unveils dates for 2028 Solheim Cup

The 21st Solheim Cup will be held Sept. 8-10 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky

Payntr Golf: Launches Sport Classic collection inspired by Jason Day

Originally developed as trainers, the designs caught the attention of Day, who requested they be adapted for the golf course

Cutalong at Tributer Resort: Unveils membership opportunities

Mineral, Virginia, is releasing its final memberships ahead of the forthcoming real estate launch and introduction of a new membership pricing structure in 2026

McLemore: Celebrates The Keep's grand opening

Cloudland at McLemore Resort guests, The Keep members to receive exclusive access to the Bill Bergin-Rees Jones design

Nemacolin: Hardy's Holiday Village returns

Yuletide tradition transforms the awarding-winning Pennsylvania resort into a technicolor wonderland

Troon: Begins 'PLAY for P.I.N.K,' initiative in October

Troon and Troon-affiliated facilities are raising funds for breast cancer research and awareness throughout October

PGA of America REACH Foundation: Contingent to run NYC Marathon

PGA HOPE military veteran and 15 PGA of America Golf Professionals to run asa fundraiser for veteran, youth and underrepresented community programs

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

▪️ Ryder Cup Sunday viewership hurt by Europe’s big lead
[Josh Carpenter | Sports Business Journal | Read]

▪️ WM Phoenix Open adds new structure and tickets to 16th hole
[Jessica Marksbury | Golf.com | Read]

▪️ Phil Mickelson suggests looking outside of golf for next Ryder Cup captain
[Jessica Marksbury | Golf.com | Read]

#QOTD

"The future will be better tomorrow."

— Dan Quayle

ICYMI

TPC Jasna Polana: 'It does something to your soul'

Concert Golf Partners and Up River Film Company collaborated on this behind-the-scenes documentary that features course designer and World Golf Hall of Fame member Gary Player.

EPSON TOUR

Dream Chasing: Epson Tour All Access | S2 E1

Follow Rachel Kuehn, Hailee Cooper and Amari Avery as they begin their 2025 journey to reach the LPGA.

ON TOUR

European Tour: Dunhill Links Championship
Site: St. Andrews, Carnoustie Golf Links, Kingsbarns Golf Links, St. Andrews, Scotland.
Television [ET]: Thursday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 6:30 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel).

PGA Tour: Sanderson Farms Championship
Site: Country Club of Jackson, Jackson, Mississippi.
Television [ET]: Thursday-Saturday, 4-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 3:30-6:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

LPGA Tour: Lotte Championship
Site: Hoakalei Country Club, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Television [ET]: Wednesday-Saturday, 7-10 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

PGA Tour Champions: Constellation Furyk & Friends
Site: Timuquana Golf & Country Club, Jacksonville, Florida.
Television [ET]: Friday-Saturday, 2-4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 12:30-3:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

Korn Ferry Tour: Compliance Solutions Championship
Site: The Patriot Golf Club, Owasso, Oklahoma.
Television [ET]: Thursday, noon to 3 p.m. (Golf Channel); Friday-Saturday, noon to 2 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2-4 p.m. (NBC Sports app); Sunday, 2-4 p.m. (NBC Sports app).

COMPLETE SCHEDULE >

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

RECENT DROPS

🎧 GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Don Rea's path to PGA of America president ... and more
Guest: Don Rea, PGA of America president.
Listen | Archives

🎧 / ▶️ CONTENT CLUBHOUSE
Small-town finance major turned rising content creator
Guest: EJ Hill, content creator.
Listen / Watch | Archives

ARCHIVES: 🎧 Podcasts | ▶️ Videos

TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

▪️ Lead Assistant Golf Professional/Pro Shop Supervisor
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
San Antonio, Texas | Info

▪️ Foundation Director: PNWPGA Section Foundation
Pacific Northwest Section
Tumwater, Washington | Info

▪️ Export Compliance and Logistics Analyst | FootJoy
Acushnet Company — Titleist / FootJoy
Fairhaven, Massachusetts | 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.