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| Monday Oct 05, 2026 |
BANK OF UTAH CHAMPIONSHIP NOTEBOOK
➡️ Austin Smotherman earned his first PGA Tour victory at the Bank of Utah Championship in his 100th start, closing with a 68 for a two-shot win at 26-under 258. The 32-year-old set tournament scoring records at 36, 54, and 72 holes while leading the field with 32 birdies. With the win, Smotherman becomes the season’s ninth first-time champion and jumps from No. 79 to No. 51 in the FedEx Cup Fall standings.
➡️ Doug Ghim finished runner-up at 24-under 260 after a final-round 69, marking his second career PGA Tour runner-up finish in 192 starts. The result sparked a major leap in the FedEx Cup Fall rankings, vaulting Ghim from No. 89 to No. 58. Smotherman, Ghim, and Ben James (T5) all moved into the top 60, positioning themselves for 2027 Signature Event exemptions.
POLL OF THE WEEK
THE GAME BETWEEN THE EARS
There is a belief that golf is 90% mental. Do you agree?
>> Vote
Last week: Should international team competition eliminate singles play and consist only of foursomes and fourball matches? | Results
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
HEAD GAMES
What mental exercises do you perform before or during a round of golf?
>> Respond
Last week: What are your takeaways from the 16th Presidents Cup? | Read
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Fresh off course upgrades, the Resort at Pelican Hill’s luxury enclave pairs sweeping Pacific views and Tom Fazio golf with top-tier service — proving some splurges are worth every penny.
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The First Call readers weigh in on Team USA’s dramatic comeback win, debating broadcast ad bloat, team pairings and captain Brandt Snedeker’s controversial post-match praise.
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Rapsodo: Debuts its MLM2XPro personal launch monitor, featuring 4K course simulation through Rapsodo Studios. It arrives Oct. 15. ... The Country Club of North Carolina: The private Pinehurst, North Carolina, club selects golf course architect Andrew Green and builder McDonald & Sons Golf Course Builders to oversee the comprehensive renovation of its Cardinal Course. ... Indoor Golf Alliance: The professional organization marks its first anniversary, celebrating the launch of more than 20 programs and resources for the indoor golf industry.
RELATED: Industry press releases | Industry press release videos
RELATED: The First Call / PR Newswire feed
➡️ Austin Smotherman wins in Utah for first PGA Tour title
Associated Press | Read
➡️ Adrian Meronk of LIV Golf rallies to win Dunhill Links and secure European tour membership
Associated Press | Read
➡️ Jeeno Thitikul wins in Hawaii for her 4th LPGA Tour victory of the season
Associated Press | Read
➡️ The unauthorized blueprint to save U.S. golf’s match play kryptonite
James Colgan | Golf.com | 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.
Listen | Watch | Archives
▶️ 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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When the Golf Course Builders Association of America began in the late 1970s, it would have been difficult to predict the dramatic market swings of course construction. Today, the association is thriving thanks to a healthy membership and a desire to adapt.
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Monday Q Info founder and editor shares how the untold stories of pro golfers battling impossible odds in pursuit of a dream inspired him to do the same.
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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
NOVEMBER
8-11: International Association of Golf Administrators Annual Conference | Info
9-11: Golf Business Network Leadership Summit, Pinehurst, North Carolina | Info
JANUARY
26: AGM Retail Conference, Orlando, Florida | Info
26-29: 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.
