The First Call 10-09-2026

FIRST THOUGHT

EDITOR'S NOTE

In observance of the Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day holiday weekend there will be no The First Call | Extra Substack edition Saturday, Oct. 10, nor will The First Call be published Monday, Oct. 12.

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

GOLF INDUSTRY NEWS

PXG: Adds zero torque technology to Torpedo putter design

New Torpedo ZT putter pairs a familiar mallet profile with face-stabilizing technology, precision weighting and a fan-favorite Pick-Up Pocket

Paramount+: Bill Murray stars in trailer, key art for 'A Course Called Ireland'

The documentary series is produced by Skydance Sports and Stellify Media

First Tee: Girls’ Academy helps teens build confidence, leadership

Thirty-six girls from across the U.S. gather in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, to connect with female executives from PGA Tour, Johnson & Johnson, CapTech and more

The Annika: Awards exemption to 2027 LPGA rookie Annabelle Pancake-Webb

Pancake-Webb earned full LPGA Tour status for 2027 at the Epson Tour Championship Sunday

Malcolm DeMille: Creates trophies for PURE Insurance Championship winners

Zach Johnson captured his sixth PGA Tour Champions victory of the season

BallenIsles CC: Leaders raise $20,000 for The First Tee — Palm Beaches

Members played a combined 470 holes of golf over nine hours October 5

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

➡️ ‘No intention of extending’: Another LIV star eyes exit following Jon Rahm’s departure
Kevin Cunningham | Golf.com | Read

➡️ Merion Golf Club becomes the fourth anchor site for USGA
Associated Press | Read

➡️ New Caitlin Clark Nike ad features Nelly Korda and a putting mat
Beth Ann Nichols | Golfweek | Read

TFC PODCAST / VIDEO NETWORK

RECENT DROPS

🎧 CONTENT CLUBHOUSE
Against the Odds: Ryan French, Monday Q Info
Guest: Ryan French, founder and editor of Monday Q Info.
Listen | 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

ARCHIVES: 🎧 Podcasts | ▶️ Videos

TFC GOLF JOB BOARD

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED LISTINGS

▪️Graphic Design Manager
Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund
Norton, Massachusetts | Info

▪️Studio Golf Instructor
PGA Tour Superstore
Lady Lake, Florida | Info

▪️COO / General Manager
Shanty Creek Resorts
Bellaire, Michigan | Info

▪️ The First Call Job Board
▪️ Buffalo Groupe Job Openings

GOLF IN MOTION MONTHLY

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

CALENDAR

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

COMPLETE CALENDAR >

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