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| Monday Oct 21, 2024 |
An argument could be made that J.T. Poston's career, despite three successive top-50 finishes in the FedEx Cup playoffs, was trending downward. He finished No. 15 in 2022, No. 39 in 2023 and No. 41 this year. On Sunday, though, the 31-year-old won for the third time on the PGA Tour, holding off Doug Ghim to win the Shriners Children’s Open. Poston entered the week with four top-10s in 23 starts this season, but none since the RBC Heritage back in April.
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IN THIS ISSUE
> TFC Inbox: Rewriting the major finishes of 2024 | Read
> Design Notes: Davis Love III is perfect for Harbour Town restoration | Read
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
What is your opinion regarding the ticket pricing structure for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park's Black Course?
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.
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If given the opportunity to perform a bit of revisionist history, here is how readers of The First Call would change the outcome
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ProtoConcept Golf: Japanese golf club manufacturer partners with Pro’s Choice Shafts to offer Graphite Design shafts as a premium custom option for its clubs.
Vineyards Country Club: Appoints J.P. Leland as head golf professional for the Naples, Florida, club. Leland most recently served as head golf professional at Royal Poinciana Golf Club in Naples, and will work directly with Vineyards’ Tom Metzger, director of golf and member of the PGA Hall of Fame.
The Cabot Collection: Announces a strategic investment in Lofoten Links, located on Norway’s remote Lofoten Islands above the Arctic Circle. Lofoten Links stands out as the world’s northernmost links-style golf course and is ranked No. 24 in the world by Golf Digest and No. 88 by Golf Magazine.
Breakthrough Golf Technology: Stability Tour and Stability One shafts, previously available in a blackout design, are now available in white. The premium putter shaft features a streamlined look that tapers to a 13% reduction in the shaft diameter and fits any putter, regardless of make, model or bend profile.
Panther National: Announces PGA Tour player Viktor Hovland as its newest ambassador and club member. Hovland, a six-time PGA Tour winner and two-time Ryder Cup participant, will represent the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, clubs at a variety of club activations.
Hogan Golf: Introduces a comprehensive range of Junior Package Sets that have been designed for youth golfers from 3- to 12-years-old. The sets feature drivers with enlarged sweetspots and lighter shafts; over-sized, high-launching stainless steel irons; and forgiving mallet-style putters. Each of the three age-related sets (3-5, 6-8, 9-12) include a Hogan-branded lightweight stand bag.
Country Club of North Carolina: Names Erica Prestigiacomo as director of events and catering for the Pinehurst, North Carolina, club. Prestigiacomo, who has more than 12 years of experience in catering, banquets and conferences, began her duties at CCNC in September. Most recently, she was the sales manager for Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club in Durham, North Carolina, from 2022-2024.
Payntr Golf: Launches its Trainer Carbon X training shoe that was developed in collaboration with Carbitex, a maker of high-performance materials. The shoe features a 3D molded heel textile for improved comfort and a Caribtex OmniFlex upper to maximize power transfer while ensuring precision control and stability. The Trainer Carbon X is now available for direct-to-consumer purchase through the Payntr Golf website for $200.
Casa de Campo Resort and Villas: Caribbean destination will host a 50th anniversary celebration, Oct. 24-27. The four-day event will include Grammy-award-winning concerts in its Altos de Chavon Amphitheater; a fireworks extravaganza at the Minitas Beach Club; and a $50,000 Hole-in-One Competition on its Dye Fore and Teeth of the Dog courses. Rates for the 50th Anniversary begin at $750 (per day, per guest, double occupancy).
Blue Tees Golf: Introduces the Series 4 Ultra, the brand’s latest high-end laser rangefinder. The Series 4 Ultra features flag lock capabilities up to 350 yards, an OLED display and an IP54 waterproof and dustproof rating. The rangefinder’s Slope Switch Technology enables golfers to switch between slope-adjusted distances and standard measurements, providing accurate calculations across different terrains and elevations. The Series 4 Ultra retails for $299.
Piza Golf: Begins construction for the Zitara Ciudad Residencial and Golf Club project in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Zitara is a master-planned community developed by Grupo Plusvalterra and is created to provide a singular location for living, working and golfing. As the first expansive project in Aguascalientes, it covers 480 acres and encompasses residential, commercial, sports and cultural zones. The project is set to unfold in five stages across a decade, creating 1,700 direct and 13,500 indirect jobs.
Myrtle Beach National: Unveils its renovated front nine at King’s North following a comprehensive renovation. Founders Group International, Myrtle Beach National’s parent company, selected Brandon Johnson Golf Course Design to oversee the two-year, two-part renovation project. Phase 2, which will focus on the back nine, will take place in the summer of 2025. Johnson, who worked for Arnold Palmer Golf Design for 17 years, reimagined the opening nine at King’s North, expanding the greens to their original size and specifications and in some cases beyond.
PGA Tour: Announces a multiyear marketing partnership with Knockaround, which has been named the official eyewear of the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions. The agreement, through 2029, will make Knockaround merchandise available starting in 2025 at PGA Tour Fan Shops throughout the FedEx Cup season as well as at select TPC Network facilities. Knockaround will also engage with fans through new content and ambassadorships with PGA Tour players in addition to activations at Tour events nationwide.
RELATED: Industry press releases | Industry press release videos
RELATED: The First Call / PR Newswire feed
> J.T. Poston ends long day in Las Vegas with 3rd career PGA Tour title
[Associated Press | Read]
> Hannah Green of Australia leads from start to finish to win BMW Ladies Championship
[Associated Press | Read]
> Tim O’Neal wins for the first time on the PGA Tour Champions and secures spot in season finale
[Associated Press | Read]
"It is only ideas gained from walking that have any worth."
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Greg Norman adds a short course at Mexico’s Playa Mujeres; Joe Jemsek refreshes the Cypress course at Florida’s Woodmont
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PODCASTS
GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
How the Stand Up and Play Foundation is connecting the dots
Board member Karen Atkinson joins host Ann Liguori to tell her story and share how the organization is giving disabled veterans opportunities to participate in a variety of sports
[Listen | More 'Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori episodes]
VIDEOS
MO GESUALDI
The realities of recruiting
Fiona Clancy, a senior at Beachside High in St. Johns, Florida, and a member of the school's 2023 state championship team, joins host Mo Gesualdi to talk junior golf and college recruitment
[Watch | More 'Mo Gesualdi' instructional videos]
MO GESUALDI
Lorin Anderson, CEO / founder, The Proponent Group
Anderson joins instructor Mo Gesualdi to share insights on golf instruction and its impact on facilities, members, and instructors
[Watch | More 'Mo Gesualdi' instructional videos]
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April 22-27, 2025 | Louisville / Lexington, Kentucky
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NOVEMBER
3-6: International Association of Golf Administrators, Monterey, California | Info
JANUARY
21-24: PGA Show, Orlando, Florida | Info
FEBRUARY
3-6: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, San Diego, California | Info
5-9: Club Management Association of America World Conference and Club Business Expo, Tampa, Florida | Info
To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.
