Is Georgia on our minds?
+ Scottie Scheffler and the vaunted grand slam; Tips on how to get your foot in the golf industry door; and Mike Purkey has some questions to consider.
THE STARTER
🏌️ Scottie Scheffler won the Players Championship, the first player to defend the title in the 50-year history of the event. And he did it coming from behind on Sunday with a hurt neck. Know of another world No. 1 who won a huge event playing hurt?
🏌️ Scheffler won his first PGA Tour event just over three years ago and has a Masters and two Players among his eight victories, with a top-10 finish rate of 65 percent. Is there any doubt he’s the best player in the world?
🏌️ Player directors of the PGA Tour Policy Board met with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, at Tiger Woods’ house in the Bahamas on the Monday after the Players Championship. Al-Rumayyan even reportedly played golf with Tiger at Albany. Are we getting closer to a solution?
🏌️ Television ratings for the final round of the Players Championship were down 17% from a year ago. Is it because the Players no longer has the best field in golf?
🏌️ Jon Rahm says he’s happy with his situation with LIV Golf but missed defending his PGA Tour titles at Kapalua, Palm Springs and Riviera. He will be defending his most important 2023 title the second week in April. Think that makes up for the rest?
🏌️ Rahm’s menu for the Masters Champions Dinner contains a number of exotic-sounding dishes, described in Spanish. They sound delicious, but is there a chance that Bubba Watson will leave the dinner feeling hungry?
🏌️ Olympic officials are close to finalizing a mixed-team golf event for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Good idea?
🏌️ Ted Scott, who is Scheffler’s caddie, is likely to have made $850,000 in March alone with 10% of his boss’ winnings at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship. That puts Scott ahead of Rory McIlroy in 2024 on-course earnings. How long will that last?
🏌️ PGA Magazine mistakenly listed Hal Sutton in its obituaries as having died on January 19. Sutton took to social media to assure everyone that the reports of his death were greatly exaggerated.
:: Mike Purkey
FEATURES
Where did Masters Madness go?
In less divisive times, talk of the year's first major at Augusta National ramped up with the start of the PGA Tour's Florida Swing. These days the storylines are much different.
:: Gary Van Sickle | Read
Does Scottie Scheffler have what it takes to win the slam?
The world's No. 1 player is assembling quite the winning resume. Readers of The First Call weigh in on whether he can put all of the elements together in one major season.
:: The First Call Inbox | Read
5 ways to increase your chances of getting that golf job
In advance of Fore Hire's third Women Who Want to Work in Golf event, these steps will give women the best opportunity to find the ideal job in the golf industry.
:: Kelly Okun | Read
BOOKMARKED
Good reads that are mainly about golf, but not always.
📖 How Jesse Plemons came to star in, well, pretty much everything
Turns out the most powerfully restrained actor of his generation is an open book. He and his wife, Kirsten Dunst, welcomed us into their L.A. home and then had us down to Mart, Texas, to meet his folks, who thought he had promise, sure, but never could’ve imagined this.
:: Sean O’Neal | Texas Monthly | 04.2024
📖 Inside the glorious afterlife of Roger Federer
Nearly two years after he walked away from tennis, Roger Federer has found a different rhythm to life — and an exciting new set of challenges. Now, in his most wide-ranging interview since his retirement, Federer reflects on his old rivals, his new passions, and the fresh sense of urgency that drives him: “I feel minutes matter more now than before.”
:: Zach Baron | GQ | 03.14.2024
📖 Why March Madness stands alone as the event that brings us together
:: Stewart Mandel | The Athletic | 03.21.2024
SUBSTACKED
The First Call | Extra has been publishing on Substack for a few years now and there is really good work being written on this platform. So, we’re going to start highlighting some of the pieces we come across.
I rolled hundreds so you don’t have to.
:: Ali Slagle | 40 Ingredients Forever | 03.21.2024
BUSINESS
WEEK IN REVIEW
1️⃣8️⃣ The industry’s names, news and notables that are making the headlines. | Read
PERFECT PUTT
Driving engagement: Can Full Swing increase PGA Tour views?
Publisher Jared Doerfler looks at the PGA Tour’s viewership issue and can it be fixed?
:: Jared Doerfler | Read
Each Monday, Jared Doerfler breaks down the business of golf. Subscribe to Perfect Putt here.
ICYMI
This week’s editions of The First Call:
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday
TRAVEL
The First Call has partnered with SportGo Travel, an online booking service, to give you up to 50% off or more on hotel accommodations worldwide.
Whether you’re planning your next trip to a tournament, a buddies or girls golf getaway, or a family vacation, book your stay through SportGo Travel and save. Simply create your account and start planning.
LIFESTYLE
THE STYLE LINKS
Masters inspired, limited edition. Who’s getting one?
:: Janice Ferguson | IG: @janiceferguson_thestylelinks
19TH HOLE
Each episode of the “Course of Life” podcast closes with the guest sharing a favorite 19th hole experience.
Spencer Tatum, trainer for Jon Rahm and other elite athletes at Tatum Human Performance: “I'm trying to refuel the body and pack those calories back in there ... some lean chicken, rice, maybe potatoes and some veggies for me, and cherry juice to drink — the original melatonin."
:: Alex Lauzon | Co-host of “Course of Life” podcast
HOME FRONT
Andaz Turks and Caicos Residences at Grace Bay | The Bight Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
Listing: The Residences
Stats: 3,057 square feet | 2 bedrooms | 1 bathroom.
Price: $3.5 million.
About: Nestled within Grace Bay with direct access to Bight Reef, this premier property boasts a 59-key resort and 73 residential units, all boasting breathtaking ocean views. Partnering with RAD Architecture and Modus Operandi, the design seamlessly blends Caribbean cultural influences with the islands' natural beauty. The masterfully planned resort will be home to four unique culinary offerings, including a rooftop venue with panoramic views of the bay, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, a garden yoga studio, and a full-service indoor/outdoor spa. Andaz Turks & Caicos will be the first Hyatt property on the island and is on track to debut in late 2025. This listing is the last available two-bedroom oceanfront penthouse offering an exceptional opportunity for buyers. It features a spacious rooftop terrace, sweeping views across turquoise water, butler service and five-star amenities at owners' fingertips. The rooftop terrace is the highlight of this unique villa and it offers panoramic views from the plunge pool, sunning area, trellised dining and lounge area, and summer kitchen. Amenities of the Andaz Turks and Caicos resort include world-class dining options at three restaurants and bars, pickleball and tennis courts, an indoor/outdoor spa, yoga and fitness facilities and dedicated luxury concierge services. The resort will also feature a Kids' Club, which will be located near the main pool with custom programing focusing on learning and discovery of the island's natural attributes. For golf enthusiasts, The Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club and the Karl Litton-designed course is a 10-minute drive away and has won several awards — placing fourth as USA Today’s 2020 Best Caribbean Golf Course.
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN NOTES
Bill Bergin brings shine back to Arnold Palmer’s Cullasaja
Architect Bill Bergin and Landscapes Unlimited, a golf course developer and construction company, are nearing completion of Phase II of golf course renovations at the Cullasaja Club in Highlands, North Carolina. Together, they are reconstructing 19 bunkers, three greens and 10 tee boxes for the private club located halfway between Asheville, North Carolina, and Greenville, South Carolina.
The original Arnold Palmer-designed, mountainous championship course anchors the Cullasaja community. It boasts golf corridors carved into the stunning natural landscape, dotted with 100-year-old specimen trees and streams. At 6,900 yards, the 35-year-old layout features undulating greens, white sand bunkers and hardwood-lined fairways.
"The renovation process went remarkably smoothly because we were all on the same page working toward a common goal," said Tom Nelson, Cullasaja Club's golf course superintendent. "Every person on the Landscapes Unlimited crew took ownership producing new elements to a stout golf course."
Bergin reports that as of mid-March, 99% of the work has been completed. He’s especially pleased with the greenside bunker and green complex renovation at the par-4 10th, which will boost recovery shot options for all classes of players.
READ: This week’s complete Design Notes
RELATED: Design Notes archive
SUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW
The First Call [Monday-Friday edition]: Subscribe
Facebook | Instagram | Linkedin | Twitter