One major down, three to go
+ The debut of 'Content Clubhouse'; Mike Purkey has some questions; an ideal Mexican getaway; and Tiger Woods tightens the bond with Augusta.
THE STARTER
🏌️ Which was more important for Rory McIlroy at the Masters: finally completing the career Grand Slam or winning his first major championship in 11 years?
🏌️ Justin Rose, who at age 44, got into a playoff with McIlroy at the Masters, was as gracious in defeat as anyone could imagine. Are you now a Rose fan?
🏌️ Bryson DeChambeau found himself briefly in the lead in the final round of the Masters despite hitting his irons poorly all week. Were you surprised how good his short game is?
🏌️ The next major, the PGA Championship next month, is at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, where McIlroy has won three times and has recorded a 61. Like his chances?
🏌️ The RBC Heritage at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, is a signature event with a limited field and has more top players in the field than perhaps ever. Is that worth the $20 million price tag the week after the Masters?
🏌️ Rangefinders are allowed to measure distance at the RBC Heritage, an experiment by the PGA Tour. Will their use make any difference in pace of play?
🏌️ Justin Thomas shot 61 in the first round at Harbour Town, which shares the course record. But he missed a four-footer on the last hole for 60. Doesn’t that kind of sum up his last couple of years?
🏌️ Wesley Bryan, a former winner of the RBC Heritage and a golf influencer, was suspended by the Tour for participating in a YouTube video with LIV Golf players. Is the Tour being petty? Exactly what was the harm?
🏌️ Speaking of influencers, Grant Horvat has received a sponsor’s exemption to play in the Tour’s Barracuda Championship in July. He’s still undecided about accepting it. Should he play?
:: Mike Purkey
FEATURE
Caton Bittner: More work than likes
The First Call is pleased to announce the creation of its first in-house podcast, “Content Clubhouse,” hosted by Nathan Moore. The podcast takes you inside the world of modern golf media, exploring the unique role that YouTubers, social media stars, podcasters and other modern storytellers inhabit in today's game. Episode 1 features Canadian-based content creator Caton Bittner.
:: Content Clubhouse | 04.16.25 | Listen
Rory McIlroy gave us a Masters for the ages
The First Call readers share their favorite moments from 2025's first major — and most involve the winner, who claimed his first Masters and entry into the club of career Grand Slam winners.
:: TFC Inbox | Watch
Who could be the next voice of the Masters?
Readers of The First Call offer an intriguing list of possible candidates — yes, including Smylie Kaufman — to replace CBS Sports' Jim Nantz as the major's next lead play-by-play announcer..
:: TFC Inbox | Read
BOOKMARKED
Good reads — and listens — that are sometimes about golf, but not always.
📖 Golf in Cuba: A game of infinite hope in land of perpetual promise
In 2009, 50 years after Fidel Castro’s ascension to power, GOLF Magazine visited Cuba for a piece on the past and future of the game there.
:: Josh Sens | Golf.com | 04.16.25 | Read
📖 The Interview: Bill Murray says he’s not the man he used to be
The actor talks about his new film “The Friend,” his jerky past and what he doesn’t get about himself.
:: David Marchese | New York Times | 04.05.25 | Read
📖 The evolution of the college football general manager, from consigliere to celebrity
In a rapidly evolving sport, the once-anonymous role of college football GM is quickly gaining name recognition and influence.
:: Sam Kahn | The Athletic | 04.18.25 | Read
THE LIBRARY
Recent drops to The First Call’s video and podcast section.
🎧 Steve Williams, Tiger Woods' former caddie, has his say in new book
Evin Priest, co-author of ‘Together We Roared' with Williams, joins host Ann Liguori to share stories from the writing process and the book.
:: Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori | 04.15.25 | Listen
ARCHIVES: 🎧 Podcasts | ▶️ Videos
BUSINESS
THE FIRST CALL
Week in Review: The industry’s names, news and notables making headlines. | Read
This week’s editions: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday
Industry press releases | Industry press release videos | TFC / PR Newswire feed
Golf Industry Job / Internship Board
LIFESTYLE
THE STYLE LINKS
One of the cooler things we’ve seen post-Masters. The artist is Jayce Hall, and the piece was created by writing the words “Rory,” “Grand Slam” and “Beyond Driven” thousands of times. Look closely.
:: Janice Ferguson | IG: @janiceferguson_thestylelinks
19TH HOLE
“Course of Life” podcast co-host Alex Lauzon closes each episode with the guest sharing a favorite 19th hole food and beverage experience.
Golf content creator Johnny Garza of Caddy Issues Golf: “I really like a chicken wrap after the round, and I'll usually get a nice IPA to get the buzz going quick.”
A PICTURE TELLS …
“I love the adventure of it all … in a world of uniformity and consistency and this sport’s blind obsession with fairness, such unadulterated, unapologetic fun. It feels like the free play of childhood, to me, and it is ever so precious for that. And on this little slip of land, dripping halfway into the sea, there are more great holes than most eighteen hole courses can dream of.”
:: Words: Richard Pennell / Pitchmarks | Photography: Simon Pope
Image: Hole No. 4, Cruit Island Golf Club, Kincasslagh, County Donegal, Ireland.
HOME FRONT
Litibu Bay Club | Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
Listing: Golf Villa A, Unit 301.
Stats: 3,940 square feet | 3 bedroom | 3.5 bathrooms
Price: $1,970,000.
About: Defined by airy, natural-light-filled spaces accented by textural finishes that feel like an extension of nature, this top-level, 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom residence embodies casual luxury and seamless indoor-outdoor living. The design effortlessly transitions from one area to the next, creating a contemporary haven infused with soulful comfort. Most notably, the home features a sprawling rooftop terrace that offers ample spaces for lounging, dining and sunbathing alongside a swimming pool — all set before incredible views of jungled mountains, the ocean and Litibu Golf Course. The Litibu Bay Club offers homeowners direct access to pristine nature and dedicated amenities focused on fitness, wellness, adventure and relaxation. At the heart of the community is the Beach Club that overlooks Litibu Beach’s playful surf break, features an infinity-edge pool and spa, an indoor-outdoor members lounge, water sports facilities and a barefoot ocean view practice green. Owners will enjoy a restaurant and pool bar serving locally sourced ingredients, daily caught seafood and club-inspired cocktails and mocktails. The Sports and Adventure Club provides state-of-the-art fitness facilities for pickleball, padel and tennis, while Camp Litibu offers activities like arts and crafts and nature hikes for children and young families. The Preserve features trails near the Tecoxquine archaeological site protected by Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History. Homeowners also enjoy a surf shack with access to 754 feet of swimmable shores for surfing, kayaking and snorkeling, alongside conservation programs, including sea turtle releases from the club’s protected turtle hatchery.
Home Front Archive | Read
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN NOTES
Tiger Woods to craft Augusta Municipal’s ‘Patch’
At the outset of the 2025 Masters, Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, announced that the club will partner with five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods to enrich access to high-quality educational programming and affordable golf in Augusta, Georgia.
The club and Woods’ nonprofit, TGR Foundation, will construct a TGR Learning Lab in Augusta that will provide access to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education and opportunities for young people to prepare for their future. Additionally, Woods and his course architecture firm, TGR Design, will a design a new, nine-hole short course as part of the renovation of the Augusta Municipal Golf Course, commonly known as “the Patch,” for the community to enjoy and learn the game of golf.
Ridley said the announcement marks “an important milestone for Augusta and deepens the connection our community has with one of our greatest Masters champions, Tiger Woods.
“At the heart of our effort at the Patch is a commitment to create an affordable and inviting golf experience. Equal importance will be placed on creating opportunities to learn and fall in love with the game as well as developing a pipeline for employment in the golf industry.”
TGR Design has created a fistful of acclaimed short courses, including The Hay at Pebble Beach, the Oasis at Diamante in Mexico and the Playgrounds at Bluejack National in Texas. The new nine-hole course at Augusta Municipal will be similar in scope, a walkable layout that can be played quickly. To be called The Loop at the Patch, the course will feature artificial turf tees and will be located on the high point of the property, in the northwest corner. Ridley opined that it would utilize the topography and the elevation of the property very well.
“Partnering with Augusta National Golf Club to serve its surrounding community is truly special,” Woods said. “My passion for education and golf dates back a long time, as does my relationship with Augusta National and the city of Augusta. This is a transformational opportunity to empower the next generation and deliver meaningful educational programming and access to fun and affordable golf. I am excited to work alongside Augusta National and see both projects become a reality.”
Both the 18-hole championship course, currently being renovated by Tom Fazio and Beau Welling, and Woods’ nine-hole layout, The Loop at the Patch, are expected to be open for play in time for the 2026 Masters.
Design Notes Archive | Read