Something brewing at the Presidents Cup?
+ A look at the man who carries the bag for the world's No. 1 player; a look at Chambers Bay and how it evolved; and in Bookmarked, 'SNL' turns 50 — how the originals remember the beginning.
THE STARTER
🏌️ The U.S. team wiped out the Internationals 5-0 in the first day of the Presidents Cup. Then the reverse happened on Friday. Anyone have any meaningful suggestions?
🏌️ Should the PGA Tour allow non-members to play for the Internationals? Like Ryan Fox of New Zealand, Thriston Lawrence and Dean Burmester of South Africa?
🏌️ Tom Kim tried his best Ian Poulter imitation against his good friend Scottie Scheffler in the four-ball, even going so far as walking with his partner Sungae Im to the next tee while Scheffler and Russell Henley putted at the 8th. Theater or threat to decorum?
🏌️ Even assistant captains Kevin Kisner and Camilo Villegas “had some words” about the incident. Which one do you like in a fight?
🏌️ Golf Channel analyst Paul McGinley, a former Ryder Cup captain, called it “disrespectful” and “bad behavior.” Was it really a controversy or was McGinley just trying to create one for the sake of TV?
🏌️ Is McGinley the most anti-U.S. biased announcer on television?
🏌️ Mackenzie Hughes, who didn’t play in Thursday’s matches, chugged a beer on the first tee Thursday morning in an effort to rev up the Canadian crowd. The buzz didn’t last long, did it?
🏌️ Ripper, captained by Cameron Smith, won the LIV Golf team championship last weekend in Dallas. Are you sold on team golf?
🏌️ Former touring pro Evan Beck defeated former touring pro Bobby Massa, 9 and 8, for the U.S. Mid-Amateur title. The Mid-Am is so chock full of ex-pros, should it be called the “Reinstated Pros-Am” instead?
:: Mike Purkey
FEATURES
Ted (Scott) Talk: Carrying on with Scottie Scheffler
The veteran caddie has worked for some of golf's greats, but he may currently be at his peak alongside the world No. 1.
:: Ward Clayton | Read
The Land as It Lies: Chambers Bay
Explore how architect Robert Trent Jones ll transformed an old gravel mine into a public course worthy of the 2015 U.S. Open.
:: Up River Film Company | Watch
What does Tiger Woods' playing future hold?
The 15-time major champion, 48, recently underwent another surgery and The First Call readers opine as to how competitive Woods will be in the coming years.
:: TFC Inbox | Read
BOOKMARKED
Good reads that are mainly about golf, but not always.
📖 An owner who ‘thinks he knows everything’ led the White Sox to historic disaster
MLB’s Chicago White Sox lost for the 121st time this season on Sept. 27, breaking the 1962 New York Mets’ record for most losses in a season.
:: Brittany Ghiroli / Ken Rosenthal | The Athletic | 09.19.2024
📖 Why does Yellowstone National Park turn us all into maniacs?
Petting bison, cooking food in geysers. Ride along with our writer on a wild trip to our nation’s most iconic national park at the height of tourist season to see all the bad behavior.
:: Drew Magary | Outside | 09.05.2024
📖 When ‘Saturday Night Live’ debuted, they were there. Here’s what they remember
With a new film about the show, and a 50th anniversary season starting, Chevy Chase, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman and others look back.
:: Dave Itzkoff | New York Times | 09.27.2024
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
Golf Industry Press Releases | Read
TFC / PR Newswire Feed | Read
PERFECT PUTT
Golf's travel boom
Investment if flowing into golf tourism.
:: Jared Doerfler | Read
Publisher Jared Doerfler analyzes the business of golf. Subscribe to Perfect Putt.
LIFESTYLE
THE STYLE LINKS
Shop ‘til you drop at the President’s Cup merchandise tent extraordinaire. And if you’re not on site, then go to the site.
:: 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.
Kelly Okun, founder of Fairway to Green: “Covering the Solheim Cup there was a Mahana Fresh nearby, so my end-of-day meal was a loaded mac and cheese bowl with teriyaki chicken and broccoli.”
:: Alex Lauzon | Co-host of “Course of Life” podcast
HOME FRONT
Windsor | Vero Beach, Florida
Listing: 3340 Savannah Place.
Stats: 13,317 square feet | 13 bedrooms | 14 full bathrooms / 3 half bathrooms.
Price: $15,950,000.
About: Located at Windsor, Florida's coastal sporting community in Vero Beach, this property boasts over 17,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space. Situated along Windsor’s Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed golf course, the home is the largest golf property for sale on the barrier island and an oasis for serious golfers. It offers direct access to the course as well as magnificent sweeping views of the lakes and links. Sprawling across 1.7 acres, the property encompasses a main residence and four guest cottages with a combined 13 bedrooms, 14 full bathrooms and three half baths for multiple generations to gather. In addition to an 18-hole golf course, residents can enjoy unfettered access to Windsor, the global elite’s winter playground where names like the Swarovskis and even King Charles have come to play polo. Windsor features exclusive amenities, including the Beach Club and Equestrian Center, Stan Smith-designed Tennis Club, and fine and casual dining restaurants. Also, the club recently launched its last phase of development, The North Village, which is committed to preserving the natural environment and extending the mission of the neighboring Pelican Reserve.
TFC EVENTS
The Friars Golf Club: Cabot Citrus Farms
February 21-23, 2025 | Cabot Citrus Farms | Brooksville, Florida
:: Event and registration information
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN NOTES
Beau Welling progresses on Texas’ Travis Club Austin
Work began on the Travis Club Austin, a new par-72 design from Beau Welling, in the spring. Located on the banks of Lake Travis, the new course will be the centerpiece of a 1,500-acre community west of Austin, Texas, that will feature 10,000 feet of lake frontage.
"Our team and I are excited to have broken ground at the Travis Club and to start working on bringing the design to life," said Welling in late April. "Travis Club is going to be a truly special addition to the Texas golf scene and anchor to the outstanding Travis Club community. Our goals with the design were to honor the stunning Hill Country landscape along Lake Travis and create a course that people would enjoy playing time and time again, regardless of their skill level."
Beau Welling Design senior designer and vice president Scott Benson is assisting Welling in creating the new layout. The firm has enjoyed spectacular success in Texas in recent years, with their well-received designs at Bluejack National and Fields Ranch West at Omni PGA Frisco.
"From the first tee to the final putt, this 18-hole golf wonder will never cease to amaze, whether it’s green-ribboned fairways winding past oaks, low-cut green surrounds, or the abundance of panoramic vistas and technicolor sunsets," said Jimmy Terry, Travis Club vice president of development. "Welling and his team have walked the land countless times with a mind toward creating a golf experience that takes advantage of the drama the land presents and at the same time helps foster the human connections inherent to the game."
In addition to the golf facilities, Travis Club will offer residents access to more than 65 miles of water, 30-plus miles of private hiking and biking trails, a lakefront clubhouse, private marina, event lawn, pool and racquet facilities.
Travis Club is expected to open late in 2025.
RELATED: Design Notes archive
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As far as Presidents Cup mania is concerned... relax America, it's only one day... vocal partisanship wasn't invented by the Int'l squad and Scottie Sheffler really doesn't need protection from Tom Kim... this is just competitive trash-talk by adults who know each other very well... the fact that the US squad went 5-0 on day one only to lay an egg, 0-5 on day two may be a bit surprising because it's never happened before... it only magnifies that these competitions are getting more competitive...
And btw, I'd give McGinley a run for his money anyday... Bring it on Internationals!!!