Afleveringen
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"History is the real differentiator from club to club. It can increase club pride, enhance the brand, and attract new members." Gia WatkinsCountry Club Archivist and Marketing ProfessionalEaston, Connecticut On the golf-related side, Gia Watkins is a former member of the University of Florida Golf Team, who has played in two US Junior Girls Championships and won several prestigious tournaments, including the Connecticut State Senior Women's Championship; the Connecticut Women's Golf Association Senior Championship; the Connecticut State Women's Legends Championship in 2020; and the Westchester Fairfield County Women's Golf Association Championship in both 2023 and 2024. She currently plays to a 4.3 Index.Notably, at Brooklawn Country Club in Connecticut – a legendary Tillinghast course established in 1895, where Gene Sarazen was once served as assistant pro – Gia has won that club's championship more than 10 times. She's also a member of the Golf Digest Golf Course Design Ranking Panel.On the business side, Gia has managed her own successful design and marketing firm for more than 30 years. Over the years, Gia has created a few other businesses, and most recently she started Archives@Work, which combines her deep appreciation for the history and culture of golf with her vast marketing experience. Archives@Work helps private golf clubs to define and showcase their history, differentiate their branded culture, and increase the prestige associated with membership, which in turn drives membership growth and retention.Show HighlightsOur conversation with Gia covers a lot of territory involving all aspects of her career as a marketing professional, and as a highly skilled amateur golfer, including:[caption id="attachment_3214" align="alignright" width="266"] Gia helps clubs to preserve and protect historical artifacts in displays that tell their story.[/caption] What simple swing instruction from her only instructor - longtime Yale Golf Director David Paterson - she has followed over the years. The connection between her childhood interest in building glass sculptures and her enrolling in the University of Florida. How she grew her first graphic design business by knocking on doors with no introduction or appointment. The list of companies this hard-wired entrepreneur has started (and ended) as market conditions changed. The three main reasons why country clubs decide to focus on their history as a marketing asset. Her advice for young women or men seeking a golf-related business or career.
[caption id="attachment_3212" align="alignleft" width="300"] Gia's range of services includes commemorative books, heritage newsletters, anniversary logos, and custom paintings.[/caption] Notable QuotesOn what Gia regrets about her GolfYeah interview: "I said Donna White and Lori Garbacz were the only two teammates who played on the LPGA, which was not true. Beverley Davis did as well. Not... -
"When you can take a player from a 27 to an 11 handicap, it's something to be really proud of."[caption id="attachment_3195" align="alignleft" width="300"] Chris claims there are advantages to teaching golf in Las Vegas, not including the weather.[/caption] Christopher HowardWorldwide Teaching Golf ProfessionalLas Vegas Golf Club Contrary to the popular advertising slogan, what happens in Vegas does NOT stay in Vegas; at least in terms of world class golf instruction.Christopher Howard is a golf professional based out of Las Vegas Golf Club. He works with every level of player, from beginner to consulting with tour players. In 20 years of teaching, he claims that there isn’t a swing he hasn’t seen.When Chris isn't posting instructions or analyzing his students' swings online for his 25,000 Instagram followers (chowardgolf), you can find him touring all over the world, or teaching private lessons in his golf schools.Over the last 7 years, he's hosted more than 650 golf schools in 5 different countries and 200 cities. That's a ton of frequent flier miles, and a lot of golfers who are willing to pay for the Teaching Pro from Las Vegas.Show HighlightsOur conversation with Chris uncovered an interesting career path for a golf professional whose lifetime goal was simply to "be in sports." Mission accomplished. Chris talks about:[caption id="attachment_3197" align="alignright" width="300"] Chris gives lesson every way and everywhere...in person on the course, or virtually on your patio.[/caption] His short-lived career as a goalie in the American Junior Hockey League How he shaped his own approach to teaching the golf swing by watching hundreds of instructional videos Why he's found that golfers make greater progress in golf schools, compared with individual lessons The reason why coaches for PGA Tour players are fearful to suggest significant swing changes The teaching advantages of virtual FaceTime lessons Why he will always include student lessons in his online videos The #1 fault that he sees in the swings of average golfers around the world
Notable QuotesOn starting his own golf coaching business: “It's been great to not have to answer to anyone regarding my teaching philosophy...particularly involving people who have been teaching golf since the 1980s, who have very different concepts."[caption id="attachment_3190" align="alignleft" width="300"] Chris's touring golf schools typically sell out very quickly.[/caption]On his early years trying to establish a golf career: "Young golf professionals need to accept the fact that there can be a lot of struggles in this industry."On what he learned early on from online golf instruction: “I didn't like most of the forms of online teaching, so I started doing FaceTime teaching, and I was one of the first instructors to do that for the regular player."On why he starting posting videos of lessons with students: "I watched a lot of videos by instructors like George Gankas, and thought that was an effective way to demonstrate lessons."On why he posts lessons on Instagram: "My major goal in posting... -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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"The average tour professional does not know the rules of golf very well." Bryan JonesPGA Golf Professional and PGA Rules OfficialBlack Oak Golf Club, Flanders, New Jersey Bryan Jones personifies the highest ideals of the PGA. In addition to his role as a head golf professional, he devotes a significant amount of time teaching the rules of the game to others, and volunteering his time and expertise as a rules official at professional and amateur tournaments around the world. He is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable and experienced rules officials in the game. Bryan's list of golf industry awards and recognitions is lengthy and impressive, and includes the PGA's National Horton Smith Award, and induction into the New Jersey PGA's Hall of Fame. He currently serves as the Honorary Chair of the PGA's Rules Committee. (A more complete overview of Bryan's career is posted below.)Show HighlightsOur conversation covers a lot of territory involving all aspects of Bryan's long career as a PGA golf professional, including:[caption id="attachment_3175" align="alignright" width="300"] Bryan with Shane Lowry on the 17th hole during the second round of the 148th Open Championship held on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club in 2019.[/caption] What happened to his career plan to become a veterinarian...which is unrelated to his owning two feral cats Why he believes the abundance of online instruction actually increases "in person" golf instruction How you become a golf rules official, and who gets the best tournament assignments The most confusing rules in golf, and the new rules for 2023 How a twist of fate caused Dustin Johnson to lose the PGA Championship at Whistling Straights The most exciting moments in officiating tour events His near-death experience at the 2023 Masters Tournament
Notable QuotesOn watching professional golf from inside the ropes: “I love watching them play from up close. The shots they can hit and they things they can do are amazing. It's the highest level of the game."On the life of a tour professional: "It's a nice life, particularly if you're in the top 50, have the best sponsorships, and get to fly private, rather than lugging your equipment around on commercial flights."On his opinion of golf fans in America: “The Ryder Cup at Bethpage in 2025 should be an experience... I hope that it's a good one."On the swing faults he sees most often in the average golfer: "The problem I see in many golfers is alignment. If they're right handed, they tend to aim too far right at setup, and unless the clubface is properly aligned, the ball is not going to land where they want it to go. Male golfers also tend to power through the ball with their upper body."On the LIV Tour: “Golf is a business, and players should take the money if they believe it's a good thing for them. But once they've left the PGA Tour, they should not have an avenue to come back in if it doesn't work out."On controversial rulings: "I'll call in another official for a second opinion, even if I know that I'm right."... -
"The reward of writing a book is not seeing your book in a book store. The reward is in the process." Jeff WallachNovelist, Journalist, Entrepreneur...and Patron Saint of Zen Golfers WorldwidePortland, Oregon Jeff Wallach is an award-winning journalist and the author of four books of non-fiction, two novels, and nearly 1,000 articles, essays, and reviews for dozens of national publications including The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Men's Journal, Money Magazine, Health, Men's Fitness, and many others. Show HighlightsIn this rambling, fun-filled conversation...not fueled by adult beverages or other stimulants... Jeff discusses: Never-before told secrets regarding his personal background What it really takes to succeed as a freelance journalist Why and how he transitioned from journalist to novelist The sad truth behind golf course ratings and rankings Why he hates BOTH sides of the LIV Golf battle with the PGA The connection between playing golf and living a Zen life
Notable Quotes: On becoming a freelance journalist today: “Being a good writer is the baseline requirement. What an editor wants from a freelancer is ideas that no one else has brought them."On the (relatively) greater number of coeds at Vassar: "It didn't factor into my school selection process, but I sure was happy when I got there."On why he left journalism: “At the height of my career a magazine might pay me $4 a word for a 2,000 word story...By the end of my career, thanks to the internet...they might pay 50 cent a word, and the stories were 600 words long, because people now have a shorter attention span."On rankings of golf courses: "It’s all political..People buy the influence to get on those lists. The people who are raters are not reliable sources in many cases, not in all cases, to be reviewing these golf courses and giving them a rating."On would-be novelists: "Anybody can write a book. Whether it's going to make money I can't answer. People say to me, "I have a great idea for a novel." I ask them, "How many pages have you written?" And they mostly say, "Oh, I haven't started writing it yet."On the Zen / Golf connection: “Zen is a way of seeing the world, and any activity you pursue could be an avenue for viewing the world in that way….for me that avenue just happened to be golf. It could have been something else. Golf, in particular, because it’s a solitary sport, lends you to that type of inward exploration and application to the world outside you."On golf trips to other countries: "If you go on trip that only cover the trophy courses, you miss part of the point, which is to see what golf is like in another country for the people who live there."On golf balls: "They produce 4 billion golf balls every year. You would think that driving down the highway you would see piles of golf balls. Where are all these golf balls?"On his demeanor: "I’m a cranky old man, and I apologize for it…but I’m cranky with good intentions." A Few of Jeff Wallach's Books -
"I want to create the largest golf philanthropic platform in history...whatever that means." Eric SedranskFounder, Member for a DayHilton Head, South Carolina Eric Sedransk serves as the Founder and Charity Golf Officer of Member for a Day, an organization that helps nonprofits to raise funds by auctioning off "once-in-a-lifetime golf experiences."So here's this young guy, Eric Sedransk. straight out of central casting, with an MBA and a 5 handicap, who started a golf-related charity during the height of the pandemic to raise money for healthcare workers, with an expressed goal to “change the world.” I thought to myself…this guy has got to be a snake oil salesman looking to make a quick buck during a global health crisis.Now, almost two years after Eric established his altruistic venture, he’s still plugging away…having raised nearly $3 million dollars for a long list of worthy charities, and according to him, he’s just getting started.Although I don’t like to admit it when I’m wrong…I was dead wrong about Eric. He’s the real deal. And the reason I like him is because he lives up to one of my personal mantras…which is to “think globally, and act locally.” Eric’s found a way to make the world a better place through the game of golf.I’m not going to tell Eric’s story in this introduction, because it’s more interesting when he tells it. But my interview digs a little deeper into the REAL Eric Sedransk…to find out what shaped his world view, what makes him tick. and the future plans he has for his fast growing organization. Show Highlights: Why his last name does not end in an "i" or "y" and how to correctly pronounce it. His experience managing risk for treasury traders at Bear Stearns, right before the company crashed and burned during the financial collapse.[caption id="attachment_3100" align="alignright" width="199"] Growing up, Eric played nearly every sport, except for golf.[/caption] How and why he was laid off from so many early stage technology companies during the internet boom. The catalyst that turned his initial fundraising project into a sustained enterprise. How his father's battle with ALS profoundly shaped his world view. The logistics involved in running multiple charity auctions simultaneously. The backstory on his Hertz-sponsored "Golf for a Cause" video series. Eric's future plans for growing his philanthropic platform, including outside of golf.
Notable Quotes: On early influences: “My parents always encouraged me to dream big, and not to focus just on making money."On his initial career aspirations: “I went to Wall Street, and thought that I was going to be Bud Fox and eventually Gordon Gekko, but it just wasn't in the cards for me."On how the pandemic changed his life: "It was guilt that led me to do more than just look for another job. I wanted to do something positive in this world. And that was it. I didn't know what I was going to do. I just wanted to help people."On how 'Member for a Day' took off: "I didn't know there was an opportunity. The opportunity came to me. I was trained as an entrepreneur, but this was accidental entrepreneurship...which is the most beautiful part of the story."On his decision to start the venture: "After coming back from a bike ride, I came home and told my mother, 'I'm... -
"If you have a little bit of imagination, a knowledge of golf and how people play, course design is not rocket science. Pine Valley was designed by an amateur." David GlenzBlack Oak Golf ClubLong Valley, New Jersey David Glenz has done just about everything over the past 50 years, when it comes to golf-related careers and business ventures. As a member of the University of Oregon golf team, he was voted second team all-American. He then spent six years playing on the PGA Tour.His teaching career, where he often averaged more than a thousand lessons a year, included stints teaching at legendary Winged Foot Golf Club, and was head pro for 10 years at Morris County Golf Club. He opened and ran the David Glenz Golf Academy, offering golf schools and private lessons at the Crystal Springs Resort in New Jersey. David's given golf lessons to more than a hundred PGA, LPGA, and PGA senior tour professional players, as well as hundreds of mini tour players and club professionals.David was a "New Jersey PGA Player of the Year" eight times, winner of 14 New Jersey PGA titles, two Met Open Championships. He was voted "Player of the Decade" in the 1980s, and was also voted into the New Jersey PGA Hall of Fame. In 1998, the PGA of America voted him "National PGA Teacher of the Year." He's been honored by Golf Magazine as a top 100 teacher and by Golf Digest as a top 50 teacher. And just last month, he received Golf Magazine's Lifetime Achievement recognition.Dave's crowning achievement is the design and construction of Black Oak Golf Club in Long Valley, New Jersey, which has been recognized as one of the finest courses in the Northeast. In fact, Black Oak is the first and perhaps only New Jersey course designated as a certified signatory sanctuary by the Audubon International.Show Highlights: Dave's high school and collegiate golfing days, and his 6 years playing on the PGA Tour. His career transition from PGA Tour player to club professional at Winged Foot.[caption id="attachment_3085" align="alignright" width="300"] In the first playoff hole of the 1986 NJSGA Open, David Glenz' bunker shot resulted in a dramatic sand save, as well as the trophy that year.[/caption] Competing in the US Club Pro team against Great Britain in 1984, and playing in the British Open that same year at St. Andrews. The story of how and why Dave hits the ball right-handed and putts left-hander. The most common swing errors he sees amateur golfers consistently making. Why the backswing is not the most critical part of hitting the ball well. How, when he was playing his best golf, he was never thinking about swing mechanics. The skiing accident that affected his playing ability for six years. How and when his dream to build a golf course began. Overcoming years of political and environmental obstacles necessary to complete Black Oak Golf Club.
Notable Quotes: On growing up in a small town: “You develop so much more self-reliance in the era I grew up in. I think that's something kids kind of miss. It's the nature of things, too. There's just a real value to old school values, to growing up in a smaller town to some extent."On switching schools: “Initially, I went to the University of Houston my freshman year. And it was a long drive back from Houston to Oregon. When I hit the Oregon border in June,... -
“Men who are in the golf business need to step up and recognize that women golfers are here."Donna HoffmanFounder & President, Women on CourseOakton, Virginia Back in 2012, Augusta National Golf Club -- long revered in the golfing world as the Sistine Chapel of the sport -- announced with great pride (a “joyous occasion,” according to former Augusta Chairman Billy Payne) that the Club had invited bureaucrat Condoleezza Rice and financier Darla Moore to join the club as its first female members.But the sad truth is that women had nothing to cheer about this “joyous occasion” at Augusta. That publicity stunt a decade ago did not represent any meaningful change in the club’s policy of exclusion. It simply provided Augusta National with convenient and high-profile validation that the Club would continue to exercise its right to do whatever it wants…whenever it wanted to.Today, in 2021, there are only 6 females in Augusta’s roster of approximately 300 members. So much for gender equality. But this podcast is not intended to be a rant against a private club’s sexist membership policy. I mention Augusta National for two reasons:First, Augusta reflects, in many ways, the challenges that women face in exploring any interest they may have in playing the game, and in being accepted as bona fide members of the golfing community…both on the professional and amateur levels.Secondly, it provides a convenient introduction to an individual who, unlike Augusta National, is actually doing something tangible and meaningful…both for women and for the game of golf.Donna Hoffman is a CPA and a self-proclaimed former golf widow who, over the past 16 years, has built one of the most successful national networks of women who are provided opportunities to enjoy the game of golf on their own terms. By demystifying the game, Donna has removed the intimidation factor, and empowered women to become comfortable and confident in a golf setting.Donna Hoffman is founder of “Women on Course,” which has redefined the sport to encompass business networking, travel, socialization and personal style. Each year, Women on Course hosts around 800 local golf, social and networking events across the country for its 20,000 members. They also provide custom golf events and programs for organizations seeking to develop their female leaders. In addition to running her organization, Donna speaks to Fortune 500 companies on the value of golf as a confidence builder – as well as a business development tool – while providing beginners a fun and easy on-ramp to be part of the conversation.Show Highlights: Highlights of Donna’s’ journey: from CPA, to owner of video production company, to founder of Women on Course. The origins of Women on Course; how and why Donna started the organization; its original visions and how it’s changed over the years. The scope of activities and geography that Women on Course covers. The differences between how men and women approach the game of golf. The best and worst ways for women to get started playing golf. The misunderstandings and fears that women have that keeps them from learning how to play golf. Types of courses that are most “women friendly.” Validation that the golfing world still has its share of male Neanderthals who are not enthusiastic to share the game with women.
Notable Quotes: On... -
“Those wedge shots hit out on the toe or high in the face that don't go anywhere? They're not your fault."
Terry Koehler
Chairman / Director of Innovation, Edison Golf
Port O'Connor, Texas
Terry Koehler is known as “The Wedge Guy” for good reason. In fact, Pope Francis – who plays 4 rounds a week on the Vatican’s private golf course – recently named Terry as the “Patron Saint of Wedge Play.” Unfortunately, his installation ceremony in Rome has been delayed because of the pandemic.
But if you dig a little bit deeper into Terry’s background, or are a reader of his hundreds of blog posts, you know that his depth of knowledge regarding the game of golf, and about the golf equipment industry, goes far beyond wedges.
If you follow Terry, you know that when it comes to golf, he’s always opinionated and often thought provoking.
For example, Terry believes that:
The golf courses you play on are often more difficult than the courses that the PGA Tour professionals play on.He believes that the focus on green speed has made the game too hard for the average golfer to score on,He believes you should carry a 4 wood in your bag, andHe believes that if you slow down the transition from your downswing, your ball-striking and distance will improve. (Terry plays to a 3 handicap, so he does have some credibility on swing mechanics.)Over the course of his history in the golf business, the connective tissue in his career path is Terry’s passion for craftsmanship, precision and performance when it comes to golf equipment.
So it’s not surprising that Terry came out of retirement in 2018 to create a company with a value proposition based on those three attributes. And also not surprisingly, it’s a company called Edison Golf, that makes Edison™ Forged wedges.
Show Highlights:
The origins of Terry's interest in exploring how things work, and in craftsmanship.How and why his fascination with wedges began.Why there has been such a consistent lack of innovation in wedge technology.Terry's rationale for making wedges for the average golfer, and why they would not be effective for Tour players.How a renegade brand like Edison, run by a contrarian thinker, intends to break into the mainstream golf equipment market.The rationale and logistics behind Edison’s “Custom Demo Offer."How many wedges, and what lofts, the average golfer should carry.If he had one last round to play, what course he would play on.What he might have done differently over the course of his 30 year career.Terry's most significant source of personal inspiration over the years.Notable Quotes:
On how he got started in golf: “I do not remember life before golf. I grew up playing on a 9-hole public golf course in a small town in south Texas, and that where I spent my summer days."
On his golf equipment education: “In my early career as a marketer, I spent a lot of time in the "back end" of golf companies, asking them questions like, "Why did you do that to the golf club?" and 'Why does that golf club do this?"
On his fascination with wedges: "After testing golf clubs for more than 20 years, I can say that wedges are the most volatile clubs in our bag."
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“As a 10 year-old, I discovered that I liked making my own money, and being in charge of my own destiny."
Jane Spicer
Entrepreneur / CEO of a Global Golf Equipment Company
Phoenix, Arizona
Jane Spicer is the person behind a classic American success story. Over the past 40 years, she’s built one of the golf industry’s most successful global companies.
Jane started out, at 10 years old, making and selling puppets at weekend arts & crafts shows, so that she could buy a sailboat. At one of those shows, someone suggested that the puppets would make great headcovers. So she gave it a try….and through sheer tenacity and a little bit of luck…Jane has grown her Arizona-based Daphne’s Headcovers into a company that sells nearly 200 types of animal headcovers in 75 countries. You’re likely to find a Daphne’s display, and sometimes two, at almost any golf store, golf club or resort pro shop.
Jane’s most famous headcover, and the one that has helped fuel her company’s success, is Frank the Tiger – which is one of the most recognized headcovers in the world…thanks to Tiger Woods…or more specifically, to Tiger Woods’ mother, who gave the headcover to her son.
In fact, mothers have always played an important role in Jane’s life story. And in her interview of Golf Yeah, she explains why.
Show Highlights:
Jane’s long journey from selling puppets at arts & craft fairs to running a successful global manufacturer of golf headcovers.The backstory behind “Frank the Tiger,” her company’s big business break, and the role that Tiger Woods’ mother played.Other Tour Pros who carry her company’s animal headcovers…and why Padraig Harrington’s headcover is a ladybug.The legal protections for Jane’s headcover designs, and how she discourages companies from stealing her copyrighted products.The drama behind the order from American Express for 30,000 "Frank the Tiger" headcovers.How her company decides which animal designs to create, and what happens to designs that don’t succeed in the market.The most challenging aspects of managing a staff and manufacturing products overseas.Jane’s charitable causes, and how she partners with PGA Tour professionals to help their charities.What she would likely be doing, if her headcover business had not worked out.The next big item that’s on Jane Spicer’s bucket list.“Lessons learned” and words of advice for listeners who have always wanted to run their own business.Notable Quotes:
On advice from her mother: “I was 10 years old and wanted to buy a sailboat. My mother told me, 'Think of a business, and then run it yourself.' I discovered that I liked making my own money and being in charge of my own destiny."
On her "overnight success" story: “In college I sold headcovers basically for beer money. When I got out of college, I got a real job and I didn't like it...So I sold my car and bought a van with 2 seats and an AM radio, and I went on the road for 6 years building the business.'"
On the benefits of her 6-year experience on the road: “It was like getting my MBA. I was dealing with everybody, face-to-face. I learned so much about customer service and people, and I could handle anything in business after that time on the street."
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“IT HAD A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SOUND, AND WENT STRAIGHT AS A BULLET. I THOUGHT SOMEONE ELSE ON THE RANGE HAD HIT THAT GOLF BALL."
[caption id="attachment_2984" align="alignleft" width="300"] David with golfing legend Lee Trevino.[/caption]
David Lee
Golf Instructor / Father of Gravity Golf
Greenville, South Carolina
In any type of profession, there are individuals who are not always in the spotlight, but who are very well-known and recognized by the insiders of that profession, as being the most reliable sources of information and guidance.
They are the voices of authority who the very best in that business or field of study often turn to for guidance and inspiration. They are the pro’s pros. The trusted advisors. The "Yodas" who have the wisdom, earned over many years, necessary to tell successful people what they are doing wrong, and how fix it.
Over the past 40 years, David Lee has earned that reputation and that level of respect in the world of golf. But don’t take my word for it. Here are some quotes from three golfing legends:
Lee Trevino once said that “David Lee would be the only guy I trust.”Jack Nicklaus gave his personal endorsement and full support for David’s unique teaching method...which David calls "Gravity Golf."Here are just a few highlight’s of David’s career.
He’s been named as a Top 100 Golf Instructor 12 times by Golf MagazineHe played on the PGA Tour for 4 years, before an injury forced him to leaveHe has worked with more than 30 well-known PGA Tour professionalsIn addition to writing a book of his own, he’s been featured on ESPN, in Golf Digest, Golf Week and Golf MagazineHe is the founder of Gravity Golf Schools, which have taken players from beginner to competitive level golf in one yearAnd if that’s not enough, David is a featured speaker at all types of event, including three neuroscience conventionsIn fact, David’s extensive studies in physics and physiology nearly led to his nomination for a Nobel prize in both of those scientific disciples.Based on his unique swing theory, David and his son Daniel continue to conduct Gravity Golf schools around the country, and offer a wide range of in-person and online instruction.
Show Highlights:
Why moving the ball with your body mass, instead of your muscle, is the key to a consistent golf swingHow a mistake in his plan to become a golf architect caused him to become a golf professional When he finally discovered that he had stumbled upon the move to the ball that Jack Nicklaus was using in his swingHow a misdiagnosed hand injury caused total loss of function; and how it was cured by a change in dietWhy it's so difficult to get PGA Tour players to change their swingsThe causes and cure for the dreaded putting "yips"Why laying down a club for alignment is of no valueThe reason why Ben Hogan would send members of Colonial Country Club to David for instructionNotable Quotes:
On the start of his golf career: “My...
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“I carry the cross of the Carr name. When I show up on the golf course, I need to deflate everyone's expectations. Iv'e actually had people ask me if I'm adopted.”
Marty Carr, Founder and CEO
Carr Golf Group
Dublin, Ireland
For someone who was raised in the shadow of a man who’s recognized as Ireland’s greatest amateur golfer of all time, and who was the youngest child in a family with 6 kids, Marty Carr seems to have done pretty well for himself over the past 30 plus years.
Since 1989, Marty Carr has overseen the growth and success of Dublin-based Carr Golf, which is one of the world’s most respected operators of customized golf tours in Ireland, Scotland, England (and elsewhere). In fact, Carr Golf has received Golf Digest’s Editors’ Choice Award four years running for “Best Tour Operator” from 2016 – 2019
Under Marty’s direction, and with help from his brother Roddy, Carr Golf has expanded beyond travel, into two other business lines that leverage the company’s expertise in golf: those include a golf course maintenance company; and a business that provides course management and marketing services. Carr Golf currently employs more than 80 people on a full-time basis, and a team twice that size for various projects. Carr Golf has been involved a number of renowned golf projects, including Old Head of Kinsale, Dromoland Castle, Mount Juliet, Carton House and Barbados Golf Club.
I’d like to suggest that the key to Carr Golf’s growth and success can be found in the company’s 6 core values, which are displayed prominently on its website. Here are the first two:
We offer service and respect to staff and customers (interesting that staff is not only included, it’s listed before customers)We understand the value of reputation, integrity and trustIt’s refreshing to see a company that stands for something more than making money.
Show Highlights:
What life was like growing up with a father who was a golfing legend in IrelandMarty's explanation of why, "I've got the name, but not the game." when it comes to golfing talent.[caption id="attachment_2969" align="alignright" width="300"] Marty's father, Joe (J.B.) Carr, is considered the greatest amateur Irish golfer of all time.[/caption]His initial career path as a financial advisor in the US and IrelandThe backstory behind how and why Carr Golf was startedThe competitive challenges of running a golf travel and events businessWhy Americans and the Irish "get each other"Key differences between golfing in Ireland and ScotlandWhy his Father & Son, and Father & Daughter World Invitational Golf tournaments have been so successful"Tough love" advice for someone who's thinking about starting a golf businessNotable Quotes:
On his father (J.B. Carr) being raised by his mother’s sister: “It was always a bit of a stigma, and certainly had an impact on him. My father never spoke of it, or acknowledged that he was adopted, or sought to connect with his adopted family.”
On his father’s golf game: “He was very big and all hands, was very powerful and could hit the ball a long way. He had the ability to power through the ball, even in the deepest of rough or toughest of lies. His putting was the most suspect part of his...
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“Spend ten times the amount of time you think you should spend on hiring the right people for your business. Not twice the amount. Not three times the amount. Ten times the amount."
Tom Cox
Founder and CEO - Golfballs.com, Inc.
Lafayette, Louisiana
We’ve had a number of golf entrepreneurs on the Golf Yeah podcast, but it’s safe to say that none are as hard-wired or successful as Tom Cox. Tom is the co-founder, president and CEO of golfballs.com, a company he started in 1995, which was one of the first eCommerce businesses for golf products. Golfballs.com has been on a rocket ship since then. In 1996, for example, the company had sales of $16,000...and they currently are around $35 million.
There are three things I find interesting about Tom. First of all, he already had a solid 10+ year golf industry career before he started golfballs.com...as the manager of a prestigious golf club in Broussard, Louisiana. But Tom knew that he wanted something more...and had self-confidence to reach for it.
Secondly, Tom had the innate ability...not only to see a market opportunity in used golf balls, but also had the flexibility to change the focus of his business into mass customization of new golf balls and other golf-related items. So he had the talent of most great entrepreneurs...which is the ability to connect the dots, and to adapt quickly based on what he learned.
The third thing I find interesting about Tom is that he has not allowed his success to get in the way of giving back. And the way that Tom gives back is by serving as an advocate, advisor and fan of startup companies and their founders. Toward that end, he is co-founder and volunteer President of Opportunity Machine, a business accelerator. Tom is also a limited partner in Tectonic Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on technology companies with high growth potential.
Here's a fun fact about Tom. On the Meyers-Briggs personality test, which classifies people as one of 16 personality types, Tom is an ENTJ, which means he is Extroverted, Intuitive, Thinking and Judging. Meyers Briggs calls this personality type “Commanders;” and describes them as natural born leaders with charisma and confidence, who project authority in a way that draws people together behind a common goal. Other ENTJ people included Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. That group also included Richard Nixon, but we steer clear of politics in our podcasts.
Show Highlights:
Why a passion for golf was NOT the key to Tom's successHow Tom came to connect the dots between two concepts -- used golf balls and internet marketing -- to create golfballs.comBehind the scenes insights into the world of used golf ballsWhat happened in the market that caused Tom to change his business modelThe value of owning the golfballs.com domain, and how he also acquired golfball.comWhy most people do not pay an additional fee for customizing their golf ballsWhat types of things that Tom refuses to imprint on a golf ballThe key to success in running a business with 120 employeesThe next step in Tom's plan for golfballs.comWhy Tom invests so much time helping other entrepreneurs to succeedNotable Quotes:
On his original business plan: “It was simply to have a website as a marketing engine, and to employ guys who dive for golf balls do the fulfillment. It was not to run an operation with 120 employees."
On changing his business model: “You can pick ONE thing and be really good at it, and the ONE thing we work to be really good at is customized golf products....which means that you have to give up on some other...
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“Some of my ventures have worked out and some have not, but they have all been great learning experiences. In fact, my first start-up company was created out of desperation.”
Jason Pearsall
Entrepreneur & Golf Course Owner / Operator
Detroit, MichiganIt might be an understatement to say that Jason Pearsall is hard-wired as a golf entrepreneur. Since graduating from college in 2007, Jason has either started, or played an important role in a number of successful businesses – both cutting edge and traditional.
While in college, and prior to co-founding Club Caddie Inc. — his current entrepreneurial venture — Jason had created and sold Performance Personal Computers, a successful e-commerce company. He had also built an app called “Golfler,” a tee-sheet and on-demand food and beverage delivery system for golf courses that was acquired by Supreme Golf.
Together with Solidea, a New York venture advisory firm, Jason is now working to establish Club Caddie’s reputation as the world’s best course cloud-based course management system; offering all types of clubs a contemporary SAAS subscription service with an affordable and transparent pricing model.
Jason also currently serves as an owner and Managing Partner at Flushing Valley Golf and Banquet Center in Flushing, Michigan, where he is able to test Club Caddie’s software every day this 18-hole, daily fee, semi-private golf facility that features an extensive food, beverage and banquet operation.
Jason is the kind of person who generates more great ideas than he has time to do them. And I suspect that he’s only just getting started as a business builder. If Jason’s resume doesn’t make you feel like an underachiever, here’s another fact that might push you over the edge: he also earned a law degree and is a licensed attorney.
But is Jason a nice guy? A review that was posted on Glassdoor.com from a former employee of his golf app company reported that, “Jason Pearsall is an amazing leader with both muscular intelligence and creative vision. His charisma is a major determinant guiding the company’s success.” But there was also one negative comment. He wrote “Detroit is cold. Perhaps move the company Headquarters to Florida or California.” [In his interview, Jason explains that he lives in Michigan only because his wife’s family is located there.]
Show Highlights:
Why Jason considers himself to be more of an opportunist than a hard-wired entrepreneurHow Jason created a multi-million dollar e-commerce company while he was still in collegeHow his misbehavior in high school resulted in a full scholarship to Wayne State
Why the business model of his “Golfler” app eventually failed, and……how that app’s failure resulted in development of a much larger opportunityThe impact of consolidation in the golf course management software industryHow you can build a software company without knowing anything about codeWhy Jason thinks the long-term outlook for the... -
“When a customer comes into Pete’s Golf, we ask ourselves, “How can we help them to play golf, and to enjoy the game better?” That’s how we’ve built our reputation over the past 40 years.”
Woody Lashen, Owner
Pete’s Golf
Mineola, New YorkIn the tradition of golfing legend Old Tom Morris, Woody Lashen is a master clubfitter. And decades before the national, multi-location companies like GOLFTEC and Club Champion got into the clubfitting business, Woody and his partner Pete Makowski were providing golfers with the equipment they need to play their best. In fact, their company, Pete’s Golf — located in Mineola, New York — after more than 75,000 custom fittings, is celebrating its 40th year in business.
Similar to Old Tom Morris, Woody is also an accomplished golfer, and he competes regularly in amateur tournaments. So Woody’s connection with the game, and his clubfitting skills, are rooted in his first-hand experience on the golf course, not just in the workshop.
In his Golf Yeah podcast, Woody shares the details of his life’s journey; provides insights into the world of clubfitting; and offers some helpful advice for golfers who are looking to improve their scores as well as their enjoyment of the game.
Show Highlights:
Woody’s road from caddying to ownership of a successful golf businessHow and why the clubfitting business has evolved from how clubs look, to how they performHow Woody went from being an employee to an owner at Pete’s GolfWhy Woody doesn’t care that his company isn’t called “Pete’s and Woody’s Golf”What happened when Woody told PGA Tour Pro David Frost that he was making a mistake by bending his clubsHow often the average golfer should consider buying new golf clubsThe ONE thing that all golfers should look for when selecting a golf ball to playWhy Woody did not want to tell us what clubs he carries in his own golf bagThe biggest misconception that most golfers have about clubfittingWhy former PGA Tour Pro Erik Compton is a source of personal inspiration for WoodyNotable Quotes:
On the golf equipment industry: “It’s difficult for small manufacturers to build a better product. They might have one engineer, wile the big companies can have 50 or 100 engineers who are true rocket scientists, and multi-million dollar budgets. The USGA also has a huge book of rules that holds back innovation. That’s why so few small manufacturers survive.”
On industry acceptance of clubfitting: “Right from the start, we wanted to become a member of the PGA, but the organization rejected that idea. But now, clubfitting is embraced by the PGA. So it was somewhat of a battle at first, trying to have people understand value of fitting.”
On selecting what golf equipment to carry: “We speak directly to the engineers; not the marketing guys. The manufacturers give us their clubs and all the technical information. Then we do our own testing. We understand what will work what won’t. We ignore the marketing mumbo jumbo.”
On maintaining his professional...
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“The power of the game is that it joins people together. It doesn’t matter how rich, how old, how strong, or your nationality. I teach the kids in my academy that golf can do wonders, if you just let it take you there.”
Tony Brooks, PGA Legacy Master Professional
Owner
Lion Junior Golf Academy
Diamond Bar, CaliforniaIf I had only one word to describe Tony Brooks…it would be “contrarian.” And that’s because my definition of the word contrarian is someone who looks at the world through an unfiltered lens. Contrarians usually have opinions that cut through politics and personal agendas, and that come from the heart. Contrarians are not always interested in achieving a consensus, and are never afraid to rock the boat. They’re more interested in getting to the heart of any matter, uncovering the truth, and finding solutions that work.
Tony Brooks — a man with more than 30,000 LinkedIn followers — is entitled to be a contrarian for two reasons: First….Tony is recognized as a master of his craft. When it comes to golf, he speaks from authority. Secondly…He cares deeply about the game, and about how he uses his craft to benefit people’s lives. And we’re not talking about lowering handicaps. One example of that? The legal name of Tony’s company…GOLF, Inc…stands for Game Of Life First, Inc.
Here’s a biographical snapshot:
Tony grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa as a 3rd generation golfer. He’s played the game since he was 5 years old; and remembers how he was treated as a marginalized junior golfer. Based on that experience, Tony has dedicated his career to ensuring the growth of the game through junior golf. And toward that end, for the past 13 years Tony has been the owner of the Lion Junior Golf Academy in Diamond Bar California, which is located east of Los Angeles.
Prior to that, Tony worked as a golf professional at a number of California golf facilities, including the famed Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Mission Viejo Country Club, and Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda. He has also served as a Director of Instruction for the PGA Tour.
Notably, Tony is one of around 375 PGA Master Professionals in the country, which represents around 1% of the current PGA membership. The PGA of America created its Master Professional program in 1969 for PGA members who wanted to pursue the highest level of golf education possible. Tony’s specialty for his Masters program was teaching and instruction.
Tony has a long list of other professional certifications and recognitions. Last year, for example, he was a recipient of the Golf Range Association of America’s “Top 50 in the U.S. Growth of the Game” Awards. He also is a GolfTIPS National Magazine Junior Academy contributor.
Show Highlights:
Tony’s journey from South Africa to the Lion Junior Golf Academy in CaliforniaThe basis for Tony’s love / hate relationship with the PGAHow golf professionals are unwittingly devaluing their knowledge and lowering the demand for their servicesThe story behind Tony’s application to become a member of the LPGAThe meaning of “dot days,” and the impact they can have on a person’s lifeTony’s outlook for the future growth of golf in America: who will win and who will loseWhy Tony donates 20% of his firm’s net profits to a South African charityHow a conversation with Dr. Tim Somerville of the Professional Golfers Career College changed -
“…I came to America to grow up with a game in which I had complete confidence. Golf has never failed me.” – Donald J. Ross
Bradford A. Becken, Jr.
President
The Donald Ross Society
Durham, North CarolinaBrad Becken is one of a relatively small group of dedicated amateur golfers who share a common purpose: which is to safeguard the life’s work of a man from Scotland named Donald J. Ross…a man whom many consider to be the most importance influence on the game of golf in America.
Serious students of the game, and of golf course architecture in particular, are well aware of the contributions of Donald Ross. But it’s fair to say that the average golfer has scant knowledge or appreciation of who Donald Ross was, or his enormous impact on the game.
Hopefully, Brad Becken’s interview with Golf Yeah will increase, by some measure, the golfing public’s understanding of who the man was, and more specifically, why there is an organization called the Donald Ross Society…for which Brad Becken currently serves as President.
After a distinguished career as an investment banker, working for some of the most respected firms on Wall Street, Brad served as CFO and then President of a Los Angeles-based entertainment company until his retirement in 2005.
Brad will fill in the details regarding his own life’s story, and regarding the work of the Donald Ross Society…but I will disclose that his progress through the ranks of the Society has been somewhat impressive. Brad joined the organization in 2012, was elected to the board in 2016, and assumed to role of President in 2018….which suggests to me that Brad has a true calling for the Donald Ross Society…that’s been recognized by people who share his passion.
Another measure of Brad’s passion: over the past 8 years, he has played on 367 courses designed by Donald Ross.
Pinehurst is considered by many to be Donald Ross’s greatest masterpiece.
10 Key Facts You Should Know About Donald J. Ross:
ONE: Ross was born in 1872 in Dornoch, Scotland to a family of modest means. An accomplished golfer, he was sent to St. Andrews to learn from the most highly recognized golf professional of that era, Old Tom Morris. Ross returned to Dornoch, where he served as club professional and greenskeeper.
TWO: Ross emigrated to the United States in 1899 to become club professional and greenskeeper at Oakley Country Club in Watertown, Massachusetts. His arrival coincided with growing interest in golf in America, and the need for new courses to accommodate the invention of the Haskell wound golf ball…which traveled further and higher than gutta percha balls.
THREE: Ross redesigned the Oakley course, and met member James Tufts, a successful businessman who convinced...
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“I walked into the library of this pre-school, and found life. I saw joy, and children learning and playing, and I knew that I wanted to be around that…It was a defining moment for me.”
Kate Tempesta
Founder, Owner and President of Fun
Urban Golf Academy
New York City and Montauk, Long IslandAs you can see, part of Kate Tempesta’s title at the Urban Golf Academy includes “President of Fun.” In fact, you don’t have to dig too deeply into her website to believe that she really does enjoy her life’s work. And I suspect that the source of that happiness is based on the fact that she’s combined two of the things she enjoys most in life. And those would be her love of children, and her love for the game of golf…which also seems to be a recipe for her success in business.
Kate Tempesta’s education, and her early career, focused on exercise science and fitness. She later transitioned to the educational arena where she created and taught the movement education program at St. Thomas More Play Group for ten years. After becoming an LPGA Teaching and Club Professional, she founded the Urban Golf Academy, located in the heart of New York City.
According to Kate, “Children are always my source of daily inspiration.”
With Kate at the helm over the past 12 years, UGA has delivered the joy of golf to at least 1,000 children each year. Most recently, Kate and her team have developed the Birdie Basics and Birdie Basics Pro boxes; a joint curriculum, lecture series, and utility kit that gives parents, teachers, and professional coaches the tools and access to implement UGA’s proven methods designed to turn their children and students into lifelong golfers…but more importantly, to empower them as individuals.
Kate has consistently been recognized by Golf Digest magazine as one of the best women teachers in the game of golf (which is even more remarkable, given that she was 30 years-old when she started playing.) She’s spoken on several panels about growing the game of golf, including the Inaugural PGA of America’s Junior Golf Summit, as well as the Youth & Family Golf Summit at a recent Merchandise PGA Show.
Additionally, the PGA of Canada invited Kate to take part in their professional development series, offering Canadian PGA members the opportunity to learn some of the best practices of UGA. These include UGA’s trademark “Birdie-isms”; which are effective and engaging metaphors that take the complex physical, mental, and emotional concepts of golf and make them both accessible and memorable for children.
Kate resides on the Upper West Side of New York City. In her spare time, you can find Kate kickboxing, swinging a sword and planning how UGA can positively effect children the world over. Kate believes in leaving each day a little better off than when it started…and I’m confident that hearing what she has to say will brighten your day.
Show Highlights:
Kate’s lost sense of purpose and disconnection with “her tribe” during her early years in New York CityThe combination of circumstances that enabled Kate to find her true... -
“Never buy golf memorabilia as an investment; buy it because you love the item. But if you get your hands on the right item at the right price, you might accidentally make money on it.”
Ryan Carey
Owner, Green Jacket Auctions
Boston, MassachusettsRyan Carey is exactly the type of person that the Golf Yeah podcast was created to showcase. A lawyer by training, and a practicing attorney, around 13 years ago Ryan Carey and his partner Bob Zafian, identified an opportunity in the world of golf memorabilia, and in 2006 they created on online business called “Green Jacket Auctions,” that’s grown into the largest auction house of its kind.
To give you an idea of the scope of Ryan’s business, its most recent auction featured more than 1,000 lots, with items ranging in price from $25 to more than $200,000. To appreciate those numbers, this morning I searched Ebay for golf memorabilia, and found only 124 items…ranging from a Francis Ouimet trophy listed at around $20,000, to an unsigned photo of Jack Nicklaus kissing the Claret Jug for $5.55.
Business partners Ryan Carey and Bob Zafian have established Green Jacket Auction’s reputation as the world’s leading auction house for golf memorabilia.
Based on their passion for golf, and for collecting other rare sports items, Ryan and Bob have created what’s become a thriving enterprise that’s expanded into related services, including appraisals, authentication and private searches for hard to find collectables. And in the process, they’ve established reputations a leading authorities on just about everything related to golf…and as their company name suggests…everything related to the Masters Tournament.
I had not met nor spoken with Ryan prior to his interview, but from what I was able to discern from his footprints on the internet…I learned that he’s a native of Tampa, Florida…an avid golfer, a fly fisherman, and a lover of fine wines. He currently resides in Boston, and hoped he’d made the conversion to being a Red Sox fan. As you’ll learn in his interview, he’s a Tampa Bay Rays fan.
Show Highlights:
How a shared interest in golf with a stranger that he met online led to creation of Green Jacket AuctionsThe public showdown with Tiger Woods that served as the first major catalyst for business growthWhy collectors are better off buying a few high priced items, rather than a lot of less expensive itemsThe rationale for keeping an online archive of every item that’s ever been sold on Green Jacket AuctionsWhat makes most autographed items from golf professional less valuable than other sports autographsRyan’s “official” announcement regarding the recent dispute with Augusta National Golf ClubHow Green Jacket Auctions took the market for autographed golf items away from EbaySimple advice for people who are interested in starting a collection of golf memorabiliaNotable Quotes:
On starting the business: “For both...
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“I tried to be the eyes and ears of the reader and to convey that in my story the next day. I think that’s lost today…the printed word has been devalued.”
Hank Gola
Veteran Sportswriter & Author
Parsippany, New JerseyHank Gola has spent more than four decades as a journalist, covering professional football and golf for the New York Daily News and the New York Post. Hank started his career in New Jersey at The Herald-News of Passaic, and the Daily Record of Morris County, where he covered the Cosmos of the North American Soccer League and the New York Giants of the NFL.
Hank’s talent as a sportswriter has earned several awards over the years. Most recently, in 2018, he received the coveted Lincoln Werden Award for golf journalism from the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association; an honor he shares with the likes of Jim McKay, Chris Schenkel, Dave Anderson, John Feinstein and George Peper.
Hank has also written three books. In 1987 he published “Hard Nose with Jim Burt: The Inside Story of the Giants’ 1986 Super Bowl Season… and in 1998 he published a pictorial biography of a young golfer named Tiger Woods. This past November, after nearly 4 years of meticulous research –involving more than 75 personal interviews – Hank published “City of Champions“…a book that tells the story of the people and the drama behind the Garfield High School Boilermakers in their quest to win the national football championship in 1939.
Hank with a few cast members from Garfield High School, which wrote and produced a play based on his “City of Champions” book.
As a native of Garfield, New Jersey, this book was a labor of love for Hank, as well as a very personal tribute to a generation of Americans who embodied this nation’s highest ideals; many of whom eventually gave their lives fighting the tyranny of Hitler. City of Champions continues to receive critical acclaim, and has been particularly well received within his hometown.
Next month, Hank Will receive the Walter D. Head Award from the Garfield New Jersey Rotary Club in recognition of his book’s rekindling of the town’s pride in an achievement that took place 80 years ago, and that has long provided Garfield with the right to call itself “The City of Champions” – a claim that has remained to this day on the road sign that welcomes visitors into the town.
I’m honored to have Hank as a guest on Golf Yeah, and was particularly pleased to learn in my research that we have two things in common: an interest in Civil War history, and Huckleberry Finn as one of our favorite books.
Show Highlights:
Hank’s... -
“The Shivas Irons Society means different things to people. It’s a conversation among people who love the game, whose lives are enriched by being part of that conversation.”
Ben Kline
Executive Director
The Shivas Irons Society
Carmel, CaliforniaYou won’t find many people with a resume like Ben Kline. You can listen to him tell you his own story, but here are just a few of his career highlights that caught my attention: Ben Kline has been a professional musician who plays trombone and keyboard…but not at the same time; he once played for the pope, and in a USO Show for Bob Hope; he’s worked as a technical writer for Unisys Corp; managed a sales team for Cisco Systems; went back to school after 23 years to earn a masters degree in sports psychology; ran his own consulting practice; was head coach for a high school golf team; worked as a part-time caddy at Pebble Beach and Spyglass…and none of those are the reasons why we interviewed Ben.
Ben Kline currently serves as the Executive Director of the Shivas Irons Society, a California-based non-profit organization established in 1992 that’s based on the deeper mysteries of golf and life found in a book written 20 years earlier in 1971 by Michael Murphy, called Golf in the Kingdom…which is one of the best-selling golf books of all time….and which has been translated into 19 languages and sold more than 1 million copies.
The Shivas Irons Society describes its mission as being for people who love golf and who were deeply touched by the principles contained within Murphy’s book. The Shivas Irons Society is dedicated to furthering golf as a mindful pursuit and as a tool for personal growth and development.
Based on his eclectic resume and his love for the game, Ben Kline appears to be the perfect Renaissance man to represent that organization.
Show Highlights:
Ben’s journey from a traditional “corporate” job, to a non-traditional career path based on his love for music and golfHis motivation for going back to school to earn a graduate degree in sports psychologyA synopsis of the story and enduring lessons found in Golf in the KingdomInsights into Michael Murphy, author of Golf in the Kingdom and Esalen Institute founderHow and why The Shivas Irons Society was founded, and why people are membersThe meaning of “true gravity,” which is one of the books’s central themesBen’s relationship with Fred Shoemaker, whom he describes as the “Dali Lama of Golf”What’s required to become a member of The Shivas Irons SocietyNotable Quotes:
On what attracts people to The Shivas Irons Society: “It’s a community of people who love the game. It’s not about how well you score, or how far you hit the ball. Our mission is to keep the true spirit of the game alive.”
On becoming a sports psychologist: I figured that, perhaps a bit selfishly, that if I could help others improve their golf...
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