Welcome to the Changing the Business of Golf podcast from Syngenta Golf.

Each episode, we speak to industry leaders, sustainability experts and superintendents to identify three actionable changes to shape golf’s future.

In this episode, we’re joined by Renate Roeleveld, CEO of the Golf Course Association Europe (GCAE). Renate’s journey into the game has been far from traditional — first picking up a golf club at the same time she entered the industry. Now as CEO of the GCAE and a golf course owner herself, Renate brings a unique perspective on what needs to change to ensure a sustainable future for golf.

Across this 30-minute conversation, Renate shares the key shifts she believes will create a more inclusive, positive and profitable golf industry, including:

- Why golf club managers must start thinking like new golfers — from flexible membership models to facilitating spaces where people can connect through the game

- Why increasing the number of women in leadership roles isn’t about diversity targets, but better decision-making and long-term business success

- Why golf needs to do more to challenge outdated perceptions and present itself as a fun, social and accessible experience

Watch now to hear practical insights for golf club leaders looking to better understand their customers, strengthen their communities, and future-proof their businesses.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

03:10 Change #1: Adapt to Changing Customers

11:02 Change #2: More Women in Leadership Positions

20:58 Change #3: Change the Image of Golf

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Welcome to another episode of Syngenta Golf’s Changing the Business of Golf podcast.

In this episode, host Gary Firkins is joined by Henry DeLozier, Principal at GGA Partners, to explore a key question for today’s industry: what does a well-run golf club really look like?

Drawing on Henry’s vast experience across golf club leadership, strategy, and industry insight, this conversation looks at why many clubs still make investment decisions without a clear, long-term plan - often driven by assumption rather than insight - and why understanding members and anticipating change are now critical for success.

The episode also focuses on two major opportunities shaping the future of golf: the growth of women’s golf and environmental sustainability. From creating more inclusive clubs to recognising the role of superintendents as environmental stewards, the discussion highlights how clubs can take advantage of these opportunities for long-term business profitability.

Throughout the episode, Henry reveals his three changes for every golf club leader and board members:

- Make smarter, evidence-led investment decisions

- Accelerate the growth of women’s golf, the industry’s $35b opportunity

- Recognize the importance of environmental sustainability and empower golf superintendents to take the lead in sharing golf’s story to the public.

Watch now to discover the decisions your golf course business can make today to ensure long-term sustainability.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

05:03 Change #1: Make better investment decisions

14:11 Change #2: Accelerate the growth in women’s golf

20:50 Change #3: Recognize the importance of environmental sustainability

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Welcome to the Changing the Business of Golf podcast from Syngenta Golf. Each episode, we speak to industry leaders, sustainability experts and superintendents to identify three actionable changes to shape golf’s future.

In this episode, we’re joined by Mike O’Keeffe, Program Manager at the Ohio State University International Intern Program (TOP). Mike shares insights from his decades of experience connecting turf professionals around the world, including the story behind OSU’s long-standing partnership with Syngenta and the success stories that have come from it.

In a conversation with host Gary Firkins, Mike outlines his three changes for the future of the turf industry:

- Bring more young people into the industry - tackling the labour crisis through education, inspiration and better storytelling.

- Give your turf team education and experience - how investing in people builds stronger teams and reputations.

- Embrace next-generation technology - why adapting to rapid innovation is key to golf’s ongoing success.

Watch now to discover how your golf course business can help the next generation shape the future of the golf industry.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

05:42 Change #1: Bring more young people into the industry

14:30 Change #2: Give your turf team education and experience

21:33 Change #3: Embrace next generation technology

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Welcome to Changing the Business of Golf by Syngenta, your go-to source for expert insights, innovative solutions, and sustainable practices in the turf management and landscape industries.

To discover new insights and hear inspirational stories from those making a difference in the golf industry, visit http://www.syngentagolf.com

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Comment, engage and share your views with us via social media:

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LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/syngenta-turf-landscape

Welcome back to the Changing the Business of Golf podcast.

In this episode, host Gary Firkins is joined by Dr. Stacy Stellflug, Associate Professor at the University of Montana-Bozeman, and Kee Dunning, Clinical Professional Counselor based in Billings, Montana. Both specialize in mental health and wellbeing and have supported superintendents and course leaders for a number of years.

In 2021, Syngenta’s mental health survey revealed that more than 60% of greenkeepers and superintendents had experienced increased work-related mental health challenges since the start of the pandemic.

Following a particularly demanding few years for turf professionals, Stacy and Kee reveal why stress, isolation and stigma continue to affect so many within the profession, sharing stories and advice on what golf clubs can do to create safer, healthier workplaces.

In this conversation, they outline three essential changes every golf business can make:

- Recognize the importance of mental health and the impact it has on performance and wellbeing

- Create a safe space to talk by listening, supporting, and building the right culture within the workspace

- Communicate better through Kee’s six concepts of communication

Tune in to learn how your golf business can build a culture that supports mental health, strengthens leadership, and helps every team member thrive.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:23 About Stacy and Kee and their work in the golf industry

05:10 Change #1: Recognize the importance of Mental Health

12:30 Change #2: Create a Safe Space to Talk about Mental Health

22:59 Change #3: Communicate Better

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Welcome to Changing the Business of Golf by Syngenta, your go-to source for expert insights, innovative solutions, and sustainable practices in the turf management and landscape industries.

To discover new insights and hear inspirational stories from those making a difference in the golf industry, visit http://www.syngentagolf.com

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Comment, engage and share your views with us via social media:

X - https://x.com/Syngenta_Turf

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/syngenta-turf-landscape

Welcome to the Changing the Business of Golf podcast. In this episode, host Gary Firkins is joined by Ed Pettit, Managing Director at Carr Golf Services. A former PGA Professional turned golf business leader, Ed draws on more than two decades of experience to share his practical strategies for building long-term business success in golf.

Ed reveals findings from a survey, conducted by Carr Golf Services, which showed that while 90% of golfers believe the course is the most important part of their experience, only 22% were satisfied with year-round course conditioning.

In this conversation, Ed outlines three critical changes that every golf club needs to consider today, including:

Why prioritizing the conditioning your golf course is the key driver of revenue growth

How clubs of all sizes can use data to improve decision making and course performance

What golf clubs must do to meet future regulation challenges and ensure long-term business sustainability

Tune in to learn how your golf business can prepare and adapt for the future.

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Chapters:

00:00 Intro

00:22 About Ed and Carr Golf Services

05:20 Change #1: Prioritize Your Golf Course

11:35 Change #2: Use Data to Inform Your Decision Making

16:33 Change #3: Prepare for the Future

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Welcome to Changing the Business of Golf by Syngenta, your go-to source for expert insights, innovative solutions, and sustainable practices in the turf management and landscape industries.

To discover new insights and hear inspirational stories from those making a difference in the golf industry, visit http://www.syngentagolf.com

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Comment, engage and share your views with us via social media:

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LinkedIn - / syngenta-turf-landscape

Welcome to the Changing the Business of Golf podcast. In this episode, Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), joins host Gary Firkins to share his vision for the future of golf.

Named among the top 25 most powerful people in golf by Golf.Inc Magazine, Jay leads the golf industry’s trade association and initiatives, supporting over 4,000 golf course businesses across the United States.

Throughout the 30-minute conversation, Jay outlines the key changes he believes will open the game to more people and strengthen the long-term growth of the industry, including:

- Why partnering with Parks & Recreation associations is the key to attracting more players to the game.

- How connecting green grass golf with off-course golf entertainment can fuel the industry’s growth.

- How golf course businesses can speak up and share their environmental success story to change the public’s perception.

Plus, Jay reveals his BONUS change, where he shares how golf courses can leverage the power of technology while maintaining control of customer relationships.

Which of Jay’s changes do you believe could have the biggest impact? Let us know in the comments ⬇️

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Chapters:

00:00 Intro

00:26 Jay’s Golf Origin Story

04:59 Change #1: Fish Where the Fish Are

12:58 Change #2: Connect Off-Course Golf & Green Grass Golf

21:31 Change #3: Tell Golf’s Good News Environmental Story

29:27 BONUS Change

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Welcome to Changing the Business of Golf by Syngenta, your go-to source for expert insights, innovative solutions, and sustainable practices in the turf management and landscape industries.

To discover new insights and hear inspirational stories from those making a difference in the golf industry, visit http://www.syngentagolf.com

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Comment, engage and share your views with us via social media:

X - https://x.com/Syngenta_Turf

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/syngenta-turf-landscape

Join host Gary Firkins and Sandy Reid, Director of Greenkeeping at St Andrews Links Trust, in this episode of the Changing the Business of Golf Podcast. With over three decades of experience, including managing the historic 150th Open Championship, Sandy shares valuable insights into how the industry can build a sustainable future.

Join host Gary Firkins and Sandy Reid, Director of Greenkeeping at St Andrews Links Trust, in this episode of the Changing the Business of Golf Podcast. With over three decades of experience, including managing the historic 150th Open Championship, Sandy shares valuable insights into how the industry can build a sustainable future.

Learn how the Home of Golf is leading the way in sustainable practices and discover actionable strategies for golf courses to attract the next generation of greenkeepers. Sandy discusses initiatives such as working with local schools and apprenticeships, which help to highlight the importance of the greenkeeper's role on a golf course and address the industry's labor shortages.

He also shares valuable insights into the automation technology his team has embraced across their seven courses, providing practical advice on how greenkeepers with limited budgets can implement innovative solutions to improve turf performance.

In 25 minutes, find out…

- How to better attract young people into greenkeeping

- How embracing innovation and automation can reduce costs while enhancing turf performance.

- Why the industry needs to ‘think big’ with sustainability

Tune in to explore how the the business of golf can build its sustainable future today.

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Welcome to Changing the Business of Golf by Syngenta, your go-to source for expert insights, innovative solutions, and sustainable practices in the turf management and landscape industries.

To discover new insights and hear inspirational stories from those making a difference in the golf industry, visit http://www.syngentagolf.com

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Comment, engage and share your views with us via social media:

X - https://x.com/Syngenta_Turf

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/syngenta-turf-landscape

In this episode of the Changing the Business of Golf Podcast, host Gary Firkins is joined by Beth Guertal, Ph.D, Project Director of the Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab (SIIL) at Kansas State University.

From growing up on her childhood family farm to becoming one of the leading researchers in the turfgrass field with more than three decades of expertise, Beth reveals the ways in which golf course businesses can demonstrate their true value to the environment and reshape the perception of the sport’s sustainability.

In this insightful conversation, Gary and Beth explore…

- How golf courses can position themselves as value-added ecosystems

- The importance of continuous professional development for industry professionals

- Communicating golf’s true environmental sustainability story.

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Welcome to Changing the Business of Golf by Syngenta, your go-to source for expert insights, innovative solutions, and sustainable practices in the turf management and landscape industries.

To discover new insights and hear inspirational stories from those making a difference in the golf industry, visit http://www.syngentagolf.com

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Comment, engage and share your views with us via social media:

X - https://x.com/Syngenta_Turf

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/syngenta-turf-landscape

Welcome to the Changing the Business of Golf podcast from Syngenta Golf. Each episode, we speak to industry leaders, sustainability experts and superintendents to identify three actionable changes to shape golf’s future.

In this episode we are joined by Keith Wood, Director of Greens and Grounds at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Keith speaks with us in the run up to hosting the 2025 PGA Championship, the second time the club has hosted the event. He tells us about the immense efforts required from his crew and volunteers to ready the course, and the important role team culture plays.

In a wide-ranging discussion, Keith outlines his three changes to host Gary Firkins, including:

- How he believes creating an inclusive team culture is key to success

- Highlighting the importance of urban golf course green spaces

- Why there is a pressing need to invest more to attract and retain turf professionals

Welcome back to Syngenta’s Changing the Business of Golf podcast, now with a new name and refreshed format. Each episode, we speak to industry leaders, sustainability experts and superintendents to identify three actionable changes to shape golf’s future.

In this episode, Greg Nathan, President & CEO of the National Golf Foundation (NGF), sits down with host Gary Firkins to discuss the critical changes golf clubs and courses can make to boost customer retention and reposition golf as a more accessible, growth-oriented sport, backed by NGF’s groundbreaking data.

In 35 minutes, you’ll learn:

- How and why golf businesses should sell golf like any other product

- Radical Hospitality: A proven framework to increase retention

- The ROI of free 10-minute golf lessons – converting casual interest into committed players.

Plus, a BONUS change, where Greg reveals the one question golf club staff should be asking to help attract and retain customers.

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Useful Links:

National Golf Foundation: https://www.ngf.org/

Golf & Social Media: The Great Divide: https://www.syngentagolf.com/sites/g/files/kgtney646/files/media/document/2023/02/08/Golf%20%2B%20Social%20Media%20The%20Great%20Divide.pdf

Follow our guest:

Connect with Greg Nathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-nathan-6381239/

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Welcome to Changing the Business of Golf by Syngenta, your go-to source for expert insights, innovative solutions, and sustainable practices in the turf management and landscape industries.

To discover new insights and hear inspirational stories from those making a difference in the golf industry, visit http://www.syngentagolf.com

Comment, engage and share your views with us via social media:

X - https://x.com/Syngenta_Turf

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/syngenta-turf-landscape