Club Innovators

Innovation at private clubs is not always about what's new. Sometimes it means getting back to the hospitality that made clubs worth joining in the first place.Colin Burns spent 31 years leading Winged Foot, helped build Apogee from a folding table and a set of maps, and now advises clubs on brand, people and executive search through Colin Burns Consulting.- Stand at the front door on busy nights and holidays. Members notice when the person in charge is there but not present.- Show your real chef, caddies and course instead of AI images, and write the member letter yourself before asking AI to tighten it.- Audit every touch point, from the welcome mat to the walls. Swap borrowed Pebble Beach posters and plastic orchids for pieces that tell your own club's story.Steal This: Protect a technology-free space at the front of the house where members can put their phones down and talk.Chapters00:00 Welcome and introduction00:58 What innovation really means03:48 From handwritten chits to Winged Foot's first website06:47 No more club food08:57 Why the GM belongs at the front door11:35 AI, newsletters and keeping your own voice16:42 Building Apogee from a folding table19:56 Apogee's ambassador program, no referral fees22:38 What any club can borrow from Apogee26:49 Which technology to embrace, which spaces to protect28:46 How Colin landed the Winged Foot job at 3231:24 If you opened a club tomorrowColin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/burns-colin/Club Innovators is presented by Capstone Hospitality.

The fastest way to lead change is to listen first, and CMAA CEO Jeff Morgan explains how that approach guided him through a new name, one national brand and a decade of growth at the association.

Jeff Morgan has led the Club Management Association of America since 2014, after more than 25 years leading associations, and is preparing to retire.

In this episode:

- Listen before you fix. Jeff's first plan at CMAA was simple: listen to members, make fixes, then write the strategic plan.

- Bring young professionals into board meetings early so they learn governance before they're called to lead.

- Run the club as one wellness ecosystem, with fitness, F&B, golf and racquets working together on the member experience.

Steal This: Invite one young professional on your team to sit in on a board meeting this year.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and introductions

01:11 From association management to CMAA

04:14 Why fresh eyes from outside helped

05:40 Leadership, strategic planning and being a fixer

07:29 Why Club Managers became Club Management

11:52 One brand across every chapter

13:15 A superintendent joins the national board

14:57 The 5 to 10 year outlook for private clubs

17:33 The legacy Jeff wants to leave

19:25 Tee It Up for the Troops

21:27 Advice for GMs heading into 2027

24:08 Closing thoughts

Connect with Jeff Morgan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreydmorgan/

CMAA: https://www.cmaa.org/

Tee It Up for the Troops: https://teeitupforthetroops.org/

Club Innovators is presented by Capstone Hospitality.

In this episode of Club Innovators, Kyle Bradburn sits down with Rick Coffey, newly appointed Vice President of Business Development at Capstone Hospitality. With over 15 years of experience in private club membership and technology sales, Rick shares his passion for transforming how clubs approach membership growth. He dives into Capstone’s unique model, positioning the company as the only private club consulting firm solely focused on membership sales — and not just strategy, but full execution.Rick discusses the power of having “surgeons” instead of general practitioners in the sales process, the tangible benefits of Capstone's on-site and remote sales support, and how their proprietary DRIVE CRM system, built on HubSpot, offers fully tailored solutions for clubs. Whether you’re a GM, membership director, or board member, this episode unpacks how data-driven strategies, professional storytelling, and elite execution can transform your club’s membership trajectory.Episode Timestamps:00:00 – IntroductionHost Kyle Bradburn welcomes listeners and introduces guest Rick Coffey, VP of Business Development at Capstone Hospitality.00:25 – Rick’s Journey in the Club IndustryRick discusses his background as a membership director and his transition into private club tech sales before joining Capstone.01:30 – Why Rick Joined Capstone HospitalityRick shares his passion for membership sales and why Capstone’s exclusive focus on it sets them apart in the private club space.02:10 – The Undervalued Role of MembershipRick explains why strong membership drives club-wide success — from staff morale to financial sustainability.02:55 – Capstone’s Unique Position in the IndustryAn analogy: management companies are general practitioners, but Capstone is the surgeon—handling sales execution, not just advising.03:30 – On-Site vs. Remote Sales ExecutionRick discusses Capstone’s flexibility with both models and how their approach brings professionalism and results.03:50 – Introducing DRIVE: Capstone’s CRM ToolRick explains Capstone’s custom-built HubSpot CRM and how it’s tailored specifically for membership, marketing, and communication directors.04:45 – The Power of a Pre-Built CRMClubs don’t need to build a system from scratch—Capstone has already done the heavy lifting with multiple pricing tiers and tools that work out of the box.05:30 – Capstone’s Data-Driven ApproachHow clubs benefit from analytics on lead sources, conversion rates, and sales tracking to make better decisions.06:00 – The ‘Fully Furnished House’ MetaphorRick uses a real estate analogy to explain how clubs can plug into an already-optimized system with DRIVE.06:30 – Upcoming Conferences & EventsRick shares insights from the recent Golf Inc. conference and how Capstone continues to stay at the forefront of industry innovation.07:20 – Closing Thoughts & How to ConnectKyle and Rick discuss where clubs can learn more about Capstone’s services, CRM, and sales support.

In this episode, host Kyle Bradburn sits down with renowned golf cinematographer Dave Evenson, who has captured the essence of over 200 golf courses around the world. From the breathtaking landscapes of iconic golf destinations to the hidden gems waiting to be discovered, Dave shares his unique perspective on storytelling through the lens.

🎥 Highlights in This Episode:

Dave's inspiring journey from All-American junior golfer to golf cinematographer.

How overcoming a life-altering accident led him to find a new passion behind the camera.

The importance of storytelling in golf course cinematography.

Collaborating with golf course architects to bring their visions to life.

Behind-the-scenes insights into working with the PGA Tour and USGA.

Whether you're a golf enthusiast, club manager, or just passionate about creative storytelling, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes featuring innovators in the golf and club management industry!

📌 Connect with Us:

Follow Club Innovators Podcast for more inspiring interviews

Learn more about Capstone Hospitality: www.capstone-hospitality.com

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Welcome and Introduction

• 00:57 Dave's Journey: From All-American Golfer to Cinematographer

• 01:54 Overcoming Adversity After a Life-Changing Accident

• 04:12 Rediscovering Golf and Pursuing a New Passion

• 05:12 The Power of Storytelling in Golf Cinematography

• 07:13 Collaborating with Golf Course Architects for Visual Storytelling

• 08:25 Unique Insights from Filming for the PGA Tour and USGA

• 10:45 How Listening Uncovers Hidden Stories on the Course

• 12:30 Dave’s Approach to Capturing the Heart of a Course

• 14:22 Advice for Clubs Looking to Enhance Their Visual Content

• 16:40 Closing Thoughts and Final Takeaways

Welcome to Club Innovators Podcast by Capstone Hospitality! In this episode, host Kyle Bradburn sits down with Kathy Heil, Partner at Storyteller Club Marketing, to discuss the power of storytelling in club marketing, how digital trust influences membership decisions, and the importance of optimizing your website and social media for prospective members.Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome to Club Innovators Podcast0:20 – Special guest: Kathy Heil of Storyteller Club Marketing1:16 – Why storytelling is the future of club marketing3:01 – The impact of digital trust and branding3:46 – The role of rebranding in modern club marketing5:55 – Every word matters: Crafting content that connects7:46 – Why most club websites are failing10:38 – Understanding user journey for prospective members12:35 – Membership inquiry forms: Are you losing leads?15:31 – The 8-10 touchpoints rule for membership sales18:06 – Knowing your audience: The key to retention20:29 – How CRM & automation (like HubSpot) can transform sales27:34 – The power of email marketing in member retention30:44 – Personalizing communication to drive engagement36:31 – Mobile-first strategies: Why it matters in 202542:39 – "It's not your grandfather's club anymore" – Modernizing club marketing47:50 – The overlooked power of social media for clubs50:47 – Key stat: Engaged couples judge a venue based on its last 9 Instagram posts!52:04 – Closing thoughts & where to find more resources🔗 Connect with Kathy Heil & Storyteller Club Marketing:🌐 Website: clubmarketing.com📧 Email: [email protected]📌 Don’t forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔, and leave a COMMENT 💬 with your thoughts on the episode!

In this insightful episode, Kyle Bradburn sits down with Greg Poirier, Director of Green Hospitality and Green Lodging Certifications at Audubon International, and Greg Rotzell, VP of Operations at Capstone Hospitality. We dive deep into sustainability in the hospitality industry, exploring how Audubon International is setting the standard for eco-friendly practices across resorts, hotels, and destination properties.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How Audubon International differentiates itself in the green certification space

✅ The core components of the Green Lodging Certification Program

✅ Practical sustainability strategies that enhance guest experiences AND support the environment

✅ The ROI of eco-friendly practices for hospitality businesses

✅ The future of green operations in clubs and resorts

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introductions
00:32 – Greg Poirier's Role at Audubon International
01:17 – What Inspired Greg Poirier to Join Audubon
02:20 – How Audubon Stands Out in Green Certifications
03:44 – Core Elements of the Green Lodging Certification
06:11 – Assessing Environmental Impact for Resorts
08:22 – Debunking Sustainability Myths in Hospitality
10:45 – Enhancing Guest Experiences Through Sustainability
13:30 – The ROI of Eco-Friendly Practices
15:50 – Starting Your Club’s Sustainability Journey
18:05 – Future Trends in Green Hospitality
20:00 – Final Thoughts & Episode Wrap-Up

🌍 Whether you’re a hospitality professional, a sustainability advocate, or just curious about eco-innovations in the industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights!

🎧 Listen now and discover how your club or resort can go green while boosting member engagement!

👉 Subscribe for more episodes on club innovation, leadership, and growth strategies.

👍 Like, Comment, and Share if you find this episode inspiring!

Dive into the latest episode of the Club Innovators Podcast with host Kyle Bradburn and special guest Evan Schiller, a world-renowned golf course photographer and former PGA professional. Evan shares his incredible journey from the PGA Tour to photographing over 700 championship courses worldwide. Learn the secrets behind capturing breathtaking golf course shots, the evolution of photography technology (from bucket trucks to drones), and what it takes to make a golf course truly photogenic. Whether you're a golfer, photographer, or a fan of innovative stories, this episode is a must-watch!

📸 Check out Evan’s stunning work: EvanSchillerPhotography.com

🎧 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from the world of private clubs and hospitality.

Time Stamps:

00:00 - Introduction: Welcoming Evan Schiller to the Podcast

01:06 - From the PGA Tour to Photography: Evan’s Journey

05:53 - What Makes a Great Golf Photo: Light, Angles, and Weather

10:28 - Evolution of Technology in Photography: Pre- and Post-Drone Era

20:15 - Lessons for Aspiring Photographers and the Future of Golf Photography

Welcome to another episode of Club Innovators, where we explore groundbreaking stories and strategies shaping the future of private clubs and the golf industry! 🎙️ This week, we are thrilled to host Grace Hurley, Vice President of Brands and National Events at Catapult. Grace, a PGA professional and the youngest winner of the PGA National Merchandiser of the Year Resort Award, shares her inspiring journey from collegiate golf to transforming branding and merchandising in the industry. 🚀

In this special episode of the Club Innovators Podcast, hosted by Kyle Bradburn and Greg Rotzell of Capstone Hospitality, we are joined by Frank LaVardera, Director of Environmental Programs for Golf at Audubon International. Frank dives deep into the importance of environmental sustainability in the golf industry and how clubs can balance ecological responsibility with economic benefits.

In this episode of the Club Innovators Podcast, host Kyle Bradburn sits down with Brian Friedrichs, CEO of Capstone Hospitality; Greg Rotzell, VP of Operations; and Adam Shamsie, VP of Sales, to discuss the revolutionary new product reshaping membership sales in private clubs—Drive CRM.

Listen in as Brian shares the backstory of Capstone’s journey from its founding in 2009 to becoming a leader in membership sales. Learn how Drive CRM, built on over a decade of expertise and powered by advanced analytics, is transforming how clubs track leads, close memberships, and create retention strategies.

Greg takes us through the detailed build-out of the system, emphasizing its intuitive design for sales teams and its powerful reporting features that deliver actionable insights. Plus, Adam highlights how the platform is enhancing sales efficiency and creating a seamless experience for membership directors.

If you’re in the private club industry and looking to supercharge your sales and retention efforts, this episode is for you!

Key Topics Covered:

🔗 Learn more about Capstone Hospitality: www.capstone-hospitality.com

🎧 Subscribe for more insights into membership sales innovation!