In this episode of GBN University's podcast, host Spencer Clouatre welcomes Eric Schultz, Director of Golf at Colleton River Club in Bluffton, South Carolina. Eric shares his journey through the golf industry, discussing the importance of mentorship, leadership, and emotional intelligence. He emphasizes the value of building and nurturing relationships, both with colleagues and members, and discusses his unique approach to balancing professional obligations with personal and family life. 

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

01:18 Meet Eric Schultz: A Leader in Golf

05:07 Eric's Journey: From Humble Beginnings to Golf Professional

07:42 The Role of Mentorship in Professional Growth

17:14 Coaching vs. Mentoring: Key Differences

27:26 The Importance of Networking and Industry Support

34:08 Navigating Professional Relationships in Golf

35:08 The Gray Areas of Career Transitions

35:55 Mentorship and Open Communication

39:29 Understanding and Connecting with Members

47:55 Balancing Professional and Personal Life

51:47 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

57:31 The Impact of AI on the Golf Industry

01:01:17 Work-Life Harmony and Family Support

01:05:51 Final Thoughts and Reflections

A special thank you to our sponsor for this episode, Golf Genius. Golf Genius delivers innovative software to over 10,000 clubs, courses, and tours in 60+ countries, including the USGA and DP World Tour. GBN Members get waived setup fees on Golf Genius products like Tournament Management, Golf Shop, CoachNow Academy, and Operation 36.

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode of The GBN University podcast, host Spencer Clouatre interviews Sara Dickson, Director of Golf at Wilderness Country Club, and Sarah Bejgrowicz-Lewallen, Head Golf Professional at the Governors Club. The conversation delves into their career paths, the importance of team culture, challenges in the golf industry, and the evolving membership experience. The discussion highlights effective strategies for managing conflicts, emphasizing the role of time and attention in building trust and improving club dynamics.

Episode Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

01:08 Meet Sara Dickson: Career Journey and Insights

05:47 Meet Sarah Bejgrowicz-Lewallen: Career Journey and Insights

13:41 Challenges in the Golf Industry

29:54 Membership Experience and Team Culture

33:56 Building Culture Through Daily Interactions

34:16 Addressing Conflict as a Speed Bump

36:16 Onboarding New Team Members

37:53 Peer-to-Peer Corrections and Leadership

39:12 Building Trust Through Actions

41:01 Aligning Policy with Reality

47:14 Conflict Resolution Strategies

49:03 The Importance of Time in Leadership

01:00:08 Data-Driven Decision Making

01:05:17 Final Thoughts and Reflections

A special thank you to this episode's sponsor, Tee Commerce. Tee Commerce provides golf clubs with a way to enhance their retail operations without inventory risk by utilizing a seamlessly-integrated online ordering platform. New GBN member accounts get 10% off an annual shop subscription, and existing members receive one month free on their annual subscription with Tee Commerce. Learn more about Tee Commerce >> https://www.teecommerce.shop/

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode, host Spencer Clouatre interviews James "JR" Pond, who shares his unique journey from serving as a head golf professional to becoming the program director for the Professional Golf Management degree at PennWest California. JR discusses the challenges and accomplishments of his diverse career, the importance of service, and his passion for mentoring the next generation of golf professionals. The conversation also delves into JR's core values of service to others, family, and love, emphasizing the holistic benefits of the game of golf for physical and mental well-being.

Learn more about Donald Ross— https://donaldross.com/

Show Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:50 JR's Early Life and Introduction to Golf

03:46 High School and College Golf Journey

06:21 Transition to Professional Life and Challenges

09:29 Academic Pursuits and Career Shift

26:32 Core Values and Guiding Principles

42:29 Embracing Failure in Player Development

43:33 Student Leadership and Renewed Excitement

45:24 Challenges of the PAT Exam

48:00 Teaching Mindfulness and Staying Present

52:52 Evolution of Golf Technology and AI

55:48 Balancing Work and Life in the Golf Industry

01:00:32 Building Effective Systems for Success

01:06:31 Core Values: Family and Love

01:11:35 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode, host Spencer Clouatre talks with Chris Rowe, the Director of Golf at Whispering Pines Golf Club. They delve into Chris's journey in the golf industry, discussing the importance of hard work, taking risks, and having mentors. Chris shares valuable insights on building a brand, being authentic, and the significance of giving back to the next generation of golf professionals.

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode, Spencer Clouatre interviews Travis Wehrs, the Director of Golf at Boca West Country Club. They discuss Travis's journey from working in a bag room to becoming a head professional, emphasizing the importance of hard work, trust, and lifelong learning. Travis shares insights on leadership, building team trust, creating work-life harmony, and the significance of continual self-improvement.

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode, host Spencer Clouatre sits down with Heather Angell, the Director of Instruction at the Golf Club at Fiddler's Creek. Heather shares her journey from playing golf at a collegiate level and then professionally, and eventually transitioning into teaching and coaching. She highlights her passion for teaching, her involvement with PGA HOPE, and her innovative approach to instruction that engages players of all levels. Heather also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, and touches on her time teaching in the PGM Program at Florida Gulf Coast University.

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode,  golf professional Cameron Chhim reflects on his journey and leadership in the golf industry. Cameron, who is an Assistant Golf Professional at Southern Hills Country Club, discusses his early passion for golf inspired by his father, his development through the PGM program at Mississippi State, and how he balances maintaining personal excellence with fostering a strong team environment. The discussion also touches on the importance of effective communication, understanding human nature, and leading from any position within an organization.

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode of the GBN University Podcast, host Spencer Clouatre interviews Adam Boland, President of Sales at Donald Ross Sportswear. Adam shares his journey through a multifaceted career spanning 27 years in the golf and sportswear industries. Originally starting as a PGA professional, he moved into sales, influenced by his family’s background in the sporting goods business. Key highlights include his transition to sales at Donald Ross Sportswear, mentorship experiences at top golf clubs, and his learnings about the backend business operations. Adam discusses the importance of situational awareness, relationship-building, and adapting to market changes, while Spencer reflects on the mutual value of mentorship and professional development. The conversation underscores the essence of lifelong learning and leveraging diverse opportunities for career growth.

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode of the GBN University Podcast, host Spencer Clouatre sits with PGA professional Steve Scott, a well-rounded golf professional, author, broadcaster, and keynote speaker. Spencer highlights Steve's accolades, including his notable sportsmanship during the 1996 U.S. Amateur final against Tiger Woods. They delve into Steve’s background, discussing how early influences shaped his career and his transition from a competitive golfer to a head pro and founder of the Silver Club Golfing Society. The conversation centers around the importance of integrity in golf, with Scott recounting his decisive moment of honesty during a crucial match. They also explore the vital role of communication in professional settings, emphasizing nonverbal, verbal, and written forms. Steve shares insights on balancing professional commitments with family life and underscores the significance of finding a supportive club culture. The episode concludes with reflections on the value of maintaining honor in both personal and professional arenas.

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode of the 'GBN University Podcast' Colonel Retired Spencer Clouatre hosts Nick Yaun, the Head Golf Professional at Century Country Club, to discuss leadership, mentorship, and personal growth. They cover Nick's journey from a small town in New York to his current role, emphasizing the importance of passion, continuous learning, and the concept of commitment. The episode touches on maintaining high standards, handling failure, and building trust. The conversation also highlights the value of human relationships, teamwork, mentorship, and having a supportive partner, concluding with practical advice for aspiring professionals.

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.