Golf Business Podcast

Listen in as Jay Karen (CEO, NGCOA) and Don Rea, PGA (Vice President, PGA of America) welcome special guests Wesley and George Bryan to the show. The Bryan Brothers catapulted themselves to success by recording golf trick shots on their Youtube channel, eventually growing their audience to over 300K followers. Wesley also has found success on the PGA TOUR (highlighted by a victory at the 2017 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town). And now... you guessed it, they bought their own golf course! Discover the Bryan Brother’s journey into golf course operations, and how they are using their facility as a haven for content creators looking to grow the sport.

Then host Michael Williams talks with Jason Pearsall, CEO of Club Caddie, and Partner of Warren Valley Golf Course for a House Chat. Learn how Club Caddie has become one of the fastest-growing golf management systems in the country and continues to push forward with their technology. Are you looking for golf management software to streamline your operations and improve the overall customer experience at your facility?

BEST OF → For this special episode of the Golf Business podcast, listen in on a few of the highlights from an unforgettable Q&A at NGCOA’s 2024 Golf Business Conference in Orlando, Fla., on January 24, 2024. National Golf Course Owners Association CEO Jay Karen welcomed golf legend and six-time major championship winner Lee Trevino, and they discussed countless stories, successes, and signature moments from the champion's career. Trevino was presented with the 2024 Award of Merit, NGCOA’s highest honor, earlier that afternoon.

Then host Michael Williams talks with Chris Nowak, Veteran & Military Liaison for the PGA of America – recorded live on the PGA Show floor in Orlando. Learn about the PGA HOPE program that will help over 17,000 veterans this year heal by learning golf. This 6-week program is designed to teach veterans the mechanics of the swing, become singularly focused on playing, and move past their traumatic experiences through the joy of the game. How can owners and operators play a part in this important initiative?

Description: Listen in as Jay Karen (CEO, NGCOA) and Don Rea, PGA (Vice President, PGA of America) recap a busy past few months, take a peek at what’s in store for 2024, and sit down with special guest Greg Nathan, President and Chief Operating Officer of the National Golf Foundation (NGF). Jay, Don and Greg react to eye-opening industry data, discuss their takeaways from NGCOA’s recently released 2024 Golf Industry Compensation and Benefits Report, and look ahead to the new year as NGF has announced Greg Nathan will take the helm as their CEO starting January 1.

Then, host Michael Williams welcomes Lauren Dudding, Sr. HCM Account Executive for Paylocity, for a House Chat. Discover how Paylocity has simplified the process of HR by providing a mobile-first approach to their business systems. Learn how managers, supervisors, and employees have everything at their fingertips, from paystubs to expense reports, training videos, and social collaboration tools all in one place. Are you looking for an effective way to save time and streamline your operations?

Listen in as Michael Williams sits down with Allison George, owner of Toad Valley Golf Course, and Del Ratcliffe of Ratcliffe Golf Services, as they dive into the ins and outs of golf operations at their respective courses. From late equipment deliveries to managing an unprecedented increase in rounds played, learn how they continue to keep the ball rolling true at their clubs!

Then, Michael welcomes Jason Pearsall, CEO of Club Caddie and Managing Partner of Warren Valley Golf Course in for a House Chat. Discover how Club Caddie’s new software is allowing owner/operators to track the location of their golfers on the course to improve the overall customer experience. Listen in as Michael retrieves a wealth of knowledge from this seasoned and multi-faceted industry veteran. Are you looking for an advanced business management system to improve operations at your course?

Listen in as Michael Williams sits down with Eleanor Brown, Director of Sustainability at Southworth Development, as they dive into the exciting ways owner/operators can make their facilities more environmentally friendly. Recorded on the heels of Earth Day, listen in to learn about practical ways to reduce water usage, improve carbon emissions and provide habitats for wildlife at your facility. What operational insights can you glean from this seasoned environmental expert?

Then, Michael welcomes Bryan Hunt from Toptracer, an NGCOA Executive Partner, for a House Chat. Discover the features of Toptracer’s new instruction software. Listen in as Bryan describes this data integrated technology giving PGA professionals a more in depth understanding of their student’s game. From trackable lesson assignments to a game-changing web-enabled platform that enhances golf instruction, are you looking for new ways to improve the player experience at your facility?

Jay Karen (NGCOA CEO) and Don Rea, Vice President, PGA of America sit down with special guest Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-01) for the April 2023 edition of Golf Business LIVE. They’ll fill you in on the latest industry news and trends, and preview the upcoming (and in-person) National Golf Day 2023. Plus, as co-chair of the newly-formed Congressional Golf Caucus, hear what the congresswoman has on her golf industry radar. As an owner/operator, what emerging legislation should you be keeping an eye on?

Then, Golf Business LIVE host Michael Williams welcomes Ken Reynolds, Vice President of Sales for aboutGOLF, an NGCOA Executive Partner, for a House Chat. Discover the value aboutGOLF’s simulators can add to your golf entertainment operations and increase revenue at your facility. With a plethora of elite golf course designs to choose from and an array of traditional and non-traditional games you can play, simulators are changing the way customers are enjoying golf. Are you interested in adding another exciting revenue stream to your business?

Golf Business LIVE with Michael Williams returns with our fan favorite Owner-to-Owner segment! Listen in as Michael checks in with Jeff Hoag of Scott Lake Golf Course and Justin Smith of Olde Homestead Golf Club to see how they are managing their golf operations during the cold winter months. What insights can you glean from these seasoned operators about running your facility during the off season? 

Then, Michael welcomes Sarah McKee, Partner, and Trevor Bastien, Director of Sales, for 100GROUP,, an NGCOA Smart Buy Marketplace partner! In this House Chat, learn how 100GROUP’s dedication to customer service has made them a leader in the space of credit card processing. Are you looking for a way to streamline your point of sale systems and get more cost effective rates at your facility?

It’s the first Golf Business Podcast of 2023! We kick things off with a talk about all things player engagement in our Inside Golf Business segment! Host Michael Williams sits down with PGA of America's Steve Tanner to discuss how teaching programs for golfers of all ages are specifically geared to help develop a passion for the game – and the risk-free (and revenue-enhancing) ways course owners can play a part.

Then, for the first House Chat of the new year, Michael welcomes Jonathan Wride, CEO of Supreme Golf, the brand new sponsor of Golf Business LIVE and the latest NGCOA Executive Partner! From advanced course management to in-depth reporting technology, learn how Supreme Golf is working hand in hand with golf course operators to increase revenue and reduce costs. With all of the tee time booking innovation and technology sweeping across the industry, what changes are you making at your golf operation to further optimize your business?

Jay Karen (NGCOA CEO) and Don Rea, Vice President, PGA of America sit down with PGA of America's CEO Seth Waugh on a recent Golf Business LIVE! Hear what's on the PGA's radar in 2023 (+ beyond), his vision for the golf industry, near-term challenges and opportunities, and much more.

Then, for this edition of House Chat, Golf Business LIVE host Michael Williams welcomes Matt Pringle, Managing Director for the USGA Green Section, an NGCOA Smart Buy Partner. For over 100 years the USGA Green Section has been at the forefront of golf agronomy. Discover how they continue to deliver the best research and technological advancements for owners and superintendents managing the condition of their courses.

Listen in as Michael Williams sits down with Whitey O’Malley, Saddleback Golf Club, CO and Cathy Harbin, Pine Ridge Golf Course, TX to discuss current operations at their clubs and the challenges they faced this year. From record droughts to supply and demand delays, learn how these veteran operators strategically managed the critical issues of 2022 and are planning for an economic downturn next year. 

Then, Golf Business LIVE host Michael Williams welcomes Tagmarshal’s CEO Bodo Sieber for this edition of House Chat. Discover how they’re providing technologically advanced solutions for course owners to manage the ever-present problem of slow play. Tagmarshal streamlines operations with software that provides insightful data to improve efficiency, increase revenue, and optimize the guest experience.