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In this episode of Leadership on the Links, Tyler Bloom sits down with Tim Freund, General Manager, and James Carroll, Director of Golf Course Maintenance, to discuss the leadership, planning, and partnership required to guide a historic club through significant change.

Throughout the conversation, they explore the importance of alignment between the general manager and superintendent, the role of club engagement, and the value of investing in both infrastructure and people. Their insights offer a practical perspective on navigating complex projects while maintaining organizational culture and operational excellence.

Whether you are a club leader, superintendent, board member, or industry professional, this episode provides valuable lessons on collaboration, leadership development, and the long-term responsibilities that come with managing a premier golf facility.

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In this episode of Leadership on the Links, Tyler Bloom sits down with Tim Freund, General Manager of Shoal Creek Club, and James Carroll, Director of Golf Course Maintenance, for a conversation about what it really takes to transform a legendary golf club from the inside out. When a tornado tore through Shoal Creek in 2021 and leveled 2,500 trees in a matter of minutes, it became the unlikely catalyst for one of the most ambitious renovations in the club's nearly 50-year history. Tim and James share how they turned a crisis into a defining moment, brought in acclaimed architect Andrew Green, and built the kind of GM-superintendent partnership that most clubs only talk about.

From navigating deferred capital expenses and massive infrastructure overhauls to keeping staff culture intact through a full-club closure, this episode is a masterclass in collaborative leadership, long-term planning, and what it means to truly invest in your people. If you work in club management, turf, or golf operations, this one is packed with real, actionable perspective from two leaders who are living it right now.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• How a natural disaster became the turning point that accelerated Shoal Creek's long-overdue renovation and reshaped the club's entire vision for the future.
• Why James Carroll attends board and finance committee meetings alongside the GM, and how that level of inclusion has transformed the GM-superintendent working relationship at Shoal Creek.
• The infrastructure realities behind elite golf course renovation, including how Shoal Creek addressed major water management issues that were quietly eroding the course asset every time it rained.
• How Tim and James develop their mid-level managers by bringing them into leadership meetings, co-presenting to committees, and building intentional career development paths.
• What working alongside architect Andrew Green has been like on the ground, including the creative latitude he gives his team and how his design vision comes to life through on-site collaboration.
• The honest state of the golf industry: rising equipment costs, sky-high member expectations, and why the clubs with a stewardship mindset will be the ones that retain great leaders.
• How AI and technology may soon play a role in helping superintendents better communicate course conditions and educate their memberships.

Links and Resources

• Tim Freund: [email protected]
• https://www.shoalcreekclub.com/

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In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with Kent Johnson, COO of Baltimore Country Club, one of the most storied platinum-level private clubs in the country. Kent pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a club culture that runs through every layer of an organization, from the board room to the line-level staff. He shares the philosophy behind BCC's "Great People Make Favorite Places" credo, how BCC University keeps staff engaged and growing, and why the club has leaned hard into becoming a community employer of choice in a tight labor market.

If you lead a club, manage a team, or are simply passionate about what high-performance hospitality looks like in a private club setting, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

What You'll Learn in this Episode:

• How Kent built BCC's "Great People Make Favorite Places" culture over eight years and why it starts long before anyone is hired.
• Why BCC University, with 70 to 80 classes per year taught by staff, members, and celebrities like Cal Ripken Jr., keeps team engagement high and turnover low.
• The role of cross-departmental leadership meetings in breaking down silos and driving the club's core values to every level of the organization.
• How hosting USGA championship events, including the US Senior Amateur and Women's Amateur, helps BCC attract elite agronomy and hospitality talent.
• Kent's honest take on where the club management industry is headed, including the workforce pipeline challenge facing agronomy and equipment manager roles.
• Why developing talent from within is the most reliable recruiting strategy in today's tight labor market.
• How the GM-superintendent relationship should work, and what "just get out of their way" really means in practice.

Links and Resources:

• Kent Johnson, Baltimore Country Club: LinkedIn
• Baltimore Country Club: baltimorecc.org
• Tyler Bloom, Bloom Golf Partners: bloomgolfpartners.com
• Book Mentioned: The Simple Truth About Your Business by Alex Brennan-Martin
• Book Mentioned: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
• Club Management Association of America: cmaa.org

In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with two of the most respected figures at one of golf's most iconic clubs, Paul Latshaw, Director of Golf Course Operations at Merion Golf Club, and Golf Course Superintendent, Alexander Bonini, to dig into what it really takes to build a culture of excellence in turf management.

From Merion's legendary impact on the turf industry to the hands-on mentorship philosophy that has shaped careers across the country, Paul and Alex share the principles behind one of the most admired grounds programs in the game. We also get into the evolving role of the superintendent as both a field agronomist and organizational leader, and what may be the most pressing staffing challenge the industry faces.

Whether you're an intern just entering the field, an assistant looking to take the next step, or a club leader trying to build a winning team, this conversation is packed with insights you won't find anywhere else.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why Merion Golf Club has functioned like a "teaching hospital" for the turf industry, developing generations of superintendents, assistants, and professionals who've gone on to lead elite clubs nationwide.

• How Paul Latshaw approaches staff culture from day one, and why attitude and effort always outrank technical skill when hiring.

• The power of tailored intern experiences and why Alex Bonini and the Merion team leverage their alumni to do the recruiting for them.

• What first-time superintendents almost always misunderstand about the job before they land it.

• How the superintendent role has evolved into a CEO-level position and why staying in the field remains the most valuable thing a great super can do.

• A behind-the-scenes look at preparing Merion for the 2025 US Amateur Championship in August, one of the most demanding tournament prep challenges Paul says he has ever faced.

• Why the equipment manager may be the hardest position to fill at a private club and what clubs need to do right now to prepare for a looming talent gap in that role.

• The generational shift happening in how young turf professionals view their careers, and why Paul and Tyler both believe we are entering a golden age for the turfgrass industry.

Links and Resources

• Paul Latshaw -- LinkedIn Profile

• Alexander Bonini -- LinkedIn Profile

• Merion Golf Club -- Website

• Bloom Golf Partners -- bloomgolfpartners.com

• Leadership on the Links Podcast -- Listen Here

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In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we dig into one of the most urgent and overlooked workforce challenges in the golf industry, the equipment manager pipeline crisis. Tyler Bloom is joined by Pat Jones, veteran golf industry journalist and researcher, and Mike Rollins of SIP, for a revealing breakdown of their third employment trends study, this time focused entirely on golf course equipment managers.

Together, they unpack data gathered from over 110 respondents to paint a clear picture of a role that is vital, evolving, and dangerously understaffed. From aging workforce demographics to the cultural dynamics that drive equipment managers out the door, this conversation challenges superintendents, directors of agronomy, and club leaders to take real action before the house truly is on fire.

If you care about turf quality, equipment reliability, or what it takes to sustain the record-breaking growth golf is experiencing right now, this is a conversation you cannot afford to miss.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Nearly 80% of equipment managers describe themselves as lifers, but asterisks apply: poor culture and lack of advocacy from superintendents remain the top reasons they leave.

• 59% of respondents have 20 or more years of experience, while only 5% have entered the field in the last five years, revealing a dangerous gap in the pipeline.

• Equipment manager knowledge is largely informal and tribal, with no dedicated formal training programs currently filling the gap left by schools like Lake City Community College.

• Annual performance reviews and transparent compensation pathways consistently rank as top retention drivers, often more than pay increases themselves.

• Culture eats strategy: superintendents who advocate for their equipment managers in budget meetings, board rooms, and day-to-day operations are the single biggest factor in retention.

• The role has expanded well beyond cutting units to include robotics, GPS systems, cart fleets, and facility maintenance, raising the stakes for finding and developing qualified candidates.

• Apprenticeship programs and pulling talent from existing maintenance crews are among the most practical near-term solutions for building a new generation of equipment managers.

• 64% of equipment managers say they would stay in golf even if better-paying opportunities existed outside the industry — a silver lining that depends on clubs stepping up.

Links and Resources:

• Pat Jones —linkedin.com/in/pat-jones-226766b0

• Pat Jones — Flagstick LLC: patjonesflagstick.com

• Mike Rollins — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mike-rollins-9b34a3114

• Mike Rollins on X: x.com/MikeRollinsSIP

• Cutline is King (free PDF): sipgrinder.com/support/cutline.html

• The Daily Grind Series (YouTube):

• Bloom Golf Partners Employment Trends Research: bloomgolfpartners.com/research-2

Summary OUR 100TH EPISODE! In this exciting, milestone episode of Leadership on the Links, Tyler Bloom and Meredith Otero sit down with Jeff Morgan, CEO of the Club Management Association of America (CMAA), to explore what the future holds for private club leadership, workforce development, and the role of technology in transforming the club experience.

Jeff shares how his background in finance and technology led him to association management and ultimately to the helm of CMAA, one of the most influential organizations in the private club industry. From building a more diverse leadership pipeline to tackling governance challenges and embracing AI, this conversation covers the full landscape of where clubs are headed and how the professionals inside them are rising to meet the moment.

Whether you are a superintendent eyeing a path to club leadership, a GM navigating a shifting membership, or a club professional curious about the forces shaping the industry, this episode delivers real insight from someone who has dedicated over a decade to advancing the profession. What You'll Learn in this Episode:

• CMAA has grown dramatically since COVID, with nearly half its current membership joining post-pandemic, signaling a surge in interest and investment in professional club management.

• The pathway to becoming a general manager has opened significantly, welcoming superintendents, chefs, CFOs, and wellness professionals into senior club leadership roles.

• Jeff outlines what good club governance looks like: a true partnership between the board and staff team, with boards focused on financial stewardship and strategic vision rather than day-to-day operations.

• Women now represent roughly a third of CMAA's membership, and for the first time in the association's history, four women currently serve on its national board of 13.

• AI and autonomous technology will not replace human connection at clubs but will free up professionals to focus on high-touch member experiences and more meaningful work.

• CMAA is approaching its 100th anniversary with a new member needs analysis that will shape its next strategic plan, designed to serve an evolving and growing profession for the next century.

• The integration of amenities, golf, fitness, food, wellness, and social programming, is what creates the kind of stickiness that keeps members engaged and clubs financially healthy.

Links and Resources

Jeff Morgan – LinkedIn Profile

Club Management Association of America (CMAA) – cmaa.org BOOK A STRATEGY CALL

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In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with Paul Hurst, founder of Greens Pro and one of the golf industry's most recognizable voices in independent distribution. Paul shares his unlikely path from aspiring lawyer to university golf course assistant, and how that foundation shaped his passion for the sales and distribution side of the turf industry. Known for his sharp humor and unfiltered takes on X (formerly Twitter), Paul opens up about why he started creating content, what it really takes to build genuine partnerships with superintendents, and why the price-first approach kills relationships before they start.

We also dig into one of the industry's most pressing challenges: the growing divide between well-funded clubs and the rest of the market, and what that means for recruiting, training, and long-term sustainability in golf course operations. Plus, Paul doesn't hold back on the PGA Tour's use of vendor volunteers, the culture conversation nobody wants to have honestly, and what separates truly great golf operations from average ones.

If you're in turf, sales, or anywhere in the golf industry ecosystem, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

What You'll Learn in this Episode:

• How Paul went from a seven-year college journey to building Greens Pro into a respected independent distributor in the Midwest.
• Why leading with price is the fastest way to get ignored by a superintendent and what actually builds lasting vendor relationships.
• The growing talent and workforce crisis in golf, and why smaller facilities are getting squeezed out of the recruiting pipeline.
• What separates great golf course operations from average ones: it's not budget, it's presentation, detail, and a tight-knit staff.
• Paul's candid take on PGA Tour volunteer expectations for vendors and why he believes the model is fundamentally flawed.
• How a COVID-era music side hustle on Twitter helped Paul build a community, grow his business, and create content that resonates across the industry.
• Why culture is more than mission statements, and what real team culture actually looks like on the ground.

Links and Resources

• Paul Hurst on X (Twitter): @GreensPro
• Greens Pro: greensproturf.com
• Bloom Golf Partners: bloomgolfpartners.com

In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with Danny Gwyn, Vice President of Golf Course Maintenance at Concert Golf Partners, one of the top owner-operator golf companies in the country. Danny brings over 40 years of experience in the industry, from pulling goosegrass out of greens at 14 to overseeing agronomic operations across Concert's 40+, and growing, private clubs in the United States. He shares hard-won lessons on leadership, labor, member communication, and what it truly means to run a golf course like a business. Whether you're a superintendent, an aspiring regional director, or a club leader looking to sharpen your edge, this conversation delivers the kind of no-nonsense insight that only comes from decades in the field.

What You'll Learn in this Episode:

• Why Concert Golf Partners operates as an owner-operator rather than a management company, and why that distinction matters for superintendents and clubs alike.

• How Danny transitioned from single-course superintendent to overseeing multiple properties and what the biggest mindset shifts were.

• The importance of removing ego from member interactions and why listening is one of the most underrated leadership skills in turf management.

• What trends Danny is watching closely: labor market resets, deferred maintenance, and the undervalued assistant superintendent pipeline.

• How Concert is investing in staff development through internal promotion incentives and tuition support for crew members pursuing agronomy education.

• Why clubs often overestimate their market position and how realistic self-assessment leads to smarter decisions.

• The simple, visible communication tactics that build member trust without a single email.

• What autonomy really looks like across a 40+ club portfolio and why Concert refuses to cookie-cutter its operations.

Links and Resources

• Danny Gwyn – Concert Golf Partners Leadership Page: https://www.concertgolfpartners.com/leadership

• Concert Golf Partners: https://www.concertgolfpartners.com

• Bloom Golf Partners: https://bloomgolfpartners.com

• Book a Call with Tyler: https://calendly.com/marym-bloomgolfpartners/executive-search-recruitment-services

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Summary

In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with John Ballard, a 27-year golf industry veteran and former Superintendent at Valhalla Golf Club, to talk about one of the most underexplored topics in the turf profession: what happens when you decide to walk away from a top-100 club and start over.

John shares his remarkable career story, from landing his first superintendent role at just 22 years old at Audubon Country Club, to managing cool-season transitions at the University of Louisville, to leading the grounds operation at Valhalla through COVID, a historic Zoysia renovation, and the 2024 PGA Championship. But what makes this episode truly special is what came after Valhalla: his candid reflection on identity, career transitions, and his move into a new role as Key Account Manager at Simplot Turf and Horticulture.

Whether you're a superintendent eyeing your next move, an assistant trying to build your network, or someone navigating a career crossroads, this episode is packed with perspective you can act on today.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How John climbed from assistant to superintendent at 22 and the mentality that carried him through every step of his career.

• Why he believes your network is the single most powerful tool in landing your next opportunity, and how he has intentionally built it over 27 years.

• What it was really like to navigate Valhalla through COVID, staffing shortages, and a complete fairway and tee renovation, and why patience in building the right team made all the difference.

• The importance of engaging assistants and AITs in leadership decisions, green committee exposure, and member interactions, and why more superintendents should be doing this.

• What the job search actually looks like when you leave a high-profile role: the nerves, the strategy, and the mindset shifts required to stay focused.

• How John is discovering an entirely new side of the turf industry through his role at Simplot, and why superintendents may be limiting themselves by thinking there's only one path.

• The honest conversation about professional identity: what happens when your job title is how others define you, and why separating the two matters.

Links & Resources

• John Ballard: [email protected] | Twitter/X: @jballard1

• Simplot Turf & Horticulture

• Bloom Golf Partners

• GCSAA Member Directory

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In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with Aaron Dawson, founder of Viewpoint EQ and a 20-year hospitality and private club veteran, for a candid conversation about self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and what it truly takes to lead at the highest levels of the golf and club industry. Aaron shares his transformative journey with the Birkman Method a powerful personality and behavioral assessment and how it changed not only how he leads, but how he listens, communicates, and builds psychologically safe teams. From lessons learned at Carmel Country Club to the universal blind spots holding club leaders back, this episode is a masterclass in intentional leadership.

Whether you're a superintendent, director of agronomy, general manager, or aspiring leader, this conversation will challenge you to look inward and elevate how you show up for your team every day.

• How the Birkman Method unlocks hidden behavioral needs that other personality assessments miss and why self-awareness is the most critical leadership skill in private clubs today.

• Why the "Golden Rule" fails 70% of the time, and what to do instead when communicating with your team, members, and board.

• The concept of psychological safety and how Aaron helped cultivate it at Carmel Country Club to create a high-performing, candid, and aligned culture.

• How alignment (not talent) is the #1 blind spot in private clubs, boards, and leadership teams and the questions you must ask before accepting your next role.

• Why asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness and how top leaders like Jeff Bezos do only what only they can do.

• Practical advice for directors of agronomy on managing up, handling member feedback, and building trust before the pressure of summer season hits.

• What general managers and club leaders actually look for in director-level hires and the red flags that disqualify otherwise talented candidates.

• How stress indicators and personality traits (like Aaron's "high insistence, low restlessness") show up in leadership and how to proactively manage them.

• Tyler Bloom's personal leadership evolution: from operator to CEO, delegating identity, and building a team that carries pride on the trade show floor.

Aaron Dawson – Viewpoint EQ: viewpointeq.com

Email Aaron: [email protected]

Call Aaron: 979-436-3851

Aaron Dawson – LinkedIn Profile: Connect on LinkedIn

Bloom Golf Partners: bloomgolfpartners.com

CMAA (Club Management Association of America): cmaa.org