Golf Yeah (Gordon G. Andrew)

"I want to create the largest golf philanthropic platform in history...whatever that means."

• Why his last name does not end in an "i" or "y" and how to correctly pronounce it.
• His experience managing risk for treasury traders at Bear Stearns, right before the company crashed and burned during the financial collapse. [caption id="attachment_3100" align="alignright" width="199"] Growing up, Eric played nearly every sport, except for golf.[/caption]
• How and why he was laid off from so many early stage technology companies during the internet boom.
• The catalyst that turned his initial fundraising project into a sustained enterprise.
• How his father's battle with ALS profoundly shaped his world view.
• The logistics involved in running multiple charity auctions simultaneously.
• The backstory on his Hertz-sponsored "Golf for a Cause" video series.
• Eric's future plans for growing his philanthropic platform, including outside of golf.

“As a 10 year-old, I discovered that I liked making my own money, and being in charge of my own destiny."

Jane Spicer

Entrepreneur / CEO of a Global Golf Equipment Company

Phoenix, Arizona

Jane Spicer is the person behind a classic American success story. Over the past 40 years, she’s built one of the golf industry’s most successful global companies.

Jane started out, at 10 years old, making and selling puppets at weekend arts & crafts shows, so that she could buy a sailboat. At one of those shows, someone suggested that the puppets would make great headcovers. So she gave it a try….and through sheer tenacity and a little bit of luck…Jane has grown her Arizona-based Daphne’s Headcovers into a company that sells nearly 200 types of animal headcovers in 75 countries. You’re likely to find a Daphne’s display, and sometimes two, at almost any golf store, golf club or resort pro shop.

Jane’s most famous headcover, and the one that has helped fuel her company’s success, is Frank the Tiger – which is one of the most recognized headcovers in the world…thanks to Tiger Woods…or more specifically, to Tiger Woods’ mother, who gave the headcover to her son.

In fact, mothers have always played an important role in Jane’s life story. And in her interview of Golf Yeah, she explains why.

Show Highlights: 

• Jane’s long journey from selling puppets at arts & craft fairs to running a successful global manufacturer of golf headcovers.
• The backstory behind “Frank the Tiger,” her company’s big business break, and the role that Tiger Woods’ mother played.
• Other Tour Pros who carry her company’s animal headcovers…and why Padraig Harrington’s headcover is a ladybug.
• The legal protections for Jane’s headcover designs, and how she discourages companies from stealing her copyrighted products.
• The drama behind the order from American Express for 30,000 "Frank the Tiger" headcovers.
• How her company decides which animal designs to create, and what happens to designs that don’t succeed in the market.
• The most challenging aspects of managing a staff and manufacturing products overseas.
• Jane’s charitable causes, and how she partners with PGA Tour professionals to help their charities.
• What she would likely be doing, if her headcover business had not worked out.
• The next big item that’s on Jane Spicer’s bucket list.
• “Lessons learned” and words of advice for listeners who have always wanted to run their own business.

Notable Quotes: 

On advice from her mother: “I was 10 years old and wanted to buy a sailboat. My mother told me, 'Think of a business, and then run it yourself.' I discovered that I liked making my own money and being in charge of my own destiny."

On her "overnight success" story: “In college I sold headcovers basically for beer money. When I got out of college, I got a real job and I didn't like it...So I sold my car and bought a van with 2 seats and an AM radio, and I went on the road for 6 years building the business.'"

On the benefits of her 6-year experience on the road: “It was like getting my MBA. I was dealing with everybody, face-to-face. I learned so much about customer service and people, and I could handle anything in business after that time on the street."

"If you have a little bit of imagination, a knowledge of golf and how people play, course design is not rocket science. Pine Valley was designed by an amateur."

• Dave's high school and collegiate golfing days, and his 6 years playing on the PGA Tour.
• His career transition from PGA Tour player to club professional at Winged Foot. [caption id="attachment_3085" align="alignright" width="300"] In the first playoff hole of the 1986 NJSGA Open, David Glenz' bunker shot resulted in a dramatic sand save, as well as the trophy that year.[/caption]
• Competing in the US Club Pro team against Great Britain in 1984, and playing in the British Open that same year at St. Andrews.
• The story of how and why Dave hits the ball right-handed and putts left-hander.
• The most common swing errors he sees amateur golfers consistently making.
• Why the backswing is not the most critical part of hitting the ball well.
• How, when he was playing his best golf, he was never thinking about swing mechanics.
• The skiing accident that affected his playing ability for six years.
• How and when his dream to build a golf course began.
• Overcoming years of political and environmental obstacles necessary to complete Black Oak Golf Club.

"History is the real differentiator from club to club. It can increase club pride, enhance the brand, and attract new members."

• What simple swing instruction from her only instructor - longtime Yale Golf Director David Paterson - she has followed over the years.
• The connection between her childhood interest in building glass sculptures and her enrolling in the University of Florida.
• How she grew her first graphic design business by knocking on doors with no introduction or appointment.
• The list of companies this hard-wired entrepreneur has started (and ended) as market conditions changed.
• The three main reasons why country clubs decide to focus on their history as a marketing asset.
• Her advice for young women or men seeking a golf-related business or career.

“I carry the cross of the Carr name. When I show up on the golf course, I need to deflate everyone's expectations. Iv'e actually had people ask me if I'm adopted.”

Marty Carr, Founder and CEO

Carr Golf Group

Dublin, Ireland

For someone who was raised in the shadow of a man who’s recognized as Ireland’s greatest amateur golfer of all time, and who was the youngest child in a family with 6 kids, Marty Carr seems to have done pretty well for himself over the past 30 plus years.

Since 1989, Marty Carr has overseen the growth and success of Dublin-based Carr Golf, which is one of the world’s most respected operators of customized golf tours in Ireland, Scotland, England (and elsewhere). In fact, Carr Golf has received Golf Digest’s Editors’ Choice Award four years running for “Best Tour Operator” from 2016 – 2019

Under Marty’s direction, and with help from his brother Roddy, Carr Golf has expanded beyond travel, into two other business lines that leverage the company’s expertise in golf: those include a golf course maintenance company; and a business that provides course management and marketing services. Carr Golf currently employs more than 80 people on a full-time basis, and a team twice that size for various projects. Carr Golf has been involved a number of renowned golf projects, including Old Head of Kinsale, Dromoland Castle, Mount Juliet, Carton House and Barbados Golf Club.

I’d like to suggest that the key to Carr Golf’s growth and success can be found in the company’s 6 core values, which are displayed prominently on its website. Here are the first two:

• We offer service and respect to staff and customers (interesting that staff is not only included, it’s listed before customers)
• We understand the value of reputation, integrity and trust

It’s refreshing to see a company that stands for something more than making money.

Show Highlights: 

• What life was like growing up with a father who was a golfing legend in Ireland
• Marty's explanation of why, "I've got the name, but not the game." when it comes to golfing talent.
• [caption id="attachment_2969" align="alignright" width="300"] Marty's father, Joe (J.B.) Carr, is considered the greatest amateur Irish golfer of all time.[/caption]
• His initial career path as a financial advisor in the US and Ireland
• The backstory behind how and why Carr Golf was started
• The competitive challenges of running a golf travel and events business
• Why Americans and the Irish "get each other"
• Key differences between golfing in Ireland and Scotland
• Why his Father & Son, and Father & Daughter World Invitational Golf tournaments have been so successful
• "Tough love" advice for someone who's thinking about starting a golf business

Notable Quotes:

On his father (J.B. Carr) being raised by his mother’s sister: “It was always a bit of a stigma, and certainly had an impact on him. My father never spoke of it, or acknowledged that he was adopted, or sought to connect with his adopted family.”

On his father’s golf game: “He was very big and all hands, was very powerful and could hit the ball a long way. He had the ability to power through the ball, even in the deepest of rough or toughest of lies. His putting was the most suspect part of his...

“IT HAD A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SOUND, AND WENT STRAIGHT AS A BULLET. I THOUGHT SOMEONE ELSE ON THE RANGE HAD HIT THAT GOLF BALL."

[caption id="attachment_2984" align="alignleft" width="300"] David with golfing legend Lee Trevino.[/caption]

David Lee

Golf Instructor / Father of Gravity Golf

Greenville, South Carolina

In any type of profession, there are individuals who are not always in the spotlight, but who are very well-known and recognized by the insiders of that profession, as being the most reliable sources of information and guidance.

They are the voices of authority who the very best in that business or field of study often turn to for guidance and inspiration. They are the pro’s pros. The trusted advisors. The "Yodas" who have the wisdom, earned over many years, necessary to tell successful people what they are doing wrong, and how fix it.

Over the past 40 years, David Lee has earned that reputation and that level of respect in the world of golf. But don’t take my word for it. Here are some quotes from three golfing legends:

• Lee Trevino once said that “David Lee would be the only guy I trust.”
• Jack Nicklaus gave his personal endorsement and full support for David’s unique teaching method...which David calls "Gravity Golf."

Here are just a few highlight’s of David’s career.

• He’s been named as a Top 100 Golf Instructor 12 times by Golf Magazine
• He played on the PGA Tour for 4 years, before an injury forced him to leave
• He has worked with more than 30 well-known PGA Tour professionals
• In addition to writing a book of his own, he’s been featured on ESPN, in Golf Digest, Golf Week and Golf Magazine
• He is the founder of Gravity Golf Schools, which have taken players from beginner to competitive level golf in one year
• And if that’s not enough, David is a featured speaker at all types of event, including three neuroscience conventions
• In fact, David’s extensive studies in physics and physiology nearly led to his nomination for a Nobel prize in both of those scientific disciples.

Based on his unique swing theory, David and his son Daniel continue to conduct Gravity Golf schools around the country, and offer a wide range of in-person and online instruction.

Show Highlights: 

• Why moving the ball with your body mass, instead of your muscle, is the key to a consistent golf swing
• How a mistake in his plan to become a golf architect caused him to become a golf professional
• 
• When he finally discovered that he had stumbled upon the move to the ball that Jack Nicklaus was using in his swing
• How a misdiagnosed hand injury caused total loss of function; and how it was cured by a change in diet
• Why it's so difficult to get PGA Tour players to change their swings
• The causes and cure for the dreaded putting "yips"
• Why laying down a club for alignment is of no value
• The reason why Ben Hogan would send members of Colonial Country Club to David for instruction

Notable Quotes: 

On the start of his golf career: “My...

"The reward of writing a book is not seeing your book in a book store. The reward is in the process."

• Never-before told secrets regarding his personal background
• What it really takes to succeed as a freelance journalist
• Why and how he transitioned from journalist to novelist
• The sad truth behind golf course ratings and rankings
• Why he hates BOTH sides of the LIV Golf battle with the PGA
• The connection between playing golf and living a Zen life

“Spend ten times the amount of time you think you should spend on hiring the right people for your business. Not twice the amount. Not three times the amount. Ten times the amount."

Tom Cox

Founder and CEO - Golfballs.com, Inc.

Lafayette, Louisiana

We’ve had a number of golf entrepreneurs on the Golf Yeah podcast, but it’s safe to say that none are as hard-wired or successful as Tom Cox. Tom is the co-founder, president and CEO of golfballs.com, a company he started in 1995, which was one of the first eCommerce businesses for golf products. Golfballs.com has been on a rocket ship since then. In 1996, for example, the company had sales of $16,000...and they currently are around $35 million.

There are three things I find interesting about Tom. First of all, he already had a solid 10+ year golf industry career before he started golfballs.com...as the manager of a prestigious golf club in Broussard, Louisiana. But Tom knew that he wanted something more...and had self-confidence to reach for it.

Secondly, Tom had the innate ability...not only to see a market opportunity in used golf balls, but also had the flexibility to change the focus of his business into mass customization of new golf balls and other golf-related items. So he had the talent of most great entrepreneurs...which is the ability to connect the dots, and to adapt quickly based on what he learned.

The third thing I find interesting about Tom is that he has not allowed his success to get in the way of giving back. And the way that Tom gives back is by serving as an advocate, advisor and fan of startup companies and their founders. Toward that end, he is co-founder and volunteer President of Opportunity Machine, a business accelerator. Tom is also a limited partner in Tectonic Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on technology companies with high growth potential.

Here's a fun fact about Tom. On the Meyers-Briggs personality test, which classifies people as one of 16 personality types, Tom is an ENTJ, which means he is Extroverted, Intuitive, Thinking and Judging. Meyers Briggs calls this personality type “Commanders;” and describes them as natural born leaders with charisma and confidence, who project authority in a way that draws people together behind a common goal. Other ENTJ people included Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. That group also included Richard Nixon, but we steer clear of politics in our podcasts.

Show Highlights: 

• Why a passion for golf was NOT the key to Tom's success
• How Tom came to connect the dots between two concepts -- used golf balls and internet marketing -- to create golfballs.com
• Behind the scenes insights into the world of used golf balls
• What happened in the market that caused Tom to change his business model
• The value of owning the golfballs.com domain, and how he also acquired golfball.com
• Why most people do not pay an additional fee for customizing their golf balls
• What types of things that Tom refuses to imprint on a golf ball
• The key to success in running a business with 120 employees
• The next step in Tom's plan for golfballs.com
• Why Tom invests so much time helping other entrepreneurs to succeed

Notable Quotes: 

On his original business plan: “It was simply to have a website as a marketing engine, and to employ guys who dive for golf balls do the fulfillment. It was not to run an operation with 120 employees."

On changing his business model: “You can pick ONE thing and be really good at it, and the ONE thing we work to be really good at is customized golf products....which means that you have to give up on some other...

"The average tour professional does not know the rules of golf very well."

• What happened to his career plan to become a veterinarian...which is unrelated to his owning two feral cats
• Why he believes the abundance of online instruction actually increases "in person" golf instruction
• How you become a golf rules official, and who gets the best tournament assignments
• The most confusing rules in golf, and the new rules for 2023
• How a twist of fate caused Dustin Johnson to lose the PGA Championship at Whistling Straights
• The most exciting moments in officiating tour events
• His near-death experience at the 2023 Masters Tournament

“Those wedge shots hit out on the toe or high in the face that don't go anywhere? They're not your fault."

Terry Koehler

Chairman / Director of Innovation, Edison Golf

Port O'Connor, Texas

Terry Koehler is known as “The Wedge Guy” for good reason. In fact, Pope Francis – who plays 4 rounds a week on the Vatican’s private golf course – recently named Terry as the “Patron Saint of Wedge Play.” Unfortunately, his installation ceremony in Rome has been delayed because of the pandemic.

But if you dig a little bit deeper into Terry’s background, or are a reader of his hundreds of blog posts, you know that his depth of knowledge regarding the game of golf, and about the golf equipment industry, goes far beyond wedges.

If you follow Terry, you know that when it comes to golf, he’s always opinionated and often thought provoking.

For example, Terry believes that:

• The golf courses you play on are often more difficult than the courses that the PGA Tour professionals play on.
• He believes that the focus on green speed has made the game too hard for the average golfer to score on,
• He believes you should carry a 4 wood in your bag, and
• He believes that if you slow down the transition from your downswing, your ball-striking and distance will improve. (Terry plays to a 3 handicap, so he does have some credibility on swing mechanics.)

Over the course of his history in the golf business, the connective tissue in his career path is Terry’s passion for craftsmanship, precision and performance when it comes to golf equipment.

So it’s not surprising that Terry came out of retirement in 2018 to create a company with a value proposition based on those three attributes. And also not surprisingly, it’s a company called Edison Golf, that makes Edison™ Forged wedges.

Show Highlights: 

• The origins of Terry's interest in exploring how things work, and in craftsmanship.
• How and why his fascination with wedges began.
• Why there has been such a consistent lack of innovation in wedge technology.
• Terry's rationale for making wedges for the average golfer, and why they would not be effective for Tour players.
• How a renegade brand like Edison, run by a contrarian thinker, intends to break into the mainstream golf equipment market.
• The rationale and logistics behind Edison’s “Custom Demo Offer."
• How many wedges, and what lofts, the average golfer should carry.
• If he had one last round to play, what course he would play on.
• What he might have done differently over the course of his 30 year career.
• Terry's most significant source of personal inspiration over the years.

Notable Quotes: 

On how he got started in golf: “I do not remember life before golf. I grew up playing on a 9-hole public golf course in a small town in south Texas, and that where I spent my summer days."

On his golf equipment education: “In my early career as a marketer, I spent a lot of time in the "back end" of golf companies, asking them questions like, "Why did you do that to the golf club?" and 'Why does that golf club do this?"

On his fascination with wedges: "After testing golf clubs for more than 20 years, I can say that wedges are the most volatile clubs in our bag."

"When you can take a player from a 27 to an 11 handicap, it's something to be really proud of."

• His short-lived career as a goalie in the American Junior Hockey League
• How he shaped his own approach to teaching the golf swing by watching hundreds of instructional videos
• Why he's found that golfers make greater progress in golf schools, compared with individual lessons
• The reason why coaches for PGA Tour players are fearful to suggest significant swing changes
• The teaching advantages of virtual FaceTime lessons
• Why he will always include student lessons in his online videos
• The #1 fault that he sees in the swings of average golfers around the world

“Men who are in the golf business need to step up and recognize that women golfers are here."

• Highlights of Donna’s’ journey: from CPA, to owner of video production company, to founder of Women on Course.
• The origins of Women on Course; how and why Donna started the organization; its original visions and how it’s changed over the years.
• The scope of activities and geography that Women on Course covers.
• The differences between how men and women approach the game of golf.
• The best and worst ways for women to get started playing golf.
• The misunderstandings and fears that women have that keeps them from learning how to play golf.
• Types of courses that are most “women friendly.”
• Validation that the golfing world still has its share of male Neanderthals who are not enthusiastic to share the game with women.

“My father would fill my golf bag with rocks to slow down my backswing.”

Peter Cowan

Head PGA Golf Professional
North Fork Country Club (Est. 1912)
Cutchogue, Long Island, New York

Peter Cowan, a native of Dublin, Ireland, started out in the hospitality business…working for 6 years as a head chef at respected restaurants in Dublin and New York City. But he eventually gave up a promising culinary career to follow his passion for the game of golf, which he had played since he was old enough to carry a bag.

Peter paid his dues as an assistant pro at classic clubs, including Brooklawn (Est. 1895) and The Creek (Est. 1925). For the past 21 years, he has served as head golf professional at North Fork, one of America’s oldest and most prestigious clubs.

In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve known Peter for 30 years; since the day he nearly set my house on fire in Connecticut. He’s my first guest on Golf Yeah, not only because he exemplifies someone whose passion for golf drove him to change careers, but also because he’s fun to talk to…as you will see.

Show Highlights:

• The backstory on Peter and his father’s dream that he become a golf pro
• Why Peter’s father loaded his golf bag with rocks
• How and why Peter started out as a chef rather then a golf pro
• What sad event caused Peter’s career path to take a sharp dogleg left
• Overview of what it takes to earn a PGA card
• The different types of golf clubs and arrangements with their pro
• The toughest part of being a head golf pro
• Biggest mistakes Peter sees golfers making with their swings
• Peter’s simple swing thought
• Smartest and dumbest thing Peter has done in his career
• The differences between golf in Ireland and the USA
• What golf equipment Peter uses and why
• Peter’s sole source of personal inspiration
• How Peter and Gordon met, and why Peter nearly burned down Gordon’s house

Notable Quotes:

On learning to play the game:   “I grew up playing golf in Ireland, since I was 5 or 6 years old.”

On why he loves the game:   “I love the overall understanding of the game of golf; not just playing the game.”

On building your career:   “To get a shot at a position as a golf pro, you have to work at differentiating yourself from other people.“

On hitting the ball:   “Before you swing a golf club, your posture has to be correct.”

Resources:

Golf Yeah Interview Out-takes

Peter Cowan Website

“People who succeed in this business show up early and stay late, and have a willingness to do anything…even if it’s “not their job,” and even if it means helping to move a refrigerator.”

Brian Thorne

President, Veritas Productions
Fairfield, Connecticut

Brian Thorne is a man who wears many different hats. He’s been a freelance camera operator for the Golf Channel for the past 8 years. He also does freelance production for ESPN and NFL Films. We will hear from someone who has filmed 10 Super Bowls, 2 World Series, The Olympics in Rio; and for golf, 7 Masters, 8 PGA Tournaments, 8 US Opens, and many more! 

Brian teaches at the graduate level at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. He runs his own company called Veritas Productions, which is a full-service video production company. And in his spare time, he does things like coach his son’s football team, and win Emmy Awards.

Listen in and discover Brian’s passion and insights on what it takes to break into the video production side of professional sports broadcasting. 

 Show Highlights: 

• Why Kelly Tilghman really left the Golf Channel 
• Where Brian’s passion for video production began
• How Brian moved up the industry ranks, and paid his dues 
• Starting Veritas Production right out of school 
• Learning on the ground, high-level professional camera work 

“It was a lesson I had learned more than any other in golf, to stick around until the good happened. It wouldn’t always be as dramatic as an ace or an eagle, but golf loves a grinder.”

Tom Coyne

Author and University Professor
Devon, Pennsylvania

Tom Coyne is a highly regarded author of four golf-related books. His most recent book, “A Course Called Scotland” was published this past summer. It chronicles his 2015 odyssey where Tom played 110 courses in Scotland over 57 days. This was a sequel to his 2009 book entitled “A Course Called Ireland,” that covers his 16 weeks playing nearly 60 courses.

Both of these books provide great insights into links courses in Ireland and Scotland. But Tom Coyne is NOT a travel writer. He is a world-class Irish story teller…without the blarney. He’s an extremely talented writer and his books are a joy to read.

I think you’ll enjoy my conversation with Tom, even if you haven’t read any of his books yet. But if you’re a serious golfer, you need to put him on your reading list. And I’ve made it really easy for you, by including Amazon links to Tom’s “Ireland” and “Scotland” books at the bottom of these show notes. You can start with his latest book on Scotland, or start at the beginning with his first book called “A Gentleman’s Game,” that he wrote as a grad student, and was made into a movie.

So…If you’re interested in the craft of writing, and are thinking about a career that involves writing about golf – or writing about any topic – then this podcast is well worth your time. In addition to being a published author, Tom’s a professor at St. John’s University in Philadelphia…where he’s taught writing for 15 years.

Show Highlights:

• Tom’s unconventional pathway to success as a published author
• The ratio of “Luck to Talent” involved in a writing career
• Why it’s important for writers to be comfortable promoting your own work
• Why structure and organization is essential for good writing
• The strong connection between music and writing
• The biggest obstacle to success, both in writing and in golf
• Writing styles and golf swings that Tom tries to emulate
• The story behind the Coyne Cup, and how anyone can sign up to play
• The differences and similarities between Scottish and Irish temperaments
• A couple classic caddie and pub stories from the pages of his latest book
• The strongest and weakest parts of Tom’s golf game
• Golf course layouts that Tom does not enjoy playing on
• Tom’s #1 piece of advice for aspiring writers and golfers

Notable Quotes:

On getting published: “It’s a strange and wonderful thing when something you write goes off into the world and takes on a life of its own.”

On success at a very early stage in his writing career: “I probably didn’t appreciate it back then as much as I appreciate it now.”

On his book causing gentrification of Askernish on the island of South Uist: “Given all the flights and ferries to get there, and with only 100 beds on the island, I don’t see Askernish ever getting there.”

On becoming a great writer: “The only way you can begin to find your voice as a writer is to be writing all the time.”

On the quality golf books: “Of all the sports, golf has the best cannon of literature.”

On his next book: “Can’t talk much about that project yet. I know the story. There will be travel. There will be fun.  And there will be golf.”

On his swing thought: “When I remember to have one…it’s...

“We are all golfers first. Adaptive golfers just happen to have unique, special needs.

Gianna Rojas

Adaptive Golf Advocate
Oak Ridge, New Jersey

Born without fingers on her left hand, Gianna Rojas is known world-wide as the “One-Handed Lady Golfer,” and she has dedicated much of her recent life to bringing attention to golfing success stories that involve people with physical, cognitive, sensory, health and age-related challenges. Gianna is recognized as one of the leading and most influential voices in a growing movement that’s called “Adaptive Golf,” which is working to promote accessibility to the game of golf for everyone.

Gianna was recently named by the LPGA as one of the top 22 Women “Disruptors” in the golf industry. And you might think that she has a body double…because Gianna is everywhere…including the Golf Channel, local and national news, and as guest speaker at a broad range of industry and corporate events, including the PGA Merchandise Show and the Abilities Expo. Gianna is an active member of organizations too numerous to mention, where she collaborates and sits on several committees.

Gianna Rojas with the legendary “Golf Fanatic” David Finn

In addition to all of her advocacy work, Giana is a bona fide golfer. She walks the talk as an Adaptive Athlete. For example, she is a member of the US Disabled Golf Team and is a two-time division winner in the Adaptive and Para Long Drive competition.

We have a very selfish reason for featuring Gianna as a guest on Golf Yeah. This is a podcast for people who aspire to build a business or career related to their love for the game golf. Gianna certainly has achieved that goal through her Adaptive Golfers organization. But what’s even more valuable than her success story, which you’ll hear, is Gianna discussion of what it takes to overcome the obstacles in your head and in your heart that keep you from reaching your full potential.

Regardless of whether your life goals involve a golf career, or simply being a happier person, you’ll find Gianna’s spirit and determination to be contagious.

Show Highlights:  

• How Gianna serves as an advocate for changing people’s mindsets, regardless of their abilities  
• The social and personal challenges Gianna faced in her childhood 

“After 23 years on the bag, I still love caddying. Physically, I think I’m in good enough shape to do it for another 10 years, or maybe longer.”

John Wood

Veteran PGA Tour Caddie
Sacramento, California

John Wood has what many golf enthusiasts consider to be a dream job. As a professional caddie on the PGA Tour for the past 23 years, John Wood has carried for Hunter Mahan, Kevin Sutherland and Mark Calcavecchia. He is now in his 4^th year on the bag for Matt Kuchar. In addition to scores of regular tour events and major tournaments behind the ropes, John has been part of 7 Ryder Cup teams, 6 Presidents Cup teams and the 2016 Olympics.

It’s safe to say that few people know more about the game, the players, the personalities, the courses, and what I takes to win on the Tour. John is recognized as one of the most respected and knowledgeable caddies on the PGA Tour. He’s going to share his story of how he got started, what life is really like for him as a caddie, as well as some guidance for people who aspire to follow a similar career path.

John is somewhat of a Renaissance Man. He reads a lot, and in fact, once managed a Towers book store in Sacramento before he became a caddie. He also enjoys the outdoors and camping. But his real passion is music, and in fact, he recently wrote, produced and published his first album of original songs, which is entitled “Record66,” and available on Soundcloud. And he talks about all of that.

Show Highlights:

• John’s unusual path to becoming a PGA Tour caddie
• What it takes to be considered a great professional caddie
• How most business relationships between caddies and Tour players are structured
• The “Do’s and Don’ts” of giving advice to your player during a round
• What happens when a caddie / player relationship ends
• How caddies help each other during a tournament
• Why John will never participate in the “caddie race” on the 16th hole of the Waste Management event
• How the rules have changed, making it more difficult to earn a caddie’s job on the PGA Tour
• Why he cried at the 2016 Summer Olympics
• What it’s like to carry for a popular player like Matt Kuchar
• Why the US team lost so badly at the 2018 Ryder Cup
• John’s songwriting career, and his future aspirations
• The individual who continues to serve as an inspiration to John (See “Tribute” link below)

Notable Quotes:

On his longevity as a Tour caddie: “It was something I thought I would try for a year or two and then get back to the real world. I had no idea it would turn into a career.”

On what it takes to make a great caddie: “A Tour caddie needs to have the answers to at least 5 questions that may never get asked by his player.”

On life of the PGA Tour: “If you have a good player who treats you well, there is really nothing to complain about.”

On his songwriting technique: “I start by writing the lyrics before I write the music, which is unlike the way most people do...

“There were mysteries to the golf swing I didn’t understand, but I had an obsession to get better. I had to give up a lot, but it was worth the effort.”

Eric Cogorno

Online Golf Instructor
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Eric Cogorno is a student of his craft, which is the highest compliment that can be paid to someone, regardless of their profession. In Eric’s case, his profession happens to be golf instruction…and over the past 12 years as a golf pro, after giving more than 20,000 in-person lessons; after reading every golf book and viewing every golf video available; and after watching scores of other golf instructors give lessons…Eric is still working to find better ways to teach people at all skill levels to improve their game.

One of the ways that Eric has been working to improve golf instruction is through online video. And over the past two years, Eric and his business partner Mary Lengle have created an archive of more than 250 instructional videos (which they continue to produce on a daily basis), and they’ve attracted more than 32,000 subscribers to their YouTube channel. Here’s an even more impressive metric: 7 months ago Eric created a YouTube video on the “The Only Two Drills You Need for the Perfect Takeaway.” As of today, that single video has had more than 430,000 views.

In all honesty, when Mary approached me about featuring Eric on Golf Yeah, I wasn’t really that enthusiastic. My initial reaction was: here’s one of a hundred other guys making golf instruction videos. But with Mary’s encouragement, I dug a little deeper, and quickly realized that there’s a great story here.

Maybe it’s the way that Eric explains swing mechanics. Maybe it’s his natural on-camera presence. Or maybe it’s because he’s straight with people about what’s necessary for them to succeed.  Either way, I think there’s something special going on here, and I’ll let you decide for yourself by listening to Eric on this podcast.

Show Highlights:

• How and why Eric began giving golf lessons as a teenager
• The full story behind Eric’s decision to give up his PGA card, unrelated to his wanting to wear shorts
• Why Eric believes it’s important to “unscramble the noise” to learn the golf swing
• How the 2007 / 2008 recession drove Eric to re-direct his career strategy
• What it took to develop his own tailored approach to teaching people to play golf
• The biggest swing mistake many amateur golfers make, and the most important thing they can do to fix it
• Why Eric’s Instagram photo shows him wearing a goofy farmer’s hat
• How he intends to eventually give most of his lessons online, rather than in person
• What the next phase of Eric’s career plan will likely involve
• Eric’s outlook for the game, as fewer people have the inclination to be outdoors for 5 hours

Notable Quotes:

On why he initially chose his career: “I’d like to say that I started because of my love for the game, but in truth, I started teaching because of the money I could get from giving lessons.”

On his first attempts to create online videos: “I spent around $1,000 on a camera and microphone. It took me about a half hour just to figure out how to turn the camera on, let alone record a video. I tried for about 2 weeks to make a video, then I just gave up.”

On the...

“I sit in the locker room…and am amazed at how everyone who’s a member of my club is an authority on turfgrass management.”

Dr. William A. Meyer

C. Reed Funk Distinguished Professor of Grass Genetics
Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
New Brunswick, New Jersey

The average golfer gives plenty of thought to the type of clubs he carries and the balls he uses, and pays very little attention to the surface that golf is played on…which is a significant factor in a golfer’s overall enjoyment of the game.  Well-maintained tee-boxes, lush fairways, and greens that are consistent and run true certainly require an investment of time and money. But what makes great golf courses possible is the many decades of turfgrass-related science and experimentation that have been the life-long passion of individuals like Professor William A. Meyer, who is our honored guest on the Golf Yeah podcast.

It’s safe to say that few people in the world know more about turfgrass than Professor Meyer. The “short version” of his C.V. is 6-pages long, and here are a few highlights: He holds three degrees from the University of Illinois, including a B.S. in Horticulture-Turf; and a masters degree and a doctorate in plant pathology. Over the course of his long career, he has headed up research for two commercial turf seed companies; been president of his own turfgrass breeding company; taught at the graduate level in the Department of Crop Science at Oregon State University…and currently serves as the C. Reed Funk Distinguished Professor of Grass Genetics at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University in New Jersey, where he is also the Director of the Turfgrass Breeding Project at the Center for Turfgrass Science.

Professor Meyer belongs to just about every turfgrass-related professional organization on the face of the earth, ranging from the American Society of Agronomy to the International Seed Federation…and he is the recipient of scores of industry awards and recognitions…including life time membership in the Turfgrass Breeder’s Association.

Dr. Meyer’s life-long mission has been to develop improved turf and forage grasses that have improved performance; greater seed production capacity; higher resistance to disease and insects; and increased tolerance to heat and drought. And he’s traveled all over the world – from Spain and Sweden to Inner Mongolia – in search of ancient breeds of grass that can help achieve those goals.

Our mission over the next 30 to 40 minutes is to gain some insight into the turfgrass world, to see what’s going on at Rutgers Golf Turf Grass Management School…and along the way, to see if we can learn a few things about grass that might improve our appreciation of the golf courses we play on as well as our performance from tee to green.

Show Highlights:  

• How and why grass is in the blood of William Meyer
• Dr. Meyer’s connection with football legend Dick...

“I wish I had known about the Evans Scholars Foundation. I grew up playing on a public course, and didn’t even know what a caddie was.”

John Kaczkowski

President & Chief Executive Officer
Western Golf Association / Evans Scholars Foundation
Golf, Illinois

The Western Golf Association may not be well known to the average golfer – particularly if you live on the East or West Coast – but it’s one of the oldest and most respected organizations in the game of golf. The Western Golf Association was founded in 1899 by a small number of Chicago-area golf clubs, to promote the sport. As an aside — for golf snobs on the East Coast — The Chicago Golf Club is the oldest 18-hole course in the United States.  Shinnecock Hills was established a year earlier, in 1892; but Shinnecock was only 12 hole course until 1894.

The WGA now has more than 400 member clubs across the nation, and is a sponsor of a number of amateur and PGA Tour events; notably the BMW Championship. But the crown jewel of the Western Golf Association – and one of the reasons why it is so highly regarded – is the Evans Scholars Foundation, which since 1930 has provided full 4-year college scholarships to nearly 11,000 deserving caddies, totaling more than $385 million in scholarship costs. The Evans Scholars Foundation currently has 985 — and soon to be 1,000 – students enrolled in 19 major universities across the United States.

These facts just scratch the surface of the great work this organization has done and continues to do for the game of golf, and for society in general. Golf Yeah is honored to feature Mr. John Kaczkowski, who joined WGA /ESF in 1998 and has served as its President and CEO for the past 11 years. John talks about his career path in golf, gives us a better understanding of his organization, and provides some guidance for people who might be seeking a similar career.

I had not met or spoken with John in advance of this interview, but sometimes you can gain insights into who a person is, not by what’s on a resume, but rather by how they behave in casual, unrehearsed situations.  If you dig deeply enough on the internet, you’ll find a YouTube video with John featured as the victim of the “Ice Bucket Challenge” that was such a viral fundraising sensation for ALS about 5 years ago. During that period, we all witnessed dozens of ice-pouring videos. But here’s what struck me about John’s ice bucket experience:  Most people about to be dunked either wore bathing suits, or shorts and a tee shirt. But John took his dunking in a jacket and tie; looking like he had just stepped out of a board meeting. Most people were dunked with a small bucket, containing mostly ice, which resulted in minimal soaking. But John’s dunking involved what looks like a 30 gallon garbage can that took 2 people to lift, and that delivered a bona fide soaking. What that said to me, especially involving a guy with the title of President and CEO, is that John is “all in”…who does nothing half-way…who’s got to be a great sport, and someone who’s fun to work with.

John’s interview with Golf Yeah...

“A lot of people tell me that I have the “dream job.” My response to them is that you chose what you want to do in life…and I chose to do this.”

Evan Schiller

Evan Schiller Photography
Weston, Connecticut

If there is such a thing as an “accidental career,” or a career path that’s discovered, rather than initially pursued…then that may describe the story you’re about to hear from Evan Schiller – who over the last twenty years has established himself as one of the premier golf course photographers in the world.

Evan started out with a love for the game of golf, and during the first part of his career, as a PGA Golf Professional, he gained a first-hand understanding of every aspect of the game…as a club professional and in tournament play. And during that period, he discovered two things that shaped the future direction of his life. First, Evan discovered that he possessed an artist’s eye for nature’s beauty…and more specifically, he saw the beauty of  the golf courses he was playing on. Secondly, Evan discovered that he could make a living by capturing with a camera the beauty that he witnessed. So with no formal training, a simple Minolta camera, and a whole lot of courage, Evan followed his passion to begin what has become a highly successful business and rewarding career.

Shooting from the ground, lifts, helicopters, and now drones, Evan brings a fresh perspective to each project he undertakes. He thoughtfully scouts out each golf course he photographs with the goal of capturing its unique features and nuances under optimal lighting conditions possible, which can mean being in the right spot at the right time, waiting for the sun to rise, or the sun to set…and hoping that something unexpected won’t spoil the shot.

Evan has photographed hundreds of championship courses in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Japan. He has captured and left his own distinctive mark on some of the most recognized tracks around the world including Pebble Beach Golf Links, Augusta National Golf Club, Medinah Country Club, The Old Course at St. Andrews, Royal County Down and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Evan’s work is published in numerous national and international magazines, books and calendars, including The Masters Journal, The US Open Magazine, The Ryder Cup Journal, LINKS Magazine, Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and Golf Course Architecture. Evan’s photography is exclusively featured in his two highly acclaimed books, Golf Courses of Hawaii and Golf’s Unfolding Drama. In addition, Evan continues to publish his own award-winning Golfshots calendar.

Show Highlights: 

• The role Evan’s father played in his taking up the game, and in becoming a pro golfer
• What was the catalyst that sparked his interest in becoming a professional photographer
• The key factors that influenced Evan’s decision to change his career path
• How Evan balances his different roles as an artist and a business owner
• The competitive landscape for golf course photography
• The growing importance of video and drones in golf course photography
• How and why weather is such a big factor in the profitability of an assignment
• Why Evan thinks that the word “retire” is weird
• Guidance for parents on how they should (and should not) guide their kid’s career choice
• Evan’s theory on why games like golf were created…and what’s gone wrong with games

Notable Quotes: 

On his career change from PGA...

“The Shivas Irons Society means different things to people. It’s a conversation among people who love the game, whose lives are enriched by being part of that conversation.”

Ben Kline

Executive Director
The Shivas Irons Society
Carmel, California

You won’t find many people with a resume like Ben Kline. You can listen to him tell you his own story, but here are just a few of his career highlights that caught my attention: Ben Kline has been a professional musician who plays trombone and keyboard…but not at the same time; he once played for the pope, and in a USO Show for Bob Hope; he’s worked as a technical writer for Unisys Corp; managed a sales team for Cisco Systems; went back to school after 23 years to earn a masters degree in sports psychology; ran his own consulting practice; was head coach for a high school golf team; worked as a part-time caddy at Pebble Beach and Spyglass…and none of those are the reasons why we interviewed Ben.

Ben Kline currently serves as the Executive Director of the Shivas Irons Society, a California-based non-profit organization established in 1992 that’s based on the deeper mysteries of golf and life found in a book written 20 years earlier in 1971 by Michael Murphy, called Golf in the Kingdom…which is one of the best-selling golf books of all time….and which has been translated into 19 languages and sold more than 1 million copies.

The Shivas Irons Society describes its mission as being for people who love golf and who were deeply touched by the principles contained within Murphy’s book. The Shivas Irons Society is dedicated to furthering golf as a mindful pursuit and as a tool for personal growth and development.

Based on his eclectic resume and his love for the game, Ben Kline appears to be the perfect Renaissance man to represent that organization.

Show Highlights: 

• Ben’s journey from a traditional “corporate” job, to a non-traditional career path based on his love for music and golf
• His motivation for going back to school to earn a graduate degree in sports psychology
• A synopsis of the story and enduring lessons found in Golf in the Kingdom
• Insights into Michael Murphy, author of Golf in the Kingdom and Esalen Institute founder
• How and why The Shivas Irons Society was founded, and why people are members
• The meaning of “true gravity,” which is one of the books’s central themes
• Ben’s relationship with Fred Shoemaker, whom he describes as the “Dali Lama of Golf”
• What’s required to become a member of The Shivas Irons Society

Notable Quotes: 

On what attracts people to The Shivas Irons Society: “It’s a community of people who love the game. It’s not about how well you score, or how far you hit the ball. Our mission is to keep the true spirit of the game alive.”

On becoming a sports psychologist: I figured that, perhaps a bit selfishly, that if I could help others improve their golf...

“I tried to be the eyes and ears of the reader and to convey that in my story the next day. I think that’s lost today…the printed word has been devalued.”

Hank Gola

Veteran Sportswriter & Author
Parsippany, New Jersey

Hank Gola has spent more than four decades as a journalist, covering professional football and golf for the New York Daily News and the New York Post. Hank started his career in New Jersey at The Herald-News of Passaic, and the Daily Record of Morris County, where he covered the Cosmos of the North American Soccer League and the New York Giants of the NFL.

​Hank’s talent as a sportswriter has earned several awards over the years. Most recently, in 2018, he received the coveted Lincoln Werden Award for golf journalism from the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association; an honor he shares with the likes of Jim McKay, Chris Schenkel, Dave Anderson, John Feinstein and George Peper.

Hank has also written three books.  In 1987 he published “Hard Nose with Jim Burt: The Inside Story of the Giants’ 1986 Super Bowl Season… and in 1998 he published a pictorial biography of a young golfer named Tiger Woods. This past November, after nearly 4 years of meticulous research –involving more than 75 personal interviews – Hank published “City of Champions“…a book that tells the story of the people and the drama behind the Garfield High School Boilermakers in their quest to win the national football championship in 1939.

Hank with a few cast members from Garfield High School, which wrote and produced a play based on his “City of Champions” book.

As a native of Garfield, New Jersey, this book was a labor of love for Hank, as well as a very personal tribute to a generation of Americans who embodied this nation’s highest ideals; many of whom eventually gave their lives fighting the tyranny of Hitler.  City of Champions continues to receive critical acclaim, and has been particularly well received within his hometown.

Next month, Hank Will receive the Walter D. Head Award from the Garfield New Jersey Rotary Club in recognition of his book’s rekindling of the town’s pride in an achievement that took place 80 years ago, and that has long provided Garfield with the right to call itself “The City of Champions” – a claim that has remained to this day on the road sign that welcomes visitors into the town.

I’m honored to have Hank as a guest on Golf Yeah, and was particularly pleased to learn in my research that we have two things in common: an interest in Civil War history, and Huckleberry Finn as one of our favorite books.

Show Highlights: 

• Hank’s...

“Never buy golf memorabilia as an investment; buy it because you love the item. But if you get your hands on the right item at the right price, you might accidentally make money on it.”

Ryan Carey

Owner, Green Jacket Auctions
Boston, Massachusetts

Ryan Carey is exactly the type of person that the Golf Yeah podcast was created to showcase. A lawyer by training, and a practicing attorney, around 13 years ago Ryan Carey and his partner Bob Zafian, identified an opportunity in the world of golf memorabilia, and in 2006 they created on online business called “Green Jacket Auctions,” that’s grown into the largest auction house of its kind.

To give you an idea of the scope of Ryan’s business, its most recent auction featured more than 1,000 lots, with items ranging in price from $25 to more than $200,000. To appreciate those numbers, this morning I searched Ebay for golf memorabilia, and found only 124 items…ranging from a Francis Ouimet trophy listed at around $20,000, to an unsigned photo of Jack Nicklaus kissing the Claret Jug for $5.55.

Business partners Ryan Carey and Bob Zafian have established Green Jacket Auction’s reputation as the world’s leading auction house for golf memorabilia.

Based on their passion for golf, and for collecting other rare sports items, Ryan and Bob have created what’s become a thriving enterprise that’s expanded into related services, including appraisals, authentication and private searches for hard to find collectables. And in the process, they’ve established reputations a leading authorities on just about everything related to golf…and as their company name suggests…everything related to the Masters Tournament.

I had not met nor spoken with Ryan prior to his interview, but from what I was able to discern from his footprints on the internet…I learned that he’s a native of Tampa, Florida…an avid golfer, a fly fisherman, and a lover of fine wines. He currently resides in Boston, and hoped he’d made the conversion to being a Red Sox fan. As you’ll learn in his interview, he’s a Tampa Bay Rays fan.

Show Highlights: 

• How a shared interest in golf with a stranger that he met online led to creation of Green Jacket Auctions
• The public showdown with Tiger Woods that served as the first major catalyst for business growth
• Why collectors are better off buying a few high priced items, rather than a lot of less expensive items
• The rationale for keeping an online archive of every item that’s ever been sold on Green Jacket Auctions
• What makes most autographed items from golf professional less valuable than other sports autographs
• Ryan’s “official” announcement regarding the recent dispute with Augusta National Golf Club
• How Green Jacket Auctions took the market for autographed golf items away from Ebay
• Simple advice for people who are interested in starting a collection of golf memorabilia

Notable Quotes: 

On starting the business: “For both...

“I walked into the library of this pre-school, and found life. I saw joy, and children learning and playing, and I knew that I wanted to be around that…It was a defining moment for me.”

Kate Tempesta

Founder, Owner and President of Fun
Urban Golf Academy
New York City and Montauk, Long Island

As you can see, part of Kate Tempesta’s  title at the Urban Golf Academy includes “President of Fun.” In fact, you don’t have to dig too deeply into her website to believe that she really does enjoy her life’s work. And I suspect that the source of that happiness is based on the fact that she’s combined two of the things she enjoys most in life. And those would be her love of children, and her love for the game of golf…which also seems to be a recipe for her success in business.

Kate Tempesta’s education, and her early career, focused on exercise science and fitness. She later transitioned to the educational arena where she created and taught the movement education program at St. Thomas More Play Group for ten years. After becoming an LPGA Teaching and Club Professional, she founded the Urban Golf Academy, located in the heart of New York City.

According to Kate, “Children are always my source of daily inspiration.”

With Kate at the helm over the past 12 years, UGA has delivered the joy of golf to at least 1,000 children each year. Most recently, Kate and her team have developed the Birdie Basics and Birdie Basics Pro boxes; a joint curriculum, lecture series, and utility kit that gives parents, teachers, and professional coaches the tools and access to implement UGA’s proven methods designed to turn their children and students into lifelong golfers…but more importantly, to empower them as individuals.

Kate has consistently been recognized by Golf Digest magazine as one of the best women teachers in the game of golf (which is even more remarkable, given that she was 30 years-old when she started playing.)  She’s spoken on several panels about growing the game of golf, including the Inaugural PGA of America’s Junior Golf Summit, as well as the Youth & Family Golf Summit at a recent Merchandise PGA Show.

Additionally, the PGA of Canada invited Kate to take part in their professional development series, offering Canadian PGA members the opportunity to learn some of the best practices of UGA. These include UGA’s trademark “Birdie-isms”; which are effective and engaging metaphors that take the complex physical, mental, and emotional concepts of golf and make them both accessible and memorable for children.

Kate resides on the Upper West Side of New York City. In her spare time, you can find Kate kickboxing, swinging a sword and planning how UGA can positively effect children the world over. Kate believes in leaving each day a little better off than when it started…and I’m confident that hearing what she has to say will brighten your day.

Show Highlights: 

• Kate’s lost sense of purpose and disconnection with “her tribe” during her early years in New York City
• The combination of circumstances that enabled Kate to find her true...

               “…I came to America to grow up with a game in which I had complete confidence.  Golf has never failed me.”  – Donald J. Ross

Bradford A. Becken, Jr.

President
The Donald Ross Society
Durham, North Carolina

Brad Becken is one of a relatively small group of dedicated amateur golfers who share a common purpose: which is to safeguard the life’s work of a man from Scotland named Donald J. Ross…a man whom many consider to be the most importance influence on the game of golf in America.

Serious students of the game, and of golf course architecture in particular, are well aware of the contributions of Donald Ross. But it’s fair to say that the average golfer has scant knowledge or appreciation of who Donald Ross was, or his enormous impact on the game.

Hopefully, Brad Becken’s interview with Golf Yeah will increase, by some measure, the golfing public’s understanding of who the man was, and more specifically, why there is an organization called the Donald Ross Society…for which Brad Becken currently serves as President.

After a distinguished career as an investment banker, working for some of the most respected firms on Wall Street, Brad served as CFO and then President of a Los Angeles-based entertainment company until his retirement in 2005.

Brad will fill in the details regarding his own life’s story, and regarding the work of the Donald Ross Society…but I will disclose that his progress through the ranks of the Society has been somewhat impressive. Brad joined the organization in 2012, was elected to the board in 2016, and assumed to role of President in 2018….which suggests to me that Brad has a true calling for the Donald Ross Society…that’s been recognized by people who share his passion.

Another measure of Brad’s passion: over the past 8 years, he has played on 367 courses designed by Donald Ross.

Pinehurst is considered by many to be Donald Ross’s greatest masterpiece.

10 Key Facts You Should Know About Donald J. Ross: 

ONE: Ross was born in 1872 in Dornoch, Scotland to a family of modest means. An accomplished golfer, he was sent to St. Andrews to learn from the most highly recognized golf professional of that era, Old Tom Morris.  Ross returned to Dornoch, where he served as club professional and greenskeeper.

TWO: Ross emigrated to the United States in 1899 to become club professional and greenskeeper at Oakley Country Club in Watertown, Massachusetts. His arrival coincided with growing interest in golf in America, and the need for new courses to accommodate the invention of the Haskell wound golf ball…which traveled further and higher than gutta percha balls.

THREE: Ross redesigned the Oakley course, and met member James Tufts, a successful businessman who convinced...

“The power of the game is that it joins people together. It doesn’t matter how rich, how old, how strong, or your nationality. I teach the kids in my academy that golf can do wonders, if you just let it take you there.”

Tony Brooks, PGA Legacy Master Professional

Owner
Lion Junior Golf Academy
Diamond Bar, California

If I had only one word to describe Tony Brooks…it would be “contrarian.” And that’s because my definition of the word contrarian is someone who looks at the world through an unfiltered lens. Contrarians usually have opinions that cut through politics and personal agendas, and that come from the heart. Contrarians are not always interested in achieving a consensus, and are never afraid to rock the boat.  They’re more interested in getting to the heart of any matter, uncovering the truth, and finding solutions that work.

Tony Brooks — a man with more than 30,000 LinkedIn followers — is entitled to be a contrarian for two reasons: First….Tony is recognized as a master of his craft. When it comes to golf, he speaks from authority. Secondly…He cares deeply about the game, and about how he uses his craft to benefit people’s lives. And we’re not talking about lowering handicaps.  One example of that?  The legal name of Tony’s company…GOLF, Inc…stands for Game Of Life First, Inc.

Here’s a biographical snapshot:

Tony grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa as a 3rd generation golfer. He’s played the game since he was 5 years old; and remembers how he was treated as a marginalized junior golfer. Based on that experience, Tony has dedicated his career to ensuring the growth of the game through junior golf. And toward that end, ​​for the past 13 years Tony has been the owner of the Lion Junior Golf Academy in Diamond Bar California, which is located east of Los Angeles.

Prior to that, Tony worked as a golf professional at a number of California golf facilities, including the famed Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Mission Viejo Country Club, and Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda. He has also served as a Director of Instruction for the PGA Tour.

Notably, Tony is one of around 375 PGA Master Professionals in the country, which represents around 1% of the current PGA membership. The PGA of America created its Master Professional program in 1969 for PGA members who wanted to pursue the highest level of golf education possible. Tony’s specialty for his Masters program was teaching and instruction.

Tony has a long list of other professional certifications and recognitions. Last year, for example, he was a recipient of the Golf Range Association of America’s “Top 50 in the U.S. Growth of the Game” Awards. He also is a GolfTIPS National Magazine Junior Academy contributor.

Show Highlights: 

• Tony’s journey from South Africa to the Lion Junior Golf Academy in California
• The basis for Tony’s love / hate relationship with the PGA
• How golf professionals are unwittingly devaluing their knowledge and lowering the demand for their services
• The story behind Tony’s application to become a member of the LPGA
• The meaning of “dot days,” and the impact they can have on a person’s life
• Tony’s outlook for the future growth of golf in America: who will win and who will lose
• Why Tony donates 20% of his firm’s net profits to a South African charity
• How a conversation with Dr. Tim Somerville of the Professional Golfers Career College changed

“When a customer comes into Pete’s Golf, we ask ourselves, “How can we help them to play golf, and to enjoy the game better?” That’s how we’ve built our reputation over the past 40 years.”

Woody Lashen, Owner
Pete’s Golf
Mineola, New York

In the tradition of golfing legend Old Tom Morris, Woody Lashen is a master clubfitter. And decades before the national, multi-location companies like GOLFTEC and Club Champion got into the clubfitting business, Woody and his partner Pete Makowski were providing golfers with the equipment they need to play their best. In fact, their company, Pete’s Golf — located in Mineola, New York — after more than 75,000 custom fittings, is celebrating its 40th year in business.

Similar to Old Tom Morris, Woody is also an accomplished golfer, and he competes regularly in amateur tournaments. So Woody’s connection with the game, and his clubfitting skills, are rooted in his first-hand experience on the golf course, not just in the workshop.

In his Golf Yeah podcast, Woody shares the details of his life’s journey; provides insights into the world of clubfitting; and offers some helpful advice for golfers who are looking to improve their scores as well as their enjoyment of the game.

Show Highlights: 

• Woody’s road from caddying to ownership of a successful golf business
• How and why the clubfitting business has evolved from how clubs look, to how they perform
• How Woody went from being an employee to an owner at Pete’s Golf
• Why Woody doesn’t care that his company isn’t called “Pete’s and Woody’s Golf”
• What happened when Woody told PGA Tour Pro David Frost that he was making a mistake by bending his clubs
• How often the average golfer should consider buying new golf clubs
• The ONE thing that all golfers should look for when selecting a golf ball to play
• Why Woody did not want to tell us what clubs he carries in his own golf bag
• The biggest misconception that most golfers have about clubfitting
• Why former PGA Tour Pro Erik Compton is a source of personal inspiration for Woody

Notable Quotes: 

On the golf equipment industry: “It’s difficult for small manufacturers to build a better product. They might have one engineer, wile the big companies can have 50 or 100 engineers who are true rocket scientists, and multi-million dollar budgets. The USGA also has a huge book of rules that holds back innovation. That’s why so few small manufacturers survive.”

On industry acceptance of clubfitting: “Right from the start, we wanted to become a member of the PGA, but the organization rejected that idea. But now, clubfitting is embraced by the PGA. So it was somewhat of a battle at first, trying to have people understand value of fitting.”

On selecting what golf equipment to carry: “We speak directly to the engineers; not the marketing guys. The manufacturers give us their clubs and all the technical information. Then we do our own testing. We understand what will work what won’t. We ignore the marketing mumbo jumbo.”

On maintaining his professional...

“Some of my ventures have worked out and some have not, but they have all been great learning experiences. In fact, my first start-up company was created out of desperation.”

Jason Pearsall
Entrepreneur & Golf Course Owner / Operator
Detroit, Michigan

It might be an understatement to say that Jason Pearsall is hard-wired as a golf entrepreneur. Since graduating from college in 2007, Jason has either started, or played an important role in a number of successful businesses – both cutting edge and traditional.

While in college, and prior to co-founding Club Caddie Inc. — his current entrepreneurial venture —  Jason had created and sold Performance Personal Computers, a successful e-commerce company. He had also built an app called “Golfler,” a tee-sheet and on-demand food and beverage delivery system for golf courses that was acquired by Supreme Golf.

Together with Solidea, a New York venture advisory firm, Jason is now working to establish Club Caddie’s reputation as the world’s best course cloud-based course management system; offering all types of clubs a contemporary SAAS subscription service with an affordable and transparent pricing model.

Jason also currently serves as an owner and Managing Partner at Flushing Valley Golf and Banquet Center in Flushing, Michigan, where he is able to test Club Caddie’s software every day this 18-hole, daily fee, semi-private golf facility that features an extensive food, beverage and banquet operation.

Jason is the kind of person who generates more great ideas than he has time to do them.  And I suspect that he’s only just getting started as a business builder.  If Jason’s resume doesn’t make you feel like an underachiever, here’s another fact that might push you over the edge: he also earned a law degree and is a licensed attorney.

But is Jason a nice guy? A review that was posted on Glassdoor.com from a former employee of his golf app company reported that, “Jason Pearsall is an amazing leader with both muscular intelligence and creative vision. His charisma is a major determinant guiding the company’s success.” But there was also one negative comment. He wrote “Detroit is cold. Perhaps move the company Headquarters to Florida or California.” [In his interview, Jason explains that he lives in Michigan only because his wife’s family is located there.]

Show Highlights: 

• Why Jason considers himself to be more of an opportunist than a hard-wired entrepreneur
• How Jason created a multi-million dollar e-commerce company while he was still in college
• How his misbehavior in high school resulted in a full scholarship to Wayne State
  
• Why the business model of his “Golfler” app eventually failed, and…
• …how that app’s failure resulted in development of a much larger opportunity
• The impact of consolidation in the golf course management software industry
• How you can build a software company without knowing anything about code
• Why Jason thinks the long-term outlook for the...