The Summit Cup Golf Outing

Sponsored by Ryan and EPR Properties and ForeUp
Breakfast Sponsored by Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club

Take your Summit experience onto the course at Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club. This interactive golf outing blends friendly competition, product discovery and industry camaraderie against the backdrop of one of Hilton Head’s most scenic golf settings.

Note: This is a ticketed event with limited availability – secure your spot early!

Clubhouse Welcome Reception

Sponsored by Yamaha

Start your Summit experience at The Clubhouse, the central gathering place for attendees, sponsors and industry partners. Explore the space, meet fellow participants and discover the products, services and solutions shaping today’s golf business.

Whether you’re attending for the first time or returning for another year, The Clubhouse offers the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with the event before sessions begin. Enjoy refreshments, connect with exhibitors and get a preview of what awaits throughout the week.

 Owner Track

Sponsored by Lightspeed

The Owner’s Scorecard: Measuring the Health of Your Business

Strong owners don’t manage by instinct alone — they manage by signal. This session introduces a practical scorecard for evaluating the true health of your operation, helping owners separate surface level performance from what’s really driving value. We’ll walk through the financial and operational KPIs that matter most, how to diagnose underperformance across the course, clubhouse, and pricing model, and — most importantly — how to turn data into decisive action.

 Operations Track

Sponsored by Noteefy

Best Practices in Member Experience and Engagement

Today’s members expect more than great golf. They want personalized service, meaningful connections and experiences that keep them engaged year-round. This session will explore proven strategies for enhancing the member experience, increasing participation and building long-term loyalty.

 Operations Track

Municipal Golf Reimagined: How Top Operators Are Winning Today

Municipal golf facilities are evolving to meet changing player expectations while balancing accessibility, affordability and financial performance. Hear how leading operators are driving participation, improving operations and creating exceptional experiences that keep golfers coming back.

 Owner Track

Sustainable Capital Planning: Investing for Returns

Sustainability isn’t about spending more — It’s about spending smarter. This session focuses on how to evaluate, fund, and prioritize capital improvements that deliver measurable returns while strengthening the long term performance of your asset.

 Operations Track

The New Marketing Mix for Public Facilities

Reaching today’s golfer requires more than traditional advertising. This session will explore the latest marketing strategies, digital tools and customer engagement tactics helping public facilities attract new players, build loyalty and drive rounds in an increasingly competitive market.

 Technology Track

Sponsored by ForeUp

Cutting-Edge Golf Technology: What’s powering golf’s future

The golf course of 2030 looks nothing like today, and the decisions operators make right now will determine who thrives and who gets left behind. This panel explores the technology bets worth making, the integrations that are changing how clubs operate, and the emerging tools redefining the golfer experience.

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY KEYNOTE

Expanding the Game’s Footprint: New Formats, Facilities, and Experience

Sponsored by Priswing

Golf is evolving — and so are the ways facilities attract, engage, and monetize today’s players. This forward-looking session explores how courses can expand their footprint beyond traditional play by incorporating indoor golf offerings, technology-driven experiences, and other high-demand amenities that drive year-round revenue and deeper customer engagement.
Industry leaders will share practical insights and real-world examples on integrating simulators and indoor environments, reimagining underutilized space, and creating compelling off-course experiences that appeal to both avid golfers and new audiences. Attendees will learn how to diversify revenue streams, enhance member and guest experiences, and position their facilities for long-term growth in a rapidly shifting market.

THE FIRST TEE RECEPTION

Sponsored by Heritage Golf Group

Start your Summit experience with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and conversation alongside golf industry leaders, peers and partners. This relaxed opening-night reception is the perfect opportunity to reconnect, make new introductions and kick off a memorable week in Hilton Head.

Owners & Operators Breakfast Roundtables

By invitation only

Join fellow owners and operators for candid, peer-driven discussions on today’s most pressing business topics, including indoor golf, capital planning and membership strategies.

Breakfast for All Attendees

Sponsored by Addison Law

Join fellow owners and operators for candid, peer-driven discussions on today’s most pressing business topics, including indoor golf, capital planning and membership strategies.

Q&A w/ Industry Leader to be announced

TRADESHOW

 Owner Track

Renovation in a Demanding Market

In today’s high-cost environment, golf course renovations require more than vision — they demand strategy, creativity and precision. Award-winning architect Forrest Richardson leads a discussion with a team of experts who’ve successfully navigated the challenges of modern renovation. Find out when the risk pays off and when it doesn’t.

 Operations Track

Pricing Strategies Workshop

After years of strong demand and record-setting performance, golf operators are entering a new phase. Economic uncertainty, shifting consumer behavior and increased scrutiny of dynamic pricing are creating both challenges and opportunities. This session will examine the outlook for 2027, discuss strategies for sustaining growth and review legislative efforts that could impact revenue management practices.

 Technology Track

Tech’s Evolving Role in Maximizing Play: Operations and yield management

Tech, tech everywhere – and now even more so with AI. This session will explore how operators are using technology to improve the customer experience and operate more efficiently and profitably. It is not just about doing what you are doing today more efficiently, but about reimagining how technology and AI can transform the golf experience and the golf course business model.

 Owner Track

The Architecture of Profit: Business Strategies for Long-Term Success

Great courses aren’t just designed to be beautiful — they’re designed to perform. This session explores how smart development and design decisions translate directly into stronger EBITDA, member satisfaction, and long-term asset value. From reinvestment strategies that future proof your property to the hard economics behind when (and why) upgrades matter, this discussion goes beyond aesthetics to focus on returns.

 Operations Track

Trends in Private Club Programming & Amenities

Member expectations continue to evolve, influencing everything from events and wellness offerings to dining, recreation and family-focused experiences. This session will examine the latest trends shaping club programming and amenities, and how leading clubs are using them to enhance engagement, satisfaction and retention.

 Technology Track

Big Data: Driving golf course profitability

An inside look at the key business matrices and numbers that drive golf course profitability. This panel will examine the stats and figures that can help optimize your business. Learn what to measure, how to interpret, and how you can use these data points to assist decision making for long term golf course profitability.

Lunch Break

Golf Inc. Networking & Awards Luncheon

Celebrate the best in golf ownership, operations and development during this special awards luncheon. Golf Inc. will honor the winners of Clubhouse of the Year, Renovation of the Year, the Golden Fork Awards, the Hilda Allen Award for Women in Leadership and other distinguished recognitions. Gather with industry peers for lunch and a brief awards presentation recognizing the year’s most notable achievements.

Owners & Operators Roundtable Luncheon

By invitation only

This exclusive luncheon brings together owners and operators for open discussions on the issues impacting their businesses. Share experiences, exchange ideas and gain insights from industry peers at tables focused on development, technology and operational challenges.

 Owner Track

Buy/Sell Part 1:

Golf Course Valuation: How Every Player Defines Value

Deals stall when stakeholders do not agree on value. This session shows owners how buyers, sellers, appraisers, brokers, and lenders each value your course — and how to negotiate from strength no matter which side of the table you are on.

Perspectives from the Pros:

 Operations Track

Best practices in golf course operations

From staffing and technology to maintenance and customer service, successful operations require a thoughtful balance of efficiency and experience. This session will highlight proven strategies and practical solutions that help facilities improve performance, control costs and deliver exceptional golf experiences.

 Technology Track

Course of the Future: How automation, AI and other advancements are transforming operations

Golf facility operators must navigate an always-changing landscape of tools and services aimed at optimizing operations. In a landscape clouded by learning curves, struggles in integrating disparate solutions and customers who want frictionless high-tech solutions as well as a tactile experience, this panel will address the challenges and opportunities presented by the newest technologies.

 Owner Track

Buy/Sell Part 2:

The Golf Course Transaction Playbook for 2026

The deal looks simple. It never is. This session pulls back the curtain on the entire golf course transaction process — and the landmines hiding in each one. From pre‑listing strategy to post‑close value creation, this is a practical, no‑nonsense guide to avoiding mistakes, protecting leverage, and maximizing outcomes.

The Transaction Process:

1. Pre Listing Strategy & Timing – Preparing the asset and the story
2. Listing & Marketing – Targeting the right buyers, not just more buyers
3. LOIs & Negotiation – Structuring terms that survive diligence
4. Due Diligence – Common traps, red flags, and deal killers
5. Financing Realities – What lenders will (and won’t) do in 2026
6. Closing & Post Close – Immediate levers to create value after the sale

 Operations Track

Innovative programming to increase member participation and loyalty

The most successful clubs are creating experiences that keep members engaged long after their round is over. Learn how leading facilities are using creative events, leagues, social activities and member-focused programming to boost participation, strengthen connections and build lasting loyalty.

 Technology Track

Marketing 2030: How AI will reshape golfer acquisition, retention and loyalty

By 2030, the courses winning the battle for rounds won’t be the ones sending the most emails — they’ll be the ones whose data actually works for them. This panel explores how AI is transforming the golfer lifecycle: predictive models that flag at-risk members and lapsing players before they churn, agentic workflows that personalize offers using tee sheet, POS, and email data, and dynamic strategies that fill shoulder times without eroding rate integrity. We’ll separate near-term reality from hype and map what operators should be building toward today.

CEO KEYNOTE

State of the Golf Industry

Sponsored by TenFore

The golf industry’s surge in participation has created enormous opportunity — but also new complexity. In this CEO keynote, the industry’s most respected leaders offer a candid, behind the scenes look at how top operators and owners are evolving their strategies to capture growth, protect margins, and position their businesses for what comes next. This forward looking session will explore how successful organizations are capitalizing on sustained demand, navigating rising costs and labor pressures, and making smart decisions amid an uncertain macro environment. Panelists will also share what they are seeing across their portfolios—and what they expect in the year ahead.

The 19th Hole Reception

Sponsored by Thompson Golf Group

Wrap up the day with cocktails, appetizers and conversation alongside fellow Summit attendees. Whether you’re continuing a discussion from a session or simply relaxing after a full day of learning, this casual reception offers the perfect setting to unwind and enjoy the company of industry peers.

Owners & Operators Breakfast Roundtables

By invitation only

Join fellow owners and operators for candid, peer-driven discussions on today’s most pressing business topics, including indoor golf, capital planning and membership strategies.

Breakfast for All Attendees

Join fellow owners and operators for candid, peer-driven discussions on today’s most pressing business topics, including indoor golf, capital planning and membership strategies.

CLOSING KEYNOTE

What the Golf Consumer Will Want by 2027

Sponsored by Cover the Tees

Start the quarter with clarity and confidence. Drawing on exclusive NGF data and insights from top voices in golf, this session breaks down how the golf consumer is changing—and where the biggest opportunities will emerge over the next three years.

TRADESHOW

 Track

The Women’s Market: Turning Participation into Long-Term Growth

Women are playing golf in record numbers and increasingly shaping purchasing and membership decisions at clubs and facilities nationwide. This session, led by Elisa Gaudet, founder of Women’s Day Golf, will examine how owners and operators can better connect with this growing audience through thoughtful programming, facility design, communications and member experiences. Panelists will share practical strategies and real-world examples for attracting new female golfers, increasing participation and creating lasting relationships that benefit the entire operation.

 Operations Track

How to Build a Community based Culture at Public Golf Facilities

Creating a loyal customer base starts with building a culture that keeps golfers coming back. Learn how leading public facilities are using events, communication, customer service and community outreach to strengthen engagement, encourage repeat visits and support long-term growth.

 Technology Track

The Practical AI Playbook: Where to start, what to fix and how to see ROI fast

Most golf operations don’t have an AI problem — they have a data problem. This panel skips the buzzwords and gets tactical: how to get your tee sheet, POS, and customer data clean and connected, which fixes to prioritize first, and which AI use cases deliver measurable ROI in months, not years. Panelists will share real implementations from real facilities, including what they cost, where they stumbled, and what they’d do differently. You’ll leave with a practical starting checklist, whatever your budget or tech stack.

Women’s Roundtable Luncheon

Invite only