This year’s list highlights leaders expanding the game’s global footprint through innovation, investment and influence.
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Power in golf comes in many forms: financial, organizational and cultural. It can be measured by the ability to shape how the game is played, experienced and managed around the world.
The 2025 Most Powerful People in Golf list reflects a sport in transition. This year’s leaders are not simply maintaining influence; they are redefining it. They are driving investment, reimagining operations and using technology, design and media to bring golf to new audiences.
Once again, management companies dominate the field. Troon CEO Tim Schantz retains the top spot, guiding the world’s largest golf management firm through another year of strategic growth. Close behind are Steve Skinner, CEO of KemperSports and David Pillsbury, CEO of Invited, who continue to modernize the private-club experience and set the standard for service, culture and innovation.
Leaders such as Blake Walker, founder and CEO of Arcis Golf; Jim Hinckley, CEO of Century Golf Partners; and Mark Burnett, president of Heritage Golf Group, are demonstrating that sustained investment and smart reinvention can strengthen both member experience and financial performance.
New names join the list as the industry evolves. Derek Sprague, now CEO of the PGA of America, and Brian Rolapp, the PGA Tour’s first-ever CEO, represent a new generation of executives shaping how golf is organized, broadcast and consumed. Meanwhile, familiar figures like Tiger Woods, Mike Whan and Rory McIlroy continue to influence the game’s direction on and off the course.
Several major names from previous years have fallen off the list: Seth Waugh, former CEO of PGA of America; Keith Pelley, former CEO of the PGA European Tour; and Greg Norman, CEO of Greg Norman Co. and LIV Golf Investments. The slowdown in merger talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, leadership transitions at key organizations and waning momentum in international league negotiations all reduced their direct influence over the sport in 2025.
These changes underscore an important truth: the center of power in golf is broadening. From club management and development to technology and media, today’s leaders are shaping the game’s next era — one driven by innovation, investment and opportunity.
No. 1
Tim Schantz
CEO, Troon
Ranked No. 1 in 2024
Troon continues to hold ground as the world’s largest golf-related management company, providing services to more than 940 venues across the globe.
Schantz was appointed CEO in 2019 and became the driving force behind the company’s growth and diversification, leveraging his expertise in mergers, acquisitions and strategic partnerships to expand Troon’s footprint and influence in the global market.
In 2024, Troon made big moves on the acquisition front, acquiring CaddieNow, a caddie technology company based in Lincoln, Nebraska, and RealFood Hospitality, Strategy & Design, a food service and hospitality company based in Boston.
New management contracts have also kept pace with previous years and include such properties as The Wilds Golf Club and Geneva Golf Club in Minnesota, Schaffer’s Mill in Truckee, California, and The Club at Crested Butte in Colorado.
Newer verticals such as racket sports and food & beverage consulting function as standalone businesses but also support the company’s golf operations.
Troon also launched an events division focused on golf-related and other experiences, and its ICON HOA management division has grown significantly.
“That’s a service that we bring to bear, and that we’ve grown in the past five years,” Schantz said. “Somebody that was dealing with Troon five years ago now has even more capability to draw upon than they did in the past.”
No. 2
Steve Skinner
CEO, KemperSports
Ranked No. 3 in 2024
Chicago-based KemperSports continued its strong momentum in 2025 with a series of growth and innovation initiatives under CEO Skinner’s leadership. Early in the year, the company finalized its partnership with Touchstone Golf, expanding its portfolio by more than 40 properties while keeping Touchstone as an independent brand under the KemperSports umbrella.
In April, KemperSports launched Frequent Fairways, a new loyalty program that rewards players for rounds played across participating courses in key regional markets. The company also relaunched its Hole-in-One Promotion, offering winners at qualifying properties a trip to Streamsong Golf Resort.
Portfolio expansion continued with the addition of The Country Club of New Hampshire, marking KemperSports’ entry into a new state. The company also acquired Fire Pit Productions, integrating a full storytelling and media division led by golf journalist Matt Ginella.
Skinner was honored with induction into the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 for his leadership and contributions to the game.
Under his direction, KemperSports continues to modernize the private-club experience, focusing on accessibility, digital innovation and next-generation member engagement across its portfolio of more than 140 properties nationwide.
No. 3
David Pillsbury
CEO, Invited
Ranked No. 2 in 2024
Invited remains one of the leading forces in the private club space, with roughly 350,000 members spread across more than 150 properties nationwide. That reach stems from Pillsbury’s leadership since he took over ClubCorp in 2018, and from the rebranding to Invited in 2022 that reinforced his commitment to making the clubs more accessible and inclusive.
In 2025, Pillsbury earned the Don Rossi Award from the National Golf Course Owners Association in recognition of his lasting contributions to the industry.
Under his direction, Invited is pushing innovation in operations and sustainability. One notable project is a pilot program with Graze Robotics, which is testing autonomous mowing at Gleneagles Country Club to optimize turf management and reduce the environmental footprint.
He also oversaw a significant portfolio move: Invited sold The Woodlands Country Club — its highest-earning property — to Arcis Golf. The sale reflects a strategic recalibration rather than retreat: Pillsbury expressed confidence that Arcis would continue elevating the club while allowing Invited to focus resources more selectively.
Pillsbury has spoken publicly about what he calls a “seismic shift” in private club culture: moving away from a legacy model toward one that embraces younger, more diverse and multi-generational membership. He’s emphasized the need to reduce friction for newcomers, keep waitlisted members engaged and offer amenities and experiences appealing to the whole family.
No. 4
Blake Walker
Founder & CEO, Arcis Golf
Ranked No. 5 in 2024
Arcis continues to be a major player in the U.S. golf industry under Walker’s guidance. In the past four years, Arcis has acquired more than
18 properties, with four high-profile ones coming in the last year.
The Woodlands Country Club in Houston, Texas, was acquired in May (for a rumored sum of around $200 million), and three Georgia courses — The Country Club of the South in Johns Creek, The Manor Golf & Country Club in Alpharetta and White Columns Country Club in Milton — joined the portfolio in June.
But just as important as the acquisitions themselves is the significant reinvestment Arcis makes into its properties. The Woodlands Country Club received more than $30 million in capital investments, and the three Atlanta clubs received $20 million.
Cowboys Golf Club, another property in Arcis’ home turf of Dallas, received $30 million that facilitated a whole host of renovations and additions. The property is the only NFL-themed golf club in the world, and the makeover it received is commensurate with the personality one would expect from such a place. Arcis bought a used 50-yard piece of turf from the Dallas Cowboys to install at the new driving range, accompanied by an NFL-style goal post at the 100-yard mark. Additionally, the range features 16 stations with Toptracer technology, and the course itself will also host a new 18-hole putting course designed by architect Beau Welling.
Arcis’ strategy is to do more than simply grow for growth’s sake. To that end, the company announced a partnership with iFIT Inc. to develop golf-focused fitness programming across iFIT’s network of more than six million users. The content will be produced at Arcis clubs using Freemotion equipment and integrated into iFIT’s mobile and machine-based platforms.
Additionally, Arcis launched another health-and-wellness-focused partnership called OutFit Training in November 2024. The program, currently at Arcis’ daily-fee courses in the Phoenix area, is a collaboration with OutFit founder and TRX creator Randy Hetrick to provide their members and guests with unique, community-centered fitness experiences.
From its inception, Walker has been deliberate about Arcis’ direction, committing the company to make both golf and non-golf amenities and club lifestyle experiences accessible and approachable for everyone of all ages and from all walks of life that otherwise might not get that opportunity.
“We’ve got just some incredibly talented people within our organization that come from golf, resort, hotel, consumer, retail, management, consulting, you name it,” he said. “It’s that diversity of thought given. The breadth and scope of what we’re doing now is expanded way beyond golf with the four pillars.”
No. 5
Jim Hinckley
CEO, Century Golf Partners
Ranked No. 4 in 2024
Century Golf Partners is an apt name for the company Hinckley founded in 2005, as it continues to stay relevant every year. Its portfolio has expanded by 14 courses in the past two years, bringing its total to 64.
The company maintains a robust pipeline for acquisitions and management contracts and expects to continue to grow that portfolio. That pipeline is made possible by the significant capital reinvestments Century makes in its courses, sports facilities and F&B outlets. In the past three years, it has put more than $50 million into its properties. All of that work has given the company record earnings growth.
Century continues to expand its reciprocal club network, both domestically and internationally, and now boasts the largest reciprocal club network in the industry.
Hinckley said their goal is to focus on improving the member and guest experience to meet future needs. One way they’re accomplishing that goal is by giving their employees industry-best training. Century has developed an internal education system for its team members using web-based and internal apps to teach and help with career development.
“My oldest son James joined Century this year after spending several years with Boston Consulting Group,” Hinckley said. “I’m excited about the next generation.”
No. 6
Mark Burnett
President, Heritage Golf Group
Ranked No. 6 in 2024
Burnett continues to be a strong leader for Heritage Golf Group and has seemingly not slowed down at all when it comes to course acquisitions.
It has expanded its portfolio to 43 properties across the U.S., adding private and semi-private clubs in key regions and continuing its push into the Southeast and Mountain West.
“We are starting to spend more time in some markets out West,” Burnett said. “The goal the first few years was to grow the portfolio a little bit more centralized on the eastern half, but we’re very open now to expand, even pushing out again.”
This year, Heritage further expanded into Florida with the acquisition of The Club at Cheval, a private club in the Tampa Bay area and Colonial Country Club in Memphis, Tennessee.
Burnett still sees a lot of potential in the golf industry and believes Heritage has an opportunity to help grow the game of golf at a macro level and bring in more players.
“I think there’s opportunity for us to use technology to improve the experience and to be more cutting edge with more innovation,” he said.
No. 7
Peter Nanula
CEO, Concert Golf Partners
Ranked No. 9 in 2024
Under Nanula’s leadership, Concert Golf continues to add to its portfolio of upscale private clubs, using its own capital to fund projects and build new amenities and championing the idea of preserving the identity and traditions of historical clubs around the country.
In 2024, its portfolio expanded into California for the first time with the acquisition of The Club at Pasadera, and it ventured into Texas with two courses: Northgate Country Club and Walden on Lake Conroe Golf Club. Concert also acquired TPC Jasna Polana, a private club near Princeton, New Jersey; Golf Club of the Everglades in Naples, Florida; and The Georgia Club near Athens, Georgia.
Additions this year include The Club at New Seabury, a 36-hole, luxurious golf and beach club on Cape Cod — its largest acquisition ever for the Concert Golf portfolio. Often called the “Pebble Beach of the East,” the 300-acre seaside property was chosen by owner IE Homes, Clubs & Resorts from multiple potential buyers. Located in Mashpee, Massachusetts, about 90 minutes from Boston, the club offers oceanfront golf with nine holes along Nantucket Sound, plus resort-style amenities and views of Martha’s Vineyard.
It marks Concert Golf’s first oceanside property and second in New England, joining Blue Hill Country Club. Other additions this year include its first club in Idaho, The Club at SpurWing in Meridian, and Penn Oaks Golf Club in West Chester, Pennsylvania — expanding its collection of upscale private clubs to 39 nationwide.
No. 8
Derek Sprague
CEO, PGA of America
Not ranked in 2024
Since becoming CEO in December 2024, Derek Sprague has made a swift impact. The first person to both serve as president and go on to become CEO, he has taken a strong stance against the proposed golf-ball rollback rule, arguing it would hurt the 28 million recreational golfers in the U.S. He also led a historic shift in player relations by introducing compensation for U.S. Ryder Cup participants. Beyond these headline moves, Sprague continues to focus on supporting the PGA’s 30,000 professionals and strengthening the organization’s role in the game’s growth.
No. 9
Oliver “Chip” Brewer
President & CEO, Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
Ranked No. 7 in 2024
Topgolf Callaway has been thrown for a loop with the proposed split of the two companies that was supposed to take place this year has now been postponed until 2026 because of the departure of Topgolf CEO Artie Starrs, who announced his resignation from the company in July.
Topgolf Callaway Brands reported $1.1B of net revenues for the second quarter of 2025, which was down 4.1% YoY. Both the Topgolf and golf equipment segments were slightly down compared to 2024, with $485.3M in revenue (down 1.8% YoY) and $411.6M (down 0.5% YoY) respectively.
No. 10
Mike Whan
CEO, USGA
Ranked No. 8 in 2024
Since becoming the USGA’s eighth CEO in 2021, Whan has strengthened the organization’s championships and expanded its reach, drawing on his experience as former LPGA commissioner.
The 2024 U.S. Women’s Open drew its highest attendance since 2015, set merchandise records and increased its purse to $12 million, with Ally Financial joining as presenting partner. Whan also extended NBC’s broadcast rights through 2032, ensuring consistent coverage of 11 USGA championships.
In 2025, he launched Pathways Launch, a collaborative internship program with major golf organizations to cultivate future leaders in the game. The initiative builds on the USGA’s broader commitment to inclusion and career development across the industry.
Whan reaffirmed the USGA’s plan to roll back golf-ball performance standards beginning in 2028 for professionals and 2030 for recreational players, a move aimed at preserving course integrity while balancing innovation. He also confirmed the organization will not release driver-test results, despite ongoing scrutiny of equipment standards.
Looking ahead, Whan continues to focus on innovation, sustainability and accessibility, securing premier U.S. Open venues and reinforcing the USGA’s role in shaping golf’s future.
No. 11
Tiger Woods
Principal, TGR
Ranked No. 13 in 2024
Woods is one of the most well-known golfers on the planet, although his recent injuries have forced him to retreat somewhat from the spotlight.
Luckily, he has diversified his portfolio enough to take advantage of his fame and push adoption of Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL), the venture he co-founded with fellow PGA Tour golfer Rory McIlroy.
TGL is a three-on-three primetime golf league on ESPN that sees six teams made-up of the top players on the PGA Tour from six cities playing in two-hour weekly matches and culminating in playoffs and a championship.
The inaugural season of the simulator league began in January 2025 and ran through the end of March. The schedule for season 2 was recently announced and is set to begin on December 28, just two days shy of Woods’ 50th birthday.
The team Woods leads, Jupiter Links Golf Club, doesn’t play its first match until January 13, and many speculate that the golfer’s return to professional golf will be announced imminently.
Woods had previously announced in March 2025 that he had undergone surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon, sidelining him from professional play for more than 15 months.
TGR Design, the golf course design company Woods founded in 2006, continues to do strong work. Highlights include Payne’s Valley Golf Course, TGR Design’s first public course, located in Ridgedale, Missouri, as part of the Big Cedar Lodge resort; Bluejack National in Montgomery, Texas; and the forthcoming Bluejack Ranch, located near Fort Worth, Texas, which is nearing completion.
Woods also currently serves as player director for the PGA Tour Policy Board. This August he was appointed to a new (concurrent) position as chairman of the PGA Tour’s newly formed Future Competition Committee, a nine-member group tasked with evaluating the tour’s competitive formats and proposing improvements.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp directed Woods to apply a “clean sheet” mentality and invite input from players, fans, sponsors and partners.
“The PGA Tour is certainly fortunate to benefit from [Woods’] experience and his time and his dedication,” Rolapp said. “That will be important to this effort, and I’m personally grateful for Tiger for offering to take this on.”
Woods responded to the honor in a post on X.
“Honored to serve as Chairman of the Future Competition Committee. This is about shaping the next era of the PGA TOUR — for our fans, players and partners. Thanks to Brian Rolapp for his vision and leadership, and grateful to the committee members for their willingness to participate.”
No. 12
Ben Cowan-Dewar
Co-founder & CEO, Cabot
Ranked No. 10 in 2024
In 2004, Cowan-Dewar began transforming a former mining site on Cape Breton Island into a golf resort. Nearly two decades later, Cabot has grown into a global collection of world-class destinations, from its flagship Cabot Cape Breton in Nova Scotia to Cabot Bordeaux in France.
Cabot Citrus Farms, acquired in 2022 and opened in January 2025, marked the company’s U.S. debut. The Florida resort features two redesigned 18-hole courses, Karoo and Roost, and two short courses, The Squeeze and The Wedge. “Cabot Citrus Farms is a celebration of elevation, nature and a landscape unique to Florida,” Cowan-Dewar said.
In 2024, Cabot announced a strategic investment in Lofoten Links in Norway’s remote Lofoten Islands, one of the world’s northernmost golf destinations where players can tee off under the midnight sun or the aurora borealis.
This fall, Cabot debuted Old Petty in Scotland for preview play. The 18-hole course, set beside the historic Old Petty Church on the Cabot Highlands property, is slated for a spring 2026 opening. Cowan-Dewar’s vision remains the same: create courses so special he’d want to return for life.
No. 13
Mike Keiser & sons, Michael & Chris
Developers
Ranked No. 11 in 2024
Mike Keiser has been playing golf since he was nine years old. He worked as a caddie before playing golf in Amherst College. He even continued to play while he was in the Navy. But a golf course developer only became his career after he founded Recycled Paper Greetings, an environmentally friendly greeting card company.
Perhaps that inclination to care for the environment is why Keiser’s golf course portfolio is almost exclusively centered on public courses.
Even Bandon Dunes Resort, the brightest gem in Keiser’s crown, with five full-size 18-hole courses and two short courses, is still a public course, though getting a tee time before 2027 is rapidly becoming a pipe dream.
Keiser has made a career out of building incredible golf courses in remote locations that become highly sought after destinations. The trend before he started design work was to build a course in places where people lived, worked and played.
Because of the indelible impact he’s had on the game at large, this year the USGA named Keiser the 2025 winner of its Bob Jones Award, the association’s highest honor.
Keiser continues to work on developing new courses; lately he has teamed up with Ben Cowan-Dewar to develop some of the courses in Cabot’s burgeoning portfolio, including Cabot Cliffs at Cabot Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, Cabot Highlands in Scotland, Cabo St. Lucia and the Roost Course at Cabot Citrus Farms.
He continues to work with his sons Michael and Chris, accomplished developers in their own right. The three of them transformed thousands of acres of sand dunes in central Wisconsin into Sand Valley, which is poised to open its sixth course, The Commons, a 12-hole alternative layout from designer Jimmy Craig, next year.
The sons are currently hard at work running Dream Golf, with multiple large projects currently underway. Rodeo Dunes is a 36-hole public facility an hour northeast of Denver, Colorado, that is scheduled to open in 2026 with a Coore & Crenshaw design. Wild Spring Dunes is another 36-hole public-access facility located 90 minutes east of Dallas and Houston, with Tom Doak designing the first course.
Their newest labor of love is Old Shores, an 18-hole public-access development in northwest Florida that will also be designed by Doak. The 1,400-acre site is located near the small town of New Hope in Washington County, 30 miles north of Panama City Beach. As with the other Dream Golf projects (and standard Keiser tradition), the local population and infrastructure are minimal; they picked the location simply because it had the makings of an excellent golf course.
No. 14
Gil Hanse
Golf Course Architect
Ranked No. 14 in 2024
With more than 30 years under his belt, Hanse has built a reputation as one of the most trusted names in golf course architecture.
In 2025, the firm reached several important milestones. At Baltusrol in New Jersey, Hanse completed a full restoration of the Upper Course, carefully bringing back the intent of A.W. Tillinghast’s 1922 design. That work followed his earlier restoration of Baltusrol’s Lower Course. His renovation of Oakmont Country Club was also ready in time for the 125th U.S. Open in June, ensuring that one of golf’s toughest courses remained true to its character while improving conditions for championship play.
Looking ahead, Hanse has two headline projects. In early 2025, Pebble Beach announced he will lead a renovation of The Links at Spanish Bay, scheduled to begin in 2026 with a reopening in spring 2027. In Michigan, Hanse is preparing to break ground on SkyFall, a new private course at Forest Dunes, expected to open later this decade.
No. 15
Rory McIlroy
Professional Golfer
Ranked No. 22 in 2024
McIlroy has had a landmark year.
In April, he won the Masters in a playoff against Justin Rose, completing his career Grand Slam. He became one of only six golfers in history to win all four majors: The Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship.
He also claimed victories at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Players Championship, bringing his PGA Tour win total to 28.
Despite stepping down from the PGA Tour Policy Board in late 2023, McIlroy remains a prominent voice in golf, advocating for a balanced and forward-looking approach to the sport’s future.
Once a critic of LIV Golf, he softened his stance in 2025, acknowledging its role in boosting prize money and player leverage. He now supports efforts to reunify the sport.
No. 16
Jay Karen
CEO, National Golf Course Owners Association
Ranked No. 20 in 2024
Karen continues to be a highly visible and public face for the National Golf Course Owners Association. In the past year, he has made a handful of notable high-profile public appearances to further advocate for the members of his organization and be a driving force for the golf industry at large.
In April, Karen testified at a Senate Committee hearing regarding the topic of “Locking the Clock.” U.S. Senator Ted Cruz invited Karen to represent the golf industry (and by proxy, the outdoor recreation industry in general) and discuss the pros, cons and impacts of permanently adopting either Standard Time or Daylight Savings Time.
Coverage of the hearing included hundreds of mentions of him and the NGCOA, resulting in an estimated potential reach of 2 billion impressions. Karen further solidified his standing as an industry authority by his presence in mainstream media by contributing to an Associated Press article about Daylight Savings Time that was syndicated by 208 unique media outlets.
Part of the reason for his fervor during the committee was one salient fact: If Daylight Savings Time were made permanent, the golf industry would see at least a $2 billion boost in economic growth; in contrast, the adoption of permanent Standard Time would shrink the golf economy by more than that.
The NGCOA as an organization remains focused on protecting golf course interests, successfully working to prevent dangerous legal precedents and engaging with Google and the software sector to shape online tee time developments — one area that has been a particular focus of Karen’s in the last number of years. Additionally, in April, the State of New York Court of Appeals issued a verdict in favor of Cazenovia Golf Club in a case involving an injured golfer. The club is a member of the NGCOA, which provided crucial support to Cazenovia Golf Club by submitting an amicus brief addressing liability and the assumption of risk. Karen also attended the trial and conducted a Golf Business LIVE podcast (the show he hosts with current PGA of America president Don Rea) on the topic to actively educate the public about the facts of the case and its role in protecting its members.
In October, Karen led the industry’s first Golf Tee Time Summit to bring together course operators, tech companies and policy voices to define new rules of engagement before the online tee time market experiences what some are calling its “Ticketmaster moment” and the advancement of artificial intelligence.
No. 17
Howard Milstein & Hoyt McGarity
Chairman, President, 8AM Golf
Ranked No. 15 in 2024
8AM Golf operates across nearly every sector of the sport — merchandising, events, travel, design, technology and entertainment — with a portfolio that includes GOLF Magazine, Golf.com, Nicklaus Cos., True Spec Golf (club fitting), Miura Golf (club maker), Club Conex (adjustable adapter systems), Golf Logix (GPS app), Fairway Jockey (custom clubs online), Chirp Golf (gaming app), 3’s (par-3 golf and entertainment venue), T-Squared Social (food, drink and golf simulators) and 8AM Travel (luxury golf trip planning).
Justin Timberlake joined as a partner in 2020 and is leading initiatives for 3’s, T-Squared Social (in partnership with Tiger Woods) and the development of a private, 18-hole course called Bounty Club.
The company’s newest achievements and future endeavors include the launch of 8AM Travel in August; the debut of 3’s Charlotte in late 2025, with more cities to follow; T-Squared Social Club expanding to Scotland, Nashville, Toronto and Jamaica; and the development of Bounty Club in Whites Creek, Tennessee.
No. 18
Greg Nathan
CEO, National Golf Foundation
Ranked No. 24 in 2024
As CEO of the National Golf Foundation, Nathan has become one of golf’s most trusted voices on participation, business performance and the game’s evolving economics. With nearly two decades at NGF, he combines marketing expertise, data fluency and deep industry insight.
In 2025, Nathan reinforced NGF’s role as golf’s central source for intelligence. The 2025 Graffis Report showed participation reaching 28.1 million green-grass golfers — a year-over-year increase of 1.8 million, the largest gain in 25 years. The report also noted record rounds played in 2024 and the fewest course closures since 2005, signaling strong fundamentals for the sport.
Nathan also guided NGF’s updated Top 100 Businesses in Golf list, highlighting the most influential and innovative companies across equipment, media, technology and operations. A proponent of “radical hospitality,” he continues to urge clubs to adopt a guest-focused approach modeled after the best in the broader hospitality industry.
No. 19
John Brown
CEO, GreatLIFE Golf
Ranked No. 18 in 2024
Brown hit a milestone when his company, Brown Golf, joined with GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness in September 2022 and rebranded as GreatLIFE Golf. Brown spearheaded the development and launch of GolfBack, a proprietary golf technology platform that optimizes revenue and enhances customer engagement for golf course operators.
In 2024, the company acquired two clubs — Sapona Golf & Swim Club in Lexington, North Carolina, and Country Club of Mount Dora in Mount Dora, Florida — bringing its portfolio to 55 golf courses across nine states. Under Brown’s leadership, both clubs are undergoing renovations.
GreatLIFE Golf also added Seven Springs Golf and Country Club in Trinity, Florida, to its management portfolio in 2025. The club is located approximately 33 miles northwest of Tampa and is the company’s sixth location in the state.
No. 20
Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw
Golf Course Architects
Ranked No. 23 in 2024
Since 1986, Coore & Crenshaw have overseen more than 20 renovations and designed more than 50 new courses.
Although they took different paths to success — Crenshaw was a longtime PGA Tour member with 19 victories, including two Masters Tournaments, while Coore was a former member of Pete Dye’s firm — the impact of their combined talents is undeniable.
The partners show no signs of slowing down, as they are currently overseeing a variety of projects.
One project is Clyde Park, a walkable 18-hole course, which is under construction at Crazy Mountain Ranch in Montana. Another is an 18-hole course at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina.
In addition, they are assisting the Keiser brothers with Colorado’s Rodeo Dunes, following their previous work at Mike Keiser’s Bandon Dunes. Coore and Crenshaw are designing one of Rodeo Dunes’ two 18-hole courses, which is set to open in 2026.
No. 21
Brian Rolapp
CEO, PGA Tour
Not ranked in 2024
Rolapp was named the PGA Tour’s first-ever CEO in June 2025, a historic move that signaled the Tour’s intent to lean heavily on his proven media and business expertise. Rolapp, who spent more than two decades at the NFL negotiating landmark broadcast and streaming deals, steps into golf at a time of transformation. His mandate is clear: grow the Tour’s commercial enterprise, expand its global reach and solidify its standing in the fractured world of professional golf.
One of Rolapp’s first major priorities has been maximizing the $1.5 billion investment from Strategic Sports Group, which is designed to strengthen the Tour’s finances and create new opportunities for players and fans. He has also turned his attention to reshaping the competitive model, with a new committee led by Tiger Woods and including Patrick Cantlay and Adam Scott, to develop star-driven events that can command higher value in the media marketplace. These efforts come as the Tour continues to weigh how, or if, unification with LIV Golf could eventually happen — a delicate backdrop that places even more importance on Rolapp’s leadership.
No. 22
Will McIntosh
President, NBC Sports Next
Ranked No. 21 in 2024
As president of NBC Sports Next & Fandango, Will McIntosh oversees NBCUniversal’s portfolio of digital brands in entertainment and sports, reaching more than 100 million consumers each month. His division includes GolfNow and TeeOff, the industry’s leading tee-time and course management platforms; GolfPass, a golf membership and content hub; and SportsEngine, a major youth sports technology provider.
In early 2025, McIntosh led the launch of Athena (stylized as ATHENΛ), a machine-learning pricing engine within GolfNow’s management system. Athena analyzes factors like weather, demand and inventory to make 45,000 real-time pricing decisions daily, helping course operators optimize revenue and expand access through flexible pricing.
Since joining NBCUniversal in 2009, McIntosh has grown GolfNow’s reach from 1,000 to more than 11,000 course partners across 40 countries, cementing its role as golf’s leading technology and services platform and advancing the digital experience for players and operators worldwide.
No. 23
Jay Monahan
Commissioner, PGA Tour
Ranked No. 12 in 2024
Monahan has been commissioner of the PGA Tour since 2017, overseeing one of the most prestigious organizations in golf. He announced he will step down at the end of his term in 2026, transitioning day-to-day responsibilities to incoming CEO Brian Rolapp.
His tenure has tackled some of golf’s most contentious issues, particularly the ongoing complexities of unifying with LIV Golf and agencies like the Saudi-backed PIF, an effort marked by high-profile negotiations and White House-mediated discussions.
Under Monahan’s leadership, the Tour raised record charitable contributions totaling more than $200 million annually, surpassing $4 billion overall by 2024.
No. 24
Kim Young-Chan
Founder & CEO Golfzon (South Korea)
Not ranked in 2024
Young-Chan, founder and CEO of GOLFZON, has become one of golf’s most influential global leaders. Under his direction, GOLFZON now operates in more than 40 countries with over 13,000 commercial simulator locations, recording more than 100 million rounds in the past year.
GOLFZON’s expansion into North America gained momentum with GOLFZON Social venues in New York, including Scarsdale, West Nyack and Brooklyn, which quickly became popular urban golf destinations. At the 2025 PGA Show, Kim introduced City Golf, a new concept designed to bring immersive golf experiences to city environments and expand accessibility. Beyond business growth, he has emphasized social impact. Through the Golfzon Cultural Foundation, he supported 100 vulnerable households in Cheonan with sponsorships worth ₩5 million (about $3,600). His leadership reflects a balance of innovation, expansion and community commitment that continues to shape the future of golf worldwide.
No. 25
Ross Liggett
Founder & Managing Partner, Metolius Golf
Not ranked in 2024
Liggett, founder and managing partner of Metolius Golf, has strengthened his role as a leader at the intersection of golf and technology. Over the past year, he has guided Metolius’ growth as a premier cloud-based marketing and business intelligence platform, helping golf courses and private clubs make smarter operational decisions. By automating data aggregation across tee sheets, point-of-sale systems, CRMs and even weather tools, Metolius has given operators real-time insights to improve efficiency, enhance customer engagement and drive profitability.
Liggett has also become a prominent voice in the golf technology space. He has overseen key upgrades to Metolius’ product infrastructure, streamlining secure onboarding and integration for clients worldwide.
Through these initiatives, Liggett has advanced both his company and the broader golf industry by making data-driven decision-making more accessible. His work reflects a clear focus on empowering operators to adapt to a faster, more competitive marketplace while ensuring clubs and courses can better serve members and players.
(This story originally appeared in the November/December 2025 issue of Golf Inc.)
