Editor’s note: this is the second of a three-part series. The 40-somethings were previously announced and the 20-somethings will be announced soon!
By JJ Keegan
JJ Keegan is a business golf consultant, author of “The Winning Playbook for Golf Courses” and an occasional contributor to Golf Inc.
While golf’s leading management companies, equipment manufacturers and associations are led primarily by people in their 50s and 60s, change is coming. Today’s budding superstars are going to enhance, expand and redefine the golf industry.
They all have a number of things in common: a thirst for knowledge; an early mentor; and a vision that expands beyond themselves to guide both the golf industry and the game that millions enjoy.
Here are just some of the emerging superstars.
The 30-somethings
Hoyt McGarity, president, 8AM Golf
If one were born in Monterey, Calif., and grew up in the Hamptons on Long Island, you might think the individual had a privileged childhood. Such was not the case for Hoyt McGarity.
His family owned a small grocery store, and his dad died when McGarity was only 9. He found solace as a caddie at nearby golf courses.
Becoming adept at the game, he was mentored by some of golf’s best, including Rick Hartman, golf pro at Atlantic Golf Club in Bridgehampton, N.Y.; Eden Foster, head pro at Maidstone Club in East Hampton, N.Y., and Tony Cessa, co-head pro at Augusta National in Georgia.
McGarity’s game flourished, as did his love for golf equipment. His entrepreneurial spirit led to the founding of Modern Golf, a club fitting business.
An introduction to Howard Milstein changed his life. Milstein is chairman of 8AM Golf, a holding company that includes several golf-related enterprises, including Nicklaus Cos., Golf.com, Golf Magazine, Miura Golf, GolfLogix and True Spec Golf., which are all flourishing.
McGarity served as CEO of True Spec Golf before becoming president and CEO of Miura Golf. He is now president of the entire holding company.
John BrownCEO, Brown Golf Management
Founded in 2011, Brown Golf has quickly amassed quite a portfolio. It includes 20 facilities and 28 golf courses in seven states. The company is also an equity partner in half of those venues.
John Brown said he believes the industry’s biggest challenge is the bartering system run by third-party operators that has led to low-cost rounds and a weakened revenue stream.
To combat this, Brown Golf has invested heavily in technology, starting with Club Caddie, which provides club management software designed to deliver maximum margins while collecting key customer data.
Brown said he believes that removing third-party operators and taking full control of the customer experience from beginning to end is the key to success.
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Golf’s up & coming superstars: 40-somethings