Adam Rieck is a Shareholder at Addison Law, one of the foremost club and resort specializing law firms in the United States. Mr. Rieck has extensive experience in portfolio and individual club and hospitality real estate and business acquisitions, capital and equipment financing, and club board/management team risk management and operational advising. He is a committee member of the National Club Association’s (NCA) government relations committee and a frequent speaker at club and golf industry conferences. Mr. Rieck was a two-sport athlete at the University of Notre Dame and as a postgraduate obtained a law degree and an MBA from Texas Tech. Adam resides in Dallas with his wife and three children.
Allen DuPuy
Founder
Commonwealth Golf Group
Bio coming soon.
Andrew Kline
VP of Sales
Roboranger
Bio coming soon.
B.K. Browne
Co-Founder & CEO
SpeakSport
B.K. Browne is the Co-Founder and CEO of SpeakSport, an AI-Receptionist for golf facilities to alleviate phone call volume and enhance customer service, drive retention and boost revenue. A lifelong golfer, B.K.’s journey in the industry began behind the counter of a daily-fee pro shop – experiencing firsthand many of the daily challenges operators face. B.K. previously held roles across large corporations, a venture-backed technology startup, and golf facilities alike, always at the intersection of innovation and problem solving. He holds an undergraduate degree from Babson College (the top entrepreneurship college in the US), and is also a near-fluent speaker of Mandarin Chinese. Today, B.K. is focused on helping operators drive hospitality, and believes that simplicity, and context-driven service are the keys to a better guest experience.
B.R. Koehnemann
Director of Corporate Communications
KemperSports
A 20-year golf industry veteran, B.R. Koehnemann currently serves as the director of corporate communications for KemperSports and KemperSports LIVE while overseeing all corporate PR, media relations, internal communications and industry relationships for the organization. B.R. joined the KemperSports team as a sales and marketing director with the Chicago Park District golf properties, before transitioning to account executive (KemperLesnik) and spending two years as director of communications at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.
Ben Blake
Executive Vice President of Business Development
KemperSports
As Executive Vice President, New Business Development for KemperSports, Ben Blake is active in the company’s business development efforts which include acquisitions and leases throughout the United States. He is also responsible for sourcing and the acquisition of third-party management contracts. Mr. Blake is a 40+ year industry veteran who has held various senior executive positions at KemperSports in both Operations and New Business Development. Prior to joining KemperSports in 2008, Mr. Blake was CEO of LinksCorp. Mr. Blake is a graduate of Ohio University, Athens, OH.
Bodo Sieber
CEO
Tagmarshal
German national Bodo Sieber has been recognized as one of the most innovative people in golf by Golf Inc. Magazine. Bodo is an experienced solutions architect for software systems, focusing on business intelligence, GIS, IoT (Internet of Things) and process optimization. He founded two successful software driven businesses before focusing on golf. Bodo has been a keynote speaker for innovation in golf at many influential industry conferences including Golf Business Conference, Golf Inc. Innovation Summit, PGA Show, Golf Business Tech Conference, and quoted in several leading publications, including Forbes Magazine.
Brady Noland
General Manager
The Patch - Augusta Municipal Golf Course
Bio coming soon.
Bruce Charlton
President, Chief Design Officer
Robert Trent Jones Golf Course Architects
Bio coming soon.
Bryce Voisin
CEO
GolfBack
Bio coming soon.
Cathy Harbin
Golf Course Owner
Pine Ridge Golf Course
Cathy Harbin has been a Class A Member of the PGA of America since 1992 and earned PGA Master Professional status in 2000. She is also a member of the LPGA and the National Golf Course Owners Association. With more than four decades of experience as an operator, executive, educator, and industry leader, Cathy has had the privilege of contributing to nearly every facet of the golf industry—from introducing beginners to the game and leading national growth initiatives to serving in executive leadership roles and owning and operating her own golf facility.
Throughout her career, Cathy has developed and implemented training programs, operational systems, and customer service standards that create consistent world-class experiences, welcoming environments, and sustainable financial success. While she is widely respected for her operational expertise, she is perhaps best known for her unwavering commitment to growing the game through accessibility, inclusion, and belonging. Her life’s work has centered on creating pathways into golf that are welcoming, enjoyable, and approachable for people of all backgrounds and skill levels.
Cathy recently completed her term as the second-ever At-Large Director on the PGA of America Board of Directors and concluded a two-year term as President of the National Golf Course Owners Association. She has chaired and served on numerous committees dedicated to growing the game, including Adult Player Development for the PGA of America.
Chris Karamitsos
Senior Managing Director, Partner
Leisure Investment Properties Group
Mr. Karamitsos serves as Senior Managing Director & Co-Founder of Leisure Investment Properties Group, which he established alongside his partner, Steve Ekovich. Since its founding in 2008, the firm has become a leading authority in the listing, sale, and underwriting of golf and resort properties, with total transaction value exceeding $3.2 billion. A former United States Army officer and member of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America, Mr. Karamitsos brings more than three decades of industry experience to his work. He has served on the Executive Board of the North Florida PGA and is a published author, with contributions to numerous industry periodicals and professional manuals.
Chris May
CEO
Dubai Golf
Bio coming soon.
Colin Read
Co-Founder, CEO
Whoosh
Colin Read is the co-founder and CEO of Whoosh. He is a reformed VC and successful serial entrepreneur with leadership experience scaling B2B & B2C companies in automotive, hospitality, and telecom. He is a 4x founder with 3 successful exits, including an IPO.Known for his charisma and visionary leadership, Colin inspires trust in his team, partners and investors. He is a lifelong golfer (scratch) and 2x collegiate All-American. When he’s not at work or on the golf course, he’s with his wife and two boys, likely rooting for the Phoenix Suns or Boston Red Sox.
Cory Blair
Sales, Business Development Manager
Capillary Flow
Bio coming soon.
Dave Ashton
Co-Owner
Swing First Golf
Bio coming soon.
David Frem
Owner Cyprian Keyes Golf Club
David Frem graduated from Dartmouth College and joined a startup software development company in Cambridge, MA. He then went on to co-found BarrettFrem Consulting, an IT consulting company that included clients throughout the United States, including John Deere and United Healthcare. In 1997, he left BarrettFrem to join his family in developing Cyprian Keyes Golf Club in Boylston, MA. He oversaw the IT infrastructure of the club and focused on sales and marketing before becoming General Manager in 2000. He continues to lead Cyprian Keyes as both Owner and General Manager.
Cyprian Keyes Golf Club has an 18-hole championship course, 9-hole par-3 course, golf instruction, full-service restaurant, and hosts over 450 events per year.
David is currently the Vice President of the National Golf Course Owners Association, on the boards of the New England Golf Course Owners Association and MassGolf, and hosts Talking Golf, a weekly local radio show.
David McKillips
CEO
Topgolf & Toptracer
David McKillips is the Chief Executive Officer of Topgolf International, since February of 2026. He’s overseeing the strategic vision and growth of the company’s portfolio of more than 100 entertainment venues and industry-leading Toptracer technology. With nearly 30 years of experience in the family entertainment, media and theme park industries, McKillips most recently served as President and CEO of CEC Entertainment, where he led the company through a transformative global expansion, introduced innovative new guest experiences and launched its first membership program. Prior to CEC, McKillips had leadership roles at Six Flags Entertainment and Warner Bros. DC Comics division.
David Pillsbury
CEO
Invited
David Pillsbury was named CEO of Invited in June of 2018. He has held numerous leadership roles in the golf industry over the past 30 years, starting his golf career at American Golf Corporation (AGC). At AGC, Pillsbury led innovations including the formation of American Golf Country Clubs, the Private Club Member Platinum Program, the Nike Golf Learning Centers, centralized tee time reservations, and much more. After American Golf, Pillsbury became GM of Nike Golf, responsible for all U.S. operations, marketing and sales. Following Nike Golf, Pillsbury was President of PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties Tournament Players Clubs (TPC’s), and he was then promoted to President of PGA TOUR Championship Management including THE PLAYERS, and Executive Vice President of PGA TOUR Tournament Business Affairs. Most recently, he held CEO roles in the healthcare and consumer products industries. Pillsbury received his MBA from the USC and his BA from the University of California, Berkeley.
David Vanslette
Founder & CEO
FAIRWAYiQ
Bio coming soon.
Del Ratclife
– CourseRev.ai
Bio coming soon.
Eduardo Ruiz
COO
UGOLF International
Bio coming soon.
Elisa Gaudet
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Bio coming soon.
Eric Bischofberger
General Manager/COO
Hampton Hall Club
Bio coming soon.
Eric Johnson
Senior Vice President of Marketing
Heritage Golf Group
Erik Johnson is SVP of Marketing at Heritage Golf Group, where he leads brand strategy and marketing across a portfolio of 48 private and daily fee golf and country clubs. His work spans member acquisition, revenue product funnels, brand positioning, and digital marketing, balancing the traditions of the game with a modern approach.
Erik previously spent nearly eight years as Vice President of Digital Marketing at ClubCorp, building the digital marketing engine for 210 clubs. He oversaw membership and events demand generation, developed the company’s Webby Award–winning mobile app, implemented enterprise marketing automation, and built ClubCorp’s social media strategy.
Earlier in his career, Erik held senior roles at Verizon Information Services, where he helped grow SuperPages.com into one of the 30 most-visited websites in the world, and at Bank of America. He holds an MBA from SMU’s Cox School of Business and is a WSET Level 3 certified sommelier.
Eric Schultz
Director of Golf
The Tree Farm
Eric grew up in East Aurora, New York a small suburb of Buffalo. He attended Hobart and William Smith College in Geneva New York, where he played soccer and graduated with degrees in English and Elementary Education. Eric has been a Head Professional for the last 16 years. Spending time in Philadelphia and Bluffton.
During his time in Philadelphia, Eric served on the Philadelphia sections Board of Directors and received an award for the 2015 Philadelphia Merchandiser of the Year for Private Clubs. He has additional certifications thru the Titleist Performance Institute and thru the PGA of Americas certified professional program. Eric started at Colleton River as Director of Golf in October, 2019. Eric was awarded with the 2025 Professional Development Award and 2024 Bill Strausbaugh Award for the Carolina Section. He is the 2023 Lowcountry PGA Professional of the year. Eric sits on the Carolina PGA Board of Directors and Lowcountry President and chairs the education committee for the Section. Eric focuses on strong teams and strives to be a well-rounded professional. He enjoys building relationships with members and staff alike. Eric and his wife Cassandra reside in Bluffton and have
three children. Summer, Charlie and Caleb.
Forrest Richardson
Principal Golf Course Architect
Forrest Richardson Golf Course Architects
Forrest Richardson is a golf course architect based in Phoenix, Arizona. Established in 1988, Forrest Richardson Golf Course Architects have created celebrated projects for clients throughout the U.S. and internationally, receiving awards for excellence, innovation and attention to detail. The firm’s work spans across the Western U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska. International work has included projects in Mexico, Central America, Canada, Bulgaria, Albania, Sweden, India and Asiatic Russia. In addition to work designing courses, Forrest Richardson serves as a key consultant to feasibility, transformation and reconfiguration projects. Forrest’s philosophy is to create an overall golf experience—one grounded in tradition, enjoyment and suitability to the surroundings. Rather than a style or “look,” Forrest Richardson believes that the design of a golf course should adapt to each site. The needs of the golfer, the membership and customers who will ultimately play the course are always a paramount consideration. His designs embrace the natural terrain, balancing creativity with natural features and nuances that become integrated to each hole. The routing and flow of his courses embrace the unique attributes of the land. Vistas, wind, sunlight, and even the local culture, are each studied and considered in creating a fun and enjoyable golf experience.
Frank Vain
Chairman
McMahon Group, Inc
Mr. Vain provides consulting and planning services to private clubs throughout North America. Through use of specialized services including membership surveys, strategic planning, operational analysis and facility long range planning, Frank assists club in developing individualized strategies for their unique situations. Mr. Vain joined McMahon Group in 1988 and has more than forty years of experience in the management and development of hospitality properties including country clubs, city athletic and dining clubs and residential communities. Frank is Past President of The Country Club of St. Albans, a 36-hole country club located in Missouri. Frank was elected to the Board of the National Club Association in 2011 and served as Chairman in 2019-20.Mr. Vain is a native of Philadelphia and graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He is a featured speaker at the annual CMAA World Conference, National Club Association National and Regional Conferences, Major Golf Associations and a regional chapter meeting of club managers and leaders. Frank is a regular contributor to industry leading publications like Club Management, Club Director and BoardRoom. He was named the Gary Player Club Educator of the Year for 2012 and 2015 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 by BoardRoom. He is also a co-author of McMahon’s Club Trends, a recognized industry benchmark on the trends and issues affecting private clubs.
George Stavros
Chairman
McMahon Group
George Stavros is the Founder and CEO of Pacesetter Technology, the leading
mobile experience platform serving more than 500 private clubs, resorts, and
luxury communities worldwide. A recognized thought leader in club technology and
member experience, George works closely with some of the industry’s most innovative general managers to help clubs leverage mobile technology, AI, and
personalization to elevate hospitality. His insights on leadership, technology, and the future of member engagement have been featured in publications including Inc. Magazine. George is passionate about helping clubs use technology not to replace human connection, but to create more meaningful, personalized member
experiences.
Greg Lewis
Senior Managing Director of Capital Markets
Leisure Investment Properties Group
Bio coming soon.
Greg Nathan
President & CEO
National Golf Foundation
Greg Nathan became president and CEO of National Golf Foundation in 2024, succeeding industry legend Joe Beditz. The NGF was founded in 1936 and is the most trusted independent voice on the state of the golf business, as well as being the leading data, research, marketing and consulting firm in the game.
Nathan joined the NGF in 2007 and works closely with the CEOs and leadership teams from companies in every sector and is one of the foremost speakers on the golf business and trends. Golf businesses value Nathan’s insightful perspective, broad and deep category knowledge, and a network of contacts that could challenge Kevin Bacon for degrees of separation. Nathan was recently listed in Golf Inc. Magazine’s 25 Most Powerful People in Golf.
Prior to NGF, Greg was a marketing and brand executive with GOLF Magazine/GOLF.com and a Madison Avenue ad agency exec. Greg knew in his early 20s that he wanted to work in golf… and his passion led him to his “needle in a haystack” position at the NGF. He’s made it his life’s work to figure out how many golf businesses he can help.
Greg loves playing the game, and is a full-blown architecture nerd and GOLF Magazine course panelist who has played more than 80 of the Top 100 Courses in the U.S. Greg grew up in White Plains, NY and graduated Lehigh University with a B.S. in Economics. His foursome includes wife Alyson, son Jack and daughter Bailey and he lives in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
Ian Brigmann
Co-Founder, COO
Club Caddie
Bio coming soon.
Ian Versaw
VP of Revenue
ClubProphet
Bio coming soon.
Jacob Hite
Director of Marketing
Club Prophet
Bio coming soon.
Jaime Sharp
Director of Product Management
Xplor Golf and Club
Jaime Sharp is a PGA Professional and the Director of Product and Engineering for the taskTracker solution across the Golf and Club portfolio, which encompasses foreUP, Clubessential, and BlueGolf, with more than 20 years of experience under his belt. Having received his degree in Marketing and professional Golf management, Sharp started his career at the Valley Club in Sun Valley, Idaho where he advanced to Director of Golf. His interest in, and desire to improve the conditions for existing agronomy teams, superintendents and their staff inspired him to develop taskTracker, which we are beyond elated to hear more about today.
Jake Gordon
Noteefy
Jake is the Co-Founder and CEO of Noteefy, a demand and revenue management platform serving over 1,000 golf courses and resorts. Over 80 of the top 200 resorts in the US and 7 of the top 10 MCOs use Noteefy. Before starting Noteefy, Jake’s background is in the technology industry, where Jake led the east coast team for Accenture Ventures. Jake lives in Los Angeles with his wife (Shira), dog (Lucky), and can be found hiking or golfing in the area when not on the road or at the computer.
Jason Lowe
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Bio coming soon.
Jay Karen
CEO
NGCOA
Jay Karen is the CEO of National Golf Course Owners Association, where he leads the golf industry’s trade association and initiatives to support the success of the $102B golf industry. In his role at NGCOA, he has chaired the board of the American Golf Industry Council, and served on the Golf USA Tee Time Coalition board, a joint initiative with the PGA of America, and the advisory board of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CBS Radio, New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, the Golf Channel, Golf Digest and many others call upon Jay for his insights on the golf industry. Jay has also served as CEO of two associations in the lodging and hospitality industry, and he is a certified association executive by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Jay currently serves on the board of directors of ASAE and the US Travel Association. Golf Inc. Magazine named Jay among the top 25 most powerful people in golf. Jay has been an Honorary Commander for the Joint Military Base in Charleston, is a member of the Golf Writers Association of American and is an Associate Member of the PGA of America.
Jeff Dugas
Leisure Appraisal
Leisure Investment Properties Group
Bio coming soon.
Jeff Lundgren
Co-Owner
Swing First Golf
Bio coming soon.
Jeff Tyrrell, CCM
Director of Operations
The Cliffs
Jeff Tyrrell is Director of Operations at The Cliffs, a collection of seven premier private club communities in the Carolinas. Since joining the organization in 2017 as General Manager, he has held multiple executive leadership roles, including his current position since 2020. A CMAA Certified Club Manager with nearly two decades of private club leadership experience, Jeff has also served in leadership roles with the Carolinas Chapter of CMAA and on multiple non-profit
Hospice Boards. He is known for leading with heart while building high-performing teams grounded in accountability, extreme ownership, and a commitment to serving others.
Jenn Paciotti
Assistant General Manager
Daniel Island Club
Jenn Paciotti serves as the Director of Clubhouse Operations at the Daniel Island Club, where she has been a valued member of the leadership team since 2018. A graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jenn earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management and has built a distinguished career spanning nearly 15 years in the private club industry.
In her current role, she oversees clubhouse operations, including food and beverage, housekeeping, and facility services, while helping to enhance the overall member and guest experience. Her focus is strategic leadership and developing her team. She also serves on The Daniel Island Employee Scholarship Fund Board.
Jenn is an active member of the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) and previously served on the Board of the Carolinas Club Foundation, supporting the professional development of future club industry leaders. Her commitment to lifelong learning and industry excellence has been recognized through two prestigious scholarships: the Sally Burns Rambo Scholarship, awarded to women in club management dedicated to advancing their careers, and the LaRocca Family Executive Scholarship, which supports emerging leaders pursuing executive-level education within the club industry. Outside of work, Jenn enjoys spending time with her husband and family, traveling, playing tennis, and maintaining an active lifestyle.
Jeremy Goldblatt
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KemperSports
Jeremy Goldblatt serves as chief operating officer of KemperSports and leads a portfolio of best-in-class golf and hospitality operations at more than 250 golf courses, venues, and resorts in 37 states. He also manages the regional operations, purchasing, and new business development teams while leading the company’s strategy to grow its KemperClubs, KemperDestinations, KemperSports Venues, and KemperSports LIVE business segments. Jeremy most recently served as COO of Professional Sports Catering, a division of Levy – a leading hospitality company providing food and beverage to major sports and entertainment venues. He is a graduate of Brown University and received his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.
Jill Walsh
Head of Sales, North America
Toptracer
Bio coming soon.
Jim Hinckley
Founder & CEO
Century Golf
Jim is one of the most experienced executives in the private club, resort and golf management industry, having been involved in the ownership and management of more than 500 golf courses. Jim’s golf career began as a 15-year-old bag boy for Club Corp, became a golf pro while in college, later moved to ClubCorp’s corporate office, and eventually became President of Club Corp. After a 32-year career with ClubCorp, Jim left and founded Century Golf Partners. Century Golf acquired the Arnold Palmer Golf Management brand and today has a portfolio of 65 courses including such notables as PGA West and Walt Disney World Golf. Jim serves on numerous industry boards, including the National Golf Course Owners Association of America; American Junior Golf Association; American Golf Industry Coalition and he is a past member of the PGA. Jim is a National Trustee for the First Tee and is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO). Additionally, he serves on the boards at the Baylor Scott and White Hospital Foundation and the Children’s Center for Self Esteem.
Jim Oliver
COO
Heritage Golf Group
Jim Oliver serves as Chief Operating Officer of Heritage Golf Group, bringing over 30 years of leadership experience in the golf and hospitality industry. Known for his strategic vision and operational excellence, Jim oversees the performance and growth of Heritage’s expanding portfolio of private and daily-fee clubs across the country. His leadership style emphasizes team development, Member satisfaction, and continuous innovation and improvement. Prior to joining Heritage, Jim held senior leadership roles with Arcis Golf, Invited Clubs (formerly ClubCorp) and other premier golf organizations. His passion for the game and commitment to delivering exceptional member and guest experiences continue to drive Heritage Golf Group’s success.
Joe Guerra
CEO & Owner
Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort and Seascape Hospitality Group
Bio coming soon.
Jon Last
Founder/ President
Sports and Leisure Research Group
Jon Last is founder and President of Sports and Leisure Research Group, a full service marketing research consultancy that supports leading brands in sports, travel and media. Last’s 25+ years of professional experience includes seven years as VP Corporate Marketing for Golf Digest Companies, and eight years at the PGA of America, where he oversaw marketing research, consumer marketing and retailing. A frequent speaker and featured columnist for Media Post’s Marketing Insider, Last holds an M.B.A. from Wharton and a B.A. from Tufts. He is a former national president of the U.S. Marketing Research Association (MRA) and served on the national board of directors for the Executive Women’s Golf Association. Last has been recognized by Golf, Inc. as both one of the top innovators in the golf industry as well as one of the top advisors in golf. He is a former President of Marketing Research Institute International and continues to serve on their board of directors as Marketing Chair. He is one of the creators of the highly acclaimed “Back to Normal Barometer,” introduced in March of 2020, which has continuously pulsed public opinion surrounding the COVID 19 pandemic. His regular podcast “Driver$” explores golf business trends and those leading them.
Jonathan Wride
CEO
TenFore
Jonathan is the CEO of TenFore Golf, a course software company that has developed
powerful, easy-to-use, and fully mobile cloud-based point of sale, tee sheet, booking engine, and marketing software for public and private golf courses, retail shops, and food and beverage operations. He has been involved in golf technology since 2011, working with single and multi-course operators, course software companies, and large media brands. Jonathan is committed to delivering the best possible solutions to course owners so they can run their businesses however they choose. Before joining TenFore, Jonathan was the co-founder and CEO of Supreme Golf, a technology company that bridges the gap between the golf course and modern
technology. Whether delivering a golf course à la carte offerings like free marketing at leading tee time marketplaces such as Barstool Sports, Golf Digest, and CBS, adding or replacing subscription technology to drive recurring revenue, Jonathan built Supreme Golf organically and via strategic acquisitions to deliver on the specific needs of each company. Before Supreme Golf, Jonathan was a founding partner in a Dubai private equity firm, where he was named a “Key Player in Dubai.” Jonathan is a former EY Entrepreneur of the Year nominee.
Jordan Peace
Senior Vice-President
Concert Golf Partners
Jordan Peace is one of the most active dealmakers in the private club industry and serves as SVP, Corporate Development at Concert Golf Partners. He leads growth and development for Concert and has been responsible in recent years for the additions of The Club at New Seabury on Cape Cod, TPC Monterey at Pasadera in Monterey, California, and TPC Jasna Polana in Princeton, New Jersey, to the company’s upscale portfolio of private clubs. Jordan works alongside Concert’s leadership team to identify and partner with premier private clubs, while supporting the company’s commitment to reinvesting significant capital into its clubs and providing members with exceptional service levels and outstanding course conditions. Before joining Concert four years ago, Jordan led growth and acquisitions for one of the largest privately held records and information management providers in the world. Jordan is a proud fifth-generation Tennessean and lives in Nashville with his wife and three sons.
Josh Segal
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Golf District
Bio coming soon.
Keith Miller
CEO
Montgomery County Revenue Authority
Keith Miller is CEO of the Montgomery County Revenue Authority (MCRA), overseeing nine golf facilities, Montgomery County Airpark, and The Crossvines, an agritourism development in partnership with the University of Maryland. A 32-year PGA member and second-generation PGA professional, Keith has led MCRA for 20 years. He serves on the NGCOA Board of Directors, the NGCOA Advocacy Committee, the Montgomery County Commerce Committee, and chairs the Montgomery County Sports Tourism Task Force.
Kris Strauss
Executive Vice-President, Global Sales& Marketing
Troon
Kris Strauss is the Executive Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing for Troon and is responsible for sales and marketing direction and leadership for Troon and associated Troon brands. Strauss’ responsibly includes leadership of sales strategies, loyalty programs, public relations, promotional activities, digital marketing strategies and social media for Troon. Under his leadership, the Troon sales and marketing department launched innovative programs such as Troon Junior Club, Troon Women’s Golf Month, Troon Sales Professional fundamentals and Troon’s digital/video marketing innovations.Kris has over two decades of experience selling and marketing upscale resort, daily fee golf facilities and private clubs. He is a frequent speaker at Golf Inc Conferences and the National Golf Course Owners Association conferences. He was honored with Golf Inc’s Marketing Excellence award in 2005 for multi-course marketing campaigns and was recognized by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) with their national “Media Leader Award” for 2007. In 2017 Strauss was a featured guest on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive related to Troon’s Family Golf and other grow the game initiatives.
Larry Hirsch
President
Golf Property Analysts
Larry Hirsh is president of Golf Property Analysts, based in Philadelphia & Palm Coast, FL. He and the firm have performed consulting, appraisal, and brokerage assignments on more than 4,000 golf properties in 47 US states, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Hirsh authored the Appraisal Institute’s award winning text on golf property valuation (Golf Property Analysis and Valuation – A Modern Approach). A second edition was published in 2023. Hirsh has in The Appraisal Journal, co-authored The Urban Land Institute’s Residential Golf Community Development and authored many articles industry publications.
Most recently, Hirsh published The Culture of Golf – Isn’t it just a Game? Hirsh has also lectured at seminars, meetings and universities. A founder and first president of the Society of Golf Appraisers (SGA), Hirsh has developed a golf course and brokered $300± million in golf properties.
A graduate of Penn State, Hirsh is married (Judy), the father of 3, is a commercial pilot, flight instructor and competitive golfer.
Mario Campuzano
General Manager/COO
Long Cove Club
Bio coming soon.
Mark Burnett
CEO
Heritage Golf Group
Mark Burnett has served as President and CEO of Heritage Golf Group since its acquisition in January 2020. Under his leadership, Heritage has become one of the fastest-growing owner/operators of private country clubs and daily-fee courses in the United States, earning a strong reputation across the industry. In his first six years as President and CEO, Mark has overseen the acquisition of more than 45 clubs. Guided by his vision, Heritage continues to expand through strategic acquisitions while fostering a company culture built on collaboration, innovation, and the growth and development of its employees.
Prior to Heritage, Mark served as President and COO of ClubCorp from 2007 to 2018, overseeing operations, acquisitions, sales, and the company’s reinvention strategy. During his tenure, ClubCorp acquired more than 70 clubs and invested over $750 million in acquisitions, facility enhancements, and new amenities, including golf, dining, fitness, aquatics, and racquets.
Earlier in his career, Mark held executive leadership roles, including CEO, COO, and EVP, at KSL Fairways, American Golf, and Golf Enterprises. A respected industry leader, he has served on advisory boards and spoken at events for organizations including Golf 2020, the NGCOA, the PGA’s “Growing the Game” initiative, and the National First Tee. Mark holds a B.S. in Business Management from Indiana University and resides in Northern Virginia with his family.
Mark Mattingly
Executive Vice President
Landscapes Golf Management
A PGA Professional since 1994, Mark has accumulated over 30 years of golf
management experience, leading public, private, and municipal golf operations around the country. Serving the majority of his career in multicourse operations, Mark has a strong grasp of operational performance as well as specialization in marketing, membership growth, and facility planning.
As Executive Vice President of Landscapes Golf Management, Mark is responsible for developing and maintaining both new and existing client relationships, ensuring that each partnership receives tailored, high-level support as facility needs evolve. Collaborating closely with Landscapes’senior management team, Mark seeks to identify opportunities, craft solutions, and cultivate long-term value for owners, boards, and municipalities alike. In addition to spearheading new business initiatives, Mark oversees the branding and positioning of LGM’s services in the U.S. and abroad.
Mark Sharp
Project Manager
foreUP & taskTracker
Bio coming soon.
Matt Anzalone
VP of Operations
Blue Star Resort & Golf
Matt Anzalone is a Class “A” PGA Professional with a degree in Agribusiness from Arizona State University. Currently he serves as the Vice President of Golf and Club Operations for BlueStar Resort and Golf overseeing all golf aspects including agronomy and membership. Previously he managed the golf operations as Director of Golf for eight years at a 27-hole private club with a hotel component. During this time, he also served as a Regional Director of Golf for 30 golf and country clubs with Invited (formally ClubCorp) and implemented Invited’s Member Engagement business model throughout 81 clubs. Matt has also served six years as a PGA Board member for the Southwest Section and currently sits on the National PGA Coach – Technology Committee.
Mike Suglich
Founder/President
Greenlight Advisors
Mike is an experienced entrepreneur and financial / technology leader. In 1989, he was early to the computer software game. When Mike saw the opportunity to serve clients with Microsoft-based accounting systems, he founded MAS Consulting, a Chicago-business he built and led for 21 years. Mike merged the firm upstream with the CPA / Tech Firm, Sikich LLP. There, as a Senior Partner and Executive Board member, he continued his work in accounting software technology and helped lead the firm into a national practice. A strong emphasis on team, respect and employee & customer satisfaction have always driven Mike to do better for and with those around him. He graduated from Benedictine University with a BA in Accounting. There, he also enjoyed a successful All-American baseball career and was honored by his induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Today, as Founder / CEO of Greenlight Advisors, Mike is excited to continue his innovation in fintech and data analytics. Mike created the vision, research, and implementation team to develop a cloud-based Financial Benchmarking software called GolfClubBenchmarks.com. The company gathers and illuminates golf course data in easy-to-read benchmark reports that compare the financial and operational results to regional and national averages. This allows golf course operators to measure their results in a meaningful way, make informed decisions and improve their courses’ financial performance. Hundreds of golf courses nationwide confidentially share their data with Greenlight Advisors for their benefits as well as growing the golf and hospitality industries at large. For more information about Greenlight Advisors and their strategic partnerships with the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), Troon and Landscapes Golf Management, please visit https://golfclubbenchmarks.com/press/.
Mike Zisman
Founder
Golf Genius
Mike Zisman founded Golf Genius Software in 2009 after a long career in information technology, and he is currently Executive Chairman of the company. Prior to founding Golf Genius, he was founder and CEO of Soft-Switch, Inc., CEO of Lotus Development Corp and a senior executive at IBM. Soft-Switch, founded in 1979, was one of the very first companies to participate in the electronic mail industry. Mike is regarded as a pioneer in the field of electronic mail and received the first lifetime achievement award from the Electronic Messaging Association. Zisman has served and continues to serve on a number of for-profit and non-profit boards. He was co-chair of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center and was formerly board chair of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. He is currently a board member of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center. Zisman is a former director or trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, Lehigh University, the Board of Overseers of the Penn School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Main Line Health and Peter’s Place. He was also a director of numerous venture-backed technology companies. Mike earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University, a master’s in systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in Decision Sciences from the Wharton School at Penn. Prior to founding Soft-Switch, Mike was a member of the faculty at M.I.T’s. Sloan School and an Associate Member of the Laboratory for Computer Science. Zisman has been a long-time advocate of open systems, the Internet and privacy issues. Soft-Switch was one of fifteen founding members of the Internet Society, which was founded in 1992.
Monica Davis
VP of Operations
KemperSports
Monica Davis joined KemperSports in August 2023 as Vice President of Operations, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in the golf industry. She currently oversees a diverse portfolio of properties across California, Oregon, and Washington. Prior to KemperSports, Monica served as General Manager at Rancho La Quinta Country Club, a premier private club in La Quinta, California. Her career includes leadership roles with top golf management companies, including Invited (formerly ClubCorp) and American Golf. She has successfully led a variety of facility types, ranging from executive and municipal courses to upscale daily-fee properties, destination resorts, and full-service country clubs. Her experience spans key markets such as San Diego, Oahu, New York, Orange County, the Bay Area, and the Coachella Valley. Monica’s deep operational expertise is matched by her passion for creating exceptional guest experiences and fostering the growth and development of her teams.
Monique Waller
Director of Member Engagement
Heritage Golf Group
Monique Waller serves as Director of Member Engagement for Heritage Golf Group, where she leads member experience, engagement strategy, onboarding initiatives, retention programs, and reciprocal travel benefits across the company’s growing portfolio of private clubs.
With extensive experience in club operations, membership, and hospitality, Monique partners closely with club leaders to enhance member satisfaction, strengthen engagement, and drive meaningful connections within club communities. She has played a key role in developing enterprise-wide member experience programs, including new member onboarding, member feedback initiatives, and Heritage Plus, the company’s reciprocal travel program.
Passionate about creating exceptional experiences, Monique is recognized for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to helping clubs build strong, vibrant member communities.
Nate Watkin
Global Golf Division Manager
Sox Erosion Solutions
Nate Watkin is a recognized leader in the golf industry, bringing over two decades of hands-on experience and strategic vision to his role as Global Golf Division Manager at SOX Erosion Solutions. With a career spanning 24 years, including 16 as a Class A member of the GCSAA and board member of the PBGCSA, Nate has managed premier golf courses such as Seagate Country Club and Trump International Golf Club, overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, major renovations, and award-winning course conditions. At SOX, Nate leads the strategic development and execution of the company’s golf channel initiatives, serving as the primary liaison with key clients and supporting regional sales teams across North America and internationally. Known for his dedication, strategic mindset, and passion for the game, Nate Watkin is instrumental in expanding SOX’s impact in the golf industry, empowering clients, driving innovation, and elevating standards for shoreline and hillside erosion solutions
Nathan Crace
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Watermark Golf
A native of Indiana, Nathan Crace is a 1994 graduate of Mississippi State’s PGA Golf Management program where he learned how the design of a golf course must work handin-hand with the ongoing business side of operating it. He has worked as a club professional, director of golf, and as a golf course architect–the latter for more than 30 years with award-winning projects from California to Hilton Head and Chicago to the Gulf Coast. He is dedicated to exceeding client expectations while creating new designs and renovations that are both financially and environmentally sustainable and enjoyable for a wide range of golfers from beginners to Tour professionals.
Nathanael Pietrzak-Swirc
CEO
UGOLF International
Nathanaël Pietrzak-Swirc is CEO of UGOLF International, the worldwide division of UGOLF (Groupe Duval), Europe’s leading golf management operator with around 120 clubs across nine countries. He leads the group’s development beyond France, spanning Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, through a delegated-management model that combines operations, academies and travel networks. He works to build golf as a connected, sustainable and people-driven industry.
Rachel Carter
Senior Director of Membership
National Golf Course Owners Association
Rachel Carter, Senior Director of Membership, National Golf Course Owners Association Rachel Carter is a purpose-driven leader at the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), one of the golf industry’s leading professional trade associations. As Senior Director of Membership since 2022, she has been dedicated to building lasting impact for NGCOA members, her association team, and allied industry partners. In her role, Carter regularly engages with more than 4,000 member facilities across the country, connecting industry leaders through education, research, networking, and business development opportunities. She works to protect and advance the interests of golf course owners and operators nationwide — strengthening both individual businesses and the industry at large.
Carter brings nearly three decades of golf industry experience, beginning her career in 1998 at Red Hawk Golf Club in Reno, Nevada. She spent six years with American Golf Corporation in a variety of operational and leadership roles before being recruited to the member-owned La Jolla Country Club. Over the next eighteen years, she held senior leadership positions at several of the nation’s most respected private clubs, including The Preserve Golf Club and Monterey Peninsula Country Club, where she developed deep expertise in club operations, membership strategy, and organizational leadership.
Richard Mandell
Golf Course Architect
Richard Mandell Golf Architecture
Richard Mandell, ASGCA, has worked on more than eighty golf course projects from
private clubs to the most accessible facilities enjoyed by beginners and experts alike. He has created or renovated tournament courses, short courses, and everything in between. He is a licensed Landscape Architect in four states and a Certified Arborist. Richard has received more than twenty-five awards spanning four decades from such prestigious organizations as Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, DuPont North America, and Boardroom Magazine (Golf Architect of the Year. Sports Illustrated featured Richard as one of “4 Golf Architects You’ll Be Hearing More About” in January of 2022.
Rick Zbranek
Sr. Managing Director
Cushman & Wakefield
Rick Zbranek, MAI, is a Senior Managing Director and National Golf Specialty Practice Leader of Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield in 2006, Rick led his own real estate appraisal and consulting firm, The Richard A. Zbranek Company, from 1994-2006. Previous experience includes manager positions at PriceWaterhouse and Laventhol & Horwath. Rick’s responsibilities as National Golf Practice Leader include marketing and development of new business for the practice, establishment of standard due diligence and reporting formats, and overseeing the review and quality control functions for the group. As Director of Valuation of the South-Central region (TX, LA, AR, OK), Rick is responsible for client interfacing, complex assignment scoping, quality control, and oversight of all valuation related services transacting in the region. He is national single point of contact for several regional and national clients. During his career, Rick has appraised all property types, including office, industrial, multifamily, hospitality, land development and recreational properties. As National Leader, he has directed and managed over 2,000 golf course assignments for the V&A Golf Practice Group since its formation in 2006 and has personally performed consulting and appraisal assignments on hundreds of golf properties in his career throughout the U.S., the Caribbean and Mexico.
Rob Waldron
Senior Managing Director & Partner
Leisure Investment Properties Group
Rob Waldron is a Senior Managing Director and Partner at Leisure Investment Properties Group, LLC, (LIPG) and one of the golf industry’s most seasoned transaction professionals. With 35+ years of experience and senior leadership roles at Marriott Corporation, Fore Golf, Legg Mason Real Estate Services, and Billy Casper Golf, Rob has operated at the highest levels of golf, hospitality, and real estate. His rare command of finance, operations, acquisitions, brokerage, debt placement, and consulting gives him an unmatched perspective on how golf assets are valued, positioned, and sold. Mr. Waldron has advised on more than 350 golf course projects and transactions, is a published author in leading trade publications, has been a featured industry speaker for over two decades, and has served as a Rules Official for the USGA and multiple regional golf associations. With respect to golf course business knowledge, few bring more depth to the table.
Robert Sereci
CEO
Colleton River Country Club
Bio coming soon.
Ross Liggett
Managing Partner
Metolius Golf
Ross Liggett is the Founder & Managing Partner at Metolius Golf, a marketing technology company focused on helping golf courses and private clubs leverage cutting-edge tools and technology. Ross is among the industry’s foremost experts on cloud-based technology, digital marketing, and big data. Before founding Metolius, Ross started his career in golf operations and later served as a marketing, sales, and technology executive for several national multi-course operators. Ross lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, with his family of four and is a proud Virginia Tech Hokie.
Ryan Denner
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Bio coming soon.
Ryan Doerr
Founder & CEO
Strategic Club Solutions
Ryan has an impressive resume, having managed private, public, corporate, and member-owned clubs and communities for 20 years before founding SCS 11 years ago. Strategic Club Solutions is a full-service consulting firm offering award-winning services in Executive Search, Strategic Planning, Marketing & Communications, Interim Management, and Operational Optimization. SCS is a multi-time award winner of the Golf Inc. Advisor of the Year award and BoardRoom Excellence in Achievement awards. Ryan was recognized as the Gary Player Educator of the Year in 2022. Ryan and his team provide a tremendous amount of industry education, sharing best practices and cutting-edge technology to improve the member-guest experience and elevate operational excellence.
Scot Wellman
Landscapes Golf Management
Scot Wellman leads the strategic development of marketing and programming initiatives focused on revenue growth at the facility level. With a decade in the analytics division of a Fortune 100 company, he brings a strong data-driven approach to Landscapes Golf Management. Since joining in 2017, Scot has helped develop LGM’s “Technology Stack,” a cloud-based system that automates operations, enhances data visualization, and improves customer and member experiences. His background in golf began early as the grandson of a green’s superintendent and a member of the Nebraska Wesleyan Men’s Golf Team, where he won an NAIA conference championship. Scot later served as Head Golf Professional until 2006. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration with a marketing focus and has deep experience in analytics, leadership, lean operations, and project execution—skills that strengthen his impact across LGM’s portfolio.
Scott Rethlake
Director of Golf
Denver Golf
Bio coming soon.
Sean Palmer
Chief Operating Officer
The Union League
Sean Palmer, PGA, Chief Operating Officer of The Union League of Philadelphia, is the 2026 PGA of America Golf Executive of the Year. Sean oversees more than 1,400 employees and seven properties for the Union League, one of the Nation’s top rated private clubs. Since joining the Union League in 2014, he has driven substantial growth—expanding membership from 3,200 to 4,700 and revenue from $34 million to $134 million. Palmer has led over $80M in capital projects and built three successful golf operations, while earning multiple honors, including Philadelphia PGA Professional of the Year and Penn State’s Mentoring Excellence Award.
Spencer Potter
Founder
ClubGrub
Founder of ClubGrub and speaker on golf hospitality, Food & Beverage technology and next-generation member experiences. ClubGrub’s mobile ordering solution elevates dining experiences, optimizes F&B operations and delights members with modern, on-demand convenience beyond your clubhouse. Popular for golf courses, halfway houses, aquatic centers, practice areas, delivery in golf communities & for ToGo orders. GPS-powered to deliver experiences anywhere. Featured in Golf Digest, Forbes, Golf Inc. & Club Resort + Business.
Stephen Arnold
Director of Golf
Red Sky Golf Club
Bio coming soon.
Tim Schantz
CEO
Troon
Bio coming soon.
TJ Schier
CEO
SmashSwing Golf
TJ Schier is the founder and CEO of a new golf-entertainment technology, SmashSwing Golf. Prior to launching SmashSwing, he was the Chief Operating Officer of BigShots Golf owned by ClubCorp/Invited Clubs.
He spent over two decades as a leading speaker and consultant in the competitive socializing and franchise spaces. He has delivered hundreds of keynotes and workshops and is one of the most sought after speakers on non-traditional golf and golf entertainment.
Prior to starting his speaking and consulting business, he spent 18 years at Chuck E Cheese’s, leaving as VP of Field Support.
He has written numerous books and over 100 articles on guest service and motivating today’s generation. He is a 30+ year member of CHART (Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers) and a past board member and President of the organization. He has a BBA and MBA from the University of Texas.
Tom Bennison
Chief Development Officer
Invited
Tom Bennison is the Chief Development Officer for Invited and is one of the most experienced and successful dealmakers in the private club and golf industry. During Tom’s thirty plus years he has completed more than 100 acquisitions, leases, joint ventures and management contracts for Invited with companies like The Nicklaus Companies, Hyatt, ClubLink, Pulte Homes, Shea Homes, Toll Brothers, The Tower company, AEW, Corcoran & Jennison, Hugh Bancroft Trust, and the PGA TOUR. Tom and the Invited Corporate Development team have also completed a $460M of strategic and non-strategic asset dispositions since 2019. Tom is a member of the Recreational Development Council Gold Flight of The Urban Land Institute and Board member of the National Club Association.
