Meet the Speakers
Learn more about who will be sharing exclusive industry insights and trends this September at the Golf Inc. Strategies Summit 2025.
Speakers
Adam Rieck
Partner
Addison Law Firm
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.
Adeel Yang
Co-Founder & CEO
Dryvebox
Adeel Yang, MD. is the co-founder and CEO of Dryvebox, a mobile golf experience company dedicated to making golf accessible and enjoyable for everyone, everywhere. Prior to founding Dryvebox, Dr. Yang was the co-founder and CEO of Medumo, a Y Combinator-backed digital health company providing patient engagement software services to healthcare providers. Medumo was acquired by Philips in 2019, and Dr. Yang joined its Precision Diagnosis Ventures group as the Patient Engagement business category leader. Prior to Medumo, he was the co-founder of Picmonic, an e-learning company addressing the needs of allied health professionals with an online community of millions of learners in over 100 countries. Picmonic was acquired by TrueLearn after years of profitable growth. Dr. Yang has been an active startup investor and serves as a venture partner at Magic Fund and Pioneer Fund. He completed his M.D. at the University of Arizona with research distinction and holds multiple patents and publications.
Allison George
General Manager
Toad Valley Golf Course
Allison George is the Wizard of Fun at her family’s golf course. Having grown up on the golf course, there aren’t many jobs that Allison hasn’t performed. From picking up garbage, mowing fairways to working the snack bar until her current role as General Manager. She has helped to grow her family’s business by introducing programs to the public and staying up to date with modern content marketing. Allison has served on the NGCOA (National Golf Course Owners Association) Board since 2007. Over the last twenty years, she has spoken all over the United States and Canada at various golf conferences sharing ideas and how-to plans to help golf courses grow their number of rounds, players, and revenue. Allison won 8th Most Innovative Person in Golf in 2010, was the recipient of the Don Rossi Award in 2021, and the Hilda Allen Award in 2023 which is a national award given to people who have made a significant contribution in the golf industry. She has been married to her husband, Kelly, for 29 years and has two sons and a daughter.
Andy Crosson
Managing Director
Arcis Equity Partners
Andy Crosson is the Managing Director, Acquisitions at Arcis Golf. In this capacity, he focuses on sourcing and negotiating acquisitions. Prior to joining Arcis, Mr. Crosson spent 25 years as a Founding Partner and Executive Vice President at several notable golf investment firms, completing more than $1 billion of investments. Mr. Crosson holds a B.S. from the University of Utah.
Andy Peterson
President
Alamo City Golf Trail / City of San Antonio
Andrew Peterson is the President and CEO of the Alamo City Golf Trail in San Antonio, Texas, where he oversees the management of eight municipal golf courses owned by the city. Under his leadership, the ACGT is expected to generate over $25 million in revenue and host more than 440,000 rounds of golf in 2025. The ACGT operates as a 501(c)(3) organization, allowing it to reinvest over $35 million in capital improvements since its founding in 2007. A native of Duluth, Minnesota, Peterson earned a degree in Political Science from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and has been a PGA Member since 2001. He serves on the Board of Directors for both the Texas Golf Hall of Fame and the Southern Texas PGA. He has received numerous awards, including the 2021 Southern Texas PGA Western Chapter Golf Professional of the Year and the 2024 STPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award. ACGT’s portfolio includes the historic Brackenridge Park Golf Course, Texas’s first public golf course and the original home of the Texas Open, where past winners include legendary golfers such as Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, and Ben Hogan.
Ann Liguori
President
Ann Liguori Productions
Ann Liguori is the President of Ann Liguori Productions, Host/Producer of the award-winning ‘TALKING GOLF with ANN LIGUORI’ on WFAN-NY/Audacy; ‘Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori,’ a podcast distributed via FIRST CALL and AUDIOBOOM; and ‘Sports Innerview with Ann Liguori.’ heard weekly on NPR’s WLIW FM.
Ann is the author of ‘LIFE ON THE GREEN, LESSONS AND WISDOM FROM LEGENDS OF GOLF.’ (Hatherleigh Press) and ‘A PASSION FOR GOLF, CELEBRITY MUSINGS ABOUT THE GAME,’ (Taylor Publishing).
Ann was the first female to host a call-in sport’s show on WFAN-NY, the first all-sports radio station in the country, (Hey Liguori, What’s the Story?’ aired weekly for 25 straight years on WFAN), in addition to being the first female to host her own prime-time show on the Golf Channel. ‘Conversations with Ann Liguori’ aired the first five years of TGC’s inception.
Ann is the Global Ambassador for IBKUL Athleisure wear, is the President of the Carne Golf Club (Belmullet, Ireland) International Members Association, and serves on the Board of the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association.
Ashley Garcia
Director of Golf
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa
Ashley is a highly skilled and results-oriented Director of Golf at Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club, bringing 16 years of extensive experience in directing comprehensive golf operations and elevating the member and player experience.
In her role, Ashley oversees all aspects of the golf operation, including staff management, financial oversight, tournament organization, and player development. Her strategic vision has been instrumental in enhancing course management and implementing innovative programs that drive player engagement and increase revenue streams. She is a PGA and LPGA member, demonstrating her dedication and expertise in the golf industry. Additionally, Ashley is a Certified Golf Professional in Golf Operations, Teaching and Coaching, Merchandising, and Player Development.
Her outstanding contributions to the sport have earned her significant recognition, including the 2017 Player Development Award in the Southern Texas PGA Section, the 2020 Southern Texas PGA Western Chapter Golf Professional of the Year Award, and the Merchandiser of the Year Award in 2021 and 2024 for Resort Facilities. Ashley’s commitment to excellence and professional development is further highlighted by her certification as a US Kids Golf Coach and her PGA HOPE certification.
Ashley’s career began in 2009 at Hyatt Lost Pines in Bastrop, Texas. After gaining valuable experience there for five years, she transitioned to The Broadmoor Golf Club
in Colorado Springs as an Assistant Golf Professional. She then returned to Texas as the Head Golf Professional at Teravista Golf Club in Round Rock. This diverse background, encompassing public facilities, private clubs, and resort environments, has provided Ashley with a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the golf industry.
Ashley’s passion extends beyond her professional role, as she is dedicated to fostering a welcoming atmosphere, building high-performing teams, and cultivating a thriving golf community. She received her degree in Business Administration and Management, with a specialization in PGA Golf Management, from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.
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.
Bob Baldassari
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Bio coming soon.
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.
Brian Fraser
Senior Director of IT
The Olympic Club
Brian is an accomplished IT executive with 30+ years of experience in IT vision, strategy, data collection, cybersecurity, and organizational management. He excels at aligning technology initiatives with business objectives to drive transformation and operational efficiency. With deep expertise in cybersecurity and data ecosystems, Brian builds resilient infrastructures that safeguard critical information and support long-term scalability. Brian continues to shape secure, future-ready IT environments that position organizations for success in an increasingly data driven world.
Bryce Voisin
Chief Revenue Officer
GolfBack
Bryce Voisin is an industry leader in golf course revenue optimization, known for helping operators unlock profitability through smarter pricing, direct booking strategies, and marketing automation. As Chief Revenue Officer at both GreatLife Golf and GolfBack, Bryce works closely with operators across the country to implement data-driven systems that maximize tee-time yield and strengthen customer loyalty.
As a golf course owner himself, Bryce is uniquely positioned to see firsthand the impact of the technology he champions. With a deep understanding of golfer behavior and the economics of daily fee golf, he is a passionate advocate for tools that empower courses to reduce reliance on third-party aggregators and take back control of their tee sheets. His work at GolfBack focuses on integrating pricing intelligence, segmentation, and automation into one seamless platform—giving golf operators the tools to thrive in a competitive digital marketplace.
Cathy Harbin
Golf Course Owner
Pine Ridge Golf Course
Cathy Harbin’s pedigree includes Class A membership in the PGA of America since 1992 and PGA Master Professional status since 2000. She is also a member of the LPGA and National Golf Course Owners Association. Cathy has over 30 years as an operator and leader in the golf industry, including managing the World Golf Village golf courses for 12 years, running golfer growth and engagement with the World Golf Foundation, leading golf operations at Invited as Vice-President of Golf and now owning her own golf course. She has perfected training and operational systems that create a consistent world class experience, a welcoming environment and sustainable profits. Cathy recently served on the National PGA Board of Directors as the second-ever At-Large Director. She chairs many committees across golf designed to help grow the game, including Adult Player Development for the PGA. Cathy currently serves as President of the National Golf Course Owners Association and utilizes that platform to help make golf a better game for all.
Chad Pettingill
General Manager
The Ledges of St. George
Chad is a second-generation PGA Golf Professional that has been in the golf industry as long as he can remember. His father and mentor was the PGA Golf Professional at Valley View Golf Club in Northern Utah for over 35 years. After graduation from the University of Utah, where he was a 4-year member of the golf team, Chad moved to Phoenix Arizona where he joined Troon. He gained his PGA Membership in 1999 and worked in the Troon system at many clubs around the country for the next 15 years. During that time, he moved from PGA Golf Professional to PGA General Manager and has worked in that role at various clubs since 2007.
In 2013, he moved back to his home state of Utah to take the General Manager position at Jeremy Ranch Golf & Country Club and worked for the next 10 years revitalizing one of Utah’s historic country clubs. Currently, Chad is the General Manager at The Ledges Golf Club, a public-resort golf club in the new up-and-coming golf destination of St. George Utah. The club has 18 holes of golf; a full-service restaurant called the Fish Rock Grille and 151 vacation rentals.
Chris May
CEO
Dubai Golf
Bio coming soon.
Chris Laver
Former Owner
The Club at Pasadera
Chris Laver is a veteran of the financial services industry, bringing over 45 years of experience with major firms across both investment and advisory sectors. In late 2018, Chris partnered with a group of local Monterey investors to acquire The Club at Pasadera from an overseas entity. Under their stewardship, the club saw significant revitalization and community engagement and after five years of ownership, was successfully sold to Concert Golf Partners of Orlando, Florida. Known for his strategic foresight and a deep understanding of both financial markets and community-driven investment, Chris offers a unique perspective at the intersection of finance, leadership, and regional development.
Chris Karamitsos
Senior Managing Director, Partner
Leisure Investment Properties Group
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.
Daryl Crawford
General Manager
Papago Golf Club
Daryl has been working in the golf industry for 40+ years.
He began playing golf at the age of 13 and, like for many of us, became hooked… spending after school hours and weekends at the golf course. Encanto and Maryvale, two of the city of Phoenix golf courses, became his second home.
As his game progressed, he participated in junior golf events and eventually tryouts and success on the high school golf team. Eventually playing collegiate golf for Phoenix College and Arizona State. University.
Daryl turned professional in 1981. His golf operation development began at Orange Tree Golf Club as an Assistant Golf Professional working under the direction of Henry DeLozier. At the tutelage of Mr. DeLozier, he continued his professional growth eventually becoming the Head Golf Professional at Alta Mesa Country Club in 1987.
Dave Bisbee
CEO
Back on Course Golf
Dave Bisbee, is among the most respected innovators, coaches and leadership catalysts in professional golf. He’s the Founder and CEO of Back on Course Golf, a company committed to instructing executives and business development professionals how to drive 7X – 10X ROI from golf. He’s the best-selling author of the acclaimed and similarly named Back On Course: Drive Business Performance Through Golf, which has become the business golfer’s bible in learning how to leverage golf for business gain. His highly acclaimed Business Golf seminars, including Business Golf Essentials, Drive It Through The Grass Ceiling, and Team Links Challenge equip executives and companies to maximize the game’s potential as a powerful leadership and business development accelerator.
David Plaster
Vice President – Golf and Sports
Husqvarna Group
Dave Plaster is a 20 year veteran of the Golf Industry. Currently, he leads the introduction of Husqvarna robotic mowing solutions to the North American golf market. Dave has an extensive background in sales, marketing, product development, and channel management throughout his 30+ year career. His unique background, having experience leading Fortune 500 organizations in the golf course equipment space along with his experience leading marketing for a boutique golf course owner/operator group makes him ideally suited to bring solutions to golf course superintendents, management companies, and golf course owners around the world.
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.
Del Ratclife
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CourseRev.ai
Bio coming soon.
Don Rea, Jr.
Owner/Operator & President, PGA of America
Augusta Ranch Golf Club
PGA of America President and Master Professional Don Rea Jr. is the Owner/Operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Club, a public golf course, in Mesa, Arizona, which has been rated the “Best Executive Golf Course in Arizona” by the Arizona Republic and selected as “Host Club of the Year” by the Arizona Women’s Golf Association.
A PGA of America Member for 22 years, Rea was elected PGA of America Secretary in 2020, Vice President in 2022 and President in 2024 at the PGA Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
A Member of the Southwest PGA Section, Rea earned PGA Master Professional Status in 2024, the highest educational designation a PGA of America Member can obtain.
He served on the PGA of America’s National Board of Directors from 2016-’19. Elected as President of the Southwest PGA Section from 2013-’14, Rea also has served on the Boards of Directors for the Southwest PGA Section, National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) and the Arizona Tourism Alliance. While on the PGA Board of Directors, he chaired the Junior Golf Committee, which created the American Development Model (ADM) for golf, and the PGA Jr. League Committee. Additionally, Rea served on the Chief Operating Officer Search Committee and currently serves on the Chief Executive Officer Search Committee.
Eric Rein
Golf Operations Supervisor
Palm Beach County
Eric brings over 11 years of dedicated service to Palm Beach County, currently serving as Golf Operations Supervisor overseeing four championship golf courses and a standalone driving range. With comprehensive responsibility for multi-facility operations, he ensures exceptional playing conditions and customer experiences across the county’s premier golf properties.
Prior to joining Palm Beach County, Eric served as Chief Financial Officer for two non-profit organizations, bringing valuable financial acumen and strategic planning expertise to the public sector. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Beyond professional responsibilities, Eric is an avid sports enthusiast with a passion for reading and studying Civil War history. He resides with his spouse and two Golden Retrievers, balancing a successful career with family life. This diverse range of interests and experiences reflects his commitment to continuous learning and maintaining a well-rounded perspective in both professional and personal endeavors.
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.
Hoyt McGarity
CEO & President
8am Golf
Hoyt was a stand-out collegiate golfer at Lynn University before he played competitively on various professional tours. Hoyt co-founded Modern Golf in 2011, a Canadian club fitting company. In 2014, Hoyt became CEO of True Spec Golf, a brand agnostic club fitting company. In 2017, he assumed the role of President and CEO of Miura Golf.
Soon after. Howard Milstein acquired True Spec and GOLF and consolidated all his golf investments into a holding company, 8AM Golf, where Hoyt became President. His role at 8AM Golf includes creating, communicating, and implementing 8AM Golf’s vision, mission, and overall direction. Hoyt has created synergies and efficiencies throughout the enterprise, borrowing and trading equities across Nicklaus Companies, GOLF Magazine, Golf.com, Miura Golf, True Spec Golf, Club Conex, Golf Logix, and Fairway Jockey.
Ian Blunt
Global Brand Manager
Inrange
As the lead marketing and brand person for Inrange, Ian has taken the brand from a startup competitor into a global challenger. Overseeing major partnerships and events with the likes of Cobra PUMA, Red Bull, Vice Golf and Bushnell, as well as overseeing a strategic company rebranding and rolling out the Inrange World Tour, Ian has helped establish Inrange as the most exciting range technology brand on the market today. His passion lies in working with other industry organisations such as the NGF, 8AM and the R&A to create win-win-win scenarios where the third beneficiary of these campaigns is the player themselves.
Inrange is leading the charge to make range golf a sport, and Ian is at the forefront of this work.
Jaime Sharp
Director of Product and Engineering
Task Tracker
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
CEO & Co-founder
Noteefy
Jake is the co-founder and CEO of Noteefy, the automated waitlist and assistant software platform in use by over 500 golf courses. While Jake is a passionate golfer, his professional background is in technology consulting and corporate venture capital at Accenture, where he led the Ventures team in the Northeast. Jake enjoys applying his experience in building technology start-ups to the golf industry to help golfers more easily get onto the course and operators improve their financial performance. Jake holds a Master’s Degree in Management Science from Lehigh University and was a member of the NCAA Wrestling team while an undergrad. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife and dog, Lucky.
James Cronk
Partner
The Toolbox Team & Founder, Golf Industry Guru
James Cronk is a club industry leader with over 30 years-experience in the golf and service industry. He has travelled the world presenting keynote sessions and workshop seminars at many of the golf industry’s major conferences and events.
A former golf professional and club manager, James’s has real life experience in the industry, and his success as a leader is evident in the recognitions bestowed upon himself and his teams, including his facility being recognized by Golf Digest as having the ‘5th Best Customer Service in North America’ and being rated as one of British Columbia’s ‘Top Ten Employers’.
His company CRONK GROUP helps clubs and organizations achieve their goals and increase their profits by improving their systems, their service, and their people. In 2022 James and his business partner Scott Masse launched GOLF INDUSTRY GURU, a global on-line training platform for golf clubs featuring tools, tips, templates, videos, and blogs from many of the world’s leading golf and hospitality industry gurus. In addition, they are the North American distributors for THE TOOLBOX, an amazing app-based health and safety platform, and EGOLFCARTWAIVER, a digital cart waiver management system.
Jason Pearsall
CEO
Club Caddie
Jason Pearsall serves as the CEO of Club Caddie and the Managing Partner of Warren Valley Golf Course, bringing a lifetime of golf industry insight to his roles. Born into the world of golf with a father who was a country club general manager, Pearsall has experienced every facet of club operations firsthand. His early immersion in the industry fueled a passion that led him to sell an e-commerce company in 2010, invest in and manage Flushing Valley Golf and Country Club in Michigan, and co-found Club Caddie, a frontrunner in North America’s golf course management SaaS solutions, later acquired by Jonas Software in 2020. In 2022, Pearsall embraced the challenge of restoring Warren Valley, a historic 18-hole Donald Ross golf course in metro Detroit, under a long-term lease. His leadership is characterized by a belief in empowering employees, fostering positive workplace cultures through rewarding experiences, and recognizing the value of each team member’s contributions.
Jay Blasi
Principal
Jay Blasi Design
Jay Blasi is an award-winning golf course designer based in Los Gatos, CA. Blasi started his career working for Robert Trent Jones II where he guided the designs at Chambers Bay in WA (Site of the 2015 US Open), The Patriot in OK, Stanford’s Practice Facility in CA and SentryWorld in WI (Site of the 2023 US Sr Open).
Since starting Jay Blasi Design in 2012, he has led major transformations of Santa Ana CC in Orange County, CA, Lakeside CC in Houston, TX, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA and Poppy Ridge in Livermore, CA.
Blasi’s honors and recognition include a Forward Under 40 Award from the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association (2015), being named as a ‘Top Five architect under 40’ by Golf Channel in 2017 and being listed among The Next Superstar Architects by Today’s Golfer in 2025.
He is currently working with clients in CA, MN, TX, WA, WI, and also serves as a contributing writer for Golfweek Magazine.
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.
Jay Warnock
Director of Sales, New Business
ForeUp
With over 30 years of industry experience, Warnock is an accomplished leader in both B2B and B2C SaaS sales, reflecting his commitment to golf course management and the development of winning cultures. His passion for golf, combined with his proven success in executive sales leadership and team development, positions Warnock to best enable owners and operators with the connected technology, tools, and enablement resources needed to scale their courses for success.
Jeff Levine
SVP of Operations
Arcis Golf
Bio coming soon.
Jeff Ma
Chief Digital Officer
Troon
As a member of the infamous MIT Blackjack Team, Jeff Ma created an ingenious method for counting cards—using talent, creativity, math, and teamwork to win millions in Las Vegas. (Card-counting, by the way, is not illegal; casinos just don’t like it). Jeff was the real-life inspiration for the best-selling book Bringing Down the House and the hit movie 21, which topped the box office in its first two weeks. He is also an accomplished entrepreneur, having started four different companies including GolfSpan (sold to Demand Media), CircleLending (sold to Virgin), Citizen Sports (sold to Yahoo), and tenXer (sold to Twitter).
In addition, Jeff has been at the forefront of the “Moneyball” movement in sports and business, working with teams (San Francisco 49ers and the Portland Trail Blazers) and companies (ESPN and Adidas) to drive data-driven decision making. His bestselling book The House Advantage: Playing the Odds to Win Big in Business draws on his unique experiences at the table and in the sports world to create a truly accessible book about analytics. He continues to be a sought after speaker on the subject and served as Twitter’s VP of Data Science and Analytics after the acquisition of tenXer.
Ma continues to be active in the startup world, serving as an advisor and board member to companies like Abnormal Security, Censia, StatsBomb, and Pro League Network. Ma served as Microsoft’s Vice President of Startups, overseeing the company’s program to accelerate the success of developers, startup founders, and students around the world. During his time there, he led the development of Founders Hub, Microsoft’s best in class solution for startups to get access to technology, advice and mentorship.
Currently, Jeff is the Chief Digital Officer and Head of Troon Digital, where he is focused on leveraging technology and data to build the largest consumer property in golf while enabling golf courses to drive more revenue.
Jeff Woolson
Vice-Chairman/Managing Director
CBRE
Jeff Woolson is a Vice Chairman who serves as the Managing Director of CBRE’s Golf & Resort Group and since 1991 has been personally involved in transactions totaling $2.95 billion. These properties include golf clubs and resorts, ski resorts, marinas, master-planned communities and developable land. In over 90% of these transactions Jeff has represented sellers, where he has employed a variety of marketing techniques including traditional negotiation, sealed bid, and open outcry auction. Jeff also has a great deal of experience marketing assets through bankruptcy.
Jeff is frequently interviewed by national news publications, often serves as a panel speaker and is widely acknowledged as an expert in the marketing of resort properties and real estate negotiations. In addition to leading the Golf & Resort Group, Jeff is a member of CBRE’s Hotel Group and Land Services Group, as well as CBRE Capital Markets Institutional Properties, broadening his reach to investors and other CBRE professionals across the country and around the world. Jeff is a leader in the Urban Land Institute’s Recreational Development Council and The Century Club, a non-profit organization responsible for conducting the San Diego PGA Tour stop at Torrey Pines, the Farmers Insurance Open.
Jeffrey M. Denzak
Partner/Owner
Swaback
Jeffrey Denzak brings extensive integrated design expertise to his role as Partner at SWABACK Architects + Planners, an award-winning firm with over four decades of experience creating inspiring golf environments globally. His comprehensive approach to golf development encompasses master planning, clubhouse design, and community integration, guiding projects from initial feasibility through final construction execution.
Jeffrey holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and has contributed to SWABACK’s portfolio of iconic golf clubhouses, which includes award-winning projects at Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert and Martis Camp Golf Club in Truckee, CA and currently, the Marcella Club in Park City, which will feature Tiger Woods’ first mountain course. His expertise spans luxury resort golf facilities, private club environments, and golf-centered community development.
A key player in SWABACK’s holistic approach to golf facility design, Jeffrey considers the entire development ecosystem, ensuring seamless integration between golf operations, hospitality, and community elements. As a thought leader in community development and master planning, Jeffrey serves on ULI’s Community Development Council and regularly shares insights on integrating golf facilities within broader community frameworks.
Jeff Miller
Director of Agronomy
The Santaluz Club
Jeff Miller is a seasoned horticulturist and golf course professional with a degree from Cal Poly Pomona. Raised in the San Diego area, Jeff began his career in the golf maintenance industry in 1991, bringing a strong mechanical background to his work.
He has been a dedicated staff member at Santaluz Club for over 24 years, ascending to the role of the Director of Agronomy in 2015. Throughout his career, Jeff has been an early adopter of innovative technologies, including utilizing lithium battery technology as early as 2012. Since 2015, he has been a leader in implementing robotics within golf course maintenance, deploying well over two dozen autonomous and semi-autonomous mowers on greens, fairways and roughs.
Jeff’s expertise and forward-thinking approach have positioned The Santaluz Club as a “lighthouse” course for Kress North America and a pioneer in the industry. Notably, Santaluz was the first course to deploy Firefly’s new Amp mower to the golf market. He has contributed articles to the USGA Green Section BMP and has been featured in UK’s Greenkeeping Magazine, highlighting his impact and leadership in sustainable and innovative golf course management.
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 Koppenhaver
President & Founder
Pellucid Corp.
Jim founded Pellucid Corp., a leading golf industry information and insights provider in 2001. His background includes a decade of Fortune 50 marketing and sales management experience in Consumer Goods and 25+ years in data, reporting, analytics and insights across multiple industries.
Pellucid began in response to the golf industry’s need for accurate, unbiased information to support better business decisions for industry stakeholders ranging from owner/operators to major corporations. Since inception, Pellucid has pioneered nearly every industry information advancement from web-delivered local market analysis to quantifying monthly Golf Playable Hours (weather-adjusted performance) to Customer Franchise Analysis in conjunction with Edgehill Golf Advisors. Pellucid recently launched and supports the Golf Market Research Center which provides facility performance tracking on Rounds, Revenue, Utilization, RevpAR and Discount Rate for a portfolio of participating facilities nationwide.
Jim has a BA in English from The Citadel followed by service as a Marine Corps officer and enjoys outdoor exercise, activities (only average golfer) and playing piano in his (limited) spare time.
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.
Jimmy Han
Principal, Business Development
Century Golf Partners
Jimmy Han has worked in the Golf & Country Club industry for the past 29 years. Over his career, Jimmy worked his way through key management positions for 3 of the most reputable golf companies in the world; ClubCorp, American Golf, and Kemper Sports. His management experience includes a wide range of golf facilities from high volume daily fee properties, high-end private clubs, and newly developed Clubs that have hosted professional golf tour events. His experience includes international properties where he spent 8 years in Asia and held several positions including the position of President of Nicklaus China and Partner at One Club Limited, a full “turnkey” golf company serving the Asia region design, development, executive planning and management consulting services. Currently, Jimmy serves as an Executive Vice President for Century Golf Partners leading Business Development. Jimmy graduated from California Polytechnic University, Pomona with a B.S. in Accounting.
JJ Keegan
Strategist and Reality Mentor
JJ Keegan+
James J. Keegan has a zest for golf and life. As Managing Principal, Keegan has traveled over 3,050,000 miles on United Airlines, visiting over 250 courses annually and meeting with owners and key management personnel at over 6,000 courses in 64 countries.
Having successfully combined his passion for golf with his business acumen, his experience makes him uniquely qualified to offer expert opinions on trends and issues facing golf courses today because of his direct knowledge and interaction with the golfing community. An accomplished writer, Keegan, has published seven books making it the most successful book series ever written on the business of golf. His most current book, “The Business of Golf – What Others Are Thinking” was released on August 1, 2024.
With a B.B.A. from Texas Christian University, Keegan earned an M.B.A. in corporate finance from the University of Michigan. He has also served as a captain in the United States Air Force and worked as a CPA and computer audit specialist at KPMG.
John Easterbrook
Chief Membership Officer
PGA of America
John Easterbrook Jr., PGA, joined the PGA of America in 2017, as the Association’s first Chief Member Officer. He directs the core PGA of America Member-focused areas of the Association—including PGA Career Services, Education, Member Services, Section Business Operations and Player Development. In addition, he oversees PGA Golf Properties, which includes overseeing the PGA Frisco and PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida; endemic partner programs; the PGA Show in Orlando and the PGA Buying Summit in Frisco, Texas.
He also served as Interim CEO before Seth Waugh was named CEO of the PGA of America in 2018.
A more than 35-year member of the PGA of America, Easterbrook delivers a critically important perspective to the PGA of America’s leadership team, focused on creating enhanced career opportunities for the PGA’s Membership and to develop PGA of America Golf Professionals worldwide.
For 20 years, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Troon, the largest third-party management company and operator in the world. Easterbrook was responsible for the day-to-day operations of a vast global business that included at that time more than 17,000 associates (including more than 450 PGA of America Golf Professionals) at 280 courses in 33 countries and 37 states. In addition, he was
instrumental in the growth of the company’s portfolio and oversaw the development of Troon’s operating standards and financial benchmarking. As a member of the senior executive committee, Easterbrook also directed field operations, sales and marketing. He is the only recipient of Troon’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Prior to Troon, Easterbrook served in executive roles in the golf divisions at Hyatt Hotels and Marriott International.
John Brown
CEO
GreatLIFE Golf
John M. Brown, CEO of GreatLIFE Golf, has dedicated his career to the golf industry, building on a strong foundation established by his father, a Master PGA Professional. A collegiate golfer at West Chester University, John earned a degree in Finance before launching his professional journey.
John began his career in banking with Wells Fargo, gaining valuable financial expertise before transitioning to the golf industry. In 2007, he joined Troon Golf, where he excelled as a Membership and Sales Director. In January 2011, John co-founded Brown Golf with his father, rapidly growing the company into a portfolio of 26 facilities.
In July 2017, John was appointed CEO of Brown Golf, leading the organization through a transformative merger with GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness in September 2022. Under John’s leadership, the company rebranded as GreatLIFE Golf, becoming a national leader with 53 golf courses across ten states.
A forward-thinking innovator, John spearheaded the development and launch of GolfBack, a proprietary golf technology platform that optimizes revenue and enhances customer engagement for golf course operators. Today, John continues to drive growth and innovation as CEO of GreatLIFE Golf.
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.
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.
Jordan Peace
Senior Vice-President
Concert Golf Partners
Jordan Peace serves as the Senior Vice President for Concert Golf, responsible for the Company’s growth, development, and strategy. Prior to joining Concert, Jordan spent a decade as the Senior Vice President, Corporate Development of Access Information Management, the largest privately held records and information management company in the world. In his role, Jordan led all mergers and acquisitions and assisted the President of the company in driving overall revenues and expanding Access’s global market presence. Jordan led over 125 acquisitions to completion with the team at Access. Prior to Access, he worked for a boutique investment banking firm in Knoxville, Tennessee. Jordan lives in Nashville, TN with his wife and two sons.
Justin Binke, PGA
Director of Revenue & Sales
Founders Group International
Justin is a seasoned golf industry executive with over 20 years of expertise in golf course marketing, revenue management, and e-commerce strategy. As Director of Revenue and Sales for Founders Group International—the premier owner and operator of 21 golf courses along South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach Grand Strand— he plays a pivotal role in shaping the brand’s visibility, driving tee time bookings, and cultivating long-term customer engagement.
A PGA Class A Member since 2005, Justin brings a deep understanding of the game and the business of golf. He specializes in leveraging data-driven marketing campaigns, dynamic pricing models, and digital media to enhance profitability and golfer satisfaction across a diverse portfolio of properties.
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 Gulko
Founder
BRAND: NEW DAY
Larry is a Brand Architect and Strategist, Strategic Growth Advisor, CEO Whisperer, and Media Personality with a track record for creating, positioning, and launching an eclectic range of brands to compete more effectively in today’s rapidly evolving and ever-changing business landscape. He collaborates with clients to take their brand to the next level in terms of driving brand performance/leadership, enhancing customer loyalty/affection, and scaling/propelling business growth to the next level of success.
A sought-after thought leader, brand builder and public speaker, Larry delivers Keynotes, anchors CEO Fireside Chats, moderates Business Leadership Panels, and leads his signature BRAND: NEW DAY Retreats and Roundtables. He has a strategic relationship with Babson College, Harvard University, Babson College Executive Education, and Florida Atlantic University Executive Education, ranked #1 in FL. He created a new brand strategy podcast series launching in the Fall of 2025. Larry was the Commencement Speaker at the Hult International Business School.
Leah Steele
VP of IT
Invited
Leah Steele is a visionary in technology strategy and innovation, with a stellar track record in CRM and digital transformation within the hospitality industry. As the Vice President of IT at Invited Clubs, Leah has led groundbreaking initiatives, including the development of eCommerce sites, pipeline management, online membership purchases, guest capture, and member retention solutions. By leveraging both custom-built and leading CRM systems, Leah has significantly enhanced customer experience and driven sales growth. Previously, as a director with the leading resort and timeshare industries, Leah led transformative process improvement efforts, front desk and reservation initiatives, as well as digital projects, revamping websites, CMS, and CRM systems. Leah enjoys mentoring the tech-curious and traveling to discover food, culture, and beaches with family and friends.
Lee Finkel
VP of Operations
CourseCo
Lee’s background in golf spans almost 25 years with experience in operating and managing over 150 Courses. He currently serves as the Vice President of Operations for CourseCo. Lee joined the company in 2020 as the Vice President of Revenue Management and was promoted to Vice President of Operations in 2022. In his current role, Lee assists in overseeing golf course operations, revenue management, the accounting department and development of key team members.
Lee is an active member of the golf community and involved in promoting the game, advocacy and legislative review. He serves as an officer for the California Golf Course Owners Association as past president and is on the Board of Directors for the California Alliance for Golf.
Mark Blais
Director of Membership
Anthem Country Club
Mark Blais has 21 years of leadership and management experience in upscale golf and country club hospitality including roles in Sales and Marketing, Event Sales and Operations, Golf Operations, and Food & Beverage. Mark has worked alongside amazing teams at properties with Caesars Entertainment (later VICI Properties), Arcis Golf, and most recently Anthem Country Club. Mark is a proud veteran of the US Air Force where he was an aircraft mechanic, and he also spent five years in sales and management at Nordstrom. Mark graduated from University of California at Santa Barbara (Political Science). His diverse background and commitment to service excellence make him a dynamic contributor to the evolving landscape of club management and member experience.
Mark Freemont
Executive Vice-President
KemperSports
Mark is a dynamic hospitality executive with 25+ years of experience in golf, resort and club operations. He currently serves as executive vice president of operations for KemperSports, a leading sports, golf, and hospitality company, where he oversees the company’s owned club portfolio and the Dream Golf portfolio.
He joined the company in 1997 as an intern before moving on to leadership roles at multiple KemperSports-managed properties, including Holly Hills Country Club, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Buckingham Athletic Club and The Governors Club. Mark joined the corporate leadership team in 2014 and has played a vital role in expanding the company’s hospitality and lodging capabilities.
Mark played an influential role in the development of Sand Valley and continues to lead future Dream Golf developments at Rodeo Dunes and Wild Spring Dunes.
Mark has been honored with numerous company awards throughout his career, including the KemperSports James R. Seeley General Manager of the Year award in 2010. He also received recognition by Golf Inc. Magazine on the publication’s list of the “Top-10 Most Innovative People in Golf” in 2015 and led the Royal Melbourne Country Club team to the company’s highest honor – KemperSports Facility of the Year Award – in 2014.
Mark Logan
Construction & Agronomic Consultant
Greenlynx Golf
Bio coming soon.
Mark Luthman
President
Touchstone Golf
Mark Luthman has over 30 years of experience in the golf industry, holding leadership roles including Superintendent, General Manager, and leadership oversight of multiple golf courses. From 2009 to 2025, he led operations at Touchstone Golf. With the merger of Touchstone Golf and KemperSports, Mark returns to KemperSports, where he was a Regional Operating Executive from 2005 to 2009. In that role, he oversaw ten courses in the western U.S. and led the planning and opening of three properties, including Chambers Bay—host of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and 2015 U.S. Open. His background includes broad expertise in revenue management, marketing, customer service, staff development, and golf course maintenance.
Mark Mattingly
Executive Vice President
Landscapes Golf Management
A 30-year golf-industry executive, Mark Mattingly is EVP of Landscapes Golf Management (LGM), the 5th largest management services provider in the United States and operator of more than 60 golf courses, country clubs, communities, and resorts across America. His primary role is to help golf property owners formulate strategies to achieve their objectives which may include enhanced hospitality, marketing/PR exposure, improved profitability, greater engaging programming, and more. In addition to overseeing new client relationships, Mattingly manages special projects, including facility audits, market studies, and executive searches, while also providing strategic business insights as a part of the LGM senior executive team. During his career and with an aptitude for programming and membership development, he was General Manager, regional portfolio manager, and operations executive at daily-fee, resort, and private clubs. Mattingly is a quarter-century Class-A PGA Professional and was a longtime Board member of the Indiana Section PGA and member of the Club Management Association of America.
Matt Martin
Partner
Addison Law Firm
Bio coming soon.
Matt Welliver
Director of Business Strategy
Lightspeed Commerce
Bio coming soon.
Matt Welter
Founder
Dormy House
Real Estate Developer and Workforce Housing Specialist Owner of Dormy House and Wayne Enterprises
Matt Welter, owner of Dormy House and Wayne Enterprises, is an entrepreneur and a real estate developer with experience in all aspects of the development process from project conception to sales, ownership and management.
Matt launched Dormy House in 2021 to create affordable housing solutions for the hospitality industry and to improve the quality of life for club and resort employees, especially those in rural and remote towns. It was Matt’s experience as a caddie at Kingsbarn Golf Links and other notable courses that inspired him to find a solution for workforce housing. He has created workforce housing solutions for Bandon Dunes Golf Resort and is currently working with the city of Bandon, Oregon, to develop affordable housing solutions for its residents.
Matt also owns Wayne Enterprises, a real estate company that improves and develops commercial and residential offerings in his hometown of Valparaiso, Indiana.
Matthew Czisny
Director of Revenue Management
Arcis Golf
Bio coming soon.
Michael Leemhuis M.A. Ed., CCM, CCE,
PGA Master Professional
Michael began his teaching career in South Africa at the renowned King Edward VII School where he taught PE and History. Michael’s desire for education led him to the United States, where he continued his studies at UCLA. This experience is what drove him to complete his Master’s degree at East Carolina University. He then began his lifetime goal of pursuing a career in the Sports industry.
During the duration of his career, he has gained experience in a wide array of industries including hotel and resort management, stadium management, athlete representation, event management, retail, and private club management to name a few. He is also no stranger to hosting major sporting events having been involved in the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club, a USTA Tennis event at Sun City, 8 PGA Tour events, and multiple ultra-distance marathon and triathlon races.
Michael’s extensive leadership and sports experience were achieved during his roles as the President of the Ocean Reef Club, CEO of Congressional Country Club, President of the Club Managers Association of America, GM/Director of Golf at the PGA Tour, General Manager, Sports and Recreation at Sun City Resort, Tournament Director of the Nedbank Million Dollar Golf Challenge, COO of Ellis Park Stadium and MD of Sports International. A notable career highlight was guiding Congressional Country Club and Ocean Reef Club to the #1 and #2 spots in the Platinum Clubs of America and also into the top 100 of Platinum Clubs in the world.
Mike Beverly
President & CEO
Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones of Golf Trail
Mike Beverly has been the President & CEO of SunBelt Golf Corporation since December 2020, following his role as Chief Operating Officer and 13 years as Director of Golf at Capitol Hill. A PGA member with over 20 years in the golf industry, he excels in managing golf properties, facility management, budgeting, marketing, and tournament operations. A graduate of Marshall University, Mike is known for his strong work ethic and ability to turn challenges into growth opportunities.
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail (RTJ Golf Trail) is a premier collection of golf courses in Alabama, designed by legendary architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Spanning over 500 miles, the trail features 11 sites and 26 courses, catering to golfers of all skill levels. It has made Alabama a sought-after destination for golf, highlighting the beauty of the region while promoting tourism and economic growth.
Mike Whitton
Attorney & Advisor
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Mike Whitton is a distinguished transactional attorney and trusted advisor, well regarded for his strategic insights across business life cycles. He provides holistic advice that aligns with clients’ broader business goals, risks, and opportunities. Mike has a national reputation as a go-to advisor in transactions involving the purchase, sale and development of golf courses, country clubs, marinas, hotels, and resort properties, skillfully negotiating tournament, hospitality, and sponsorship agreements with private clubs, the PGA, and the USGA. He advises public and private companies, real estate investment trusts, and financial institutions on complex real estate matters across the U.S., assisting with joint ventures, portfolio acquisitions, real estate development, private equity investments, strategic alliances, and debt and equity financing and restructuring. Mike is actively involved in his community, serving for many years on the Board and as the 2016 President and General Chairman of the Farmers Insurance Open (San Diego’s PGA event at Torrey Pines), and currently serving on the Policy Advisory Board for the Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate, the Advisory Board for Notre Dame Law School and as Chair of the Board of Trustees at California Western School of Law, among other roles.
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.
Monica Fedri
Experience Project Manager
RealFood Hospitality, Strategy & Design
As a key member of the Strategy & Operations team at RealFood Hospitality, Strategy & Design, Monica embraces creativity in her solutions-oriented approach to food and beverage performance and operational strategy. Her 15-year career includes managing F&B operations for Starbucks, Starwood, Hilton Hotels Hawaii and Troon. Monica’s diverse experiences, paired with her visionary outlook, influence her astute ability to shepherd hospitality businesses of any size from conceptual vision to operational fruition.
Peter Barry
Director of Global Sales
TopTracer
Bio coming soon.
Peter Nanula
CEO & Chairman
Concert Golf Partners
Peter Nanula is Chairman and CEO of Concert Golf Partners (www.concertgolfpartners.com), the nation’s second-largest owner-operator of private golf and country clubs. Concert Golf Partners, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, owns and operates 39 upscale private golf and country clubs. Prior to co-founding Concert Golf Partners in 2011 with COO Susan Dunnavant, Mr. Nanula served as CEO of Arnold Palmer Golf Management, where he acquired a portfolio of 30 golf courses with 2,000 employees (1993-2000). He was also a Principal at Warburg Pincus and was previously a lawyer at O’Melveny & Myers. He earned AB and JD degrees from Harvard.
Phillip Martin
Senior Vice President
Troon
Phillip Martin is a Senior Vice President of Operations at Troon, where he leads the company’s Midwest office based in Chicago, Illinois. A seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in the club and hospitality industry, Phillip recently celebrated his 21st year with Troon. His career spans a wide range of property types, including daily fee, resort, hotel, and private club operations. Recognized for his transformational leadership style, Phillip is deeply engaged in strategic planning, enhancing the member experience, and cultivating high-performing management teams. Throughout his career, he has earned numerous operational accolades, including awards from both Evergreen Alliance Golf Limited and Troon. Notably, under his leadership, The Inn at Entrada was named one of TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Hotels in the United States in 2011. Phillip is a Class A member of the PGA of America. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University and an MBA from Texas Christian University.
Rachel Carter
Senior Director of Membership
National Golf Course Owners Association
Rachel Carter is the Senior Director of Membership at the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), where she leads strategic initiatives to enhance member engagement and growth. With nearly 30 years of experience in the golf and country club industry, which began with American Golf Corporation in 1998, Rachel has held leadership roles at prestigious institutions, including La Jolla Country Club in southern California and the Monterey Peninsula Country Club in Pebble Beach, CA. She is a recognized thought leader, contributing to industry publications such as Golf Business Magazine, Board Room Magazine and Club Director. She is often asked to lead panel discussions for industry events including the Annual PGA Show and Golf Inc.
Rachel is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Colorado Open Foundation, which serves to foster and encourage the sport of golf in Colorado through financial support for educational programs aimed at developing the interest and ability of Colorado’s youth. She is an ad-hoc member of the Colorado Golf Coalition which advocates on behalf of the golf industry throughout the state. She is also a member of the Colorado Golf Association and the Meadows Women’s Golf Association.
Rachel is a wife and mother of three young boys and resides in Littleton, Colorado where she works remotely for the NGCOA.
Rick Coffey
Rick Coffey, Certified Membership Professional (CMP), has firmly established himself as a leading sales performer and thought leader in the private club industry.
Over an impressive 8-year career in membership sales, Rick earned multiple national accolades, including National Salesperson of the Year in 2010 and the National Membership Challenge award in 2012. Under his leadership, he generated over 260 new memberships and drove more than $40 million in added revenue. He is also the author of the viral LinkedIn series “30 Membership Sales Tips,” which garnered over 250,000 views in 2019 and continues to be a popular topic in industry speaking engagements.
Rick rapidly ascended the ranks of the Professional Club Marketing Association, becoming its youngest-ever National President at age 35—a testament to his influence and leadership in the field.
In March 2019, he joined NBC Sports as National Sales Manager for the private club division. Based in Ponte Vedra, Florida, Rick was promoted in 2023 to Director of the division, where he leads a talented team of sales professionals and account managers. In addition to his corporate leadership, he continues to support clubs across the country through consulting and training, sharing his expertise to help others grow their membership success.
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.
Ricky Potts
Executive Director of Marketing & Communications
The Lakes Country Club
Ricky L. Potts Jr., CCM, CCAM, CML, CMP is the Executive Director of Marketing & Communications at The Lakes Country Club in Palm Desert, California. Originally from Harmony, Indiana, he holds two degrees from Purdue University in Computer Engineering and Computer Graphics Technology.
Ricky has held leadership roles with two of the largest and most influential golf course management companies in the world and has worked at premier private clubs in Florida, Rhode Island, and California. A Certified Club Manager (CCM) and Certified Community Association Manager (CCAM), Ricky is also the world’s first Certified Mindful Leader.
He hosts The Wednesday Match Play Podcast, a weekly golf podcast, writes a lifestyle blog at rickyleepotts.com, and is passionate about electronic dance music (EDM), golf, craft beer, travel, and animal rescue.
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 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
Vice President Sales & Marketing
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.
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.
Steve Skinner
CEO
KemperSports
Steve Skinner serves as the CEO of KemperSports, a leading golf, sports, and hospitality company that delivers unparalleled experiences. Headquartered in Chicago, KemperSports manages more than 210 golf courses, private clubs, sports venues, and destination resorts nationwide. It works with more golf properties named among the top 100 U.S. public and resort courses than any other management company, including Bandon Dunes, Chambers Bay and Streamsong. Its events division manages nationally televised events including the Southwest Maui Invitational, the McDonald’s All American High School games, and has hosted and managed numerous golf championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur and Presidents Cup.
Skinner was a founder of The First Tee of Chicago and served as a National Trustee of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. He serves as a director of the Western Golf Association, and the Executive Committee of the Chicago Sports Commission. In 2025, he was elected to the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the game. Before joining KemperSports, Skinner practiced law at Mayer Brown and served in the public sector after earning a law degree from the University of Chicago and a B.A. with Honors from Lawrence University.
Stuart Lindsay
Principal
Edgehill Golf Advisors
Steven Freund has devoted his 48-year career to hotels, resorts, restaurants and now, private clubs. He spent 20 years as an executive with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, serving as general manager at several locations before opening The Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Lake Oconee in 2001. He successfully opened and established The Lodge as one of the top golf destinations in the world. During his tenure with The Ritz-Carlton, he served in 6 Five Diamond properties and 2 Mobil (now Forbes) Five Star hotels. He was also involved in opening numerous hotels in Asia and North America as well as a certified presenter for the Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center. In 2010, he was named Executive Director of The Landings Golf and Athletic Club in Savannah, Georgia. There he leads a Club of over 3400 membership households, 550 staff, with 6 championship golf courses, 30 tennis courts, 15 pickleball courts, 10 dining venues, 5 pools, and a 52,000 square foot wellness center in coastal Georgia. The Landings Golf and Athletic Club is recognized by Boardroom Magazine as one of America’s Distinguished Clubs, reaching Emerald status, ranking among the top private clubs in the United States.
TJ Wydner
Regional Operations VP
KemperSports
TJ Wydner is a regional operations executive with over 18 years of leadership experience in the golf and hospitality industry. As General Manager of Harborside International Golf Center in Chicago, TJ oversees one of the Midwest’s most prominent 36-hole public facilities, driving year-over-year revenue growth, operational efficiency, and elevated guest experiences. Throughout his career with KemperSports, he has successfully led teams at high-profile properties, launched new business initiatives, and steered capital improvement projects that deliver lasting value. TJ specializes in revenue optimization, team culture development, and strategic planning, with a track record of exceeding performance goals across merchandise, food & beverage, and golf operations. He is passionate about growing the game through inclusive programming, community partnerships, and forward-thinking leadership. Known for his hands-on approach and ability to turn challenges into opportunities, TJ continues to shape the future of golf through innovation, execution, and authentic hospitality.
Tom Bugbee
COO
CourseCo Golf Management
With over 25 years of experience in the golf business, Tom’s accomplishments in the industry are wide ranging. In his role he oversees the day-to-day operations of the company including golf course operations, the finance and accounting department along with project management where Tom has managed over $100 million in capital projects including golf course and clubhouse construction. Perhaps the professional accomplishment that Tom is most proud of is being a part of CourseCo as it has grown from 14 courses centered in Northern California to 45 courses spread across the Western United States.
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.
Wade Beacham
Vice-President
Alliant Insurance
Wade Beacham is an experienced insurance and risk management professional with Alliant Insurance Services specializing in production of property and casualty business within the golf & country club, hospitality, and real estate industries.
Wade earned a BA in Risk Management & Insurance from the University of Georgia in 2001. He immediately began working with several country clubs and golf course management companies enhancing coverage and improving pricing across portfolios.
As an Alliant team leader since 2017, Wade excels in customizing insurance programs for owners/operators, developers, management companies, and PE firms. He brings significant industry and deal expertise to each client while creating insurance placements for unique and interesting club & resort exposures all over the country.
Prior to joining Alliant, Wade spent many years at both Truist Bank and Marsh & McLennan Companies advising on insurance in M&A transactions for the real estate and hospitality industries.
