Course Record Show: Recent Episodes
Roberto Castro and Dan Ferreira
We talk to the smartest people in the golf business to get the inside stories and strategies driving the business of golf forward. Hosted by PGA Tour player Roberto Castro and Dan Ferreira.
In this episode, we speak to Allen Green, former Athletic Director at Auburn University. Allen shares his unique view on college sports, what an administrator thinks about and how he sees golf in the broader sports landscape. Enjoy!
In this episode, we speak to Jeremy Stone, VP of Marketing at Titleist. Jeremy has been at Titleist since 2010 in a few different roles. We cover a range of topics in this discussion, from the strategic choices that Titleist makes in the evolving golf landscape, how the business of golf clubs and golf balls is more different than it seems and some deep-dives into the technological side of golf. Enjoy!
In this episode, we speak to Golf+ CEO Ryan Engle. Ryan is an engineer-turned-serial entrepreneur who founded Golf+ as a virtual reality golf game, which can be played with the Oculus headset. Ryan discusses the company's mission, what makes the VR experience credible to golfers, where golf is headed and how Golf+ is responding. Enjoy!
Ryan Baucom is a long-time PGA Tour caddie turned Medical Sales Rep. In this episode, we talk to "Bauc" about the economics of caddying, what makes a good caddy, the skills from caddying that translate into the working world and some fun stories about life on Tour. As a former collegiate football player, we also talk about NIL. Bauc is a fascinating individual with intellectual curiosity and a knack for storytelling. Enjoy, and stick around after the interview for Takeaways.
If you're curious to see the Hudson Swafford video featuring Bauc mentioned in the beginning of the interview, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjlG6rP5Uc.
1 week a year, Augusta, GA becomes the center of the sports universe. But what happens the other 51 weeks a year in Auguta? In this episode, mayor Hardie Davis, Jr. joins us to discuss how the Masters impacts the city of Augusta, how he leverages the tournament in his leadership, the role of engineering and theology in public service and handling adversity.
This episode is Part 3 of 3 of a special series on Direct to Consumer companies focused on the golf market.
This episode features Mike Gottfried, Founder and CEO of Piper Golf (www.piper.golf). Piper Golf makes performance golf balls at reasonable prices using a simple fitting system.
Listen to the episode to hear how Mike thinks about digital marketing, building lifetime value in golf and the role of experimentation in business. After the interview, Roberto and Dan discuss takeaways from the discussion with Mike.
If you are interested in trying Piper Golf balls, use code CRS10 at checkout on piper.golf.
This episode is Part 2 of 3 of a special series on Direct to Consumer companies focused on the golf market.
This episode features Brad Payne, Founder of Walker Trolleys (www.walkertrolleys.com). Walker Trolleys makes a premium golf pushcart to help golfers enjoy the experience of walking during their round.
Listen to the episode to hear how Brad thinks about marketing channels, managing supply chain risk and his prospects for DTC in golf more broadly. After the interview, Roberto and Dan discuss takeaways from the discussion with Brad.
If you are interested in buying a Walker Trolley, use code COURSERECORD20 at checkout for $20 off on walkertrolleys.com.
This episode is Part 1 of 3 of a special series on Direct to Consumer companies focused on the golf market.
This episode features Wayne Birch Jr., Co-founder and Co-owner of Trap Golf (trapgolf.com). Trap Golf makes apparel that reflects the intersection of golf, art and hip-hop.
Listen to the episode to see how Wayne (who is a caddie on the PGA Tour) has used his unique background to bring legitimacy to a brand that's growing the game of golf and the tactics he's using to help it grow.
Much like Lebron in 2010, CRS decided to take it’s talents to South Beach…well, not quite. But we did land in Orlando for the PGA Show! We had an interesting panel of 3 guests, and covered a lot of ground. Specifically, you'll hear from: (1) Jon Bradway of Captech, a technology consulting firm that recently signed a marquee partnership with the PGA of America, (2) Ken Reynolds of aboutGOLF Simulators and (3) Matthew Hobbins of Concert Golf Partners, an owner-operator of over 25 upscale clubs nationwide.
We know you'll enjoy their perspectives on what's hot in the game right now and how their companies are making bold bets for the future of golf. After the interview, Dan and Roberto debrief on their main takeaways of the conversation and whether some of their predictions for 2022 (see Episode #13) are more bullish or bearish after hearing from insiders.
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Roberto and Dan kick off 2022 with predictions for 2022. We discuss non-green grass golf, betting in golf, golf media, the future of startup golf leagues (PGL, SGL), direct to consumer brands, and gender equity in golf.
Stay tuned throughout the year for deep-dives on some of these topics with expert guests.
Stewart Cink has been a PGA Tour player since 1997. He has 8 PGA Tour wins, highlighted by the 2009 Open Championship, appeared in five Ryder Cups and reached the #5 position in the Official World Golf Ranking. Stewart was a He's is one of the game's consummate gentlemen and a wealth of knowledge of the evolution of the professional game (and barbeque).
Club Pro Guy (@clubproguy) is a satirical character who depicts the life of a Golf Club Pro. Having risen to fame through his accomplishments on the Mexican Mini Tour, CPG then transitioned to become the Club Pro at one of Kansas City's elite semi-private golf clubs. In this episode, CPG talks about his business experience involving many aspects of running a golf operation and founding a new club altogether. He captures many of his thoughts in his new book "Club Pro Guy's Other Black Book: Wisdom from a Lifetime of Punching out Sideways" available at clubproguy.com.
As CPG is a fictional, satirical character please take this interview with a grain of salt, and enjoy a good laugh.
Please subscribe if you enjoy the show, we have a lot more great guests coming up!
Jesse Menachem is Executive Director and CEO of Mass Golf, the state Golf Association in Massachusetts. He’s been with the organization since 2004, where he started as an intern, then Director of Rules and Competition, before becoming Executive Director in 2013. Jesse is also the President of the International Association of Golf Administrators. He’s dedicated his life’s work to improving the game of golf and has a unique perspective on the game.
Eric Stepanian is the founder of The Fliers Club, an international travel and private club experience designed by a collective of golfers who are inspired by the discovery of diverse courses, cultures & time-honored traditions of the game. In this episode, we talk to Eric about what makes a community of golfers so unique, how the Fliers Club turned a community of golfers into a business and how Eric took aspects from his background in the PGA of America and other jobs to form the Fliers Club.
Mike Small is head men's golf coach at the University of Illinois, ranked #10 in the 2021-2022 pre-season golf rankings. In this episode, we discuss the ramifications of the Name, Image and Likeness ruling, how the mechanics of college golf (recruiting, fundraising, leadership) really work and how Coach Small develops college players into pros.
Jeehae Lee is founder and CEO of Sportsbox.ai, a tech company focused on sports performance improvement. Jeehae has built a well rounded set of experiences in golf, as a LPGA pro, Michelle Wie's manager and TopGolf executive, picking up a Wharton MBA along the way. Jeehae is articulate and insightful about the business of golf. In this episode she offers her opinions on the future of golf coaching, the role of tech in golf, and the ever-changing role that golf has played in her life.
We're mixing it up this episode and running a very cool custom apparel giveaway with H&B. The action is all happening over on their Instagram account @holdernessbourne. We're giving away custom logoed Course Record Show gear, designed by Castro Golf. The shirt is our all-time favorite golf shirt - the Maxwell - and the pullover is the Somerville, a mid-weight piece that's perfect for when the weather cools down. To enter, go to @holdernessbourne on Instagram - We will choose the winner this Friday 8/13 and send exact sizes.
Chad Parker is GM and COO at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, GA. In this episode, we talk to Chad about the operations of a golf club, hosting a PGA Tour event, pro shop merchandising, philanthropy, barbeque and more.
Brian Ferris is a golf course developer, restauranteur and co-chair of the Pebble Beach Company. We talk about building Chestatee Golf Club in suburban Atlanta, why he sometimes regrets not using Jack Nicklaus as his designer, and the other ups and downs of the business over the last 20 years. Brian also tells the story of how his father got involved at Pebble Beach alongside a couple other folks you might have heard of - Arnold Palmer and Clint Eastwood. Brian is a hard charging, high energy guy and you'll really enjoy hearing his perspectives on the golf business.
Episode #4 of the Course Record Show features our very own Roberto Castro talking about the day-to-day of a tour pro. We cover the usual expense breakdown of playing professional golf and what life on the road looks like. These are some of the most frequently asked questions that amateurs ask pros during pro-ams and outings, so we’re bringing them to you here.
From winning 2 majors, to law school, to working in professional wrestling, Jane Geddes has done it all. We talk about playing golf in a bubble, switching to the administrative side of the LPGA, working at the WWE, and her current role as CEO of The Legends Tour. From winning 2 majors, to law school, to working in professional wrestling, Jane Geddes has done it all. We talk about playing golf in a bubble, switching to the administrative side of the LPGA, working at the WWE, and her current role as CEO of The Legends Tour.
Longtime marketing guru at Callaway and TaylorMade talks us through the finances of sponsoring Tour players, the OEMs position on the distance debate, and making the jump into entrepreneurship by co-founding an apparel brand, Municipal, with Mark Wahlberg.
15 year PGA Tour veteran talks about how Tour players think about money, having Thanksgiving dinner with Warren Buffett, what makes The Masters so special, and the biggest threat facing the PGA Tour.