Speakers

Randall (Randy) Anderson | Owner, General Manager | Fogg Brook Resort and The Meadows Golf Club

Randy grew up in Wyoming, won awards in basketball and music in both High School and College, and traveled internationally with Up With People. While studying at University of Wyoming, he needed to pay rent and went to the “now hiring” sign across the street from campus. That accidental call center job led to a 25 year career in the contact center industry. His most recent stint was setting up and running call centers in Latin America, mostly in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Belize, and Guatemala. Then in 2017, he formed PEAK Partners with lifelong friends and golf nuts. Their mission is to acquire small town golf courses and transform them into community hubs with a focus on golf, year-round entertainment and local philanthropy. They do this by engaging the community in the process and preserving the local character and history along the way. Randy is now the owner and general manager of two courses in Maine: Fogg Brook Resort and The Meadows Golf Club.

John Ashworth| Co-Founder and President, Linksoul | GM, Goat Hill Park

John Ashworth is a California native and third-generation avid golfer. John played college golf at the University of Arizona and received a BS in Agronomy. John became a pioneer and leader in golf fashion whose influence has spanned decades. His journey into the industry began unexpectedly in 1984 when he spent a season caddying on the PGA Tour for his childhood friend, Mark Wiebe.

In 1987, Ashworth founded the eponymous brand Ashworth, setting out to bring a modern, casual look to the course. With Tour connections forged during his caddying days, Ashworth introduced his designs to PGA players, most notably Fred Couples, John Cook, and Ernie Els. Known for its timeless yet modern approach, Ashworth’s clean, laid-back style became synonymous with a new era in golf fashion, blending California cool with athletic functionality.

After stepping away from Ashworth in 1997, John went on to other ventures rooted in his passion for golf as a lifestyle and the belief in forging connections. In 2014 John spearheaded saving and renovating Goat Hill Park in Oceanside CA which has become a must-play Muni if in the area. Today, Ashworth remains the ‘Caretaker’ of Goat Hill Park and has recently returned to the brand that bears his name, bringing with him decades of experience and a renewed commitment to authenticity and innovation.

Anirban Basu | Chairman & CEO | Sage Policy Group

Anirban Basu is Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., a Baltimore-based economic and policy consultancy he founded in 2004.  He serves the Chief Economist function for many organizations, including the Maryland Bankers Association and Associated Builders and Contractors. The Baltimore Business Journal named him one of the region’s 20 most powerful business leaders in 2010.  In 2022, he entered the Daily Record newspaper’s Circle of Influence.  He is the Distinguished Economist in Residence at Goucher College, where he teaches History of Economic Thought. He holds four graduate degrees, including a J.D. and a Ph.D.

Jennifer Bermingham | PGA/LPGA Director of Golf Programming | Invited Clubs

Jennifer Bermingham is a PGA and LPGA Member. In 2016, she played in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, a major championship on the LPGA Tour, where she earned Low Club Professional honors as the only teaching professional to make the cut since 2007. Although she loves to play golf, her true passion is teaching and player development. Currently, Jennifer is the Director of Golf Programming for Invited in Dallas, TX. She oversees and manages the teaching operation for 150 country clubs including implementing Invited Club’s Standardized Programming for both Adults and Juniors.

Richard Brown, PGA | PGA Education Faculty Member | PGA of America

Richard, a Master PGA Professional, works as an Education Faculty member in the Education Department of the PGA of America. Some of the responsibilities include conducting educational seminars for PGA Associates and University students on how to teach and perform quality golf lessons. Participating in the mentor program to help Associates, PGM University students, and members with their continuing education requirements. Collaborating in Item Writing, and Curriculum Design Workshops with adjunct faculty, and subject matter experts

Matt Bryant, PGA | General Manager & Director of Golf | Green Valley Ranch Golf Club

Matt Bryant is the General Manager and Director of Golf at the Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver, Colorado. He has been with the company since 2006 when he was hired as the PGA Head Professional. Matt was promoted to General Manager in 2007. Prior to Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, Matt was the PGA Head Professional/General Manager at The Links of North Dakota in Williston, North Dakota. Throughout his 28-year career in the golf business, he has been involved with successful operations that focus on effective communication, maximizing the guest experience, facilitating employee growth and satisfaction, building team culture and morale, and driving revenue growth. Matt holds a BA in Economics from the University of Northern Colorado.

Tom Bugbee | Chief Operating Officer | CourseCo, Inc.

With over 25 years of experience in the golf business, his 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.

Dan Burke | Chief Executive Officer | First Tee – San Francisco

Dan Burke is the Chief Executive Officer of First Tee – San Francisco. Dan has served in this role since 2014 when hired by the late Sandy Tatum, the former USGA President who founded the Chapter in 2004. First Tee – San Francisco is considered one of the leading Chapters in the First Tee network. Dan recently led the completion of the Sandy Tatum Learning Center at TPC Harding Park in addition to the renovation of Golden Gate Park Golf Course. Prior to First Tee, Dan was the PGA Head Golf Professional at Lake Merced Golf Club for over 15 years. Dan is a well-respected leader in the golf and business communities in the Bay Area. He is a graduate of Santa Clara University and competed on the men’s golf team.

Kelli Corlett, LPGA | Director of Golf Operations | PGA Junior Golf Camps

Kelli was born and raised in Sacramento, CA, which is where she currently resides. She played multiple sports growing up and continued to play soccer and golf in college. She graduated from Dominican University, in San Rafael, CA in 2009 with a degree in Business Administration, concentration in Marketing and a minor in Sports Management. She also earned a Master’s of Business Administration with an emphasis in Global Management in 2010.

She began her career in golf at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento, CA with the Morton family. Although her role changed a bit over her time there (15 years), her main priorities were junior and adaptive golf. She is an LPGA Class A Member, Master Coach and National Trainer for First Tee Headquarters, as well as a U.S. Kids Golf Certified Coach (2013), a U.S. Kids Top 50 Teacher, and U.S. Kids Top 50 Master Kids Teacher. Kelli is extremely passionate about junior golf and truly believes the sport can make positive changes in individual lives and communities.

Damian Cosby, PGA | Executive Director | The National Links Trust

Damian Cosby is the Executive Director of The National Links Trust (NLT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to positively impacting local communities across the United States by protecting and promoting accessible, affordable, and engaging municipal golf courses. Cosby comes to NLT with more than two decades of experience in the golf industry as a PGA Member. Most recently, he served as the PGA Director of Golf Operations for Cleveland Metroparks where he oversaw the system’s eight golf courses.

Prior to that, he served as Chief of Golf Operations & Park Maintenance for Anne Arundel County in Maryland, where he was instrumental to the highly lauded, sustainability-focused renovation of The Preserve at Eisenhower Golf Course. Cosby was also a 2019-20 class member of PGA LEAD, a leadership development program created to progress PGA Members from diverse backgrounds along a guided path to volunteer leadership roles, and make an impact on nonprofit boards within the communities where they work and live.

James Cronk | Founder, Cronk Group | CEO & Co-Founder, Golf Industry Guru

James Cronk is a club industry leader with over 30 years of experience in the golf and service industry. He has presented keynote sessions and workshop seminars at major golf industry events around the world, including the NGCOA Canada National Conference (18 times), the Asia Pacific Golf Summit (6 times including India in November 2019), the European Golf Business Conference (4 times including Spain in 2024), the CMAA World Conference (twice) and many more.

A former golf professional and club manager, James 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 by BCBusiness magazine as one of British Columbia’s “Top Ten Employers”.

His consulting company Cronk Group helps clubs and organizations achieve their most ambitious goals and increase their profits by improving their systems, their service, and their people. In 2021, James and his business partner Scott Masse launched Guru Collective which provides cutting-edge technology-based products to help clubs optimize operations, enhance team member training, improve safety, and elevate member and guest satisfaction. His Golf Industry Guru is a global membership-based online platform offering expert-led training and tools to help golf clubs improve operations, enhance team performance, and customize their training processes.

Allison George | Wizard of Fun | 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 served on the NGCOA Board from 2007 – 2019. Over the last fifteen 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’s love for the business of golf shows in her drive to make a difference in the industry by bringing in new players and sharing her successes with her fellow golf operators.

Matt Ginella | Founder and CEO | Fire Pit Collective

Matt Ginella is the founder and CEO of Fire Pit Collective and the host of Journeys with Matt Ginella and The Fire Pit Podcast. Matt has been covering golf for 25 years — first at Sports Illustrated, then Golf Digest and Golf World magazines and most recently for Golf Channel, where he appeared as the Travel Insider for Morning Drive and wrote for Golf Advisor.com.

Alex Goodman | Senior Vice President, Business Development | KemperSports

Alex joined KemperSports in 2024 as Senior Vice President of New Business Development, where he leads the company’s growth strategies. His focus includes expanding the portfolio of managed and leased daily-fee courses, private clubs, and destination resorts.

Before joining KemperSports, Alex spent seven years with Topgolf Callaway Brands in sales and partnership roles. Most recently, he served as Senior National Director of Sales for Toptracer Range Technology, driving substantial growth and forging partnerships with leading clubs, courses, and resorts across North America. During his tenure, he also advanced Toptracer’s industry presence by fostering partnerships with national organizations such as the PGA of America, GRAA, NGCOA, and CMAA, where he contributed as a faculty member for the Business Management Institute.

Earlier in his career at Topgolf, Alex played a pivotal role in global partnerships, securing deals with prominent brands including MasterCard, Hertz, FanDuel, Lexus, Under Armour, and others

Alex’s professional journey also includes leading global sales for the PGA Merchandise Show in the U.S. and China, as well as early experience in tournament operations and player development with the PGA of America’s Connecticut and Metropolitan Sections.

Chris Goodman | General Manager | Metro Parks Tacoma & Meadow Park Golf Course

Chris is a seasoned golf industry leader with over 35 years dedicated to municipal golf excellence, with a focus on sustainable, community-centered golfing experiences. His journey from golf course superintendent to manager at Meadow Park Golf Course has deepened his commitment to Metro Parks Tacoma, the municipal agency that owns and operates the course. As an active member of the GCSAA, NGCOA, and other local and regional industry associations, Chris is now shaping the Reimagine Community Golf Project—a transformative initiative designed to secure Meadow Park’s legacy as a valuable and enduring community asset.

Marc Haddad | Founder, PGA Camps | Owner, H5 Sports Group

Marc is an advocate for junior golf and currently serves as the owner of H5 Sports Group, which is the parent company of PGA Camps. PGA Camps has become synonymous with high-quality coaching, positive character-building experiences and most importantly making golf fun for all athletes. The programs focus on developing technical skills but also on fostering sportsmanship, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for the game. By collaborating with PGA and LPGA certified professionals and creating inclusive learning environments, Marc ensures every participant benefits from positive coaching, tailored to their individual needs.

Marc’s journey in golf began early, combining his enthusiasm for the sport with a keen understanding of its potential to teach life lessons. He has spent much of his career working within the camp development business, but also with the PGA Tour Academy as their SVP of Business Development. He is passionate in providing opportunities for players of all skill levels; from beginners discovering the game to advanced players preparing for competitive success. Marc believes there is a program for everyone.

Cathy Harbin | Owner, Pine Ridge Golf Course | President, NGCOA

Cathy Harbin’s pedigree includes Class A PGA Master Professional status since 2000. She is also a member of the LPGA and NGCOA. With over 30 years as a golf course operator, Cathy has perfected training and operational systems that create a consistent world class experience and sustainable profits. Cathy has had a diverse path through golf that few others match. She was General Manager of the World Golf Village courses, Executive Director of Golf 20/20, Vice President of Golf for ClubCorp and now owns her own golf course. Cathy’s commitment to growing the game and making it accessible for all is unwavering. Recently she completed her role as the At-Large Director for the PGA Board of Directors and is President of the NGCOA.

Jeff Hoag | Co-Owner | Scott Lake Golf & Practice Center

Jeff is the co-owner of Scott Lake Golf & Practice Center, a daily fee 33 hole golf course in Comstock Park, MI, a suburb of Grand Rapids. Since 1975, Jeff and his brother Paul have been the drivers to growing the business at Scott Lake. Scott Lake was the recipient of the 2011 Michigan Golf Course Association Course of the Year, and the 2012 NGCOA Course of the Year. Together they have expanded from 18 holes to 27 holes with a large practice facility and a six-hole short course. Jeff’s nearly four decades of building and growing the business, even in the face of a national recession, has led to some exciting and progressive programs for building customer loyalty. Jeff is a past president of both the NGCOA and the Michigan Golf Course Association.

Adam Jaffe | Partnerships Lead | Google Search

Adam is a Partnerships Lead for Google Search, where he helps build new search journeys through strategy and product partnerships. He has spent the last year working with the golf community to enrich the golf search experience and is excited to share some of the ways Google is making it easier for golf courses to connect with Google users.

Ian James | Chief Executive Officer | RetailTribe

Not a young man anymore, Ian has spent a long career working in supply and demand chains. The latter has led to a much deeper understanding of consumers. The last 10 years of that career have included working with golf clubs and golf professionals on demand, participation, and revenue generation. In the US, Ian has worked with different ownership groups, individual clubs (private, semi-private, and public), creating strategies and actions to drive membership dues, rounds, participation, spend and EBITDA while improving member / golfer experiences. Ian has spent a large part of his career working in the United States and he currently works out of Dallas, TX, but his home is in South Africa.

Matt Kammeyer | Director of Golf | Salt Lake City Corporation

Matt Kammeyer currently serves as the Director of Golf for Salt Lake City Corporation, overseeing operation of six full-service golf course locations in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Kammeyer has over 26 years of diverse, practical experience in golf program administration, business operations, budget development, personnel leadership development, staff management, corporate communications, marketing communications, and project management. Mr. Kammeyer has a graduate degree in Sport Management from Georgia Southern University including graduate work with the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Teams.

Jay Karen | Chief Executive Officer | 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 golf course business. In his role at NGCOA, he has chaired the board of the industry-wide advocacy coalition, We Are Golf, 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. Jay currently serves on the board of directors of the US Travel Association and ASAE. Jay is an Honorary Commander for the Joint Military Base in Charleston and a mentor in the College of Charleston’s MBA program.

Pat Kelley | Partner, Advance Golf Partners | President, Deep Dive Golf Consulting

Pat’s experience in golf began in childhood. His Dad was a golf professional who worked for the PGA Tour building several well-known TPC properties, and was a highly respected private club manager. Pat’s personal experience dates back to 1995 when he began working in golf maintenance. While in college, Pat had several hands on club roles including outside golf operations and shop associate.

After college, Pat left the golf industry to pursue a sales and marketing career with Newell Rubbermaid. While at Newell Rubbermaid, he learned several sales and marketing skills that would later serve well in the golf industry. Pat returned to the golf industry selling real estate in club and resort communities. When the recession occurred, he returned to his true passion of operating golf facilities. Since then, Pat has been involved as a revenue strategist in over 15 public, semi-private, and private clubs; managing distressed, bank owned properties and serving as an owner liaison to a large multi-national bank.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger | Former Congressman | CNN Political Commentator | New York Times Bestselling Author

From 2011-2022, Congressman Kinzinger served six terms in the United States House of Representatives, where he proudly represented Illinois’ Sixteenth Congressional District, which stretches across 14 counties in Northern Illinois. While in Congress, Kinzinger served as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he served as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, Energy and the Environment in the 116th Congress. He also served on the non-partisan Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.

His top priorities included strengthening U.S. energy policy and making our nation less reliant on foreign resources as well as bolstering the strength of our national security – both at home and abroad.

Prior to being elected to Congress, Kinzinger served in the Air Force in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Kinzinger continues to serve his country as a pilot in the Air National Guard, with the current rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and balanced this service with his duties in Congress. During his time in Congress, Kinzinger worked tirelessly for IL-16, and for the security of our nation. From getting veterans back to work, to combatting the opioid epidemic, Congressman Kinzinger fought for his constituents and stood up for America, keeping his oath to protect and defend our Constitution.

Alex LaRoche | Director of Marketing + Sales | CourseCo

Alex currently serves as the Director of Marketing + Sales for CourseCo, where she drives strategic marketing initiatives and sales growth across the entire portfolio of CourseCo properties. Since joining the team in April 2021 as the Director of Sales, Alex has transformed how the company approaches food & beverage, tournament, and membership sales. Her current role encompasses overseeing marketing strategies and sales efforts, focusing on creating cohesive branding, amplifying CourseCo’s digital presence, and strengthening community engagement.

With over a decade of expertise in marketing and communications, Alex excels in reputation management, social media strategy, and private events sales and marketing. Her passion for the wedding and events industry aligns seamlessly with her leadership of Fairview Weddings & Events, where she fosters a collaborative sales culture across all offices. Alex’s mentorship and emphasis on team cohesion have not only reduced turnover but also boosted employee morale, contributing to a thriving, high-performing environment.

Jon Last | Founder & President | Sports & 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: Sports, 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. 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” in March of 2020, which has continuously pulsed public opinion surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Steve Leary | Former Mayor of Winter Park | Managing Partner of Flange Skillets International

Mr. Leary served as Mayor of the City of Winter Park from 2015-2021 and as a City Commissioner from 2011-2015. Mayor Leary led community projects such as the development of the Winter Park Library and Event Center, Winter Park Golf Course (WP9), Howell Branch Preserve and Showalter Field renovations, and others. Mr. Leary continues to serve the residents of Winter Park as a member of the Board of Directors of The Mayflower at Winter Park.

As the Co-Owner of Leary Management Group (LMG) from 2004-2022, Mr. Leary was responsible for business development and operations. Mr. Leary oversaw the acquisitions and/or management of +160,000 sq ft of commercial properties in Winter Park, Haines City, Kissimmee, Orlando, and elsewhere.

Mr. Leary is the Managing Partner of Flange Skillets International (FSI), which develops and markets gasket positioning devices to assist commercial divers servicing subsea gas and oil pipelines internationally. Mr. Leary holds domestic and international patents on these devices.

Phillip Martin | Senior Vice President of Operations | Troon

Phillip Martin is a Troon Senior Vice President of Operations. He oversees the Troon Midwest office, located in Chicago, Illinois. Phillip is a 30-year veteran in the club industry and recently celebrated his 8th year with Troon. His background is very diverse, with experience in daily fee, resort, hotels and private clubs. Currently, he primarily has oversight of private clubs and works closely with the Troon Privé team. He is a leader in transformational leadership and takes an active role in strategic planning, raising the member experience and building strong management teams. Some of his accomplishments include winning operational awards with Evergreen Alliance Golf Limited and Troon. One unique accomplishment was the Inn at Entrada earning a Top 25 TripAdvisor rating in 2011. He is a member of the PGA of America, a graduate of Texas State University and earned a MBA from Texas Christian University.

Ed Mate | Executive Director, Colorado Golf Association | CommonGround Golf Course

Ed is a Denver native who grew up playing City Park Golf Course and caddying at Denver Country Club. He graduated from East High School in Denver and is a graduate of the University of Colorado where he attended college on a Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship. Ed received his Master’s Degree from the University of Colorado in 1995. Ed has worked in golf administration since first joining the CGA staff in 1985 and became executive director in 2000. Ed currently serves on the boards of the Colorado Open Golf Foundation and the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame. Ed previously served on the USGA Rules of Golf Committee where he contributed to the Rules of Golf Modernization initiative which led to the major rewrite to the code in 2019. Ed has served as a Rules Official at many national championships and tournaments including the U.S. Open and The Masters.

Chris May | Senior Vice President | Supreme Golf

Chris joined the Supreme Golf Solutions team after almost 15 years at American Golf. In his role as Vice President of Revenue Management at AGC, Chris was responsible for formulating strategy and driving top-line results across the entire AGC portfolio.

Andrew Peterson, PGA | President and CEO Alamo City Golf Trail

Andrew Peterson is the President and CEO of the Alamo City Golf Trail (ACGT) in San Antonio, Texas, where he leads the management team over eight municipal golf courses owned by the City of San Antonio. Under his leadership, ACGT generated over $20.3 million in revenue and hosted 412,000 rounds of golf in Fiscal Year 2024. ACGT also operates as a 501(c) organization, allowing it to reinvest upwards of $28 million in capital improvements since its founding in 2007. Previously, Peterson held senior management positions at several prestigious golf clubs, including Hyatt Hill Country Resort, Canyon Springs Golf Club, Cimarron Hills Golf & Country Club, English Turn Golf & Country Club, and Vail Golf Club. 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 and has received numerous accolades, including the 2021 Southern Texas PGA Western Chapter Golf Professional of the Year and the 2024 STPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award.

Don Rea, PGA | President, PGA of America | Owner, Augusta Ranch Golf Club

Don Rea Jr. is the Owner and General Manager 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 Member of the Southwest PGA Section, Rea 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 was a member of the Board of Directors for the Southwest PGA Section, National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) and the Arizona Tourism Alliance. Rea has co-hosted NGCOA’s Golf Business LIVE webcast series alongside NGCOA CEO Jay Karen since its inception in April 2020. While on the PGA Board of Directors, he chaired the Junior Golf Committee and worked with the Coaching and Player Development, and Community Golf Committees. Since 2012, Rea has owned Your Course Consulting. In addition, he founded Community Course Rescue Services, LLC in 2017. Rea spent nine years as a Minor League Baseball umpire, ascending to Triple-A. In addition, he umpired several Spring Training Games for Major League Baseball. He was awarded the 2012 Southwest PGA Section Bill Strausbaugh Award and the Section’s 2011 President’s Plaque.

Shane Riley | Director of Golf, Scott Lake Golf & Practice Center

Shane Riley attended Saginaw Valley State University and was a member of the men’s golf team before transferring to Davenport University, where he studied Business Management. Riley then moved to Florida, where he spent 3 years as the Director of Golf at Spring Lake Golf Resort from 2008-2010. In March of 2011, he moved back to Michigan, where he has been the Director of Golf at Scott Lake Golf & Practice Center since 2011. Shane Riley has spoken at numerous NGCOA events over the years, including most recently at Golf Business TechCon 2018 and Golf Business Conference in San Antonio on topics of technology and fleet management.

Joseph Saracino | President and CEO | Cino Security Solutions

Joseph Saracino served in the United States Navy as a Naval Intelligence Officer and continues to be active as a Military/Education Liaison, VA Certifying Official, and a Global Yellow Ribbon presenter to Active Duty troops and Reserve personnel. He also serves as a consultant to Homeland Security, joint Military Task Force Commands, and is an active member of SCPD SHIELD, which is a Counter-Terrorism and Anti-Crime program in partnership with NYPD and law enforcement agencies across the nation.  

As President and CEO of Cino Security Solutions and one of the nation’s top cyber security experts, Joseph utilizes his past experiences in the military to provide clients with the most advanced cyber security solutions and tools for professional development in addition to insurance & risk management services. His specialized knowledge makes him a trusted advisor in the intelligence, regulatory, banking, and financial services sectors. Certified in Fraud & Money-Laundering tactics and techniques, Joe strives to help clients understand the potential impact of laws and regulations and their implications from his vast Risk Management experience.

Harvey Silverman | Contributor, Golf Business | Founder, Silverback Golf Marketing

Harvey Silverman is a long-time accomplished golf course marketing consultant, writer, and somewhat less-accomplished golfer. Harvey writes monthly about the golf business as a contributor for Golf Business magazine and Golf Business WEEKLY, and this year, he launched the NGCOA’s Golf Business LIVE — Tech Talks webcast series. Harvey also authored NGCOA’s Beware of Barter publication, a guide to the dangers of bartering valuable tee times and the ramifications of participating with third parties. An affinity for golf course owners and the challenges they face operating a complex business in difficult markets guides his work and words. Harvey’s clients benefit from his marketing prowess, research, and knowledge of the various technologies most effectively improving business operations. He’s presented at both NGCOA technology conferences, Golf Business Conferences and Affiliate meetings.

Mike Suglich, CPA | Founding Partner | Greenlight Advisors

Mike is an experienced Fintech entrepreneur and financial leader. In 1989, he was early to the computer software game. When Mike saw the opportunity to serve clients with Fintech consulting, he founded MAS Consulting, a business he built and led for 21 years. In 2010, Mike merged the firm upstream with Sikich LLP, a CPA/Tech firm. There, as a Senior Partner and Board member, he helped build Sikich into a national CPA / Tech firm. 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 Illinois Benedictine College in 1982 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. Mike is excited to innovate in the Golf Fintech field and help Golf Course owners and leaders make confident, informed decisions to improve their business performance.

Jill Walsh | Head of Strategic Partnerships, Renewals, and Sales North | Toptracer

Jill Walsh serves as Head of Strategic Partnerships, Renewals, and Sales North for Toptracer
and is responsible for maintaining the Topgolf Callaway Brand core principle of customer
experience.

Joining Toptracer in 2018 as Toptracer’s first ever Account Manager, Walsh single-handedly
established benchmarks that defined account management structures while simultaneously
supporting and managing customer goals prior to, during and after range installs.

During her tenure with Toptracer, Walsh has defined the Toptracer Account Management ethos and benchmarks for customer relationship management and engagement activities. Exceeding Toptracer expectations by maintaining over 90% renewal and customer satisfaction ratings, Walsh was the recipient of the “Top Dolf Award” for upholding Topgolf’s core values, going above and beyond when she surprised a range owner after heavy rains to help pluck range balls out of the mud.

Prior to joining Toptracer, Walsh worked in the broadcast industry as a videographer, sports
reporter, and sports anchor. Additionally, Walsh worked for the Pat Tillman Foundation and
Milwaukee Bucks.

A proud military spouse, Walsh grew up on a farm in a small town 45 miles south of Green Bay
and currently resides in Chicago. In her spare time, she loves to improve her golf game and
train for her next half-marathon.

Tom Watson | Eight-Time Major Champion | Member, World Golf Hall of Fame | Founder, Watson Links

Recognized as a true legend of the game, World Golf Hall of Fame member Tom Watson brings poise, sophistication, and charisma to the sport that he loves and helped build. Watson is a six time PGA TOUR Player of the Year and has recorded 39 career wins including eight major victories, five of which occurred at The Open Championship.

Since joining the Champions Tour, Watson has amassed an additional 14 victories including six senior major championships. Regarded as one of the greatest links players of all time, Watson nearly won the 2009 Open Championship at 59 years of age. In addition, Watson played on four American Ryder Cup Teams and acted as captain in 1993 and 2014. Throughout his career, Watson served as a respected spokesman for the sport. He received the USGA’s prestigious Bob Jones Award for distinguished sportsmanship in 1987 and was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame the following year.

Tom’s accomplishments range far beyond his professional achievements. He has raised vast amounts of funding for medical research and children’s hospitals and inspired his peers to do the same. Throughout his career, Tom has been committed to giving back to the sport, particularly focusing on the next generation of golfers by supporting First Tee, Clubs for Kids, Youth on Course, and designing and creating a junior golf course. Most recently, he founded Watson Links, which champions on-course play and golf mentoring, demonstrating the powerful vehicle golf can be for personal development and community engagement.

Brooks West, PGA | Owner | Franklin Bridge Golf Club

Brooks grew up in an all-sports family, but never looked back once he tried golf! After playing two (2) years of JuCo golf, he proudly attended Mississippi State University’s esteemed Professional Golf Management Program, with internships at Belle Meade CC, The Country Club and the US Open at Olympia Fields. He also spent significant time caddying, highlighted by a 2009 Soboba Classic win with Jerod Turner at Rickie Fowler’s pro debut.

His early golf business experience was as a golf professional at Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico, before shifting to a Sales Professional with Ahead, Inc. Brooks enjoyed 8+ amazing years with Yamaha Golf-Car Company while market share increased from 17% to over 30% as he rose to National Sales Manager. That experience led to relationships with amazing people like Larry Galloway, who helped Brooks go out on his own and purchase Franklin Bridge Golf Club from American Golf in his hometown of Franklin, TN.

Michael Williams | Executive Director, Cyrano Communications | Contributor, Golf Business

Michael has had success in industries ranging from High Tech companies to foreign exchange banking. But his life has been defined by his abilities in the media and communications, for his experience in world affairs and his passion for the game of golf.

Michael has established himself as a leading voice for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. His “Open Letter to the Golf Industry from a Black Man Who Loves the Game” became a template that inspired the leadership of the game to implement long-needed change. In addition, Michael’s article for ESPN about his handling of a PGA Tour professional who admitted to dressing up in blackface garnered praise from around the world and was recently recognized as one of the best articles of 2020 by the Golf Writers Association of America.

Michael is also known as one of the political world’s most astute commentators as the moderator of “Issues in the News”, the flagship political and current events program for Voice of America. A sought-after speaker and communications expert, Michael has counseled some of the most influential individuals and organizations in the world on topics including crisis management, corporate re-branding and diversity/inclusivity issues.

In 2005, Michael launched his first radio show on FOX News Radio, “Sticks and Stones”. Since that launch, Michael has established a reputation as a savvy broadcaster and as an incisive interviewer and writer. An avid golfer himself, Michael has covered the game of golf and the golf lifestyle including courses, restaurants, business, travel and sports marketing for publications all over the world.

In his first year as host of The 19th Hole Golf Radio Show on CBS Radio in Washington, D.C., Michael led the show to becoming the top-rated golf show in the 7th largest market in the United States and was named the recipient of the 2014 Middle Atlantic PGA Earle Hellen Award for the Outstanding Media Person of the Year. The 19th Hole with Michael Williams is now a podcast with 40 thousand listeners per week on GolfWRX.com.

Michael is a member of the United States Golf Association, the Golf Writers Association of America and the National Association of Black Journalists.

Mike Woods | Director of Golf, Haggin Oaks | Partner, Morton Golf

In 1997, Mike was named the Head Golf Professional at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento, CA. Today, Mike is the Director of Golf at Haggin Oaks and a partner with Morton Golf, LLC. Mike has become an expert in golf course operations, including tournament operations, pro shop operations, range operations, retailing, club repair, club fitting and golf instruction.

Some of Mike’s career highlights include:

• 2022 NCPGA Senior Player of the Year
• 2008 PGA of America Merchandiser of the Year Award recipient
• 2007 NCPGA Merchandiser of the Year Award recipient
• 2004 NCPGA Horton Smith Award recipient
• 1998-2008 Sacramento Golf Council Member
• 1998-2008 California State Fair Championship Tournament Director

Robbie Wooten | President | Impact Golf Marketing

Robbie’s journey in the golf industry began in 1993 when he started as an assistant golf professional in Orlando, FL. Just two years later, his passion and leadership skills earned him the role of General Manager. During this time, Robbie observed the rapid expansion of golf course construction and the growing challenge clubs faced in retaining golfers. Armed with an entrepreneurial spirit and a degree in Computer Information Systems with a minor in Business/Marketing, Robbie realized he could bring a fresh, tech-savvy approach to golf course marketing—at a time when many clubs were unsure how to navigate the unchartered territory of marketing.

In 1995 Robbie founded Impact Golf Marketing in High Point, NC, to offer creative, results-driven marketing solutions. His company quickly built a reputation for innovation, helping golf courses, resorts, destinations, and others in the golf industry elevate their marketing strategies and position themselves as leaders in their respective markets. Robbie’s approach is anything but cookie-cutter—he and his team tailor marketing strategies to each client’s unique needs. With a strong emphasis on building relational rather than transactional partnerships, Robbie has cultivated lasting client relationships, each filled with many successes over the last 29 years.