Speakers

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.

Ashleigh Anderson-Guerra | CEO | BIRDHAUS Brand Studio

Ashleigh Anderson-Guerra knows how to grow revenue and reach new audiences in the golf industry, and she’s done it consistently without big budgets or huge teams. Introduced to golf at age 10 through an inner-city youth program, she brings a unique perspective that most industry insiders lack: she gets what makes emerging audiences tick and how to turn them into your next wave of customers.

As Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Youth on Course, she led a complete organizational rebrand that helped double membership growth and significantly expanded national awareness. Her marketing campaigns and corporate partnership initiatives contributed to over $2 million in charitable contributions while expanding the organization’s reach and economic impact. She also led the complete rebrand of LPGA*USGA Girls Golf and executed marketing campaigns that catapulted its program growth and participation. Her #inviteHER campaign and launch of the LPGA Women’s Network tapped into underserved markets that now represent the sport’s highest growth segments.

Today, as Founder and CEO of BIRDHAUS Brand Studio, Ashleigh helps businesses capitalize on emerging markets through strategic brand positioning and resourceful marketing systems that maximize ROI. Her collaborations with adidas, Nike, Rolex, Callaway, and TopGolf, alongside her current work pairing creative strategy with AI, demonstrate a consistent track record: smart branding paired with strategic storytelling and efficient systems attract more customers, keep them coming back, and set you apart from your competitors without requiring massive marketing budgets.

Michael Attara, PGA | President | Spirit Golf Management LLC

Michael Attara, PGA, is a distinguished golf professional with extensive experience in instruction, club operations, and player development. Renowned for his professionalism, strategic insight, and unwavering dedication to the game, he consistently demonstrates excellence in leadership and service. His refined approach to coaching fosters measurable improvement across all skill levels, while his expertise in facility management and program development supports sustainable growth. Mr. Attara’s integrity, depth of knowledge, and commitment to the sport exemplify the highest
standards in the golf industry.

Bobby Barrett, PGA | Director of Club Operations | The Quail Golf Club

Bobby Barrett is an accomplished operations leader with a proven track record of driving excellence in member experiences and organizational efficiency. As Director of Club Operations, Bobby oversees strategic initiatives that enhance service quality, streamline processes, and foster a culture of innovation. Known for his collaborative leadership style, he partners closely with cross-functional teams to deliver results that align with long-term business goals.

With extensive experience in operational management and a passion for elevating standards, Bobby brings a unique perspective on optimizing performance while maintaining a strong focus on people and community. His insights on leadership, adaptability, and operational strategy make him a valuable voice in any conversation about organizational success.

Bruce Gerlander | General Manager | Walt Disney World® Golf

Bruce Gerlander is a highly respected leader in the golf and hospitality industry with more than 30 years of experience driving growth, innovation, and operational excellence. As General Manager of Walt Disney World® Golf — operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management —  he oversees one of the most iconic and high-profile golf destinations in the country.

Recognized for his strategic vision and people-first leadership, Bruce has consistently elevated the performance of premier resort and daily-fee properties, including Innisbrook Resort, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, and Orange County National. His expertise spans club operations, customer engagement, talent development, organizational improvement, and building strong workplace cultures.

Jeremy Goldblatt | Chief Operating Officer | KemperSports

Jeremy Goldblatt serves as chief operating officer of KemperSports. He was hired in 2021 as executive vice president of managed and leased services (MLS). In this role, Goldblatt will continue to oversee the golf and hospitality operations at more than 130 highly ranked golf courses, venues, and resorts in 27 states. He will also manage KemperSports’ regional operations, purchasing, and new business development teams while leading the company’s strategy to grow its KemperClubs, KemperDestinations and KemperSports Venues business segments.

Prior to KemperSports, Jeremy was COO of Professional Sports Catering, a division of Levy – a leading hospitality company providing food and beverage to major sports and entertainment venues. In that role, Goldblatt led the team in managing the outsourced food and beverage service at 32 spring training and minor league baseball stadiums around the country, which included oversight of more than 4,000 staffers. During his tenure with Levy, he was instrumental in the company’s growth and helped to launch a best-in-class management development program. He is a graduate of Brown University and received his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.

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.

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.

PJ Koenig | Acclaimed Golf Course Photographer

PJ Koenig is a wildly enthusiastic golfer who captures the people, places, and moments he discovers through the game. Over his career, he has photographed many of the world’s most iconic golf courses, guided by the belief that every great photograph tells a story. His work has appeared in GOLF, Golf Digest, The Golfer’s Journal, and PGA Tour Superstores nationwide, with stories also featured by The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the BBC, and CNN.

Much of Koenig’s storytelling lives on his Golf Blog, alongside special projects such as The RGV Tour, WSGA Internship, and The RGV Tour De France. Highlights also include his world-record-setting RGV Tour 2.0, Course Galleries, Top 100 course features, and curated Golf Guides designed to inspire exploration of the game’s most remarkable destinations. Through these experiences, Koenig hopes to enhance how others see—and enjoy—the game of golf.

Jim Koppenhaver | Founder & President | Pellucid Corp

Jim is the President, founder and principal owner of Pellucid Corp., a leading golf industry information and insights provider. His background includes a decade of Fortune 50 marketing and sales experience in Consumer Goods and 25+ years in data management, reporting, analytics and insights across multiple industries. Jim founded Pellucid in 2001 to address the golf industry’s need for accurate, unbiased information to support better business decisions for industry stakeholders. Since its inception, Pellucid & partner Edgehill Golf Advisors have pioneered nearly every industry information advancement including consumer-based facility price segmentation, quantifying annual supply/demand imbalance, quantifying weather impact (historical and, recently, forecasts), creating the first course Customer Franchise Analysis and developing the industry-standard, web-based Golf Local Market Analyzer tool. Their latest endeavor/challenge is to bring monthly industry performance tracking (Rounds, Revenue, Utilization & RevpAR) and local market benchmarking to fruition. At fruition, it will plug a gaping hole in the industry’s understanding of trends and causes and help stakeholders from facility owner/operators to major equipment manufacturers make better-informed decisions.

Mark Lammi, PGA | PGA General Manager | Champions Retreat Golf Club

Mark Lammi, PGA is a PGA Master Professional and Quarter Century member of the PGA of America. Originally from Easton, PA, Mark has a degree in Professional Golf Management from Penn State.

Mark is currently the PGA General Manager at Champions Retreat Golf Club, a private 27-hole club in Evans, Georgia. Prior to joining Champions Retreat, Mark was the General Manager at Westhaven Golf Club in Tennessee for seven years. He has also held senior leadership positions at Big Cedar Lodge, Reynolds Lake Oconee, and Shaker Run Golf Club.

Jon Last | President | Sports and Leisure Research Group

Jon Last is founder and President of Sports and Leisure Research Group. 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. He 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” in March of 2020, which has continuously pulsed public opinion surrounding the COVID 19 pandemic.

Abby Liebenthal | Founder and President, Fore the Ladies, Inc. | Head of Marketing and Experiences, Fried Egg Golf

Abby Liebenthal is the founder and president of Fore the Ladies, Inc., a female-based community and 501(c)(3) non-profit on a mission to introduce more women to the game and bring them together to play, watch, and participate in everything golf has to offer. Fore the Ladies strives to make golf more accessible and approachable by removing traditional barriers such as cost, equipment, golf course access, and intimidation. Abby founded the organization in 2019 after recognizing a void in the golf landscape for young professionals seeking a welcoming introduction to the sport.

Her career spans communications and marketing roles at the American Junior Golf Association, the Tiger Woods Foundation, Titleist, Imperial, and the United States Golf Association. She currently serves as the Head of Marketing and Experiences at Fried Egg Golf. Fore the Ladies has hosted Golf Getaways to Pinehurst Resort, Bandon Dunes, Streamsong Resort, Cabot Cape Breton and more, in addition to more than 350 introduction-to-golf and playing events nationwide.

Stuart Lindsay | Principal | Edgehill Golf Advisors

Stuart Lindsay is the Principal of Edgehill Golf Advisors, a golf consulting and market research company located in Mequon (Milwaukee), WI. Since its founding in 1989, Edgehill has provided services to an eclectic mix of clients including banks, accounting firms, golf software companies, golf course appraisers, and golf management firms along with daily fee, private and municipal golf courses. Since 2001, Edgehill has worked closely with Pellucid Corp., a well recognized golf research and insight provider. With Pellucid, Edgehill has co-developed the innovative Customer Franchise Analysis that tracks golfer retention and value, along with the Weather Impact Analysis that determines golf specific weather impact for individual courses across the US. From 1996 – 2013, Edgehill served as a consultant to Fore! Reservations over which time they grew from 400 to over 2,100 golf courses. Mr. Lindsay has been widely quoted on golf business issues in The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, GolfInc, Sports Illustrated, Golf Course News, GolfWeek and Golf Business.

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.

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.

Mark Mattingly, PGA | Executive Vice President | Landscapes Golf Management

A 30-year, golf-industry executive, Mark Mattingly is Executive Vice President of Landscapes Golf Management, operator of more than 50 golf courses, country clubs, communities and resorts across America. His primary role is helping owners of golf properties formulate strategies toward achieving the objectives set forth for their properties. In addition to overseeing business development, Mattingly manages special projects and contributes to the overall strategic direction of the company. 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 and private clubs. Mattingly is a Class-A PGA Professional and was a longtime Board member of the Indiana PGA and member of the Club Management Association of America.

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.

Corey McAuliffe | Director of Membership, Midwest Region | NGCOA

Corey McAuliffe is the Director of Membership for the Midwest Region at NGCOA, a role he has held since joining the association in June 2024. In this position, he works closely with golf course owners and operators to support membership growth, engagement, and regional initiatives. Corey also oversees NGCOA’s newly-formed ‘Muni Community’ — which helps municipal and government agency golf course operators succeed by offering tailored advocacy, education, networking, business resources, purchasing savings, and industry-specific support to improve operations and connect with peers in their unique sector.

Ronnie Miles | Senior Director of Advocacy | NGCOA

Ronnie Miles currently serves as the Senior Director of Advocacy for the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA). Before joining the NGCOA, he had a distinguished 37-year career with the Department of the Navy, where his final role was Director of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation. In this capacity, he oversaw extensive business and community operations, including an 18-hole golf course, lodging, conference, and food and beverage services. He also serves on the board of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf.

Kyle Morris | Founder & CEO | The Golf Room

Kyle Morris is a golf entrepreneur, performance visionary, and founder of The Golf Room, a nationally recognized academy that has redefined how golfers train, think, and perform. What began with just $42,000 in assets has evolved under Kyle’s leadership into an eight-figure enterprise, spanning coaching, technology, digital media, and player development on a global scale.

From a single hitting bay in a rented space to now operating the nation’s largest player development facility—and the second largest in the world—Kyle’s journey is a masterclass in vision, grit, and business scaling. The Golf Room has expanded from 1 bay, to 2, to 3, to 4, to 6, to 7, and now to 12, serving thousands of players at every level, from juniors to professionals. Today, The Golf Room is recognized by Golf Digest as one of America’s Best Academies, producing over 400 tournament wins and dozens of college scholarships in just eight years. But Kyle’s influence extends far beyond the walls of the academy.

He built an online coaching community of more than 50,000 golfers worldwide, delivering elite instruction through The Golf Room Everywhere, where players access world-class training remotely. He also owns CollegeGolf.com, the official college recruiting platform for over 10,000 AJGA members, helping competitive juniors connect with college coaches and navigate the path to collegiate golf.

Jason Pearsall | Founder & CEO, Club Caddie | Partner, Warren Valley Golf Course

Jason Pearsall grew up in a golf operations family in West Michigan and has worked every job at a club. After founding and selling an e-commerce company in 2010, Pearsall went on to invest in and become a managing partner of Flushing Valley Golf and Country Club near Flint, Michigan. In 2015, Pearsall started Golfler, a mobile and tee-sheet system for golf courses acquired by Supreme Golf. Pearsall went on to co-found Club Caddie — one of North America’s leading golf course management SaaS solutions. Club Caddie services public and private golf courses, and their clients include single-course operators like Pete Dye and Palm Beach Golf Club and multi-course operators like Great Life, Arcis, Touchstone Golf, and X-Golf America. Jonas Software acquired Club Caddie in 2020, which retained Pearsall as CEO. In addition to leading Club Caddie, Pearsall took over the restoration and management of a Donald Ross-designed golf course in metro Detroit called Warren Valley in August of 2022. Warren Valley reopened to the public in the Spring of 2023 after being closed for two years.

Matt Pinnell | 17th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma

Matt Pinnell was elected as the 17th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma on November 6, 2018. Pinnell is President of the Oklahoma State Senate and serves on multiple constitutional boards and commissions, including serving as Chairman of the Oklahoma Tourism Commission and Route 66 Centennial Commission. He has set his Lt. Governor agenda focused on workforce and economic development issues.

Pinnell is the chief marketer of Oklahoma and spends much of his time promoting Oklahoma. In partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, he launched a talent recruitment campaign targeting the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. He also works to retain and attract companies to the state by hosting events throughout the year, including the annual Lt. Governor’s Turkey Hunt, a two-week event that showcases Oklahoma to prospective out-of-state companies and site selection representatives.

As an entrepreneur himself, Pinnell champions small business growth. He advises the Oklahoma Department of Commerce on small business growth, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. In 2022, he launched ‘A Look at Oklahoma CareerTech,’ a video interview series that showcases the education and employment opportunities the state’s CareerTech system provides.

Pinnell launched a statewide rebrand in 2020, a campaign that has streamlined state agency processes and saved taxpayer dollars.

Del Ratcliffe | Chief Operating Officer, Pinnacle Golf Properties | President, Courserev.ai

Del is the COO of Pinnacle Golf Properties. Del is the current president of the North Carolina Golf Course Owners Association and is a Class “A” member of the PGA of America as well as a member of the GCSAA. He is also the president of Courserev.ai, an AI-powered booking and course management platform for golf courses, offering 24/7 AI-voice and chat-based tee time reservations, automated waitlists, and integrated payment solutions, and more.

Del’s business ventures go beyond the scope of the golf industry, and include real estate brokerage, construction and even distilled spirits. He and his Pinnacle Golf Properties partner, David Taylor are involved in 19 different golf properties in various ways, from ownership to various management and financial services capacities. His various business ventures provide him with unique perspectives in areas such as marketing, pricing and using technology to help golf businesses operate more efficiently and profitably.

Gina Rizzi | President | Radius Sports Group

Gina Rizzi is an industry leader in golf consulting, sustainability, and economic impact analysis with more than 25 years of driving innovation, meaningful impact, and financial performance for Fortune 500 companies and golf organizations. She is the president of Radius Sports Group, founder of BMP Hero, president of ARCUS Marketing Group, and the creator of VRA Connect, a golf industry supply chain platform.

Her work spans major state and national initiatives, from economic impact studies in New York, Texas, and Colorado to innovative platforms that help golf courses adopt best management practices with credibility and ease. Gina brings expertise in marketing, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement, building strategies that bridge golf course operators, associations, regulators, and communities. She earned her MBA from the University of Notre Dame, her BA from Michigan State University, and Certificate in Sustainable Energy Management from Presidio Graduate School.

Charlie Rymer | GBC26 Emcee | Executive Vice President | Arcadian Land

A native of Cleveland, Tenn., who grew up in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Charlie Rymer dominated the South Carolina junior golf scene in the mid-1980s before earning All-America honors at Georgia Tech and playing on the PGA Tour. He moved from playing competitively to broadcasting golf in 1998, where he joined the Golf Channel and became one of the top analysts for over 20 years. Along with working in the golf media space, Charlie founded the “Yours and One other Foundation” in North Florida’s PGA Section, which aims to fix challenges facing North Florida’s youth and veteran communities. He most recently served as the Executive Vice President of McLemore Club in Rising Fawn Georgia and is currently the Executive Vice President of Arcadian Land.

Gaylord Schaap | Owner | Northwood Recreation, Inc.

Gaylord Schaap currently serves as the COO of Northwood Recreation, Inc., and the General Manager of the Northwood Golf Club in Monte Rio, California. Gaylord has been the manager since the early 1980’s and is responsible for its major improvements and renovations since that time. He began his golf career in the maintenance department of a country club in Sonoma County while earning his BA degree in Business Management from Sonoma State University. Gaylord also holds a degree in Agribusiness Management and Marketing. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the local water utility company. Gaylord believes strongly in the team approach to running a successful business, and that is reflected in the fact that his PGA Golf Professional and GCSAA Golf Course Superintendent have both been employed at the course for over twenty years. 

Lisa Schwinden, PGA | Head Golf Professional, Edgewood Golf Course | PGA Master Professional

Lisa Schwinden is one of only 12 female PGA Master Professionals in the world and the 12th PGA Professional in the Minnesota Section to earn this distinction. Known for her relaxed, approachable style, she helps golfers of all levels learn and improve—whether you’re brand new to the game or ready to refine your swing with expert guidance. She offers private, semi-private, couples, and group lessons for both juniors and adults.

A PGA Member since 2005, Lisa earned Certified Professional status in Teaching and Coaching in 2007 and achieved Master Professional status in 2019 through an in-depth research project on the golf swing. She added Specialized Certification in Executive Management in 2023 and is part of the PGA LEAD 2024–25 cohort. Lisa also serves on the PGA’s National Master Professional Committee and sits on the Board of the YWCA Cass-Clay.

Bodo Sieber | CEO and Co-founder | Tagmarshal

Bodo Sieber has a passion for data analytics and design-thinking lead software applications that empower teams and operations to achieve business success.

Before focusing on golf, the German national and former rugby player was a successful start-up founder and solutions architect for software systems focusing on business intelligence, GIS, and process optimization for international logistics and cellphone network operators with extensive international experience spanning over a decade across Ireland, Germany, South Africa, and the US.

With Tagmarshal, Bodo and his team have been bringing extensive data and geomatics experience into golf operations for four years. The company’s focus is on creating the best possible way to manage the on-course experience and flow of golf for improved player satisfaction and increased profitability. The concept behind what is now a ‘golf course intelligence’ data platform, perhaps unsurprisingly, started on a 15th hole that had three playing groups backed up, at the end of a long, frustrating round of golf.

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 Suglich, CPA, is an accounting and technology innovator with more than three decades of experience helping organizations transform financial data into actionable insight. As the Founder of Greenlight Advisors, he develops advanced benchmarking platforms—including golfclubbenchmarks.com—that give business and municipal golf leaders precise visibility into financial and operational performance. His work integrates data analytics and cloud-based solutions to make financial information accessible, comparable, and actionable, empowering leaders to make informed decisions with confidence.

Mike’s career has consistently bridged accounting expertise with cutting-edge technology. In 1989, he founded MAS Consulting, one of the early Microsoft-focused accounting and business solution firms. Over the next two decades, he built it into a respected provider of financial systems, data analytics, and technology-driven consulting services. Following MAS’s merger with Sikich LLP in 2010, Mike continued as Senior Partner and Board Member, helping Sikich grow into one of the most respected CPA and technology firms in the country. His leadership included expanding analytics capabilities, integrating cloud solutions, and guiding multidisciplinary teams to deliver measurable results across diverse industries.

Through Greenlight Advisors, Mike also serves as the architect of the U.S. Municipal Golf Study, the industry’s most comprehensive financial and operational benchmarking initiative for municipal golf. He collaborates closely with the NGCOA, PGA of America, NGF, and a team of certified partners to ensure benchmarking tools reflect real operating conditions and provide meaningful financial clarity. Today, his focus remains the same: combining accounting rigor with modern data analytics and cloud technology to equip golf leaders with the insight they need to elevate performance and strengthen the game for the communities they serve.

Matt Welliver | Director, Business Strategy | Lightspeed Golf

Matt Welliver is the Director of Business Strategy for Lightspeed Golf, a leading cloud-based club management software solution for golf courses. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Matt has worked with many of the world’s most prestigious clubs and management groups to implement innovative technology and distribution strategies. His portfolio includes partnerships with major multi-course operators such as KemperSports, Landscapes Golf, Founders Group, GreatLIFE, and Advanced Golf, as well as renowned courses including St. Andrews, Kapalua, and Sea Pines Resort.

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.

Colin Weston | Creator & Host | The ModGolf Podcast

Colin was motivated to create The ModGolf Podcast in 2017 as a response to a gap in the media landscape, as no one was showcasing the entrepreneurs and innovators who were reshaping the golf industry. Fast forward almost nine years, Colin continues to innovate in the golf industry with an additional podcast called the “ModGolf Weekly Roundup” — a quick 10 minute hit showcasing golf’s top entrepreneurship, technology, sustainability, fitness and entertainment stories.

His previous ventures as founding partner at REVIVER Sport Entertainment and Startup Vancouver, along with his 20+ years of experience in the architectural profession with a focus on sustainability and sport venue/event design provided Colin with the expertise, relationships and skills to become a thought leader in the sport tech, design and entertainment space.

Tom Wildenhaus, PGA | Director of Golf | Olde Florida Golf Club

Tom Wildenhaus is the Director of Golf and Club Manager at Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples, Florida, where he has served for 32 years, including 27 years in his current role. He became a PGA Member in 1990 and earned his PGA Master Professional designation in 2024. Tom’s leadership within the PGA is extensive, having held key positions such as Secretary, Vice President, and President of both the Southwest Chapter and the South Florida Section. Currently, Tom serves as the President of the South Florida PGA Foundation, a role he’s held for 15 years. Under his leadership, the Foundation has experienced significant growth, with the South Florida PGA being honored with the PGA Herb Graffis Award in 2019. Tom’s influence extends nationally, having served on the PGA of America’s Board of Control from 2015-2019 and again in 2023. He has also been Co-Chair of the PGA Governance Committee since 2021.

His leadership expertise has been recognized by Titleist, where he served on their Leadership Advisory Council for four years and as an Honorary Council Member for an additional four years. Tom is also a dedicated volunteer, serving as a Tournament Coordinator for The First Tee of Naples/Collier for 10 years and offering guidance to the Florida Gulf Coast University Professional Golf Management Program Advisory Board for over 25 years. His leadership achievements have been recognized with multiple accolades, including the Jackson Golf Hall of Fame (2024), PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year (2021), and multiple South Florida PGA awards, including the Bill Strausbaugh Award, Horton Smith Award, and twice Golf Professional of the Year (2002 & 2026).

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.