On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Joe Conforti, Director of Golf at the Club at Olde Cypress sits down with Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas to talk about taking members on golf trips. Conforti and Thomas recently participated in the Annie’s Revenge Jamaica Pro-Am—a first for Rob, but Joe’s fifth trip to the Caribbean for the event. Presented by the Jamaica Tourist Board and The Golf Connection, Annie’s Revenge was sponsored by COBRA PUMA Golf, IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts, Appleton Estate Rum, and Jamaica Tours Limited. The 54-hole event was played on the championship courses at the Tryall Club, Cinnamon Hill and Half Moon. C+RB Senior Editor joined the podcast to discuss some recent news from around the industry, such as a development proposal that may consolidate two Florida courses (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/dev.... A large-scale redevelopment proposal would create a hybrid 18-hole layout between Lake Wales Country Club and the adjacent Oakwood golf course community in Lake Wales, Fla. If approved, the project would add up to 1,424 new homes, townhomes, cottages and apartments. Also, Grey Oaks Country Club recently completed a renovation of its Pine Course (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/gre.... The Naples, Fla. club enlisted renowned golf course restoration specialist Andrew Green for the project. The renovation now offers enhanced aesthetics with strategic bunker placement, challenging green surrounds and larger greens for a variety of pin placements. “The course design reflects the latest trends to give a lot more open space around the green, and that means golfers will have a lot of variety to approach the shot,” said Marty DeAngelo, Senior Director of Golf at Grey Oaks. Lastly, Keren and Thomas talked about Streamsong readying to unveil The Chain (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/str.... The non-traditional 19-hole short course by renowned designers Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, meanders through the Central Florida resort’s rugged terrain. Preview play on around half of the holes is currently open for resort guests, with the remainder planned for opening on Dec. 1. Read deeper into these articles (and more) at www.clubandresortbusiness.com.

Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren spoke with two leaders from The Landings Golf & Athletic Club in Savannah, Ga., about the club earning the No. 1 spot in the 2023 Club + Resort Business Top Ranked Pro Shops Program. Haley Pickering, the club’s Golf Shop Retail Manager, and Steve Justman, Director of Golf at the club, talked about what meant to earn the top ranking, as well as the unique offerings of each of the club’s four soft goods shops and the services provided by its golf performance center. The Top Ranked Pro Shops listing appears in the November issue of Club + Resort Business. Phil also spoke with Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas about The Territory Golf & Country Club near Duncan, Okla. experiencing an increasing number of new memberships and member inquiries from nearby drive markets including Oklahoma City and Dallas/Fort Worth. The uptick is due to growing waitlists at neighborhood golf and country clubs across the U.S., leaving would-be members searching outside their hometowns for destination clubs. Another topic of conversation was Grass Clippings’ plan to offer night time golf on a regular basis at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Tucson, Ariz. On Dec. 1, Grass Clippings will become Arizona’s first fully lighted golf course as crews are currently finalizing the installation of LED lighting. Rob and Phil also discussed how KemperSports and its facilities recently surpassed the $2 million milestone in fundraising efforts for its longtime partner Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled military men and women and first responders.

In this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, editor Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas chats with chats with Rob Goodhue, Director of Culinary Operations and Executive Chef at Hunters Run Country Club in Boynton Beach, Fla. Chef Rob has started a podcast of his own, named "Rare Talk." In his first episode, available on Spotify and iTunes, he talks about Restaurant Picks When Traveling: Vacation Dos and Don'ts of Dining. Example ... Don't expect a great steak at a place that serves a wide variety of other foods. In additional episodes, Chef Rob will cover BBQ, Country Club Dining vs. Public Restaurants, and the "Skinny on Steaks." Check it out and subscribe for interesting culinary topics. Thomas and C+RB Senior Editor Phil Keren also discussed the recent news from across the industry. From club openings at the Arizona Biltmore, Alabama's Pines Crossings and the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra, Fla., to a brand new private club breaking ground in Traphill, N.C., there was a lot to cover. Also, be sure to read Kevin Daniel Lalumiere's most recent column—Create the ‘Something’ They Will Return To (Tactics for Retaining Seasonal Workforces). The golf and tennis seasons are almost over across much of the country. What can these clubs do to ensure their valuable staff will return in 2024? The boss at The Country Club of New Canaan has some great ideas to share.

In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren speaks with Mark Lewicki, Director of Sales and Marketing, and Lance Lauer, Acting Director of Grounds, at The Country Club of Castle Pines. In 2020, the Castle Rock, Colo. club opened its most unique golf amenity called The Crags—a massive, one-acre putting course built on a series of rocky crags on the western cliff directly behind the clubhouse. Learn more about the process and how this amenity has been received by members and guests. Keren and Editor Rob Thomas also discussed recent news posted on www.clubandresortbusiness.com, such as the work being done by PGA HOPE, charitable initiatives by Troon-affiliated properties and the upcoming Top Ranked Pro Shops initiative.

Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren spoke with Pete Wilson, a co-founder of Grass Clippings, about his company’s effort to bring night golf to Arizona. Wilson founded the company with some of his longtime friends in an effort to honor the work of greenskeepers. While it started as a firm that offered a clothing line that represents greenskeepers, Grass Clippings recently added a golf course to its portfolio when it assumed operations of Rolling Hills Golf Course in Tempe, Arizona. The company signed a 50-year lease with the city of Tempe to take over operations at the golf course and assume responsibility for capital improvements. They have a lot of work planned, including renovating the clubhouse and driving range, and building an outdoor entertainment/concert venue. Another feature that they will soon unveil is offering night time golf on a regular basis. Night golf is expected to begin at Rolling Hills Golf Course in early November. Wilson talked about why he and a group of friends started the company, as well as why they decided to operate a golf course and offer night time golf. He also reviewed what he thought country club GMs should consider if they’re thinking about offering night time golf on a regular basis. Phil spoke with Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas about reopenings that are happening at different golf courses across the country following closures due to fires and a critical mistake by an employee. Both the Bay Course and the Plantation Course in West Maui, Hawaii, will reopen after being closed following the Maui wildfires in early August. The courses and facilities were spared, but about one-third of the courses’ employees lost their homes and possessions. Construction of a new clubhouse at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. will start in November and is expected to be finished in either late 2025 or during the first quarter of 2026. The original clubhouse caught fire and burned down in February 2022. Ross Bridge in Hoover, Ala. has been closed for about a year after a mistake by an employee caused permanent damage to 14 of the 18 greens. A member of the maintenance staff at Ross Bridge mistook a bag of herbicide for green sand, and then spread it on almost every green on the property, effectively poisoning the sensitive bent grass. Work has been done to convert the greens from bent grass to a more heat-tolerant TifEagle Bermuda grass. The course is scheduled to reopen in mid-October. Rob and Phil also discussed the planned opening of the Estates Course at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz., and the kick-off of construction of a new 18-hole golf course at Windsong Farm Golf Club in Independence, Minn.

Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren recently had a conversation with Kevin Clarke and Nick Markel from the Country Club of Buffalo (CCB), which hosted its inaugural Sporting Clays Invitational in 2022. CCB had a team and three other clubs brought teams to the invitational: The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., the Longue Vue Club located near Pittsburgh, Pa. and The Country Club of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y. Last year’s competition went very well. They had great weather. After the shooting competition was done, many of the participants took advantage of the beautiful weather to play golf on CCB’s course. This year’s competition is Nov. 2-4. Nov. 2 is a practice day. The 3rd and 4th are competition days. The team from CCB won last year's team competition and will be trying to defend their crown this year. There will again be an opportunity for competitors to play golf on the course after the competition is over. There will be eight teams participating this year. Each team can bring six team members instead of five. Kevin Clarke, who is the event chairman, and Nick Markel, who is the General Manager/COO of Country Club of Buffalo, spoke with Phil about the upcoming competition. Editor Rob Thomas also touched upon recent news appearing on www.clubandresortbusiness.com, such as Boca West's beach clean-up initiative, multiple events at Mizner Country Club, and new technology on Grey Oaks Country Club's practice range.

Rob Thomas and Phil Keren chat about the latest news, including Swingers Vegas—a new "golfertainment" venue on the Vegas Strip. Located in the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, the spot boasts five mini golf courses and serves beer, wine and food. Night golf is also coming to BOYNE Golf in Michigan and Lozano Golf Course in Corpus Christi, Texas. The BOYNE short course will be joined by a Himalayas-style putting course. Phil also discusses his visit to Firestone Country Club for the Kaulig Companies Championship and an upcoming webinar presented by Relay. In that webinar, he and a pair of industry experts will talk about curing the pace-of-play issues so many clubs deal with. Stick around for some videos of Rob at Maketewah Country Club in Cincinnati, Ohio. Feel free to roast his swing (Max Homa style) The club recently capped a $6.5 million restoration of its Donald Ross course and will be featured in our August issue.

Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas spoke with Greg Devino, General Manager/COO of Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton, Fla., about the club's $40 million renovation of its expansive clubhouse in late March. The impressively appointed, 130,000-sq.-ft. main clubhouse boasts choices of indoor and outdoor dining, a two-acre poolscape and bistro, and a lifestyle-centric signature retail shop. The renovated space welcomes an additional 30,000 sq. ft. housing the expanded men’s and ladies card rooms and elevated entry design to enhance members’ experience from the moment they arrive on the grounds. Senior Editor Phil Keren joins the conversation to chat about recent news across the industry, such as a trio of golfers at Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club in Union, Wash. accomplishing something with odds in the neighborhood of 27 trillion to 1. Rob and Phil also discussed plans for a new club in Sioux Falls, S.D.; the $9 million renovation at Detroit Golf Club; and an alarming case study on how clubs respond to membership inquiries.

The Watersound Club in Florida's Panhandle has experienced a lot of recent growth (both in terms of membership and about $50+ million worth of new amenities built, with a new golf course designed by Davis Love III on the horizon. Club + Resort Talks chats with Vicki Burris, Director of Membership speaks to the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly growing membership, how the club saw that trend play out across the pandemic, and the expansion they’re seeing come to fruition as a result of that growth. Editor Rob Thomas and Senior Editor Phil Keren also touch upon some recent news across the industry, from a new course planned at St. John's Resort in Plymouth, Mich. and the revival of The Preserve At Beacon Hill near Leesburg, Va., to Anthem Country Club saving nearly 60 million gallons of water through maintenance practices and vandals striking a course with MAGA propaganda. Thank you to 2Hemispheres for sponsoring the podcast.

In its June issue, Club + Resort Business released its annual rankings of the top racquet facilities. The racquet facilities at The Philadelphia Cricket Club in Philadelphia, Pa. earned the No. 1 ranking in C+RB’s recognition program. In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, C+RB Senior Editor Phil Keren spoke with Boris Fetbroyt, the club’s Director of Racquets, Rich Wade, the club’s Director of Squash and Padel, and Lila Smith, the club’s Director of Communications, to learn more about The Philadelphia Cricket Club. The trio discussed what it meant to them to receive the honor, how important the member experience is to the club, and what they do to keep members engaged and interacting with one another. In addition to an informative discussion with Fetbroyt, Wade and Smith, Phil also spoke with Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas about some of the latest news stories happening in the industry. Phil and Rob discussed the story which grabbed headlines throughout the world this week: the PGA Tour, LIV Golf Tour and DP World Tour are planning to join forces in a partnership under a separate commercial entity. Phil and Rob shared their thoughts about this new deal and touched on how it might affect the club industry. They also talked about C+RB’s recently completed Ideas issue, which can now be viewed at clubandresortbusiness.com and is now available in print. Some of the stories in the 17th Annual Ideas Issue include: Champions Run in Omaha, Neb. hosting a variety of games and activities at its pool every day under the title “The Show”; and employees at the Club at Admirals Cove in Jupiter, Fla. performing service projects such as a beach clean-up, school supply drive and food sorting at a food bank.

In its May issue, Club + Resort Business released its annual rankings of the top aquatics and pools programs. The aquatics and pools program at The Clubs of Kingwood in Kingwood, Texas, earned the No. 1 ranking in C+RB’s recognition program. In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, C+RB Senior Editor Phil Keren spoke with Patrick Pettit, the club’s General Manager, and Katie Stowers, Director of the club’s Fitness and Sports Center, to learn more about The Clubs of Kingwood. Pettit and Stowers talked about the club receiving the honor, the club’s history, as well as what they offer that differentiates them from other clubs. They also discussed a change they made with their lifeguard staff that led to a lot of positive feedback from their membership. In addition to an informative discussion with Pettit and Stowers, Phil also spoke with Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas about some of the latest news stories happening in the industry. They discussed the Wellman Golf Club’s plans to reopen its course in Johnsonville, S.C. after it was closed for 13 years, as well as Cat Island Club’s reopening of its course that was shut down in 2019. Phil shared some of the insights he received from head golf pros offering advice to beginning golfers who want to learn the game. Rob discussed the column from Nashawtuc Country Club Racquets Director George Laffey, who writes about the large amount of growth that is expected in the racquets industry during the next few years.

Editor Rob Thomas and Senior Editor Phil Keren discuss several Top Ranked initiatives in this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast. First off ... the Top 5 clubs in the Top Ranked Fitness and Wellness category have been featured on the website (www.clubandresortbusiness.com), as well as the complete rankings. Speaking of rankings ... the Top Ranked Aquatics and Pools rankings are now live, too. Keep an eye out on the website for featured articles. Last, but certainly not least, the deadline for Top Ranked Racquet Facilities is quickly approaching. Get your submissions in by May 19, 2023. Our featured guest is Robin Shelton, CCM, PGA Master Professional, General Manager of Huntington Beach (Calif.) Country Club. Shelton touches upon the $6-million renovation of the golf course and driving range, as well as expanding on several columns he has penned for Club + Resort Business over the years. This episode is sponsored by The H. Chambers Company.

In its April issue, Club + Resort Business released its annual rankings of the top fitness and wellness centers. The fitness and wellness facility at Addison Reserve Country Club in Delray Beach, Fla. earned the No. 1 ranking in C+RB’s recognition program. In this episode of Club + Resort Talks, C+RB Senior Editor Phil Keren spoke with Anthony Biondolillo, the club’s Assistant General Manager, and Grant Worthington, the facility’s Director Sports Operations, to learn more about Addison Reserve Country Club. Biondolillo and Worthington expressed their appreciation for receiving this honor, discussed what their fitness and wellness center offers that makes it stand out from similar facilities, and shared information about upcoming improvements at the club. In addition to an informative conversation with Biondolillo and Worthington, Phil also spoke with Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas about some of the latest news stories happening in the industry. Phil and Rob discussed two stories showcasing golf courses’ increasing efforts to be more environmentally conscious: Greenway Golf Associates this past week announced they entered a partnership with with master architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and his golf course design company, Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects (RTJII), to renovate the North Course at Corica Park in Alameda, Calif. Greenway selected Robert Jones Golf Course Architects because of the company’s world-renowned expertise and environmental leadership in golf course design. Leisure World Golf Course in Silver Spring, Md. this week achieved Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP for Golf) certification. Christine Kane, CEO at Audubon International, says that to earn this certification, golf courses must “demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas.” Leisure World’s accomplishments included: expanding native vegetation; removing invasive plant species; providing quality wildlife habitat; and conducting water quality testing. Frank McLaughlin, Golf Superintendent, and Alan Nelson, Golf and Greens Committee Certification Project Manager, led the effort. Meanwhile, a course in California is still working to recover from a major weather event last month. In March, there were a couple of heavy storms that wiped out six holes at River Island Country Club in Porterville, Calif. Holes 10, 16, 17 and 18 are severely damaged and 11 and 12 are beyond repair and need to be completely rebuilt. Terry Treece, the club’s General Manager, said he is going to be meeting with an architect and a construction company on the course. He says he thinks the total damages will cost a few million dollars, but he hopes his estimate is on the high side. Read more at www.clubandresortbusiness.com.

Club + Resort Business Editor Rob Thomas chats with Agustin Pizá, Founder of Pizá Golf—internationally recognized as a world-class architecture and golf course design firm. Among the topics discussed are sustainability, his partnership with Golf Channel Analyst Brandel Chamblee and the future of golf course architecture. The first Pizá Chamblee signature design (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/gol...) pushes the creative boundaries of multi-purpose golf. The duo is collaborating on a 24-hole golf resort with four distinct six-hole golf loops. The project is referred to as the “Butterfly Effect.” It is in Cuatro Cíenegas, Desertica described as an oasis in the desert with abundant springs that create marshes. In addition to the energetic conversation with Piza, Thomas also discussed the latest news from across the industry with Senior Editor Phil Keren. The West Palm Beach Municipal Golf Course (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/wes...) will be operated on a nonprofit basis by the PGA of America. The enhanced property will include an 18-hole course, a 9-hole course, a driving range and putting practice greens, as well as a clubhouse. The PGA of America is leasing the city-owned site for up to 70 years for $1 per year. Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/aug...) and the Masters Tournament, announced April 5 that the club will partner with Augusta Technical College, the First Tee of Augusta and Augusta Municipal Golf Course to introduce “a new era for public golf in [the] city.” As part of this new announcement, Augusta Tech will relocate its golf course management program to The Patch, creating a living classroom environment. Also, the Broken Sound Club unveiled its contemporary reimagination (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/bro...) of the Boca Raton, Fla. property’s clubhouse, which added dining options and increased amenities, all designed to reflect and enhance the distinctive member experience of “enjoying a life well-lived.” The club also advanced the objective of sustainability and improved the overall playing conditions and replaced infrastructure on its renowned Old Course (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/bro.... At the forefront of sustainability initiatives, the course is the first golf facility in Florida (second in the United States and 14th in the world) to be GEO Certified.

On the latest installment of Club + Resort Talks, Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren welcomed Mason Jones, Vice President of Marketing for TruGolf, a company that specializes in indoor golf services. Phil spoke with Mason about the National Golf Foundation’s recent State-of-the Industry report showing that the number of off-course participants in golf was higher than the amount of on-course participants in 2022. Phil and Mason discussed this trend and why it’s happening, as well as the opportunities that are available to country clubs and resorts. Mason talked about how TruGolf works with country clubs and resorts to set up simulators and other forms of indoor golf technology.

Editor Rob Thomas and Senior Editor Phil Keren discuss the latest news from across the industry and then Rob chats with Grey Raines from Raines Hospitality. Founded in 1988, Raines Hospitality manages 21 hotels across the southeastern U.S. In April 2021, more than three decades after their founding, the company purchased the historic Waynesville Inn & Golf Club (45 min. west of Asheville, N.C.). Overnight, Managing Director Grey Raines became a first-time golf course owner! The course was originally built on a former dairy farm with three nines: Carolina (1926), Dogwood (1929) and Blue Ridge (1986). Donald Ross built the original "Carolina 9." In the coming months, Waynesville's renovated front nine ("Ross Nine") and new back nine ("Weed Nine") will debut. This reimagined 18-hole, par-71 will stretch 6,515 yards. A new short course, Himalayan-style putting green and practice facilities are also being constructed. Learn more at www.waynesvilleinnandgolf.com or www.rainesco.com.

On the newest installment of Club + Resort Talks, Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren welcomed Dr. Bern Bernacki, President of The Golf Heritage Society. Founded in 1970, The Golf Heritage Society is a global nonprofit organization that honors and promotes golf history. Bern spoke with Phil about the society’s history, member events and activities, as well as how to become a member of the organization. Learn more about The Golf Heritage Society by visiting golfheritage.org.

Club + Resort Talks chatted with Greg Gilg, General Manager of Field Club of Omaha, about his club offering complimentary golf lessons to its golf members.

Club + Resort Talks chatted with Jarred Gomez about what KemperSports is doing to get young adults into the game of golf — YA! Golf PDX. YA! Golf PDX is a social golf community for young adults, between the ages of 19 and 29, based in Portland, Ore. Whether you’ve never played before, or you’ve been playing for awhile, YA! Golf has something to offer for everyone. Join for social events, discounted golf, and an awesome community of people just like you.

The health and wellbeing of private clubs is a vital part of the golf industry in the United States. C+RB talks with the experts to better understand the current state-of-affairs and provide some best practices that private clubs can use to navigate their own membership growth. Capstone Hospitality was founded in 2009 by former professional golfer Brian Friederichs. The firm’s talented team works with private clubs across North America to drive membership sales by delivering a customized sales plan, renewed energy and competitive spirit. Capstone Hospitality has gained valuable industry knowledge in a diverse range of markets while working with clubs in golf, boating and beyond. We asked Friederichs about what he felt were the top things private clubs need to be thinking about when it comes to attracting members. Here’s what he told us …