The Spin Podcast

Since 2013, Kevin Kirk has been recognised as a “Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher” and is currently the Director of Golf Instruction at The Woodlands Country Club, coaching LPGA and Ladies European Tour players such as Patrick Reed, Lexi Thompson, Jhonattan Vegas, Mark Hubbard and Maria Verchenova. CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell, caught up with Kevin at the 2022 Players Championships held at TPC Sawgrass, USA, to discuss all areas of high performance in golf, leadership and life in general, his 'moneyball' approach, and his role with the upcoming High Performance Trip that will head to Trump Doral, Miami, in March 2023. Find out more about the CPG High Performance Trip in Miami, USA, taking place in March 2023 here: https://cp.golf/3760S2j.

CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell, is joined by two leading figures in Canadian Golf in Kevin Thistle (Chief Executive, PGA of Canada) and Laurence Applebaum (Chief Executive, Golf Canada) to discuss current state of affairs for the sport in North America and Canada. Championing collaboration between PGA and Federation, First Tee, the RBC PGA Scramble and making the game more accessible and enjoyable for all are just a number of key and important topics debated throughout this bumper 50+ minute podcast episode. Visit the PGA of Canada: https://www.pgaofcanada.com Visit Golf Canada: https://www.golfcanada.ca

PGA of Germany Professional, Stefan Quirmbach, has played a central role within the PGA of Germany as President for over 20 years. Through his leadership and contributions during this time, the organisation has developed its business significantly to ensure its PGA Members receive the highest possible standards of education and support services, whilst also enabling the organisation to further its role as a leading and influential voice for German golf. As his tenure draws to a close, Stefan joins CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell, in this podcast episode to share with you what he considers some of the most significant contributions he has made to the PGA of Germany and to the wider professional game in the country, as well as provide valuable insights into what the future holds for the organisation and German golf.

This special edition of The CPG Podcast takes a deep dive in to the roles, experiences and work of PGA Professionals that are involved across all aspects of Olympic Golf, hearing from PGA Members that are working as team managers and coaches across both the Women’s and Men’s events out in Tokyo, and in one special case we’ll also be hearing from a PGA Member that has already taken home some silverware. Joining the show are PGA of Germany Member, Men’s Olympic Coach, German national team Mem’s Coach, and CPG 2020 John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching Winner, Ulrich Eckhardt; PGA of Germany Member, Team Germany Olympic Coach and Board Member of the German Golf Association, Marcus Nuemann; PGA of Finland Member and coach to Sami Valimakki, Timo Karvinen; PGA of Great Britain & Ireland Member and coach to Adrian Meronk, Matt Tipper; the CPG’s very own David Kearney from Team Ireland, also a PGA of Great Britain & Ireland Member and CPG 2018 5 Star Professional Award Winner; and PGA of Slovakia Member and Silver Medallist in the Men’s event, Rory Sabbatini. The episode covers topics from both the women’s and men’s events, such as the Olympic experience both as players and as coaches, the impact of the Olympics in various countries, the roles of the coaches and managers in particular, the amazing Kasumigaseki Country Club, player preparations for Olympic success, as well as taking a look back at the Men’s event that has just culminated and ahead to women’s event as well.

PGA of America CEO, Seth Waugh, joins CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell, in this special Spin-Off episode of The Spin Podcast to share his vision for the “greatest game on Earth” During the episode, Seth elaborates on some of his most successful industry collaborations, he highlights the need to align priorities and activities in order to fit with modern generations and trends, and he discusses some of the greatest assets in golf including The Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in September 2021 and the USPGA Championship.

In this Golf Business Insights episode of The Spin Podcast, host Tom Bentley is joined by Executive Director - Digital & Membership for the CPG, Aston Ward, to talk top-line digital innovation and implementation in sport, using Aston's current and ongoing experiences in doing so for the CPG.   From SME's through to blue-chip organisations, this episode will provide you and your business with a good contextual grasp of digital innovation and strategy in practice, and allow each business to be more aware of the challenges and opportunities that it brings.

In this Development Digest episode of The Spin podcast, host Tom Bentley is joined by PGA of Latvia Professional, Anna Svanka, and PGA Professional at Metropolitan Golf Club, Phoebe Torrance. The episode focuses on shining a light on the work women are involved with in golf and to provide further exposure about the opportunities and challenges facing the industry in becoming a more inclusive sport for women.

In this Golf Business Insights episode of The Spin, Tom Bentley hosts the show with guest Craig Higgs, Managing Director - International for Golf Genius, a golf software company that provides tournament and event management products, golf shop functionalities for PGA Professionals and facility managers, all complimented by comprehensive software development and support services. In this episode, Craig gives insight into leadership and digital software management, paints a picture of how he is taking the Golf Genius brand International (including the resource required to do this), and we find out why the Golf Genius product has been endorsed and used by international bodies and organisations, such as The European Tour.

Previewing the 2021 Masters at Augusta National, Ian Randell hosts a special 'Masters Rules' edition of his Spin-Off show with some of the biggest names in the rules business of the game - John 'JP' Paramor, Steve Cox and Iain 'Burnsy' Burns. Tales of unconverted Georgian Hotel rooms, disqualifying (or not!) Tiger Woods, stopwatches, skiing down the 10th hole and play-off pranks all feature in this tell-all behind-the-scenes episode, around one of the most scrutinised roles in golf.

In this Development Digest episode of The Spin, Tom Bentley hosts the show with guest Lukas Tintera, General Secretary of the PGA of Czech Republic – a long standing CPG Member Country, focused on the development of golf and Professional golf in the Czech Republic. In this episode, Lukas provides a backdrop to the PGA of Czech Republic, its role in the national and international development of golf – as a CPG Member Country – and what he, and the organisation, are aiming to achieve and impact upon more widely.

What does the future hold for golf? What are some of its biggest challenges, and some of its biggest opportunities? Pre-recorded from the 2020 CPG Annual Congress, this Golf Business Insights episode of The Spin sees Chief Executive of the CPG, Ian Randell being joined by three other leading figures - Keith Pelley, Anthony Scanlon and Alex Armas - in the world of golf to answer these questions, figure out how golf can grow, and discuss the importance of collaboration between and within leading golf organisations.

Chief Executive of the CPG, Ian Randell, is joined by Tony Bennett, Jackie Davidson, Kevin Thistle and Suzy Whaley to discuss Diversity & Inclusion in golf in this Development Digest episode of The Spin. What are the current challenges? How can we change our perspectives on diversity and minorities in golf? What is golf from a governance perspective, doing to improve equality of opportunity in the game and ultimately ensure the game thrives? These are all questions answered during a bumper panel session, pre-recorded from the 2020 CPG Annual Congress.

Join CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell, as he hosts the first episode of the CPG’s new podcast show, The Spin, with Colin Montgomerie. In this pre-recorded episode from the 2020 CPG Annual Congress, Ian speaks to World Golf Hall of Famer, Colin Montgomerie, OBE, who has enjoyed a glittering careering that saw him win a record eight European Tour Order of Merit titles, which included a streak of seven consecutive Order of Merit titles from 1993 to 1999. With over 30 European Tour event wins, he currently sits fourth on the European Tour’s list of players with the most victories. Colin’s accomplishments stretch further than individual golf, as he is regarded as one of the greatest Ryder Cup players in the history of the biennial event. With eight appearances representing Team Europe, he has never lost a singles match and holds an exemplary match record of 20-9-7 across his Ryder Cup career. This was topped in 2010 however, when he captained Team Europe to victory against Team USA at Celtic Manor, as Europe prevailed with a winning score of 14.5 – 13.5 points.

In this Masters special Podcast episode, PGA Professionals and coaches to elite-level tour professionals including Holland's Joost Luiten, Phil Allen and Rob Mouwen, discuss sub-air and complex green systems; cross-seeding the fairways of Augusta; trying to break 100 at The Masters and not being allowed behind the ropes on the driving range.

Honorary President of the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG], Pascal Grizot, former Chief Executive of the PGA of GB&I, Sandy Jones, and former Executive Director of the European Tour, Ken Schofield, join CPG Chief Executive Ian Randell in this special edition 'Masters Memories' CPG podcast episode, as they preview the 2020 Masters Tournament at Augusta National. Seve Ballesteros, French wine, tales from the clubhouse lawn and Pascal's attempts to avoid George O'Grady are key highlights, in what is a truly epic CPG Podcast episode.

Todd Keirstead is one of the world's best golf entertainers in the game, starring on various golf shows including the Golf Channel, CTV Sports Plays of the Year, and has also featured on ESPN, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, TSN and TMZ.    Whilst performing for United States military veterans, Keirstead realised that with each shot he was hitting was in fact inadvertently altering their mindsets from ‘I can’t' to ‘I can’. Todd was showing these amazing military individuals how golf could be played in an adaptive way.    Shortly after Todd has created his own Adaptive Golf Initiative, becoming one of the leaders in promoting and empowering individuals of all abilities to get involved in the game of golf. Keirstead has enlightened thousands with his vision that anyone can play golf, no matter what their circumstance. “My vision is to ignite the passion in individuals and to transcend personal boundaries both on and off the fairway”.   In this podcast, Todd will utilise a business case study on the financial impact of adaptive golf and how it can influence your business moving forwards. This should provide a better understanding of:   - The importance of inclusion and diversity  - The benefits that can be achieved by your business through increased inclusion  - A better acceptance that golf can and should reflect the community of which your business is in.   The CPG Masterclass Series embodies a range of talks and presentations for PGAs and PGA Professionals that cover a variety of subjects and topics, delivered by world-class, industry leading experts from their respective fields. Find out more at http://cp.golf/masterclass.

Steven has been a full time golf coach for 17 years and recently became the youngest ever recipient of the coveted PGA Master Professional title. He has a Master’s Degree (MSc) in sports coaching and is currently working towards a Doctorate in Elite Performance at The University of Central Lancashire.   Steven has coached European tour players, ladies European tour players, the 2018 Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup side and was voted England Golf Coach of the year in 2015. He also has a strong track record in elite junior coaching, having coached several juniors all the way from junior golf through to National level. As a speaker, Steven has delivered sessions at conferences in multiple countries worldwide including Argentina, Holland, Denmark, Italy, China, Bulgaria and Spain.   This podcast is aimed at all professional golfers and assistants with a particular interest in coaching wedge play and more broadly the short game to golfers. By the end of this sessions, listeners will:   - Have a greater understanding of coaching the short game to golfers of all levels.   - Be able to examine different perspectives of elite level player’s pitching techniques, including the key ball, club and movement characteristics within their short games   The CPG Masterclass Series embodies a range of talks and presentations for PGAs and PGA Professionals that cover a variety of subjects and topics, delivered by world-class, industry leading experts from their respective fields. Find out more at http://cp.golf/masterclass.

US PGA Professional, Ryan Brandeburg, is the Executive Director of Golf Tourism New Zealand [GTNZ], the Director of Golf for Tourism New Zealand, and the golf consultant to the city of Auckland. Additionally, he is a partner in the Golf Strategy Group, a New Zealand based golf consultancy business, and Managing Director of New Zealand's Institute of Golf, a teaching academy known best for finding Lydia Ko as a six year old and taking her on the journey to #1 in the world.    With a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and a specialisation in Professional Golf Management from Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina, USA, Ryan previously served in various golf management roles in the USA, across several high-profile facilities and one of the world’s largest private equity firms, The Blackstone Group. His journey in New Zealand first came about in 2009, becoming director of golf for both Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers - two courses ranked amongst the top 50 in the world. To add to his plethora of credentials, Ryan sits on the board of the New Zealand Golf Industry Council, and has written two books aimed at educating young PGA Professionals.    In this podcast, Ryan will give insight into the GTNZ project, discussing the importance of creating a golf tourism strategy, how it was developed, and the steps taken to implement it (with a summary of outcomes to date). Additionally, by tying this work into club, city, regional and national level contexts, Ryan will give PGAs and PGA Professionals an understanding as to why these are important considerations for themselves, and their own facilities.   The CPG Masterclass Series embodies a range of talks and presentations for PGAs and PGA Professionals that cover a variety of subjects and topics, delivered by world-class, industry leading experts from their respective fields. Find out more at http://cp.golf/masterclass.

Russell trained with his father in the UK before leaving for Switzerland in 2001. Since 2004, he had been the head Professional at Golfclub Heidental in Switzerland, and has spent the past 6 years in education roles with the Swiss PGA.   His research and learning has been based around two key questions: How do I become a great coach? How can we develop great coaches? These questions have taken him around the world to visit many great coaches and also led to his completion of a Masters Degree in Sports Coaching at the University of Birmingham.   He is an avid user of technology within the assessment phase of coaching and embraces a person first approach to support golfers on their journey or solve any problem they may experience.   In this podcast, Russell will unpack his MSc research on coach learning and link it to his own journey as a coach and coach developer. The aim is to assist any practicing coach in reflecting on their beliefs of how they learn. It will assist them in a better choice of future learning activities, saving both time and money.   The CPG Masterclass Series embodies a range of talks and presentations for PGAs and PGA Professionals that cover a variety of subjects and topics, delivered by world-class, industry leading experts from their respective fields. Find out more at http://cp.golf/masterclass.

CPG Golf Development Team member and Transition and Performance Coach, Ian Peek, is heavily involved in researching the sociological and psychological elements of golf and coaching performance. As a conference and webinar presenter, Ian has presented to colleagues worldwide since 2004.   In part two of this podcast special, Ian continues the challenge for you to first of all identify your Professional ‘why’ [your passions, your inspirations and your motivations], and then provides a clear and easy-to-follow framework for helping you to then achieve your professional ‘why’.   The CPG Masterclass Series embodies a range of talks and presentations for PGAs and PGA Professionals that cover a variety of subjects and topics, delivered by world-class, industry leading experts from their respective fields. Find out more at http://cp.golf/masterclass.