GBN University Podcast

In this episode, Col (R) Spencer Clouatre, PhD talks with Chief Operating Officer and Director of Golf at Plainfield Country Club, Scott Paris. This episode touches on the importance of hospitality and culture, measuring feedback from members, the significance of recon and intelligence in decision-making, and the value of creating an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas. Scott talks through the unique career opportunities available in the golf industry for younger individuals and stresses the importance of remaining curious, putting in effort, and owning mistakes to drive success. GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode of "Getting Better Now," Col (R) Spencer Clouatre engages in a dynamic conversation with Jason Prendergast about the journey of being dream driven and supporting others in achieving their aspirations. Jason shares his personal experiences and insights, guiding listeners through the multifaceted process of chasing a dream with numerous goals and milestones. Drawing from his own career path, Jason illuminates the challenges and triumphs encountered along the way, offering practical advice for navigating the pursuit of one's dreams while aiding others in theirs. The discussion underscores the significance of perseverance and dedication in the face of obstacles, echoing the ethos of continuous improvement and growth. Listeners gain valuable perspectives on leadership and the power of mentorship as they embark on their own journeys toward realizing their dreams. Tune in for a transformative exploration of the pursuit of dreams and the profound impact it has on both individuals and communities. GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode of “Getting Better Now” Col (R) Spencer Clouatre sits down with Tom Wildenhaus to discuss effective leadership in the golf industry. Drawing from personal experience and offering insights aimed at helping listeners understand the core principles of leadership. Tom emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement within the industry. He provides actionable advice and lessons learned from his 40-year career sharing valuable guidance to aspiring leaders. Touching on parallels between military leadership philosophies and effective organizational management, and highlighting the balance between delegation and micromanagement. Tom stresses the importance of cultivating a culture where trust, humility, and accountability flourish. Empowering team members to make decisions aligned with the organization's goals. Keep listening for more practical applications of the core principles of leadership in your life and career. GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

How do you gain buy-in when managing a large, organization-wide change? In this compelling continuation of the interview with CW Canfield from S10 EP02, Spencer talks about the mechanisms of appealing to logic and data, as well as being a leader who inspires your team to follow, even when the path is uncharted, rocky, or takes an unexpected turn. Great leaders apply the key mechanisms of psychology and rely on their team to make informed, sound decisions. Keep listening on for more practical applications of the principles of economics and leadership in your life and career. GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.  GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

How do hospitality, golf, and leadership intersect? In this episode, Spencer and Phil Owenby discuss the nuances of creating a memorable customer experience that keeps people coming back time and time again, while remaining engaged with every member of your staff and making the most of the scarce resources we sometimes all face.  GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

GBN University has launched the Leadership Accelerator program, the only leadership program developed by Golf Professionals FOR Golf Professionals.  Registration is open to any PGA Professional or Associate but space is limited!  Go to https://golfbusinessnetwork.com/gbnu/leadership-accelerator/ for more info and to grab your spot!Ryan Hawk is the host of The Learning Leader podcast, one of the most popular leadership shows in the world, and is now a best-selling author of two books, “Welcome to Management” and “The Pursuit of Excellence”.  I’ve been a fan of Ryan’s for a long time and was humbled that he took the time to sit down for a conversation with me.  It was such a pleasure to have the chance for a long form conversation to ask questions and get more insights into his experience and knowledge.  As he told me, his show started out as a way to educate himself and now I had the opportunity to be educated by him.  You’ll hear him discuss the importance of leadership, how to actually interview candidates to help ensure success, and the power of his morning routine.  If you recognize his name, Ryan has a brother, AJ, who was a successful linebacker in the NFL with the Packers and in college at Ohio State.  Ryan chased his football dream after playing quarterback in college for Ohio University with a stint in the Arena Football League, eventually packing it in to start his career in corporate America.  Now he’s a successful podcaster, speaker, author, and leadership trainer, doing what he loves everyday.  Even if you caught this conversation the first time, I encourage you to give this another listen.  I promise you’ll walk away with something new.GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

Are you looking to hire team members on your golf staff?  GBN's Recruiting Services make hiring easier with our best in class network of Golf Professionals that helps you reach deep into the market to locate your next staff member.Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com/recruiting to get started and get ahead of the competition.If you’ve been listening for a while, you’ve come to understand how important I believe leadership is to being a successful PGA Professional.  In these times of low retention levels and poor employee engagement, your ability to lead your team and your facility has never been more critical.  It’s the reason we’re launching a much anticipated leadership program from GBNU here this fall, 2022.  We’re going to give PGA Professionals the chance to develop their leadership skills so they can become somebody that people want to follow, somebody that people want to work for, and somebody that can produce results for their facility.  All through the lens of what you, the PGA Professional does every day.  I can’t wait to tell you more about it.  And right on queue, we have an episode that can be a masterclass on leadership.  I was so honored to have the chance to speak with our featured guest, David Novak.  David is one of the premier leadership minds out there.  He’s the former CEO and co-founder of Yum Brands, which operates KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger.  He’s been named Chief Executive of the Year, and oversaw explosive growth as the company doubled its number of restaurants under his leadership and grew to a market cap of almost $32 billion.  His marketing background includes such big wins as developing and launching Cool Ranch Doritos, and Pizza Hut’s meat lover’s pizza…along with one notable marketing mishap, which we’ll discuss.  You’ll want to hear that.Now after retiring in 2016, David launched “David Novak Leadership” where he coaches leaders using his time tested methods and practices, including Purposeful Recognition.  He’s the host of the very popular “How Leaders Lead” podcast where talks with world class leaders every week.  In addition he’s a New York Times bestselling author.David is busy to say the least, but not too busy to find time for one of his biggest passions…golf.  He’s the definition of a “golf nut” and not to mention,quite a player as you’ll hear early in our conversation about a huge accomplishment he achieved this summer.  So David knows golf and he know golf pros.  That’s why this conversation is so powerful.  Whether you’re in a leadership position, or aspire to get to one, David’s lessons here are priceless and ones you can implement the very next time you walk in the door at work.  This was such a pleasure to have this conversation and I’m excited to share it with you.  GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

Are you looking to hire team members on your golf staff?  GBN's Recruiting Services make hiring easier with our best in class network of Golf Professionals that helps you reach deep into the market to locate your next staff member.Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com/recruiting to get started and get ahead of the competition.Welcome back for part two of my conversation with Seth Waugh, the CEO of the PGA of America.  In part one we focused on a critically important topic for Golf Professionals today, the supply and demand issues in the labor market.  Every PGA Professional should hear what Seth had to say on the topic.  It was an honest and frank conversation and personally I think we should be encouraged by what we heard.  Now we get into two more important topics.  As you know, prior to the PGA, Seth was the CEO of Deutsche Bank Americas.  I took the opportunity to ask him about his leadership philosophy and what it takes to lead organizations of such immense size.  Any leader can benefit from his thoughts on the topic, especially his “Golden Rule”, which you’ll hear him explain.  Leadership is such an important skill when it comes to retaining great people, and in this labor market, it’s never been more critical.  This is a great opportunity to take some leadership insights from an experienced and successful leader.  Lastly, I ask him the question about LIV.  One perspective we haven’t heard much is how that tour can impact the PGA of America and specifically PGA Professionals.  Seth will be at the forefront of some of the most important decisions that golf’s governing bodies will make regarding LIV.  You’ll get his thoughts.  You won’t want to miss them.GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

Are you looking to hire team members on your golf staff?  GBN's Recruiting Services make hiring easier with our best in class network of Golf Professionals that helps you reach deep into the market to locate your next staff member.Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com/recruiting to get started and get ahead of the competition.In this season of Getting Better Now, we’ve talked a lot about the state of the golf industry.  We heard from the Golf Professionals when we highlighted “The Club Pro Crisis” in Episode 01 of this season.  We heard from the CEO of the PGA of America himself in a candid conversation with Seth Waugh in Episode 02.  Now in Episode 04 of Season 8, we hear from another association chief, Jay Karen.  Jay is the CEO of the National Golf Course Owner’s Association (NGCOA), where he’s spent nearly 17 years in multiple roles with the association.  He has a pulse on the issues impacting owners throughout the country, many of which end up impacting us as the PGA Professionals working for those owners.  A self-proclaimed “learner”, Jay is actually pursuing his membership as a Class A PGA Professional and you’ll hear his own war story about passing the PAT.  In addition, we’ll obviously get into the labor situation from the perspective of the owners as well as Jay’s personal feelings about how we got here, and more importantly how we can fix it.  Jay also watched the downturn in golf happen after the “Tiger Boom” and has great insight into how we can avoid that from happening again, post COVID.  Jay is the co-host of Golf Business LIVE, where he shares the screen with the PGA’s own Don Rea.  You can catch up on past episodes on YouTube.Not only was Jay fun to talk to, he is really knowledgeable on the issues impacting golf so I know you’re going to get a lot from this conversation. GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

Are you looking to hire team members on your golf staff?  GBN's Recruiting Services make hiring easier with our best in class network of Golf Professionals that helps you reach deep into the market to locate your next staff member.Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com/recruiting to get started and get ahead of the competition.Most of you listening to this are working at golf clubs that are busier than they have been in a long, long time.  Maybe even busier than ever before.  Rounds of golf are high and membership rosters are full.  Now that we’re settled into this new reality, the focus is on retaining all of these golfers so our clubs don’t return to the struggles that existed before this recent golf boom.  How can we do that?  If you ask Shep Hyken, it’s by creating an amazing customer experience. Shep Hyken, calls himself the CAO (Chief Amazement Officer) of Shepard Presentations. He’s a customer service and experience expert and a sought after keynote speaker, as a Hall of Fame Speaker from the National Speakers Association.  For decades, he’s worked with companies that want to build loyal relationships with their customers and employees. As a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author he’s written 8 books focusing on delivering amazing customer service, customer engagement, managing the customer experience and creating customer loyalty.  His new book “I’ll Be Back” on building returning customers, is a perfect fit for the situation in our industry today.  He’s also the host of “Amazing Business Radio”, a podcast where he profiles leaders and their customer service expertise.  With all this said, Shep is a big golfer and as a member at his local club, he understands the customer experience at clubs from both the staff’s perspective and from the members’.  That’s why this is such a valuable conversation.  There are plenty of takeaways in this conversation to help you and your team build a better service experience at your club.  GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

Are you looking to hire team members on your golf staff?  GBN's Recruiting Services make hiring easier with our best in class network of Golf Professionals that helps you reach deep into the market to locate your next staff member.Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com/recruiting to get started and get ahead of the competition.Seth Waugh came to the PGA of America after a highly successful career on Wall Street and most recently as the CEO of Deutsche Bank Americas.  His love for golf and respect for the Professionals that power the game were the driving forces behind his move to the PGA.  He’s often been quoted as saying his goal in this position is to better the lives of PGA Professionals so they can impact more lives.  It’s a noble cause that was never going to be easy, and that has turned even more difficult than we could have imagined.  Seth’s tenure has already endured more tough decisions and crises than most would ever handle in this position.  For a while it seemed like the biggest challenge he would face would be the PGA’s move to Frisco, TX,  which is now nearing completion.  However, a once in a lifetime global pandemic threw golf into a new stratosphere of demand which quickly erased the constant conversations of how we were going to grow the game and stop the bleeding of a reduction in golfers year after year.  Seth’s previous leadership experience in crisis helped him and the rest of the PGA leadership team guide the game through the pandemic as well as provide support to PGA Professionals.  Tough questions have come one after the next.  There was the decision to move the 2022 PGA Championship site after January 6th, should they hold the PGA Championship or the Ryder Cup in 2020?  Now there’s the question about how to handle the LIV Tour players as it pertains to the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup. All while PGA Professionals battle a never before seen labor shortage at a time when demand for play remains near all-time highs.  And that’s where we start the conversation in part one of my interview with Seth Waugh.  You will hear how he sees the labor situation and how the PGA is working to combat this challenge.  How does he feel about the work-life balance question?  Is it possible in our industry?  You’ll want to hear his answers.  GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

This episode is brought to you by GBN University.  GBNU is where today's PGA Professionals come to grow their skills, advance their careers, and increase their bottom lines.  Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com/gbnu for more info.Welcome to Season Eight of the Getting Better Now podcast!We kick things off with an important conversation about a topic you’re all too familiar with.  There probably isn’t anyone listening that didn’t either read or hear about the Golf Digest article “The Club Pro Crisis”, published earlier this spring.  Author Shane Ryan dove deep into the personal stories of a number of PGA Professionals, who opened up to him about their struggles in our industry.  For those of us in the business, it was both familiar and a little bit (if not a lot) depressing.  We all read the article saying to ourselves, “Yep, I’ve done that.”, “That’s right, that happened to me too.”, or even “You think that’s bad, how about this one?”.  Since the article put a spotlight on why our industry is struggling and what the job of a PGA Professional is really like, the good news is that a lot of people saw it and were awakened to our reality.  Personally, I had former members of mine reach out and ask if all this was true and what I thought we needed to do. Solving this problem has to start with an awareness from decision makers that there is indeed a problem, and thanks to Shane Ryan, the ball is rolling a little faster now.  That’s why I wanted to bring him on the podcast and talk more about the article, the people that he spoke to, and his thoughts on what the problems are and how we can solve them.  My goal is to put as much attention on this issue as I can, and hopefully this episode helps.  If this gives you one more opportunity to send something to the leaders at your club to help prove that you need change at your facility, then please use this as a way to help.  You know all of the stories that you’ll hear about, because you’ve lived them.  But don’t assume the members at your club or the owner of your course knows them too.  As Shane tells us, Golf Professionals have leverage like never before and an opportunity to force change for the better.  We just need to make it happen.GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

One thing we could probably all agree on is that traditionally the golf industry is pretty resistant to change.  Look at the way we staff our golf operations with a Head Professional and X number of Assistants.  That’s been the model for as long as anybody can remember.  Add to that the scope of the job for everyone on the staff from teaching some, running events, doing some merchandising, etc. It’s been the same for a long time.  As we know we’re either in or approaching a crisis in the golf business.  We need more Golf Professionals and while there are differing views on how we’re going to find them, no one has their finger on the definitive answer.  With that said, with challenges like these come innovation and now is the time to start thinking differently about how we structure the jobs at our facilities.  At the forefront of this are two players in particular.  The first, Club Corp, isn’t really known for innovating in the employment department within our industry.  The second, Retail Tribe, is dedicated to helping clubs and Golf Professionals grow their business.  The marriage between the two has created a new role for the modern Golf Professional that is revolutionizing how we view the impact a Golf Professional can make on the bottom line.  In a nutshell, as you will hear, Club Corp took traditional teaching professionals and Assistant Professionals and started incentivizing them to engage with members, develop programming, and generate excitement around the golf program.  In turn, the Professional receives a cut of membership dues, program revenue, membership retention dollars, and spend on other items at the Club.  Because they found that the more engaged a golfer is, the more the use the facility and the more they spend.  And who better to engage golfers than a PGA Professional.  It’s something that when you say it out loud, you respond with “of course”.  But only now has someone stepped up and rewarded the Professional for the true impact they’re making.  This model has been so successful, that Club Corp is rolling it out at every one of their facilities.  That’s right, all of them.  Take the time to listen to this entire presentation that GBN hosted at the PGA Show this year.  This model has the potential to revolutionize how Golf Professionals work and could save the industry in a time of crisis.  Yes, it’s that powerful.  Here’s GBN's presentation with Ian James, the CEO of Retail Tribe, Mark Gore, the Sr. Vice President of Golf Operations at Club Corp, and Matt Anzalone, the Regional Vice President of Player Development at Club Corp.GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

It’s not often that we get to hear a conversation on the issues facing our industry directly from the leaders at the PGA of America.  In the summer of 2021 I had the opportunity to record a conversation with Don Rea, the current Secretary of the PGA, and feel this conversation was definitely worthy of releasing again.  This was a wide ranging discussion that covered the challenges of recruiting in our industry today as well as goal setting for your future, while profiling Don’s unique rise through the industry to one of the most influential positions in golf today.  If you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to go from cleaning carts and picking the range to becoming the owner of the golf course, you need to hear this conversation!www.golfbusinessnetwork.comGBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

For close to half a century as a PGA Professional, John Kennedy has supported, coached, and mentored people for a living.  Whether it was his team of Assistant Professionals and other staff at the famed West Chester Country Club where he spent 26 years as the Director of Golf , the students he loved to help on the lesson tee, or bringing the game of golf to military veterans, he’s used his role as a PGA Professional to enrich the lives of others by helping them improve in both golf and life.  Along the way he was recognized by the PGA of America for 3 National Awards, 10 Metropolitan Section Awards and inducted into the Met PGA Section Hall of Fame in 2020.  Even since his retirement in 2016 he’s still counseling and consulting with PGA Professionals, always available to share his advice and experience.  That was on full display in this conversation as he talks about the current state of the industry, how to succeed at your facility, the critical importance of having a time management system, and more. GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

Whether it was managing golf course operations as a Superintendent or now heading his own consultant and search firm, Tyler Bloom has always been a problem solver.  After working at some of the top clubs in the country as an Assistant Superintendent, Tyler landed his own job as a Golf Course Superintendent and spearheaded some innovative ways to address the challenges of recruiting and retaining people to his team.  And now in the nearly two years since he left his position to start his own business, Tyler Bloom Consulting, he’s quickly becoming a go-to resource in the areas of recruitment and workforce development.   Working with clubs for placements in  multiple roles across all departments, he’s been battling the current labor market, and in most cases, winning that battle.  How can you implement some of his strategies to help your own recruiting efforts?  Let’s learn how.https://golfbusinessnetwork.com/GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

This episode is brought to you by GBN University, powered by Golf Business Network.  GBNU is where leading PGA Professionals come to improve their skills, build their careers, and increase their impact.  Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com/gbnuniversity for more info. The last time we heard from Kraig Kann on the Getting Better Now podcast, he was giving a keynote (or as he tells us he doesn’t do keynotes, he does experiences) at the Golf Business Network annual members meeting in late January 2020.  So much has changed since we sat there not knowing what we were about to endure, but one thing that’s consistent is Kraig’s message. Communication mattered then, and it matters just as much if not more now.If you don’t know, Kraig was one of the original anchors on the Golf Channel and spent nearly 20 years as a staple on the channel’s golf coverage.  Following the Golf Channel he served the LPGA as their Chief Communications Officer where he took part in a resurgence of the tour’s visibility and success.  He now leads his own company, Kann Advisory Group where he coaches business leaders to clarify and amplify their message.In this episode we get to dive deeper in a one on one conversation into the importance of personal branding for your career, why knowing your story is critical and what questions to ask yourself to understand your message and what you have to offer.  All of this and a whole lot more are detailed in Kraig’s award winning book, “Can You Get Our Attention?”.  I encourage you to pick up a copy.www.golfbusinessnetwork.comGBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

This episode is brought to you by GBN University, powered by Golf Business Network.  GBNU is where leading PGA Professionals come to improve their skills, build their careers, and increase their impact.  Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com/gbnuniversity for more info.  Whenever you hear anyone talk about Caves Valley Golf Club, the first thing they’ll mention is the “experience”.  From the moment you arrive throughout your round and after, the emphasis is on creating a lasting memory that few other clubs can match.  And throughout the club’s existence, until the end of 2021, a single individual was at the head of the golf experience at Caves.  Dennis Satyshur, known to some just as “Football”, spent 31 years fostering the original vision for the club, where in its early stages success was not a foregone conclusion.  Caves Valley was a new model at the time, committed to a National members, committed to caddies, committed to hosting Championships, committed to the community, to inclusion, to the game of golf, and committed to the “experience”.  In retirement, Dennis will be joining the team at Golf Business Network as a consultant.We pick up our conversation with Dennis discussing his recent departure, as well as their equally tenured General Manager, and passing the torch to Dennis’s faithful and highly capable Assistant and Head Professional, Matt Fuller.GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

If you’re in a leadership role, there’s no doubt the spotlight has been shined on you to respond appropriately for all of the people that you impact.  How should a good leader respond?What if you’re not in a leadership role yet but are hoping to be in one someday soon?  Are there lessons you can learn from this crisis?  Where can you focus so that when it’s your turn to respond, you have the answers?Thanks to our guest, Leadership Expert John Eades, we get the answers to these questions and more.  John has been on the show before.  Back in episode 008, he coached us through the importance of building a positive culture on your staff and the elements of a great culture.  I encourage you to go back and listen if you didn’t hear that one.This time, John encourages us as Golf Professionals to use this time to evaluate where we are in our skill development and capitalize on this unique opportunity to improve.  Because as we’re finding out, the most valuable staff members are being retained in many cases.  So, have you asked yourself, how much value are you bringing to your facility?John is a very accomplished player, actually the reigning North Carolina Amateur Champion, and wants nothing more than to see all the Golf Professionals that make up our industry succeed and thrive.  He’s passionate about his work and passionate about golf and you’ll hear all of that in this episode.If you’ve been wondering if you’re taking advantage of the opportunities that come alongside such a difficult time, let John coach you through it in this episode.www.learnloft.comwww.golfprofessionalgrowth.comwww.golfbusinessnetwork.comGBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode we're joined by Jason Sutton, aka “The Golf Guru”, who is the Director of Instruction at Carmel Country Club in North Carolina and the host of the appropriately titled podcast, “The Golf Guru” show.  But long before Jason was putting out 90+ episodes of his show, he was building a following online and developing his own brand, which as we talk about, has paid major dividends. He’s a personal development junkie and as we walk through his story, we find out how his commitment to learning and growing inside and outside of golf has led him to the successful spot he’s in right now.  Jason is open about one of lower points of his career and I think all of our listeners should tune into this part of his story.  It’s an invaluable lesson and reminder that many times in order to achieve our goals, we need to experience some failures and learn from those lessons.  Jason loves to mentor young golf coaches and we get into how you would know if you’re meant to be a full time golf coach and what all young coaches should do first, if they want to get better.  So no matter where you are in this industry and what type of Golf Professional you are, this is a great conversation with a lot of insight.  Check out Jason's podcast, The Golf Guru Show, and stay tuned for his new show "Coaching Better Now" which is part of the new Instructor Division of the Golf Business Network.  www.golfbusinessnetwork.comwww.golfprofessionalgrowth.comGBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.