GBN University Podcast

In this episode, we dig into the ins and outs of the Head Professional interview process. This discussion is going to be a great resource for any of you listening that are either planning on interviewing for a Head Professional position or if you will be helping to coach an aspiring Head Professional through the interview process.  We brought back Patrick Seither (Episode 001 & 003), the Presi...

In Part II of our interview with the President of the PGA of America, Suzy Whaley discusses what’s going to help attract young people to our business and the PGA’s recruiting efforts, while addressing the need for manager’s today to evaluate the hours and days that they require from their staff during the season.  She continues with a discussion about the changes to the PGA education system and wh...

In this episode Clay Scroggins, author of "How to Lead When You're Not in Charge", walks us through the four behaviors that he’s pinpointed to be able to cultivate influence when you don’t have the title, while preparing you to succeed when the time comes and that title is yours.   This truly is one of the most important episodes we’ve done, because this information isn’t really tau...

In many ways Suzy Whaley is just another Golf Professional.  She struggles with many of the same challenges that PGA Professionals face every day.  Parts of her story sound the same as many, many others.  But on the other hand….Suzy is the head of the largest organization in sports, and not to mention, the first woman to ever do that.  She holds one of the most powerful and influential positions i...

When times are toughest, we feel like work is controlling our lives. We feel it’s the only thing we have time for (and sometimes don’t even have enough time for) while everything else (family, friends, health, finances) sits on the back-burner until things “slow down”. It’s why most PGA Professionals will tell you either directly or indirectly that finding “balance” in this industry is elusive, if...

One of the most beneficial aspects of the Getting Better Now podcast has been the ability to hear unique insights from leaders both inside and outside of the industry.   In this episode, we highlight some of our most popular guests and their advice for Golf Professionals as it pertains to furthering their careers.  We learn from Jim Smith of the Philadelphia Cricket Club, Tony Pancake from Crooked...

Jay LeDuc is a PGA Professional who’s spent over two decades in the golf industry and held positions running the gamut from Outside Services to Head Golf Professional.  Now from his spot outside the industry running strategy and innovation for a luxury travel club, he’s giving back to his fellow PGA Professionals through his podcast, the PGA Jay Show, and wealth of content on multiple social media...

In this episode, we’re back with part two of our conversation with the GM/COO at Medinah Country Club, Robert Sereci.  Robert has profiled his “Top 10 Lessons They Didn’t Teach You in School” and in part one we covered 1-5.  In lessons 6-10, we continue to discuss these critical success skills that can make or break your career. We get into the difference between coaching and mentoring, and why yo...

Welcome back to part two of our conversation with Cary Cozby, the Director of Golf at Southern Hills Country Club.  If you missed part one, be sure to head back to episode sixteen and take a listen.  We talked about his mindset when he heard his dream job was open and what steps he took during the interview process, and after landing the job how he’s managed to maintain his operation at the highes...

As young professionals working in the golf business, often times our focus is on developing the set of what I call “vocational skills” that are specific to our industry...the teaching, playing, merchandising and event administration skills, among many others that our jobs require from us. But as our careers continue to evolve, success or failure can hinge on a new and different skill set.  Often r...

Cary Cozby, the Director of Golf at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is likely the most decorated PGA Professional you will ever find.  As a winner of 13 section awards plus the national Merchandiser of the Year award, his most unique and special recognition came in 2016 when he was named the PGA Professional of the Year, joining his father Jerry, the 1985 winner and the two became...

In this episode of the Getting Better Now podcast, we have the opportunity to learn from one of the most highly regarded sports and performance psychologists in golf today.  Dr. Bhrett McCabe is the founder of The Mindside and works with numerous athletes from the PGA and LPGA Tours, NFL, NBA, MMA, and also serves as the sports and performance psychologist for The University of Alabama Athletic De...

Most of us in this business are in agreement that when working at a club, it’s important to place a special focus on your ladies program and for the ladies that are playing golf at your facility.  We also know that based on statistics, female golfers serve as a huge opportunity to bring players into the game both as beginners and as those that are interested in returning to golf after a long lay o...

Ever feel like you can't get away from your computer or phone during the day, because you're tied to an endless flow of email into your inbox?  In this day and age, communicating with our members, customers, students, and vendors frequently takes place over email.  Because of that fact, email can bog us down and keep us from getting other important tasks done throughout the day.   In thi...

In this episode we kick off the new year with a throwback.  For the next 60 minutes, you’ll have the opportunity to listen as, someone who most regard as the most successful and respected Golf Professional of our time, Bob Ford, and one of his many ultra successful proteges, Steve Archer, (who’s put together a phenomenal career in his own right) take questions from GBN President and CEO,Patrick Se...

Leader.   It’s a term thrown around so often that it’s almost cliche.  As PGA Professionals, we’re tasked with being leaders in the industry, leaders at our facilities, and leaders in our communities.  But even with all this responsibility to lead, how many of us have ever tried to actually define what that means?  How does being a leader fit into what we do everyday, and what do we have to do eve...

If you’re in a leadership position at your club, or aspire to be one at some point in your career, what if I told you there was one specific area you could focus on that would guide the thinking and behavior of the people on your team?  One point of emphasis that’s effects would be felt throughout the entire operation.  That would guide decision making, customer service, attitude, motivation and m...

One of the phrases we hear all the time as Golf Professionals is something to the effect of “to meet or exceed expectations in every interaction”.  It’s an admirable goal and certainly a worthwhile mantra if we want to succeed in our positions as Golf Professionals. But how many of us have taken the time to find out exactly what those expectations are?  What questions should we be asking during an...

Jim Smith, Jr. is the Director of Golf at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in Flourtown, PA .  A Past President of the Philadelphia Section, Jim has been awarded that sections’s Bill Strausbaugh award twice, the Merchandiser of the Year award, as well as Golf Professional of the Year in 2005.   Jim has become a “go-to” guy for career advice and operational insight.  He has successfully guided many of...

Have you had trouble attracting interns to your facility?  If so, you're not alone.  The market for seasonal labor at such an affordable cost is very competitive.  If you're like some facilities, you might have just stopped trying. This episode has the potential to put you back on the right track to developing an attractive internship program at your club. We’re talking with Brian Soule,...

Kevin Muldoon is the Director of Golf at the Jupiter Hills Club in Florida. During a successful stint as the Head Professional at the Country Club of York in Pennsylvania, Kevin was likely in a position that he could have remained in for years, maybe for his entire career. But as he tells us, his desire to continue his career progression and to expand his experiences, lead him to seek more. So, wh...

When something goes wrong and you're faced with an unhappy customer, what do you do? More often than not, we explain why the situation happened, or tell them we understand that they're unhappy, or worse...we defend our actions and tell them that they're wrong. And how does that usually turn out? What about being polite and professional? That usually helps diffuse the situation, does...

In this episode, we finish our interview with Tony Pancake, the Director of Golf and Operations at Crooked Stick Golf Club.  In Part II, we discuss Tony’s path to Crooked Stick and learn his advice for young Professionals to set themselves up on a positive career track. We uncover the moment that he can pinpoint that seemed to set his career on a successful track, as well as how his definition of...

In this episode, we finish our conversation with Patrick Seither, the President and CEO of the Golf Business Network. He tells us what's happening with GBN and what services he's providing in the network to help solve some of the challenges that PGA Professionals face everyday. GBN is the leading  private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals.  Exclusive events at pr...

Do ever feel like the constant ping of email and text messages are keeping you from getting your most important work done each and every day? Ever feel like it’s the only thing you do and that as a Golf Professional, your job is too centered around a computer screen and a cell phone? I know I do. In my conversation with today’s guest, Tony Pancake the Director of Golf and Operations at Crooked Sti...