Golf Business Podcast

Description: Join in on this Golf Business LIVE conversation with Jon Last, founder and president of Sports & Leisure Research Group, as he sat down with NGCOA Sr. Director of Education Taylor Wall at Golf Business Conference 2026 and the 2026 PGA Show! Learn about the latest trends and data from Jon's extensive consumer research and how those compare to both golfer and golf course owner insights...

Join in on this Golf Business LIVE conversation when NGCOA CEO Jay Karen welcomes acclaimed golf writer, editor, broadcaster, designer, and storyteller—and now course owner—Tom Coyne. Jay delves into the books that have shaped Tom's career, from his journey of playing golf in all 50 states to his latest work chronicling the revival of a 100-year-old golf course from the owner's perspective. Then,...

Join in on this Golf Business LIVE conversation when Jay Karen (NGCOA CEO) welcomes special guest Evan Roosevelt, Co-Founder of Old Tom Capital, the leading investment firm focused entirely on the golf industry. Evan brings a unique perspective on where capital is flowing, what innovations are shaping the future, and how course owners can stay ahead. Find out where he sees opportunity, risk, and t...

On a recent 'Golf Business LIVE', Jay Karen (CEO, NGCOA) and Don Rea, PGA (President, PGA of America) reacted to National Golf Day 2025 and gave updates on legislative items that were covered in D.C. that could impact your golf business. Hear updates on key items crossing Jay Karen's desk, including potential legislation against the practice of dynamic pricing in CA, protective measures for owners...

Jay Karen (CEO, NGCOA) and Don Rea, PGA (President, PGA of America) cover the top stories and emerging headlines across the golf industry with special guest Paul Sullivan, an author, former New York Times columnist, and current Golf Digest contributor. Listen in as they dive into his recent article detailing where forthcoming policies from our country's new administration will intersect with the g...

Join Jay Karen (NGCOA CEO) and Don Rea, PGA (Owner, Augusta Ranch GC) as we put a bow on another eventful year in the golf industry. Not only is this the FINAL episode of 2024, but it's also the FIRST for Don Rea as President of the PGA of America. Find out what's on Don's radar, and the role course owners from coast to coast play in continuing to strengthen our industry. Plus, Jay and Don review...

Listen in as Jay Karen (CEO, NGCOA) and Don Rea, PGA (Vice President, PGA of America) welcome special guests Ross Liggett, Founder and Managing Partner at Metolius Golf, and Del Ratcliffe, COO of Pinnacle Golf Properties and President of CourseRev AI to the show. Listen in as they cover all corners of AI in this episode of Golf Business LIVE – including a look at how golfers are currently engaging...

Listen in as Jay Karen (CEO, NGCOA) and Don Rea, PGA (Vice President, PGA of America) welcome special guests Wesley and George Bryan to the show. The Bryan Brothers catapulted themselves to success by recording golf trick shots on their Youtube channel, eventually growing their audience to over 300K followers. Wesley also has found success on the PGA TOUR (highlighted by a victory at the 2017 RBC...

BEST OF → For this special episode of the Golf Business podcast, listen in on a few of the highlights from an unforgettable Q&A at NGCOA's 2024 Golf Business Conference in Orlando, Fla., on January 24, 2024. National Golf Course Owners Association CEO Jay Karen welcomed golf legend and six-time major championship winner Lee Trevino, and they discussed countless stories, successes, and signature mo...

Description: Listen in as Jay Karen (CEO, NGCOA) and Don Rea, PGA (Vice President, PGA of America) recap a busy past few months, take a peek at what's in store for 2024, and sit down with special guest Greg Nathan, President and Chief Operating Officer of the National Golf Foundation (NGF). Jay, Don and Greg react to eye-opening industry data, discuss their takeaways from NGCOA's recently released...

Listen in as Michael Williams sits down with Allison George, owner of Toad Valley Golf Course, and Del Ratcliffe of Ratcliffe Golf Services, as they dive into the ins and outs of golf operations at their respective courses. From late equipment deliveries to managing an unprecedented increase in rounds played, learn how they continue to keep the ball rolling true at their clubs! Then, Michael welco...

Listen in as Michael Williams sits down with Eleanor Brown, Director of Sustainability at Southworth Development, as they dive into the exciting ways owner/operators can make their facilities more environmentally friendly. Recorded on the heels of Earth Day, listen in to learn about practical ways to reduce water usage, improve carbon emissions and provide habitats for wildlife at your facility. W...

Jay Karen (NGCOA CEO) and Don Rea, Vice President, PGA of America sit down with special guest Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-01) for the April 2023 edition of Golf Business LIVE. They'll fill you in on the latest industry news and trends, and preview the upcoming (and in-person) National Golf Day 2023. Plus, as co-chair of the newly-formed Congressional Golf Caucus, hear what the congresswoman has on her gol...

Golf Business LIVE with Michael Williams returns with our fan favorite Owner-to-Owner segment! Listen in as Michael checks in with Jeff Hoag of Scott Lake Golf Course and Justin Smith of Olde Homestead Golf Club to see how they are managing their golf operations during the cold winter months. What insights can you glean from these seasoned operators about running your facility during the off seaso...

It's the first Golf Business Podcast of 2023! We kick things off with a talk about all things player engagement in our Inside Golf Business segment! Host Michael Williams sits down with PGA of America's Steve Tanner to discuss how teaching programs for golfers of all ages are specifically geared to help develop a passion for the game – and the risk-free (and revenue-enhancing) ways course owners c...

Jay Karen (NGCOA CEO) and Don Rea, Vice President, PGA of America sit down with PGA of America's CEO Seth Waugh on a recent Golf Business LIVE! Hear what's on the PGA's radar in 2023 (+ beyond), his vision for the golf industry, near-term challenges and opportunities, and much more.   Then, for this edition of House Chat, Golf Business LIVE host Michael Williams welcomes Matt Pringle, Managing Dir...

Listen in as Michael Williams sits down with Whitey O'Malley, Saddleback Golf Club, CO and Cathy Harbin, Pine Ridge Golf Course, TX to discuss current operations at their clubs and the challenges they faced this year. From record droughts to supply and demand delays, learn how these veteran operators strategically managed the critical issues of 2022 and are planning for an economic downturn next y...

Listen in as Jay Karen (NGCOA CEO) and Don Rea, PGA (Secretary, PGA of America) chat with special guest John Brown, CEO of GreatLIFE Golf. Find out what's in store for one of the nation's largest MCOs and we'll touch on other critical golf operation issues, including an overview of where the industry is regarding the prevalence of bartering tee times and effects that can have on a course owner's b...

Listen in as Jay Karen (NGCOA CEO) and Don Rea, PGA (Secretary, PGA of America) chat with Joe Beditz, President & CEO of the National Golf Foundation. What are the industry trends surging to the top of NGF's radar – and how will they affect your golf operations? Joe, Jay and Don discuss the unprecedented levels of new participation and how course owners can improve the customer experience and incr...

Michael Williams hosts our second Owner to Owner segment of 2022 (01:13 - 27:30). Listen in as Allison George of Toad Valley Golf Course and Jeff Hoag of Scott Lake Golf Club cover the latest and greatest at their facilities – as well as challenges they're facing as the summer season is officially in full swing. Plus, with the emerging millennial generation going gung-ho for golf, learn how Alliso...

Hear from Ronnie Miles, NGCOA's Sr. Director of Advocacy, (1:15 – 23:00) as he chats with Michael Williams to recap the key points addressed to lawmakers during National Golf Day 2022 and spotlight other critical legislation on NGCOA's Advocacy radar that course operators should stay aware of – including new labor laws, credit card processing fee discussions in Congress, WOTUS rulings, and more.  ...

Hear from Rhett Evans, CEO of the GCSAA, (1:00–38:45) as he chats with NGCOA CEO Jay Karen and Secretary of the PGA of America Don Rea. Learn how the GCSAA is continuing to lead the way on sustainability, including providing operators and lawmakers with critical science-based data to combat negative environmental stereotypes that golf often faces. Plus, with new potential legislation shaking thing...

Hear from course owners Rock Lucas of Charwood Golf Club and Del Ratcliffe of Ratcliffe Golf Services (00:45–21:15) as they highlight challenges they're noticing early in 2022, as well as opportunities on the horizon. In our first "Owner to Owner" chat of the year, learn how Rock and Del are adjusting operations to stay profitable considering the labor climate and record inflation levels. Plus, wi...

Hear from the founders of the new crypto-based LinksDAO  (1:15 - 47:45) during their recent appearance on Golf Business LIVE with NGCOA CEO Jay Karen and Secretary of the PGA of America Don Rea. Jim Daily and Adam Besvinick discuss crypto's unmistakable emergence in the golf industry, and share plans for how their "DAO" club membership model would function in this digital concept… and what owners...

Hear from renowned golf instructor Will Robins (1:45 - 34:00) during his recent appearance on Golf Business LIVE with NGCOA CEO Jay Karen and Secretary of the PGA of America Don Rea. Find out Will's take on the current state of golf facility instruction and his vision for future coaching models, which could transform the bottom line at your club.   Then, Chris Novak of PGA HOPE talks to Michael Wi...