Leadership on the Links

Summary Book a Free Talent Strategy Call In this episode of Leadership on the Links , Tyler sits down with David Hardesty of Capillary Flow to unpack two big themes shaping the turf side of the golf industry: non-traditional career paths and technology that actually makes superintendents' lives easier. David walks through his journey from turf school and construction projects with Jack Nicklaus an...

Summary Book a Free Talent Strategy Call In this episode, Tyler sits down with Ryan Karapas of QualiPro to unpack the launch of QP2U , a new virtual education platform designed to democratize access to high-level agronomic, leadership, and industry-wide insights. From the tournament-tested culture at Oakmont to the evolving expectations of today's assistants and superintendents, Tyler and Ryan exp...

Summary: Book a Free Talent Strategy Call In this episode, Tyler Bloom sits down with Ryan Bain , one of the very first NYSTA Greenskeeper apprentices, and Sue VanAmburgh from the New York State Turfgrass Association to unpack how the apprenticeship program is reshaping career pathways in golf course maintenance. They walk through Ryan's non-traditional journey from business/marketing graduate and...

Summary: Book a Free Talent Strategy Call In this episode, Tyler is joined by Ben Czyzewski , who has been foundational in building the related instruction component of the New York State Greenskeeper Apprenticeship Program in partnership with SUNY Delhi and the New York State Department of Labor. Ben walks through his own journey from internships across the Northeast and time at Pine Valley, to a...

Care, Help, Trust: The New Leadership Playbook with Jeff Drummonds   Summary:   Book a Free Talent Strategy Call   Former Marine and veteran executive coach Jeff Drummonds joins Tyler to unpack how leadership has shifted from intimidation and control to influence and emotional intelligence. Jeff shares his "big three" questions teams are silently asking—Do you care about me? Can you help me? Can I...

Summary Book a Free Talent Strategy Call Former elite amateur Andrew Mason joins  Tyler to tell the origin story of the Super-Scratch Foundation : what began as a superintendent-am event at Huntington Valley has become a national scholarship engine for turf students. Andrew shares how the team grew from giving $1,500 in year one to more than $160,000 this year, why club engagement is the unlock, h...

Summary Book a Free Talent Strategy Call Kristen, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Association of Golf Course Superintendents (PAGCS), joins Tyler Bloom to unpack why many women never consider golf careers, and how to change that. They dig into real barriers (limited exposure, unclear career paths, confidence gaps) and the practical fixes clubs can deploy now: First Green and school partners...

Summary Book a Free Talent Strategy Call When former teacher Taylor took a summer job at a public golf course in Delaware, she never imagined it would launch a rewarding career in the private club industry. Now serving as Membership and Marketing Director at Kings Creek Country Club in Rehoboth Beach, Taylor shares how curiosity, culture, and connection shaped her journey from the classroom to clu...

Book a Free Talent Strategy Call General Manager Leslie Ludlow (Westhaven Golf Club; previously Sahalee, The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, Spanish Hills) joins Tyler to unpack a career arc that moved from elite athlete to sales leader to multi-property operator, driving double-digit revenue growth and culture change along the way. Leslie shares how "data over drama" wins boardrooms, why feedback cultu...

Summary Book a Free Talent Strategy Call In this special episode of the Women in Golf Study , we sit down with Sandra Burton , co-founder of PondHawk, to uncover her remarkable career journey, from the world of energy economics to driving innovation in the golf industry. Sandra began her career specializing in solar power and renewable energy, holding influential roles with Hawaiian Electric Compa...

Design DNA and Stewardship in Golf Architecture with Andy Staples Summary Golf course architect Andy Staples (Staples Golf Design) joins Tyler to trace his path from sketching a nine-tee, one-green "course" at age 12 to leading restorations and renovations across North America. They dig into classic influences (Langford & Moreau, Raynor, MacKenzie), why he prefers the word stewardship over sustain...

Lessons from a Cruel Summer: Agronomy, Member Education & Smarter Solutions with Steve McDonald

Colin Burns on Authentic Leadership, Member Experience & Industry Trends In this conversation, Colin Burns opens up about his remarkable 30+ year career in the private club industry, charting an unexpected path from his family's restaurant business in New Jersey to becoming the youngest General Manager in the history of Winged Foot Golf Club at just 32 years old. Over more than three decades at th...

Chris Fletcher joins the podcast to share his path through nearly three decades in the golf industry, the mentors who guided him, and the exciting challenges of constructing Old Sawmill, a new course in the Charleston/Hilton Head area. He discusses everything from grass selection and soil challenges to team building and member engagement, offering valuable insights for both golf professionals and...

In this episode, executive coach Scott Ramey shares lessons from his 32-year corporate career and introduces his Resonance Edge framework for leadership communication. Scott discusses best practices for executive performance and team communication. Scott spent decades in the corporate trenches, steering Fortune 500 companies like Transamerica, Nationwide, and AIG/Corebridge Financial toward billio...

Turf, Tech, and Taking Risks: Leadership Lessons with Jason VanBuskirk On this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with Jason VanBuskirk—a golf course superintendent turned tech entrepreneur—whose journey from turfgrass to tech has reshaped how modern superintendents think about efficiency, data, and innovation. Jason shares how his frustrations managing day-to-day operations at Stowe...

 Innovative Drainage Solutions: A Conversation with Mark Luckhardt of Turf Rehab Episode Summary: In this episode, we sit down with Mark Luckhardt, co-founder of Turf Rehab, to explore his 30+ year career in golf course construction and drainage innovation. From his early days as an assistant superintendent to building one of the most respected drainage-focused renovation companies in the industry...

Leadership Lessons & Legacy in Turf with Mark Jordan In this candid and insightful conversation, Mark Jordan—former GCSAA President and long-time leader at Westfield Country Club—joins Tyler Bloom to reflect on a 45+ year career in golf course management and his next chapter post-retirement. This episode is packed with career wisdom, practical strategies, and fresh perspectives on the evolving gol...

What sets good superintendents apart from great ones is their business ability. The most successful superintendents bring a higher-level thought process to their leaders, club members, and team. Patrick Michener shares how you can become that irreplaceable leader. Patrick has been the Superintendent at Bidermann Golf Course and Vicmead Hunt Club since January 2019. Prior to that, he was the Golf C...

Many professionals find themselves at a career crossroads, contemplating a career change or transition. Whether it's moving from a superintendent role to a sales/marketing position, or exploring opportunities beyond the golf course, these transitions can be both exciting and daunting. Eric Snelsire, a seasoned veteran of the golf industry, has experienced his fair share of career pivots. From his...

In this episode, Tyler talks with Matthew Shaffer, a renowned former golf course superintendent, about his career path and the lessons he's learned from various roles, including at high-profile clubs like Merion Golf Club and Augusta National, and humble beginnings. He credits his time at Hershey Food Corporation for shifting his perspective. At Hershey, he learned to see a golf course as a busine...

If "course management" were a hole on a golf course, it'd be the longest and most hazard-plagued, trap-filled hole you'd ever play — and you'd need two course junkies to advise you along the way. Luckily, we have the just the right ones in lifelong course executives David Delsandro and Jeff Corcoran. Delsandro's career in the turf industry has spanned 25 years, most recently as the superintendent...

In this episode of  Leadership on the Links , host Tyler Bloom sits down with Scott Pavalko, the Superintendent at Castle Pines Golf Club, as he shares his journey from his early days in Ohio to leading at iconic courses like Muirfield Village and Cog Hill. Scott discusses the unique challenges of transitioning to Castle Pines, managing turf in diverse climates, and his commitment to continuous im...

In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we dive deep into the heart of workplace culture—what it is, how it evolves, and why it matters. Through real-world stories and candid discussion from our June webinar, our hosts explore how understanding existing dynamics, fostering trust, and using data-driven tools can help reshape and sustain a high-performing culture. Whether you're leading a golf c...

In today's episode, we sit down with Greg Eisner, a proven leader in the golf industry whose career spans some of the most recognized names in the game—from Oakmont Country Club to the Trump Organization, and now Fieldstone Golf Club and Troon Golf. Greg shares how his journey—from intern at Oakmont during the 2007 U.S. Open to dual-role leader overseeing ten Troon properties—has shaped his approa...