The Business in Golf 100 List: Celebrating the Unsung Heroes Shaping the Future of the Game

ModSport Media Inc. — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 17:15:00 -0700

Who are the people quietly shaping the future of golf? The founders, creators, operators, and community builders whose names you don't see on the leaderboards, but whose impact is felt across the industry. In this bonus episode, Colin Weston sits down with David Hyland, co-founder of Business in Golf, to talk about The 100 List - a new, fully independent initiative designed to recognize and celebrate the inspiring individuals driving the game forward. If you believe that golf's future belongs to more than just the household names, this episode is your invitation to shine a light on someone who deserves it.
Oh by the way - you can nominate yourself!

Nominations are open until October 30, 2026

The Business in Golf 100 is now accepting nominations from across the global golf industry. You can nominate yourself, a colleague, a peer, a friend, or anyone you believe is doing great work to grow the game and inspire others.

The five criteria they'll be judging against will be impact, innovation, inspiration, contribution to the future of the industry, and then character and values.

➡️ Nominate at: businessingolf.com/the100list

It's free to nominate, open to anyone, anywhere in the world, and the final 100 is decided by a fully independent judging panel chaired by Martin Slumbers (former CEO of the R&A).

Categories are guides, not quotas. If someone is making an impact, nominate them!

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then check out our extended bonus segment with David on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below to watch.

3 Key Takeaways from This Episode

Golf's New Consumer Isn't Being Measured Properly – David argues the industry's reliance on "rounds played" misses the bigger picture. Many new golf consumers never play 18 holes—they play simulators, short-form courses, watch YouTube golf, and buy apparel. Understanding this new consumer is essential for long-term growth.
Outside Perspectives Are a Superpower, Not a Weakness – Neither David nor his co-founder Leanne came from the golf industry. Rather than being a credibility gap, their 20+ years of external commercial and innovation experience lets them ask different questions and bring a fresh lens to golf business news.
The 100 List Democratizes Recognition – Unlike traditional power lists that celebrate the usual suspects, The Business in Golf 100 is about contribution, not profile. It's open to anyone, at any level, anywhere in the world - and women are especially encouraged to nominate and be nominated.

Inspiring Quotes from David Hyland

"We apply our external macro experience to the news that's happening within the golf industry and bring a slightly different perspective to the story. We may ask slightly different questions than what questions would be asked within the golf industry."

"It's not about their position or their job title or the company that they work for. It's about the individual and the work that they're doing. It's the impact. It's not their profile, it's about their contribution."

"Golf is attracting people from outside the industry both at a professional level, but also from a playing level as well. Both need to work together to help the industry keep on growing. You need people to come in with outside perspectives and with outside opinions and questions."

"We're looking for founders, we're looking for innovators, creators, operators, executives, community leaders and brand builders, rising stars, people who are having a global or local impact. Anyone can nominate themselves a colleague, a peer, a friend, whoever that might be who they believe is making a difference and helping to inspire others to make a difference to the industry. I think what makes this different maybe from other award programs or recognition programs is this is about the people."

"It's not about who they work for or their job title, it's about the impact that they're having not their profile. So it doesn't matter if they're really well known or not known at all, it's about what they're doing that really matters. It's their contribution as opposed to their popularity."

➡️ Nominate at: businessingolf.com/the100list

We want to thank Golf Genius Software for presenting this episode of The ModGolf Podcast!
Are you a golf course owner, manager or operator looking to increase both your profit margins and on-course experience?

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

Episode Chapters

00:00 - Welcome to The ModGolf Podcast – Bonus Episode with David Hyland
01:22 - Meet David Hyland, Co-Founder of Business in Golf
02:08 - The Why: Filling a Gap in Golf Business Coverage
04:34 - The Ryder Cup Catalyst: Why the Industry Needed a New Voice
06:20 - Curating the Weekly Newsletter: Process, Perspective & the LIV/Rahm Story
09:34 - Outside the Industry: How Not Coming from Golf Became a Superpower
12:26 - Overhyped vs. Ready to Take Off: David's Take on Golf Business Trends
14:38 - YouTube Golf & the New Entry Point for Young Players
19:23 - Introducing The Business in Golf 100
22:20 - The Judging Panel: Martin Slumbers, Rick Shiels, Katrina Matthew & More
25:52 - Democratizing Recognition: Contribution Over Profile
28:32 - How to Nominate – Deadline October 30, 2026
30:23 - Encouraging Women to Nominate & Be Nominated
32:31 - Connect with Business in Golf & The 100 List
33:09 - Closing Thoughts & YouTube Bonus Conversation

Connect with David Hyland & Business in Golf

Website: businessingolf.com
The 100 List Nominations: businessingolf.com/the100list
Instagram: @businessingolf
LinkedIn: Business in Golf
Newsletter: Free weekly newsletter every Friday
Founding Partner of The 100 List: RepSpark

Special Guest: David Hyland - Co-Founder, Business in Golf.

"This Is Going To Change My Life!" - Jeff Nicholson with VertaCat Mobility Riders

ModSport Media Inc. — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 14:30:00 -0700

"I have been involved with a lot of products over my life but this product is like no other. A year ago I didn't even know what an adaptive golf cart was. We have learned so much. We meet our prospects on the driving range where we adjust the seats, hook up the strapping and get them in and buckled in. They lift themselves up, grab a 7-iron and take a swing. When they connect they make eye contact with their friends and a smile comes on their face and they say "This is going to change my life!" I always get goosebumps and tears in my eyes. This is a blessing and we're just so thankful that we get to participate in it." ... Jeff Nicholson, Chief Marketing Officer with VertaCat

We want to thank Golf Genius Software who have supported The ModGolf Podcast since 2019!
Are you a golf course owner, manager or operator looking to increase both your profit margins and on-course experience?

Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com.

VertaCat - The all-terrain mobility rider that elevates you into a standing position. Developed by a paraplegic athlete, VertaCat™ is loaded with state-of-the-art performance and safety features that you won’t find anywhere else.

Max Togisala's 2023 USGA Open Victory
Join us in congratulating Max Togisala on his victory in the Seated Impairment category at the 2023 USGA Adaptive Open. Max's achievement is truly inspirational and we are thrilled to celebrate this moment with you.

You can also find out more about Jeff on his bio page.

Want to learn about VertaCat, see some inspiring testimonials and even book a demo? Have a look at the VertaCat website for more.

Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear!

As the creator and host of The ModGolf Podcast and YouTube channel I've been telling golf entrepreneurship and innovation stories since May 2017 and I love the community of ModGolfers that we are building.

I'm excited to announce that I just launched our ModGolf Patreon page to bring together our close-knit community of golf-loving people! As my Patron you will get access to exclusive live monthly interactive shows where you can participate, ask-me-anything video events, bonus content, golf product discounts and entry in members-only ModGolf Giveaway contests.

I'm offering two monthly membership tiers at $5 and $15 USD, but you can also join for free. Your subscription will ensure that The ModGolf Podcast continues to grow so that I can focus on creating unique and impactful stories that support and celebrate the future of golf.

Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf

I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

Special Guest: Jeffrey Nicholson - Chief Marketing Officer with VertaCat.

The ModGolf Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Golf Accessibility”