The ModGolf Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Pga Tour”

Season 18 Wrap-up / Season 19 Preview

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:15:00 -0700

That's a wrap for Season 18 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our team is currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 19, which launches in March 2026. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how innovation, inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.

If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our twelve Season 18 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had with some of the golf industry's top influencers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hopefully this will inspire you to listen to a couple of the episodes listed below. Let us know which ones you enjoyed the most and why you liked them!

Our Season 18 guests were:

Episode 1
David Buck CEO at Big Swing Kings
In this high-energy season 18 premiere, host Colin Weston sits down with David Buck, the charismatic and hilarious founder of Big Swing Kings. David is on a mission to inject more joy and simplicity into the game of golf, moving away from over-complicated instruction and back to the fundamental truths of what makes a ball go straight.

A former professional golfer who “won’t see his name on any trophies,” David discovered his unique teaching style by accident when a video of him roasting (then instructing) a golfer’s swing went viral. He breaks down why the quest for “consistency” is often misguided, why impact is the only position that truly matters, and how he’s even learning to play left-handed to better understand the learning process for his students.
Click to listen >> Combining Golf Entertainment and Education To Improve Your Golf Game

Episode 2
Kelly Gold Founder of Teefox.golf
"Wouldn't it be cool if you could send your user a notification saying, 'hey, a tee time just opened up at that course you play all the time'? That's what we have built." Kelly Gold, Founder at TeeFox.Golf joins us to share how they remove the frustrations around trying to book a tee time while solving the $12.3 billion problem plaguing golf courses.
Click to listen >> Sniffing Out The Best Tee Times

Episode 3
Todd Keirstead - Golf Entertainer and Skin Cancer Survivor
"If I let the scars be a conversation piece, then hopefully they raise awareness and motivate people to take personal action". Todd Keirstead - Motivational Speaker | Skin Cancer Survivor | Celebrity Golf Entertainer | CEO & Founder of ParaGolf Canada joins us to share his personal journey with skin cancer and how the healing process shapes his world view.
Click to listen >> Finding Purpose on The Practice Tee

Episode 4
Tom Coyne - Best Selling Author and Founder of Coyne Golf
"I don't think people want to read books about going out and doing safe, normal things. So this idea of doing unreasonable things led me into the way I approached Ireland. The crazy idea was, I'll play Ireland as one giant golf course and I'll do it all on foot." Tom Coyne, best selling author and founder of Coyne Golf joins us to share some compelling human interest stories, his quirky travelogue, and a deep exploration of obsession with golf as the backdrop.
Click to listen >> A Course Called Coyne

Episode 5
Matt Erley - CEO of Old Tom Capital
Are you wondering where the real disruption in golf is happening beyond the headlines? Discover why "more people watch golf on YouTube than all linear television golf combined," and where the smartest money is betting on the game's future. Matt Erley, CEO of Old Tom Capital, explains the gaps they are filling and why he believes, "Golf is experiencing incredible growth and innovation and will continue to do so."
Click to listen >> Fuelling Golf's Next Big Ideas

Episode 6
Alex Prasad - CEO of V1 Sports
"Golfers and instructors can tell you their pain points and aspirations, but what they can't tell you is the solution. It's not their job. That's ours." Alex Prasad, the CEO of V1 Sports shares the company journey from its origins in pioneering video analysis to its current position as an innovator leveraging AI and ground force sensors.
Click to listen >> Creating a Unique Lesson Path For Every Golfer

Episode 7
Jonathan Sessa - Founder of The Warrior Golf Academy
What happens when you hit rock bottom and a higher power refuses to let you go? For US Army veteran Jonathan Sessa, the answer was found not in a hospital or a therapy session, but on a golf course. In this profound and powerful episode, host Colin Weston sits down with Jonathan to explore how he transformed his deepest despair into a mission of hope and healing for others through The Warrior Golf Academy.
Click to listen >> How Golf is Healing Heroes

Episode 8
Matt Fisher - Creator of The Mr. Short Game YouTube Channel
YouTube golf content creator Matt Fisher and host Colin Weston dissect the record-breaking success of the Internet Invitational and its over 23 million views. He explains how its raw, personality-driven format is a blueprint for the future, offering a masterclass in what modern golf fans truly want from their entertainment.
Click to listen >> How The Internet Invitational Sparked a Golf Media Revolution

Episode 9
Chris Kallmeyer - CEO at Golf Genius
Does your business struggle to balance culture with growth? Golf Genius CEO Chris Kallmeyer joins us to offer a masterclass in sustainable growth thats reveals how strategic business innovation, a fanatical focus on customer experience, and disciplined acquisitions fuelled their rise to a global powerhouse in the golf industry.
Click to listen >> Scaling Success: How Golf Genius Grew Into a Global Powerhouse

Episode 10
Devon Fox - Senior Director of Digital Programs with The PGA Tour
What if the key to innovating the PGA Tour fan experience was someone who'd never picked up a club? Meet Devon Fox, the Tour's Senior Director of Digital Programs, who reveals how asking the "weird" questions led to breakthroughs like the Fan Council and the tech behind the stunning Apple Vision Pro app. Dive into a conversation that goes beyond golf to explore the future of sports engagement, technology strategy, and creating genuine inclusion from the inside out.
Click to listen >> A Non-Golfer's Strategy For PGA Tour Digital Innovation

Episode 11
Phillis Meti - World Long Drive Champion
What does it truly mean to win at the highest level? For World #3 Long Drive competitor Phillis Meti, victory is measured not just by the bombs she hits past 380 yards, but by the pathways she builds for those who follow. In this powerful episode, we go beyond the grid to explore how a career forged in speed and competition has evolved into a mission of mentorship and legacy. Phillis shares her incredible journey from New Zealand to the world stage, revealing the mindset shifts for longevity, the entrepreneurial ventures that fuel her, and her heartfelt mission to "pull others up" by creating educational opportunities for the next generation of student-athletes.

Discover the untold story of a champion who uses her platform to kick down doors so others can walk through. Listen for invaluable insights on golf performance, athletic mindset, sports business, and the profound impact of creating a legacy that lifts everyone higher.
Click to listen >> Beyond The Grid: Creating Legacy Through Long Drive

Episode 12
Amaya Athill - Founder of Golf Interupted / Regional Director with Golf Canada
She was a rising lawyer until one pivotal golf event made her change everything. Amaya Athill of Golf Canada shares her incredible journey from the courtroom to the fairway, detailing the isolation she felt as a woman of colour on the course and her proven playbook to fix it. Learn the #1 secret to building trust with underrepresented communities, why access isn't just about tee times, and her top strategies for making golf more welcoming for women and kids. This conversation is a masterclass in inclusive growth for golf enthusiasts and industry leaders alike.
Click to listen >> Leaving Law to Liberate The Links

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.

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 about our ModGolf Patreon that brings together our close-knit community of golf-loving people! As a Patroen member 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 Guests: Alex Prasad - CEO at V1 Sports, Amaya Athill - Founder of Golf Interrupted / Regional Director with Golf Canada, Chris Kallmeyer, CEO at Golf Genius Software, Devon Fox - Senior Director of Digital Programs at the PGA Tour, Jonathan Sessa - Founder of The Warrior Golf Academy, Kelly Gold - Founder at TeeFox.Golf, Matt Erley - Managing Partner at Old Tom Capital, Matt Fisher, Creator of The Mr. Short Game YouTube channel, Phillis Meti: World Long Drive Champion, Entrepreneur, and Legacy Builder, Todd Keirstead - golf entertainer and skin cancer survivor, and Tom Coyne - best selling writer and Founder of Coyne Golf.

A Non-Golfer's Strategy for PGA Tour Digital Innovation - with guest Devon Fox

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:45:00 -0800

What does a non-golfer who loves Radiohead and once worked in a nightclub bring to the PGA Tour? A fresh perspective that drives groundbreaking innovation. In this long-awaited conversation, host Colin Weston sits down with Devon Fox, the Senior Director of Digital Programs at the PGA Tour. After eight years of connecting on LinkedIn, they finally dive into Devon’s unique journey from NASCAR and Nike to leading digital innovation in golf.

Devon shares how her initial (and only) disastrous golf experience became a strategic advantage, allowing her to ask the questions no one else would. She pulls back the curtain on building the PGA Tour's first Fan Council, the decade-long process that led to the stunning Apple Vision Pro app, and how she intentionally "worked herself out of a job" to bake innovation into the Tour's DNA.

Beyond technology, Devon opens up about the deeply personal motivation behind founding the PGA Tour's LGBTQ+ employee resource group, PRISM, and her advocacy for meaningful, policy-driven inclusion. This is a story about challenging tradition, the power of process, and building a future for golf that engages every fan.

Key takeaways in this episode with Devon that you will discover:

"Golf Ignorance" as an Innovation Superpower:
Devon explains how not being a golfer allowed her to challenge sacred traditions and ask fundamental questions that insiders might overlook, leading to truly fresh thinking in digital fan engagement.

Innovation is a Process, Not a Department:
Learn how Devon moved the PGA Tour from having a small innovation team to baking innovative thinking into the product development process itself, ensuring it becomes a sustainable part of the culture.

Inclusion Starts with Internal Policy, Not External Marketing:
Devon shares her impactful, criteria-driven approach to LGBTQ+ advocacy to create PRISM within the PGA Tour workplace, focusing first on tangible employee benefits and education before any public-facing campaigns, creating lasting structural change.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 - 02:10: Introduction and a Connection Eight Years in the Making
02:10 - 04:20: Devon's First (and Only) Golf Experience: A Hot, Hungry Disaster
04:20 - 07:20: The Strategic Advantage of Being a Non-Golfer & Asking "Weird" Questions
07:20 - 11:20: Building the Fan Council & Sourcing Ideas Directly from Fans
11:20 - 13:30: Learning from the NBA and the Two Rules of Sports Tech Innovation
13:30 - 16:30: Bridging Generations: Using New Tech to Showcase Golf History
16:30 - 19:15: The Innovation Process: From Design Thinking to Working Herself Out of a Job
19:15 - 23:35: Career Journey: From Soul-Sucking Banking to NASCAR and Global Retail at Nike
23:35 - 30:40: Advocacy in Action: Founding PRISM & Driving LGBTQ+ Inclusion from the Inside Out
30:40 - 33:00: The Size and Scope of the PGA Tour Organization
33:00 - 37:00: A Decade-Long Win: The Journey to the Apple Vision Pro App
37:00 - 38:15: Fostering a Culture of Ideas: The Annual Hackathon
38:15 - END: Closing & Teaser for the YouTube Candy Taste Test

Quotable Moments from Devon:

On bringing an outside perspective:
"I really held on to this lack of golf experience and knowledge to give me permission to ask those weird questions that nobody else would ask. It really benefited me."

On the purpose of technology:
"You don't just do innovation and emerging technology for the sake of doing it. It has to have some value for the fan. You have to dig deep and find out what that is."

On the long game of innovation:
"One win I'm really proud of is the work that led up to the Apple Vision Pro app. It's this progression of 'let's see what we require to create it and let's go get after that, then build it in and operationalize that.'"

Want to see Devon's reaction to tasting Thrills, a truly bizarre Canadian "soap-flavoured" gum from the 1970s while trying to carry on a conversation with Colin? Then check out our exclusive and fun bonus segment on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below to watch.

Devon Fox's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/devon-fox
Beyond technology, Devon is a passionate advocate for meaningful inclusion within the sports industry. Driven by a personal commitment to creating safer, more supportive workplaces, she founded and leads PRISM, the PGA Tour’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group. Under her leadership, the group has driven substantive policy changes, including the expansion of benefits and resources, demonstrating her belief that true progress is built on internal structural change. Through her dual focus on operational excellence and human-centric culture, Devon Fox plays a pivotal role in shaping both the digital future and the inclusive ethos of the PGA Tour.

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

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.

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

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

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.

Special Guest: Devon Fox - Senior Director of Digital Programs at the PGA Tour.

Masters Memories and Your Canadian Golf Course Bucket List - Adam Scully, Host and Producer of Golf Talk Canada

The ModGolf Podcast — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 20:15:00 -0800

In this episode of ModGolf Live, host Colin Weston interviews Adam Scully, host and producer of Golf Talk Canada on TSN. Adam shares his journey in golf broadcasting, starting as an intern at TSN in 2011 and evolving into his current role. He discusses the show's growth from a regional radio program to a national multimedia platform covering professional golf, Canadian players, equipment reviews, and travel features. Adam details his first Masters experience in 2023, describing the unique atmosphere and course characteristics at Augusta National. The conversation also covers Canadian golf courses, with Adam highlighting top public venues around Toronto. The show concludes with discussion of Golf Talk Canada's future plans for 2025, including more on-course content and YouTube presence.

Chapters
02:05 Introduction and Show Background
Colin Weston introduces Adam Scully as the host and producer of Golf Talk Canada on TSN. The show covers PGA Tour events and broadcasts on both television and podcast formats.

08:41 Adam Scully's Career Journey
Adam details his progression from TSN intern in 2011 to his current role, including his transition to hosting during COVID-19. He describes how the show evolved from a 30-minute recap show to multiple hours of weekly content.

14:03 Masters Tournament Experience
Adam shares his first Masters experience in 2023, describing the unique aspects of Augusta National, including the strict no-phone policy and the distinctive white sand bunkers. He details the Monday practice round experience and the media lottery system.

27:08 Canadian Golf Course Recommendations for your next amazing golf trip
Adam highlights top public golf courses in the Toronto area, including Eagles Nest, TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, Cobble Beach Resort, and Black Bear Ridge, providing detailed descriptions of each venue's unique characteristics. Colin also offers up his top golf course picks on the Canadian west coast to consider for your next golf vacation, ranging from world class courses around Vancouver, Whister, The Okanagan and Vancouver Island. You can check out Golf Talk Canada's list of "Top 50 Canadian Golf courses HERE.

33:17 Future Plans and Industry Trends
Adam discusses Golf Talk Canada's plans for 2025, including more on-course content and YouTube presence. He mentions the anticipated PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger and predicts a strong year for Rory McIlroy.

Action Items
31:38 Adam and team to continue coverage of the anticipated PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger developments
34:16 Adam plans to expand Golf Talk Canada's content with more on-course matches and YouTube presence in 2025
41:48 Colin Weston proposes future golf rounds with Adam either in Toronto or Vancouver

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, you can watch our video version on The ModGolf YouTube channel for our weekly ModGolf LIVE Show. Click on this link or the image below to watch our video.

If you would like to connect with Adam, visit his bio page for contact information. To learn more about Golf Talk Canada click on the image below to visit their website.

We want to thank our friends at Golf Genius Software for presenting this episode of The ModGolf Podcast!

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.

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

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

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

You Don't Know What It's Like To Work For You - Scott Stratten, Creator of UnMarketing

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 13:30:00 -0700

"UnMarketing is my attempt to reduce hypocritical marketing, because I saw twenty years ago that people were interuptively marketing in a way they hated to be marketed to. I realized there had to be better ways than this "push and prey" mentality and instead choose a "pull and stay" mindset to authentically build community so that when people need your product or service they will unconditionally choose you."

Scott Stratten is the Creator of UnMarketing. He is one of the leading speakers/authors in the world when it comes to helping audiences embrace the age of disruption and look at business differently using the pillars of integrity, authenticity and community.

                                        ______________________________________________

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

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

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

______________________________________________

Click on the image below to watch our extended conversation with Scott on our Youtube Channel!

🥊 COMPETE or ☮️ COEXIST. What should LIV Golf and The PGA Tour do?
Scott and host Colin Weston dig into the bitter rivalry between The PGA Tour and LIV Golf and explore the messaging behind their actions one year into the emergence of the upstart tour.

"So what is a stereotype in business and how can we be the opposite of it? Is it snooty? Is it privileged? Is it elitist? These are all the things have been said about golf. Is it white? Is it male? We either look at it and can deny this stuff or we can say, "okay so how do we break through that?" We look at who we are hiring and say, "how do we make the experience different?" You're not going to change the course for the most part. I'm not talking about changing how high or low you mow the grass or the pin position on the greens. I'm talking about the human experience and human-centric design. When you come to my golf course, when you walk into my Pro Shop, when you walk into the club and grab a bite on the turn, we're going to be so fricking happy to see you. We're going to be so into you for choosing our course over the nineteen thousand four hundred twenty five other ones, you're never going to look at another course again."

You can also connect with Scott on his bio page, along with checking out the UnMarketing website.

How do you create a marketing buzz that authentically represents your brand? Scott accomplished this 15 years ago when he shared his break up with long time relationship partner... The Toronto Maple Leafs. Check out Scott's fun, self-deprecating and poignant >> YouTube video.

Special Guest: Scott Stratten - The Creator of UnMarketing.

Creating Phenomenal Customer Experiences Through Golf - Alyson Ramsey Johnson, CEO at Gilly Group and Co-Founder at White Tee Partners

The ModGolf Podcast — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 18:00:00 -0700

"I always knew I wanted to be a boss. I didn't know of what but I had that calling to want to help brands and businesses, create these phenomenal experiences for their customers through golf, whether that was sponsorship activation, hospitality or promoting their brands. So I knew I needed to get more of a differentiator for myself in the golf industry, especially as a woman."

"I knew I had the itch to do it. I just needed to get more experience under my belt. So when I launched Gilly Group I took all my favorite experiences, I left behind HR Communications, the ice cream socials, the investor relations and never looked back. Honestly it's really been my greatest joy to do this because I love working in golf. I love the people that I know and it's just a lot of fun to bring that to the end consumer."

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

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

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

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Alyson on our Youtube Channel!

We're excited to announce that our very own podcasting platform, Zencastr has become a new sponsor of the show! Click on the discount link for 30% off a Zencastr Professional account using the promo code THEMODGOLFPOD.

Zencastr is an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives you studio quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how. It records each guest locally, then uploads the crystal clear audio and video right into the suite so you have high-quality raw materials to work with.
Zencastr: It’s time to share your story!

Want to learn more about Alyson and Gilly Group? Visit their website to see how Alyson and her team deliver marketing strategy, business development, sports marketing and sponsorship activation solutions for their golf industry clients.

On the podcast Alyson discussed the value of finding a likeminded partner with a complimentry skill set when starting a new business venture. She co-founded White Tee Partners with good friend LeslieAnne Wade, where they deliver awareness and exposure to products, brands, leagues, and talent within the golf space using rich storytelling and engaging content while utilizing their extensive network within the golf industry.

Click on the image below to learn more about White Tee Partners.

You can learn more about and connect with Alyson on her bio page.

Special Guest: Alyson Ramsey Johnson - CEO at Gilly Group, Co-Founder of White Tee Partners.

The courage to innovate during tumultuous times - Bryan Crawford, RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 22:30:00 -0700

"I've always been in the camp of we'll return to pre-pandemic conditions because as humans we crave that interaction of shared experiences. That is what we strive to deliver with The RBC Canadian Open."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Bryan on our Youtube Channel!

Want learn more about the positive impact Golf Canada and The RBC Canadian Open generate? Check out their websites to learn more.
https://www.golfcanada.ca
https://rbccanadianopen.com

Want to download The Golf Canada app to track your handicap and for a chance to win an invite to the Audi Night Golf event? Download it from the Apple App Store for free. Android version is also available.

You can learn more about Bryan on his bio page.

Show Notes and Bryan Quotes
"We have created something that we feel really strongly about once we have the opportunity to come back in 2022 we are excited to be able to run with it. We drive over 82 million dollars of economic activity, never mind the two million that we give to charity and community organizations that we work with. So there's recognition of how important those are in providing support to organizations like ourselves to invest in new enhancements, which is wildly beneficial to an organization like ours that would otherwise have to do it much more slowly or perhaps not at all."

Special Guest: Bryan Crawford - RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director with Golf Canada.

Lessons Learned On The PGA Tour To Raise Your Mental Performance - Dick Zokol, CEO and Founder of MindTRAK Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 08:30:00 -0700

"For the first six months during my PGA Tour rookie year I couldn't make a cut and I'm getting all wound up. I knew I was playing well but my hyperactive mind was causing so much anxiety. I listened to music to calm down with a Sony Walkman so I thought "why don't I listen to it on the golf course?" Nicknamed "Disco Dick" after playing a 1982 PGA Tour event wearing a Sony Walkman, two-time tour winner Dick Zokol joins us to share how listening to music on course to calm his hyperactive mind were the seeds that led to the creation of MindTRAK Golf.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Dick on our Youtube Channel!

Want to give MindTRAK Golf a try? Download it from the Apple App Store for free. Android version coming soon.

You can learn more about Dick on his bio page.

Show Notes and Dick Quotes
"My first year on the PGA Tour, like most rookies I felt really uncomfortable. I got there thinking "oh my God, I have my PGA Tour card but now what am I going to do?" I'm amongst Jack Nicklaus and Freddie Couples, Arnold Palmer and there's Lee Trevino. For six months I couldn't make a cut and I'm getting all wound up. I knew I was playing well but my hyperactive mind was causing so much anxiety. I listened to music to calm down with a Sony Walkman so I thought "why don't I listen to it on the golf course?" which was a dangerous proposition.

The next week was Milwaukee so I put the Walkman in my bag and was playing with Larry Mize. 100 yards from the clubhouse I put the headphones on and Larry yells "Look at Disco Dick!" So I've got the rock and roll going and I'm coming down the 18th fairway seven under par and I'm so comfortable. I'm in my own little world listening to music and it's effortless. I led the tournament after the first round all the way up to the last hole on Sunday. This was a monumental discovery learning what music did to me.

At that moment I realized "Wow, this game is psychological because the only thing that has changed is how I thought". I can't physically compete with Fred Couples, but from a mindfulness perspective I can compete if I perform mentally. Now looking back at it, those were the seeds that led to the creation of MindTRAK Golf."

Special Guest: Dick Zokol - CEO and Founder of MindLink Golf.

Building a Business That Helps People Fall In Love With Golf - Dr. Greta Anderson, Founder of Dr. Greta Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0800

"We are making progress but there definitely are a lot of areas that we need to do more work. It's implied bias. I'm continuously saddened by the number of people - especially women of colour - who land at my lesson tee. Often times it is a return to golf after a bad experience that happened a decade or two ago and for whatever reason they have decided to give it one more shot and they found me".

To open Season 9, host Colin Weston is joined by LPGA Teaching Professional Dr. Greta Anderson - Founder of Dr. Greta Golf - to learn how she applies her PhD in Higher Learning and voracious curiosity to help students understand the WHY.

______________________________________________

After testing the deWiz biofeedback swing analysis product we were so impressed with the results that we invited them to offer you an exclusive 10% OFF your purchase using promo code MODGOLF! CLICK TO SAVE on deWiz to see (and feel) lasting results in your swing tempo, length and path improvement.

______________________________________________

To learn more about Dr. Greta, check out her bio page and Instagram @drgretagolf

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Dr. Greta on our Youtube Channel!

                                        ______________________________________________

If you love golf, we have exclusive deals on golf gear and services that we use and support! We launched The ModGolf Pro Shop to offer you - our ModGolfers - 10-20% OFF exclusive discounts using promo code MODGOLF. We have curated a diverse selection of awesome brands like KINONA, deWiz Golf, ODIN Golf, Back2Basics Golf, Deuce and Project72Golf to help you play better and look great while doing it. CLICK TO SHOP AND SAVE.

______________________________________________

Show Notes and Greta Quotes...
"Apart from the collateral damage of the pandemic itself, it was a great year from my perspective to focus on the client. Because golf served as an outlet, as a stress reliever for a new adventure when other adventures weren't available, it serves as so many things for so many people last year that i really felt that it forced me to up my game. So this past season was one of my best ever. It was exciting to introduce so many people to golf, to reintroduce so many people to golf and for so many people who decided that golf was going to be their jam. They really want to get good at it and learn more about it beyond just hitting the ball. That's exciting to me. I love when people want to learn golf. I feel like a big part of my job is kind of like Love Connection. It's my job to help people fall in love with golf."

"Golf is a beautiful sport in many ways but I also saw how difficult it is to learn golf. The interesting things that really fortified my desire to build this business as a very good golfer from the right side of the ball, was when I began this journey and committed to learning and starting all over again as a left handed golfer. I had to forget what I knew and start over. I got rid of all my right handed equipment and went to a golf store with my dad and bought beginner clubs and started from scratch. I was shocked by the lack of enthusiasm that several instructors who I visited with had. I was told a couple of times "you're probably not going to be that good anymore!". Like who says that? It was once I met an unbelievable instructor that things changed. I was struggling to get consistent ball-first contact and get the ball into the air. I told her my intentions and she didn't bat an eye and said "yeah, we can make that happen!".

"We are making progress but there definitely are a lot of areas that we need to do more work. It's implied bias. I'm continuously saddened by the number of people - especially women of colour - who land at my lesson tee. I always like to learn their history. Everyone's story is so interesting to me. I think that's the social scientist in me. I just love the human stories. But I also like to narrow in and understand where they are coming from in golf. Often times it is a return to golf after a bad experience that happened a decade or two ago and for whatever reason they have decided to give it one more shot and they found me. That makes me so happy but I'm always so sad hearing these stories because they could have been enjoying this great game for twenty years! But because you ran into a jerk, had a bad experience or you were purposely excluded from the golf network at the law firm or wherever they work. There are so many forces in place that have discouraged people of colour from getting involved in the game. It works on many people. Fortunately there are increasing numbers who are saying "no, that looks like fun and like something I want to try". Whether it's purely for fun or they realize that golf is a great business tool. Any number of those factors but that's really one of the driving forces that gets on my nerves. I don't like being the exception on the course.

"What I saw was a lot of people really wanting to move the golf needle, but many people want to understand how to move their needle. Most golfers that I work with now know that I'm very big on the WHY. It's not just what and how I say, but why I say it. I want to create an informed student who is a great golf citizen. I do not want you be dependent on me although yes, that's what I'm here for as a professional to help you refine and build your skill set but I want you to most importantly be an informed golfer. So as a passionate educator, just an if I was coaching at the collegiate level or teaching first grade, I'm the same way on the lesson tee. Excellence in education is significant because I am passionate about growing the game. Here's what I know: golf is way more fun and you're more likely to stay engaged in this great sport if you have some skills".

"I sensed that I was missing the breakthrough because often times, teachers and coaches it's more about what they're telling you to do and not questioning and not searching for the WHY. I always need to understand the why. I'll walk to the ends of the earth for you if I understand why. Every learner does not require that, but many do and many don't realize how helpful the why is. That's just my philosophy and my approach. I probably say that a hundred times every day on the lesson tee, but I feel it's so important that I want you to understand why. Why is the ball flying like that? Why is the ball hooking to the left or right? Not just "It is and that's disappointing for you", let me help you make the connection of the laws of ball flight. It's physics, it's nothing personal. The club just isn't doing what it needs to do".

Special Guest: Dr. Greta Anderson - Founder of Dr. Greta Golf and LPGA Teaching Professional.

Season 8 Wrap-up / Season 9 Preview

The ModGolf Podcast — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0800

That's a wrap for Season 8 of The ModGolf Podcast! Our passionate team of content creators are currently working on your next twelve episodes for Season 9, which launches February 19 2021. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of guests who discussed how inclusion, technology, entertainment, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf.

If you didn’t get the chance to listen to all of our ten Season 8 episodes, this bonus show gives you a recap of the great conversations I had with some of the golf industry's top influencers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Hopefullly this will inspire you to listen to a couple of the episodes listed below.

Our Season 8 guests were:

Episode 1
Terry Koehler - Edison Golf Chairman and Director of Innovation
Applying 40 Years of Golf Entrepreneurship to Innovate Wedge Design

Episode 2
Malcolm Scovil - Founder of Imagine Golf
Building Educational and Entertaining Content For Passionate Consumers

Episode 3
Kat and Is Shee - "The Shee Sisters" Social Media Golf Influencers
Harnessing a Love For Golf To Fuel Their Entrepreneurial Hustle

Episode 4
Robert Sereci - GM/COO at Medinah Country Club
Applying a Startup Mindset To Innovate Club Experiences

Episode 5
Reid Fowler - PGA Fantasy & Betting Analyst for DraftKings
Powering PGA Tour Fan Engagement To Expand Tournament Viewership

Episode 6
Scott Moore - Golf Product Manager for Garmin International
How a Human-Centered Design Approach Leads To Innovate Golf Products

Episode 7
David Grieshaber - Chief Information Officer at Gamerz Golf
Creating The Next Generation of Golf Entertainment Experiences

Episode 8
Charles Dillahunt - The PGA of America's Strategic Adjunct to the Chief Executive and Chief People Officers
Breaking Down Barriers in Golf by Engaging The Unengaged

Episode 9
Nick Steiner - Founder, Back2Basics Golf
Building Resiliency by Expressing Gratitude and Celebrating The Small Wins

Episode 10
Alissa Kacar - Social Media Host @NewLadyGolfer
Sharing Stories From Her Journey as a New Golfer

Episode 11
Broderick Higby - Creator of Golf AI and The Golf AI App
How Artificial Intelligence Makes Golf Improvement Accessible For Everyone

Episode 12
Tadd Fujikawa - Pro Golfer and LGBTQ+ Spokesperson
Finding Happiness and Balance in Both Golf and Life

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

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

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

Special Guests: Alissa Kacar - Instagram Golf Influencer @newladygolfer and beginner golfer, Broderick Higby - Creator of Golf AI, Charles Dillahunt - PGA of America’s Strategic Adjunct To The CEO and CPO / VenderMatch / JobMatch, David Grieshaber - CIO at Gamerz Golf, Is Shee - Golf Entrepreneur and YouTube/Instagram Influencer, Malcolm Scovil - Founder, TLDR and Imagine Golf, Nick Steiner - Founder, Back2Basics Golf, Reid Fowler - DraftKings PGA Fantasy Sports & Betting Analyst, Robert Sereci - GM / COO at Medinah Country Club, Scott Moore - Product Manager at Garmin International, Tadd Fujikawa, Pro Golfer and LGBTQ+ Spokesperson, and Terry Koehler - Chairman / Director of Innovation at Edison Golf Company.

Finding Happiness and Balance in Both Life and Golf - Tadd Fujikawa, Pro Golfer and LGBTQ+ Spokesperson

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 15:00:00 -0800

“I had to relearn how to live and now I feel like I can be myself again. If was different, it was a learning curve which I didn’t expect and it was confusing at first. As far as golf went, I separated the two but in my life I had to relearn so many things. It was great because along the way I found pieces of myself again and I felt like I could be more authentic. The journey I’ve been on since coming out has been very good. Honestly, my golf game isn’t quite where I want it to be but I can say that I’ve never been happier and my mental health has never been better. I have a lot of aspirations that I do want to continue striving for but as of right now I’m happy and pleased with the person that I am and who I have become."
... Tadd Fujikawa, Pro Golfer and LGBTQ+ Spokesperson

Since coming out on Instagram in September 2018, Tadd has been a strong voice in the LGBTQ+ community, supporting impactful organizations like:

The Trevor Project https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Human Rights Campaign / LGBTQ Youth Group https://www.hrc.org/

The Get Real Movement https://www.thegetrealmovement.com/

To learn more about Tadd, check out his bio page and Instagram @taddy808

Are you a golf course owner or operator struggling with the complexities of running tournaments? Do you want to spend less more running them while increasing revenue and profit margins? Check out our friends at Golf Genius to learn how they can help make the magic happen. >> https://www.golfgenius.com/

Special Guest: Tadd Fujikawa, Pro Golfer and LGBTQ+ Spokesperson.

Breaking Down Barriers In Golf By Engaging The Unengaged - Charles Dillahunt, The PGA of America

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 10:30:00 -0800

"My biggest hope for the golf industry is that it one day grows to be more representative of the population of the world, and that it openly welcomes and serves members of all communities and from all walks of life equally and inclusively."

Charles Dillahunt joins us to share how The PGA of America is working to break down barriers to entry for not only playing golf but to participate as a business supplier within the golf industry. “That’s something that I don’t think a lot of people have and if more people took the time to be a mentor, be more than just a manager or a boss. Be a friend and care for people, specifically minorities and under-represented audiences in the business world. I think that is one of the best ways to break down barriers. Share the knowledge and influence that you’ve gained over 30+ years and once the older generation does that, younger people like me are going to be ahead of the game. I believe that will only lead to much more innovation in the game of golf."

Are you part of a minority / veteran / women / disabled peoples owned business that would like to participate in PGA Championship events? Go to https://pgaimpact.org/vendor-inclusion/ to see the qualification requirements and apply. You can also email them at inclusion@pgahq.com to start the conversation.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Charles on our Youtube Channel!

During this episode Charles mentioned his connection to both Sandy Cross - The PGA of America’s Chief People Officer - and Radius Sports Founder Gina Rizzi. I had the pleasure of speaking to both Sandy and Gina on previous episodes, so I also included the links for those if you’d like to hear about the impactful work these dynamic women are spearheading in the golf space.

Gina Rizzi's episode >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/066-gina-rizzi
Sandy Cross' episode >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/030-sandy-cross

Special Guest: Charles Dillahunt - PGA of America’s Strategic Adjunct To The CEO and CPO / VenderMatch / JobMatch.

Creating The Next Generation of Golf Entertainment Experiences - David Grieshaber, Gamerz Golf

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0800

How do you create new value in the expanding $10 billion golf entertainment sector? Our host Colin Weston sits down with entrepreneur, investor and Gamerz Golf CIO David Grieshaber to learn they are combining mobile gaming, user experience design, augmented reality, environmental sustainability, eSports and architectural design to create the next generation of Golf Entertainment Centers.

"Where I see this market going is the games will become more video game-like, they’ll become episodal, iterative, level based and more addictive. All the venues currently in market have taken the model of a driving range or golf game and tried to create a video game built upon that. Where we differ is that we’re in the heart of Xbox, PlayStation and mobile game land. We’re going with that direction. We’re going to take video game quality, PS4, PS5 type of games and downgrade them to become driving range games. That will be a major differentiator in what we are doing with the technology."

"You can hit the ball and look up as the ball is flying through the air you’d see a tracer following it as it lands in a target and you see explosions everywhere with points flying up in the air. So that is what’s called a “Glasses-less AR (augmented reality) experience”. That’s the direction I think is coming to this scenario in the future and what we’ve been working on as a solution for several years."

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with David on our Youtube Channel!
[

To learn more about Gamerz Golf, visit their website >> http://Gamerz.Golf

Enter our latest #ModGolfGiveaway Contest to win an Edison Wedge!

Sign up to our newsletter (https://modgolf.fireside.fm/subscribe) to enter for a chance to win an Edison Wedge. You choose the loft, shaft type and grip to customize it to your liking!

You can also enter the contest by subscribing to The ModGolf YouTube channel and leaving the comment "Enter me in The #ModGolfGiveaway Contest!" for the Edison Wedges ModGolf Product Review video.
Contest closes at 11pm ET Friday December 11 2020.

Special Guest: David Grieshaber - CIO at Gamerz Golf.

How A Human-Centered Design Approach Leads To Innovative Golf Products - Scott Moore / Garmin International

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 09:30:00 -0800

"If you don’t have a “Why Garmin?” then why are we even proposing to make this? So when I go to pitch any product idea, for say the next generation golf watch, I can’t just state “let's make this just because we’re Garmin and we have a lot of success with the last one”. I have to propose some benefit for the customer which is why they will be compelled to buy this. Our host Colin Weston sits down with Golf Product Manager Scott Moore to learn how Garmin approaches their design process through rapid prototyping, user experience feedback and a passionate desire to continually innovate.

"Why will the customer go from the previous version or a competitor’s product to this one? That mentality that we have of always trying to add benefit to our products and not just churn out a bunch of similar products and put lipstick on it and say it’s good now, we are looking to add value every time we create a new product. It’s not just something our leadership says, at every level we always ask that question “Why Garmin?”.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Scott on our Youtube Channel!

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

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

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

Special Guest: Scott Moore - Product Manager at Garmin International.

Powering PGA Tour Fan Engagement To Expand Tournament Viewership - Reid Fowler / DraftKings PGA Analyst

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 15:30:00 -0800

What can golf learn from other pro sport leagues when it comes to how content is consumed, fan engagement is amplified, and collective experiences are heightened? Host Colin Weston speaks with DraftKings PGA Fantasy Sports & Betting Analyst Reid Fowler as he shares how they create fun, memorable experiences for every demographic of sports fan.

Want to see what all the fuss is about with the DraftKings One Million Dollar Masters Contest? Or like me, you want to dip your toe in the sports betting pool and place $20 on a six player Masters "team"? Then check out the DraftKings website or mobile app to put some skin in the game and have some fun!

DraftKings’ has launched the first ever multi-sport $100K free-to-play pool combining The Masters and NFL Sunday. Also, in a study of over 1,000 fans of both football and golf, DraftKings found 77% are interested in engaging with multisport gaming.

Click on the image below to check out our extended conversation with Reid on our Youtube Channel!

Our Top 3 Reid Fowler Quotes From This Episode

Number 3
“How do you capture pro golf coverage without spending a ton of money on infrastructure and technology? The logistics of how you film golf at a PGA tournament, you’re talking about acres and acres of land. It’s just not feasible. How do you increase engagement on a Thursday and Friday at a golf tournament? Well there has to be a push on how golf is being consumed. When I was at Sawgrass for The PLAYERS Championship, they were pushing the technology so that you could see every single shot from every player, whether it be live or you click on the player to see that shot. Now at The Masters, they’re introducing an app so you can choose your favourite golfers and follow them and see every shot. That is going to increase viewership and the ability to engage. When looking to monetize golf tournament viewing, there are a lot of opportunities with this. That is where golf needs to progress. While the tournament is being played, how do get golf on TV and digital platforms sooner rather than later."

Number 2
"When you're watching sports - and maybe it’s just bragging rights with your buddies - but when you have a stake in the game it makes it way more engaging and entertaining. DraftKings has created a platform to amplify the fan engagement around the PGA Tour, especially during those early rounds of a tournament."

Number 1
"Golf is the closest to NFL football when you talk about how fans interaction with fantasy games. The cadence on how someone builds a fantasy football lineup is so similar to golf because it is week-to-week. I saw this correlation and said this is something we should really focus on because engagement heavily increased in the 18 to 35 year old demographic, especially on the Thursday and Friday of a PGA event when viewership is historically the lowest over the four days of a tournament."

At the end of this episode I ask Reid about DraftKings' role as an ethical corporate citizen regarding gambling addiction. I was pleased to hear that DraftKings takes this seriously and continues to expand their education and support for people struggling with with a gambling problem. While the vast majority of people enjoy gambling without falling into addiction, the prevalence rate for persons who veer into pathological gambling and potential life-ruining consequences is about 2.2 percent in the U.S., per 2014 findings by the National Council on Problem Gambling.

With an expansion of legal sports wagering in the U.S., a new cohort of citizens, however small, will get introduced to sports betting and struggle to find the line between entertainment and addiction. If you or someone you love struggle with their relationship with gambling, please reach out to Gamblers Anonymous

Special Guest: Reid Fowler - DraftKings PGA Fantasy Sports & Betting Analyst.

Empowering Women Through Golf - Shella Sylla / SisterGolf

The ModGolf Podcast — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 10:30:00 -0800

"One of the things entrepreneurs need to understand is that before you take the leap there are a lot of steps that you need to prepare before doing it because there will be a period of time when you are building the business with no revenues coming in. You need to sustain yourself so you’re not pressuring the business in order for it to succeed. Because what that leads to is you taking shortcuts and doing things that are detrimental to the business and do not move it forward."

On this episode our guest is Shella Sylla, who is a Career Strategist, Business Golf Professional and Founder/CEO of SisterGolf. SisterGolf specializes in showing professional women how to combine the game of golf with the art of business to gain a higher level of access to more opportunities and accelerate their career advancement.

                                        ______________________________________________

Mission Statement
The mission of SisterGolf is to educate male and female business professionals on how they can use golf as a tool for developing mutually beneficial business relationships, and creating connections for professional advancement in the Corporate America workplace.

Executive Summary
SisterGolf is the brainchild of Shella Sylla, ex-banking executive with over 18 years in the financial services industry. Shella experienced firsthand how golf can positively impact your career or business after taking up the sport early on in her banking career. As a result of signing up for and taking lessons, in a few short months, she went from struggling to meet her monthly goal of $500,000 to being a repeat member of the “Million dollar” club (a designation given to associates who exceeded $1 million in production in any given month).

While reaping the rewards of this new found “secret” to success, Shella noticed that very few women, if any at all were taking advantage of the business development and relationship building opportunities that golf has to offer. This prompted her to create SisterGolf as a tool for helping women to learn and leverage the game of golf for business and career success.

Shortly after launching a series of workshops, clincs and events designed to help women get in the game, Shella began getting numerous requests from male executives and professionals to provide a similar program for them. As a result, what began as a quest to empower women in the workplace, expanded to include a curriculum that will benefit both male and female professionals interested in using golf as a tool for relationship building and professional engagement.
______________________________________________

Special Guest: Shella Sylla - Founder/CEO of SisterGolf.

Entrepreneurial Lessons Learned In The Golf Industry - John Kawaja / Honma Golf (072)

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 10:30:00 -0800

"Extraordinary can happen with a belief that you can change the world. A conviction that gives you the boldness and the creativity to imagine something better, something different We developed a division of a great brand that really had no reason for being, but we gave it one. We created purpose to our approach to golf and the result was changing “the uniform” of the game".

On our first episode of Season 7, Colin speaks with Honma Golf NA President John Kawaja about his three decade career in the golf industry. John shares his experience at TaylorMade adidas Golf where they disruptively innovated the performance apparel side of the game, along with how being part of a world champion curling team helped shape his approach to business leadership.

You can learn more about Honma Golf by visiting https://us.honmagolf.com/

Special Guest: John Kawaja - President of Honma Golf NA.

Creating The World's Most Innovative And Fun Golf Tournament - Carlos Sugich / WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 13:00:00 -0700

When it comes to creating a golf tournament event that puts fan enjoyment at the top of its priority list, The Waste Management Phoenix Open wrote the book. From the organic evolution of the 16,000 seat 16th hole stadium to the Birds Nest nightly music festival, The WMPO continues to push the innovation envelope to place their fans at the center of the five day experience.

2018 Tournament Chairman Carlos Sugich proudly states “Each year we look to build upon the tremendous success of our tournament set by our predecessors. We have some great new things in the works for the 2018 event and we are excited to put these plans into action.”

Sugich lead the Thunderbirds in the planning and execution of every facet of the 2018 tournament, including meeting with current and potential sponsors, recruiting PGA TOUR players to the event and developing new on-course venues.

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

I recently launched our ModGolf Patreon page to bring together our close-knit community of golf-loving people! By joining you will get access to exclusive live weekly interactive shows where you can participate, ask-me-anything video events, bonus content, golf product discounts and entry in members-only ModGolf Giveaway contests.

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

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

The 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open was held at TPC Scottsdale January 29 – February 4, 2018. It is the best-attended golf tournament in the world and has gained legendary status for being the most unique stop on the PGA TOUR. The 2017 tournament broke four attendance records, including a PGA TOUR record 655,434 fans for the week. The 2018 edition will mark the 83rd playing of the event (one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR) and the ninth as the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 250 “life” members. In 2016 The Thunderbirds raised a record $9.3 million for charity and have eclipsed $111 million in charitable giving since its inception in 1932.

The complex four month on-course construction build results in the creation of what Carlos calls "The City", which includes the 16th hole stadium, "The Cove" at the 17th hole and 18th hole grandstand. Watch this "16th hole construction time lapse" YouTube video to experience the effort it takes to create "The Loudest Hole In Golf".

To learn more about the 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open:

website: https://wmphoenixopen.com/
Twitter: @WMPhoenixOpen
Facebook: @WMPhoenixOpen
Instagram: @wmphoenixopen

The Coors Light Birds Nest at The Phoenix Open:

website: https://coorslightbirdsnest.com/
Twitter: @BirdsNestPhx
Instagram: birdsnestphx

Special Guest: Carlos Sugich - Tournament Chairman for the 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Grow The Game By Taking It A Little Less Seriously - Shane Bacon / FOX Sports

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 01:00:00 -0700

Shane offers a broad base of knowledge and understanding of golf, having been involved with the game in a variety of capacities. In 2006, he spent the summer working as a caddie at the historic St. Andrews links course in Scotland and also later caddied in tournament events for LPGA tour professionals Irene Cho and the late Erica Blasberg. A low-single-digit handicap player, he also competed on the mini-tour circuit for a short time between 2007 and 2008.

Shane also hosts his weekly podcast "The Clubhouse With Shane Bacon". We highly recommend giving it a listen (after you've binge-listened to every single ModGolf Podcast episode, of course).

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

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

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

Bacon began his coverage of the sport as a writer for the AOL FanHouse website in 2008. He held that position until 2010 when he began contributing to the Yahoo Sports Devil Ball Golf blog and later accepted a full-time writing position for the CBS’ Eye on Golf blog in 2011. In 2012, he assumed editor duties for the Yahoo Devil Ball site, penning columns, conducting interviews with tour professionals, covering tournament action and producing video content, while also planning the blog’s editorial calendar and overall content strategy. In 2014, he made his first foray into television, joining DirecTV’s upstart “Back9Network,” a golf and lifestyle cable channel, as an on-air personality. During his time with Back9, he co-hosted the show, “The Turn” from the channel’s Connecticut studios.

An experienced digital scribe and former mini-tour competitor, Shane Bacon is now a golf reporter for FOX Sports. In his dynamic role, Bacon serves as an on-course contributor during the network’s digital presentations of all eight USGA Championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, and U.S. Senior Open, in addition to producing columns and videos throughout the year for FOXSports.com.

On this episode Shane and Colin talk about:
• Shane's early days as a sports blogger and his first time is front of the camera at Back9 Network.
• his 'big break' opportunity to join the FOX Sports Golf team.
• why Shane had to "had to readjust my thinking about golf" when considering the future of the game.
• European Tour CEO Keith Pelley's Golf Sixes, match play and team events.
• how other sports love the underdog but golf fans do not.
• what young people think about Tiger Woods.
• the innovative culture at FOX Sports that gives their golf staff the creative freedom to experiment.
• that people need to remind themselves golf is an escape and we play to get away from everyday life.
• Shane's desire to publish a golf game pamphlet (Shane’s Games perhaps?) as a fun, social alternative to 18 hole stroke play.

Special Guest: Shane Bacon - FOX Sports Golf Reporter.

An Answer to The 35 Billion Dollar Golf Question - Elisa Gaudet and #WomensGolfDay

The ModGolf Podcast — Tue, 30 May 2017 12:45:00 -0700

Elisa Gaudet is the Founder of Women's Golf Day. "One Day - Women Golfing - Everywhere Around the World" is the clear call to action that is built on the Women's Golf Day goal to "Engage/Empower/Support". Elisa is also President of Executive Golf International, a boutique golf consulting firm.

On this episode we discuss the Women's Golf Day movement and how in only five years has become a significant platform to help grow the game of golf. Topics include:

• Elisa's professional experience and insights that inspired her to create Women's Golf Day, including the creation of Executive Golf International https://execgolfintl.com/ and the writing of her "Two Good Rounds" book series https://twogoodrounds.com/

• The power of partnerships that have provided Women's Golf Day with the resources, relationships, influence and expertise needed to scale up this global event to over 900 locations in 68 countries with over 500,000 participants. Partners include:

The World Golf Foundation http://www.worldgolffoundation.org/
Executive Women's Golf Association EWGA http://www.ewga.com/
Club Corp http://www.clubcorp.com/
Billy Casper Golf https://www.billycaspergolf.com/
PGA Tour Superstore http://www.pgatoursuperstore.com
The European Golf Course Owners Association EGCOA http://www.egcoa.eu
The Ladies European Tour http://ladieseuropeantour.com/
The International Golf Federation IGF https://www.igfgolf.org/

• Building your tribe, starting with grass roots relationship building through their Country Ambassador Program volunteers, such as Dominika Antoniszczak (Poland), Lisa "Longball" Vlooswyk (Canada) and Lynn McCool (Ireland).

• The global economic influence and purchasing power of women and how golf has struggled to capture this massively lucrative demographic. We discuss the Golf Digest article "Is this golf's $35 billion opportunity?", based on a report titled "The Global Economic Value of Increased Female Participation in Golf" which concludes golf's global economy could be boosted by $35 billion if it converted more interested women into the game. http://www.golfdigest.com/story/is-this-golfs-dollar35-billion-opportunity

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

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

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

ABOUT WOMEN'S GOLF DAY:

From the US to Australia, South Africa to Switzerland, International Women's Golf Day (WGD) has grown in scope and size, increasing its global reach 68% in only its second year. Thousands of women from Silicon Valley to Wall Street to the Square Mile in London will converge in 68 countries at more than 900 locations for the one day event on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

The 2017 event venues included public and private golf courses, driving ranges and retail outlets around the globe. All locations conducted a two-hour golf clinic or offer a nine-hole round of golf, and will culminate with a two- hour social affair where the expected 50,000+ participating women can network and socialize. WGD responded to the COVID pandemic with a virtual global event in 2020 and are excited to be back in venues around the world in 2021 for a safe and fun golf experience that both beginners and accomplished players will enjoy.

Women's Golf Day (WGD) is a global golf initiative launched in 2016 to introduce women of all ages to the game and encourage existing female golfers to "tee it up" in a fun and highly inclusive environment. The inaugural one day event was held June 7, 2016 at over 485 locations in 28 countries and went on for 24 hours straight around the globe. Women teed it up starting in Australia and ending in Hawaii, introducing thousands of new golfers to the sport while transcending language, culture, religion, and race to celebrate golf, women, and community. WGD is a collaborative effort by a dedicated team, golf management companies, retailers and organizations all working together worldwide to Engage, Empower and Support girls and women through golf.

To learn more about and to sign up for Women's Golf Day and its upcoming event on Tuesday June 1, 2021 visit www.womensgolfday.com, @womensgolfday, #WomensGolfDay

Special Guest: Elisa Gaudet - Founder of Women's Golf Day.

Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone To Create Amazing Experiences - Ron Powers / Topgolf

The ModGolf Podcast — Mon, 08 May 2017 23:15:00 -0700

Topgolf has created the "convenient and fun delivery system for golf" that eliminates all the barriers to entry the game has suffered from for decades. No complaints of "too slow, too expensive, too hard to learn" at a Topgolf venue. Topgolf has created an entertainment experience that combines hospitality, music, food and drinks with their unique target-based gameplay format that appeals to both the beginner and veteran golfers of all ages.

Topgolf currently has 90+ venue locations in the US that generated over 20 million guest visits in 2023, with ambitious plans to expand to another 50 venues globally over the next three years. Topgolf has created the secret sauce that connects a younger audience to golf, but they're definitely not growing complacent over that success. Ron discusses how their cultural values, entrepreneurial spirit and passion to innovate pushes them to evolve and expand.

In this episode we discuss Topgolf's newest innovations and initiatives:

• Their stadium-based mobile experience called Topgolf Crush
• The Topgolf Tour, their two player team competition format that anyone can sign up for
• Topgolf International expansion plans, starting with Australia and Mexico
• how the acquisition of both Protracer and WGT Media help transform an entertainment company into a technology and media juggernaut
• Hotel-based Topgolf simulator experience called Topgolf Swing Suite
• Their charity endeavors and culture of "giving back" to benefit the communities which they operate in

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

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

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

Special Guest: Ron Powers - Head of Swing Suite Division at Full Swing Simulators.

Links:

Fireside - Episode Links

Welcome to The ModGolf Podcast!

The ModGolf Podcast — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 01:15:00 -0700

The ModGolf Podcast talks with golf's top influencers, entrepreneurs, innovators and disruptors about their vision and solutions to re-imagine, transform and grow the game. Host Colin Weston explores the future of golf through conversations with the visionaries and influencers that are shaking up the sport. Thanks for joining us and please subscribe to our newsletter for your chance to win golf products we love in our latest #ModGolfGiveaway contest!

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

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

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

We'd love to hear from you! Have any ideas or guests you'd like to hear on future episodes? Email me at colin@modgolfpodcast.com to start the conversation.

Want to listen to our most downloaded episode? That would be our conversation with Blue Ocean Strategy co-author Professor Renée Mauborgne! Click to listen in.

CREATING NEW GOLF MARKETS THAT MAKE THE COMPETITION IRRELEVANT - RENÉE MAUBORGNE / BLUE OCEAN STRATEGY

Special Guests: Jared Solomon, CEO and Co-Founder of Five Iron Golf and Renée Mauborgne - Co-author of Blue Ocean Strategy and Blue Ocean Shift.