Chicago Golf Report Walter Lis

Our guest this episode of The Chicago Golf Report podcast is the Director of Development for Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary, Kevin Feldman. With an extensive career in fundraising and marketing for nonprofits, Kevin has spent his career helping organizations in the planning, start-up or revitalization of nonprofit advancement programs.

As the Director of Development for Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary, he is responsible for raising both money and awareness for the nonprofit’s outstanding programs and services for residents of Northwest Indiana. The organization will be hosting their 42nd Annual Golf Outing at the historic Innsbrook Country Club in Merrillville, IN on Monday, June 10.

In this interview we discuss:



* Why nonprofit fundraising events like golf outings are more than just fundraising events.

* The surprising keys to a successful golf outing.

* Reasons why there has been a recent surge in the number of charitable golf outings.

* Unique features of Innsbrook Country Club in Merrillville, Indiana, host of the 42nd annual Catholic Charities golf outing on Monday, June 10th, 2024.

* How Catholic Charities serves an expanding audience in four counties within Northwest Indiana.

* Inventive ways golf outings can raise money.



a class="synved-social-button synved-social-button-share synved-social-size-48 synved-social-resolution-singl...

Our guest this episode of The Chicago Golf Report podcast is the founder of SMT Events, Mike Tait. Whether golfers are shooting at thousands of dollars of cash, playing blackjack on the tee or firing his trademark Golf Cannon, Mike Tait has helped golf events raise over $24 million for charities since 2009.

After a highly successful career as a PGA professional and a golf club manufacturer, Mike Tait has made it his mission to turn the charity golf outing business upside down. With some of the most innovative, entertaining and profitable games and services to help golf outings, he’s quite simply the most experienced, most successful golf fundraiser in the North America.

In this interview we discuss:



* How he has helped raise $24 million for charity through golf outings.

* The personal tragedy that inspired him to focus on golf event fundraising.

* Why golf is the biggest charitable impact sport in the United States, bigger than baseball, football, and basketball combined.

* The most common challenge for charity golf outings.

* Whether golf outing managers should focus on getting sponsorships or donations.

* The tool all charity golf outings should use to make it easy for people to participate.

* Why real-time electronic scoring and music in golf carts can hurt donations during an event.

* Mike’s least-favorite part of a golf outing.

* His favorite memory from a charity golf outing that he’ll never forget.



a class="synved-social-button synved-social-button-share synved-social...

Our guest this episode of The Chicago Golf Report podcast is golf industry veteran Rich Katz of Katz Strategy, a golf business and marketing advisory firm. Rich worked with Billy Casper Golf (now Indigo Golf Partners) and founded Buffalo Agency (now Buffalo Groupe), which specialized in golf course public relations and marketing.

In this interview we discuss:



* How he helped grow Billy Casper Golf, a golf course management company, into a powerhouse with over 165 golf courses.

* Rich founded Buffalo Agency (now Buffalo Groupe) which specialized in golf course public relations and marketing.

* Why Rich believes golf provides a fun and healthy escape from busy lives.

* Why data collection and management are becoming increasingly important in golf course management.

* The factors that led golf courses to be more welcoming and inclusive for people of all ages, genders, and skill levels.

* Why Rich sees technology as a positive force in golf, making the game more accessible and helping people improve.

* How golf influencers like Paige Spiranac, Grace Charis and Good Good Golf are creating a buzz around golf and helping to make the game more fun and approachable.



a class="synved-social-button synved-social-button-share synved-social-size-48 synved-social-resolution-single synved-social-provider-mail nolightbox" data-provider="mail" rel="nofollow" title="Share by email" href="mailto:?subject=Rich%20Katz%20of%20Katz%20Strategy&body=Hey%20check%20this%20out:%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chicagogolfreport.

Our guest this episode of The Chicago Golf Report podcast is golf industry veteran Jim Ireland from Boxto Golf.

In this interview we discuss:



* What it’s like to grow up as a second generation family member to work in the golf industry

* Lessons learned from playing college golf with teammate Brad Faxon

* The challenges of starting your career as a salesman for Maxfli and FootJoy

* How the Greg Norman Collection helped change the golf business

* Why Leon, Mexico has become the footwear capital for leather golf shoes

* The advantages Boxto Golf has to help capture market share while competing against larger legacy brands

* Why it’s essential to help perpetuate the legacy of the people who paved the way for the golf business

* How Jack Nicklaus and Boxto became partners on a shoe design

Our guest this episode of The Chicago Golf Report podcast is the Mike Foy, owner of Mike’s Golf Center in St. Charles, Illinois.

In this interview we discuss:



* Why he created Mike’s Golf Center to become a “country club without all the crazy rules.”

* How Mike fell in love with golf in middle school and decided to pursue a career in the golf industry after graduating from college with a degree in professional golf management.

* Why he had to switch from playing golf competitively to teaching because of tendonitis.

* The reasons why Mike chose St. Charles, Illinois for his golf center.

* The strengths of Uneekor simulators including overhead launch monitors, a wide variety of courses, and high-quality technology.

* Why Mike believes that the simulator golf industry is still new and has a lot of room to grow.

* How simulator businesses can help people who don’t have time to play golf on a regular basis or who live in areas with harsh winters.

* What the future of simulator technology might eventually look like, including virtual golf lessons and online golf academies.

* Mike’s favorite golf courses in the Chicago area.



a class="synved-social-button synved-social-button-share synved-social-size-48 synved-social-resolution-single synved-social-provider-linkedin nolightbox" data-provider="linkedin" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" title="Share on Linkedin" href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chicagogolfreport.com%2Fmike-foy-from-mikes-golf-center%2F&title=Mike%20Foy%20from%20Mike%E2%80%99s%20Golf%20Center" style="font-size: 0px;width:48px;height:48px;margin:0;margin-bottom:10px;margin-righ...

Our guest this episode of The Chicago Golf Report podcast is the President of Golf Nation, Suzy Whaley.

Recognized as a “Top 50 Teacher in America” and the first female President of the PGA of America, Suzy Whaley is a former LPGA Tour player and PGA Tour event competitor, the Director of Instruction at The Country Club at Mirasol, and golf commentator for ESPN and Siriusxm.

In this interview we discuss:



* What is Golf Nation: a 360-degree golf channel that focuses on the lifestyle, travel, instruction, and enjoyment of the game.

* How viewers can purchase products and donate to charities directly while watching.

* Why Golf Nation is passionate about using their platform to raise money for charities and tell the stories of those making a difference in the golf community.

* How the network aims to reach a broader audience through partnerships with popular golf personalities.

* Why golf is more than just the sport itself and includes fashion, food, and other lifestyle aspects to make golf more inclusive and appealing.

* Why Suzy is optimistic about the future of golf and sees positive signs like increased course openings and rising salaries for golf professionals.

* What the future of golf might look like with innovative concepts like TopGolf, Drive Shack and new women’s tours.

* Why she loves the one-on-one connection with her students and the journey of helping them improve.

* The impact of the mentorship she received from top golf professionals and the importance of paying it forward.



a class="synved-social-button synved-social-button-share synved-social-size-48 synved-social-resolution-single synved-social-provider-linkedin nolightbox" data-provider="linkedin" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" title="Share on Linkedin" href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chicagogolfreport.com%2Fsuzy-whaley-of-golf-nation%2F&title=Suzy%20Whaley%20of%20Golf%20Nation" style="font-size: 0px;width:48px;height:48px;margin:0;...