Golf Yeah

Gordon G. Andrew
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Golf Yeah showcases people who have built successful businesses and rewarding careers based on their love for the game of golf. Golf Yeah podcasts feature their life stories, lessons learned, sources of inspiration, future aspirations and advice for others.

  1. 10/17/2024

    Gia Watkins – Country Club Archivist and Marketer

    "History is the real differentiator from club to club. It can increase club pride, enhance the brand, and attract new members."   Gia Watkins Country Club Archivist and Marketing Professional Easton, Connecticut   On the golf-related side, Gia Watkins is a former member of the University of Florida Golf Team, who has played in two US Junior Girls Championships and won several prestigious tournaments, including the Connecticut State Senior Women's Championship; the Connecticut Women's Golf Association Senior Championship; the Connecticut State Women's Legends Championship in 2020; and the Westchester Fairfield County Women's Golf Association Championship in both 2023 and 2024. She currently plays to a 4.3 Index. Notably, at Brooklawn Country Club in Connecticut – a legendary Tillinghast course established in 1895, where Gene Sarazen was once served as assistant pro – Gia has won that club's championship more than 10 times. She's also a member of the Golf Digest Golf Course Design Ranking Panel. On the business side, Gia has managed her own successful design and marketing firm for more than 30 years. Over the years, Gia has created a few other businesses, and most recently she started Archives@Work, which combines her deep appreciation for the history and culture of golf with her vast marketing experience. Archives@Work helps private golf clubs to define and showcase their history, differentiate their branded culture, and increase the prestige associated with membership, which in turn drives membership growth and retention. Show Highlights Our conversation with Gia covers a lot of territory involving all aspects of her career as a marketing professional, and as a highly skilled amateur golfer, including: [caption id="attachment_3214" align="alignright" width="266"] Gia helps clubs to preserve and protect historical artifacts in displays that tell their story.[/caption] What simple swing instruction from her only instructor - longtime Yale Golf Director David Paterson - she has followed over the years. The connection between her childhood interest in building glass sculptures and her enrolling in the University of Florida. How she grew her first graphic design business by knocking on doors with no introduction or appointment. The list of companies this hard-wired entrepreneur has started (and ended) as market conditions changed. The three main reasons why country clubs decide to focus on their history as a marketing asset. Her advice for young women or men seeking a golf-related business or career.   [caption id="attachment_3212" align="alignleft" width="300"] Gia's range of services includes commemorative books, heritage newsletters, anniversary logos, and custom paintings.[/caption]   Notable Quotes On what Gia regrets about her GolfYeah interview: "I said Donna White and Lori Garbacz were the only two teammates who played on the LPGA, which was not true. Beverley Davis did as well. Not...

    1 hr

  2. 03/02/2024

    Christopher Howard — Worldwide Teaching Golf Professional

    "When you can take a player from a 27 to an 11 handicap, it's something to be really proud of." [caption id="attachment_3195" align="alignleft" width="300"] Chris claims there are advantages to teaching golf in Las Vegas, not including the weather.[/caption]   Christopher Howard Worldwide Teaching Golf Professional Las Vegas Golf Club     Contrary to the popular advertising slogan, what happens in Vegas does NOT stay in Vegas; at least in terms of world class golf instruction. Christopher Howard is a golf professional based out of Las Vegas Golf Club. He works with every level of player, from beginner to consulting with tour players. In 20 years of teaching, he claims that there isn’t a swing he hasn’t seen. When Chris isn't posting instructions or analyzing his students' swings online for his 25,000 Instagram followers (chowardgolf), you can find him touring all over the world, or teaching private lessons in his golf schools. Over the last 7 years, he's hosted more than 650 golf schools in 5 different countries and 200 cities. That's a ton of frequent flier miles, and a lot of golfers who are willing to pay for the Teaching Pro from Las Vegas. Show Highlights Our conversation with Chris uncovered an interesting career path for a golf professional whose lifetime goal was simply to "be in sports." Mission accomplished. Chris talks about: [caption id="attachment_3197" align="alignright" width="300"] Chris gives lesson every way and everywhere...in person on the course, or virtually on your patio.[/caption] His short-lived career as a goalie in the American Junior Hockey League How he shaped his own approach to teaching the golf swing by watching hundreds of instructional videos Why he's found that golfers make greater progress in golf schools, compared with individual lessons The reason why coaches for PGA Tour players are fearful to suggest significant swing changes The teaching advantages of virtual FaceTime lessons Why he will always include student lessons in his online videos The #1 fault that he sees in the swings of average golfers around the world Notable Quotes On starting his own golf coaching business: “It's been great to not have to answer to anyone regarding my teaching philosophy...particularly involving people who have been teaching golf since the 1980s, who have very different concepts." [caption id="attachment_3190" align="alignleft" width="300"] Chris's touring golf schools typically sell out very quickly.[/caption] On his early years trying to establish a golf career: "Young golf professionals need to accept the fact that there can be a lot of struggles in this industry." On what he learned early on from online golf instruction: “I didn't like most of the forms of online teaching, so I started doing FaceTime teaching, and I was one of the first instructors to do that for the regular player." On why he starting posting videos of lessons with students: "I watched a lot of videos by instructors like George Gankas, and thought that was an effective way to demonstrate lessons." On why he posts lessons on Instagram: "My major goal in posting...

    1h 12m

  3. 04/28/2023

    Bryan Jones — PGA Golf Professional and PGA Rules Official

    "The average tour professional does not know the rules of golf very well."   Bryan Jones PGA Golf Professional and PGA Rules Official Black Oak Golf Club,  Flanders, New Jersey   Bryan Jones personifies the highest ideals of the PGA. In addition to his role as a head golf professional, he devotes a significant amount of time teaching the rules of the game to others, and volunteering his time and expertise as a rules official at professional and amateur tournaments around the world. He is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable and experienced rules officials in the game. Bryan's list of golf industry awards and recognitions is lengthy and impressive, and includes the PGA's National Horton Smith Award, and induction into the New Jersey PGA's Hall of Fame. He currently serves as the Honorary Chair of the PGA's Rules Committee. (A more complete overview of Bryan's career is posted below.) Show Highlights Our conversation covers a lot of territory involving all aspects of Bryan's long career as a PGA golf professional, including: [caption id="attachment_3175" align="alignright" width="300"] Bryan with Shane Lowry on the 17th hole during the second round of the 148th Open Championship held on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club in 2019.[/caption] What happened to his career plan to become a veterinarian...which is unrelated to his owning two feral cats Why he believes the abundance of online instruction actually increases "in person" golf instruction How you become a golf rules official, and who gets the best tournament assignments The most confusing rules in golf, and the new rules for 2023 How a twist of fate caused Dustin Johnson to lose the PGA Championship at Whistling Straights The most exciting moments in officiating tour events His near-death experience at the 2023 Masters Tournament Notable Quotes On watching professional golf from inside the ropes: “I love watching them play from up close. The shots they can hit and they things they can do are amazing. It's the highest level of the game." On the life of a tour professional: "It's a nice life, particularly if you're in the top 50, have the best sponsorships, and get to fly private, rather than lugging your equipment around on commercial flights." On his opinion of golf fans in America: “The Ryder Cup at Bethpage in 2025 should be an experience... I hope that it's a good one." On the swing faults he sees most often in the average golfer: "The problem I see in many golfers is alignment. If they're right handed, they tend to aim too far right at setup, and unless the clubface is properly aligned, the ball is not going to land where they want it to go. Male golfers also tend to power through the ball with their upper body." On the LIV Tour: “Golf is a business, and players should take the money if they believe it's a good thing for them. But once they've left the PGA Tour, they should not have an avenue to come back in if it doesn't work out." On controversial rulings: "I'll call in another official for a second opinion, even if I know that I'm right."...

    1h 3m

  4. 08/22/2022

    Jeff Wallach – Novelist, Journalist, Entrepreneur…and Patron Saint of Zen Golfers Worldwide

    "The reward of writing a book is not seeing your book in a book store. The reward is in the process."   Jeff Wallach Novelist, Journalist, Entrepreneur...and Patron Saint of Zen Golfers Worldwide Portland, Oregon   Jeff Wallach is an award-winning journalist and the author of four books of non-fiction, two novels, and nearly 1,000 articles, essays, and reviews for dozens of national publications including The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Men's Journal, Money Magazine, Health, Men's Fitness, and many others.   Show Highlights In this rambling, fun-filled conversation...not fueled by adult beverages or other stimulants... Jeff discusses: Never-before told secrets regarding his personal background What it really takes to succeed as a freelance journalist Why and how he transitioned from journalist to novelist The sad truth behind golf course ratings and rankings Why he hates BOTH sides of the LIV Golf battle with the PGA The connection between playing golf and living a Zen life   Notable Quotes:  On becoming a freelance journalist today: “Being a good writer is the baseline requirement. What an editor wants from a freelancer is ideas that no one else has brought them." On the (relatively) greater number of coeds at Vassar: "It didn't factor into my school selection process, but I sure was happy when I got there." On why he left journalism: “At the height of my career a magazine might pay me $4 a word for a 2,000 word story...By the end of my career, thanks to the internet...they might pay 50 cent a word, and the stories were 600 words long, because people now have a shorter attention span." On rankings of golf courses: "It’s all political..People buy the influence to get on those lists. The people who are raters are not reliable sources in many cases, not in all cases, to be reviewing these golf courses and giving them a rating." On would-be novelists: "Anybody can write a book. Whether it's going to make money I can't answer. People say to me, "I have a great idea for a novel." I ask them, "How many pages have you written?" And they mostly say, "Oh, I haven't started writing it yet." On the Zen / Golf connection: “Zen is a way of seeing the world, and any activity you pursue could be an avenue for viewing the world in that way….for me that avenue just happened to be golf. It could have been something else. Golf, in particular, because it’s a solitary sport, lends you to that type of inward exploration and application to the world outside you." On golf trips to other countries: "If you go on trip that only cover the trophy courses, you miss part of the point, which is to see what golf is like in another country for the people who live there." On golf balls: "They produce 4 billion golf balls every year. You would think that driving down the highway you would see piles of golf balls. Where are all these golf balls?" On his demeanor: "I’m a cranky old man, and I apologize for it…but I’m cranky with good intentions."   A Few of Jeff Wallach's Books a...

    1h 19m

  5. 04/18/2022

    Eric Sedransk — Member for a Day

    "I want to create the largest golf philanthropic platform in history...whatever that means."   Eric Sedransk Founder, Member for a Day Hilton Head, South Carolina   Eric Sedransk serves as the Founder and Charity Golf Officer of Member for a Day, an organization that helps nonprofits to raise funds by auctioning off "once-in-a-lifetime golf experiences." So here's this young guy, Eric Sedransk. straight out of central casting, with an MBA and a 5 handicap, who started a golf-related charity during the height of the pandemic to raise money for healthcare workers, with an expressed goal to “change the world.” I thought to myself…this guy has got to be a snake oil salesman looking to make a quick buck during a global health crisis. Now, almost two years after Eric established his altruistic venture, he’s still plugging away…having raised nearly $3 million dollars for a long list of worthy charities, and according to him, he’s just getting started. Although I don’t like to admit it when I’m wrong…I was dead wrong about Eric. He’s the real deal. And the reason I like him is because he lives up to one of my personal mantras…which is to “think globally, and act locally.” Eric’s found a way to make the world a better place through the game of golf. I’m not going to tell Eric’s story in this introduction, because it’s more interesting when he tells it. But my interview digs a little deeper into the REAL Eric Sedransk…to find out what shaped his world view, what makes him tick. and the future plans he has for his fast growing organization.   Show Highlights: Why his last name does not end in an "i" or "y" and how to correctly pronounce it. His experience managing risk for treasury traders at Bear Stearns, right before the company crashed and burned during the financial collapse. [caption id="attachment_3100" align="alignright" width="199"] Growing up, Eric played nearly every sport, except for golf.[/caption] How and why he was laid off from so many early stage technology companies during the internet boom. The catalyst that turned his initial fundraising project into a sustained enterprise. How his father's battle with ALS profoundly shaped his world view. The logistics involved in running multiple charity auctions simultaneously. The backstory on his Hertz-sponsored "Golf for a Cause" video series. Eric's future plans for growing his philanthropic platform, including outside of golf.   Notable Quotes:  On early influences: “My parents always encouraged me to dream big, and not to focus just on making money." On his initial career aspirations: “I went to Wall Street, and thought that I was going to be Bud Fox and eventually Gordon Gekko, but it just wasn't in the cards for me." On how the pandemic changed his life: "It was guilt that led me to do more than just look for another job. I wanted to do something positive in this world. And that was it. I didn't know what I was going to do. I just wanted to help people." On how 'Member for a Day' took off: "I didn't know there was an opportunity. The opportunity came to me. I was trained as an entrepreneur, but this was accidental entrepreneurship...which is the most beautiful part of the story." On his decision to start the venture: "After coming back from a bike ride, I came home and told my mother, 'I'm...

    49 min

  6. 08/29/2021

    David Glenz — PGA Professional, Course Designer, Golf Club Owner

    "If you have a little bit of imagination, a knowledge of golf and how people play, course design is not rocket science. Pine Valley was designed by an amateur."   David Glenz Black Oak Golf Club Long Valley, New Jersey   David Glenz has done just about everything over the past 50 years, when it comes to golf-related careers and business ventures. As a member of the University of Oregon golf team, he was voted second team all-American. He then spent six years playing on the PGA Tour. His teaching career, where he often averaged more than a thousand lessons a year, included stints teaching at legendary Winged Foot Golf Club, and was head pro for 10 years at Morris County Golf Club. He opened and ran the David Glenz Golf Academy, offering golf schools and private lessons at the Crystal Springs Resort in New Jersey. David's given golf lessons to more than a hundred PGA, LPGA, and PGA senior tour professional players, as well as hundreds of mini tour players and club professionals. David was a "New Jersey PGA Player of the Year" eight times, winner of 14 New Jersey PGA titles, two Met Open Championships. He was voted "Player of the Decade" in the 1980s, and was also voted into the New Jersey PGA Hall of Fame. In 1998, the PGA of America voted him "National PGA Teacher of the Year." He's been honored by Golf Magazine as a top 100 teacher and by Golf Digest as a top 50 teacher. And just last month, he received Golf Magazine's Lifetime Achievement recognition. Dave's crowning achievement is the design and construction of Black Oak Golf Club in Long Valley, New Jersey, which has been recognized as one of the finest courses in the Northeast. In fact, Black Oak is the first and perhaps only New Jersey course designated as a certified signatory sanctuary by the Audubon International. Show Highlights: Dave's high school and collegiate golfing days, and his 6 years playing on the PGA Tour. His career transition from PGA Tour player to club professional at Winged Foot. [caption id="attachment_3085" align="alignright" width="300"] In the first playoff hole of the 1986 NJSGA Open, David Glenz' bunker shot resulted in a dramatic sand save, as well as the trophy that year.[/caption] Competing in the US Club Pro team against Great Britain in 1984, and playing in the British Open that same year at St. Andrews. The story of how and why Dave hits the ball right-handed and putts left-hander. The most common swing errors he sees amateur golfers consistently making. Why the backswing is not the most critical part of hitting the ball well. How, when he was playing his best golf, he was never thinking about swing mechanics. The skiing accident that affected his playing ability for six years. How and when his dream to build a golf course began. Overcoming years of political and environmental obstacles necessary to complete Black Oak Golf Club. Notable Quotes:  On growing up in a small town: “You develop so much more self-reliance in the era I grew up in. I think that's something kids kind of miss. It's the nature of things, too. There's just a real value to old school values, to growing up in a smaller town to some extent." On switching schools: “Initially, I went to the University of Houston my freshman year. And it was a long drive back from Houston to Oregon. When I hit the Oregon border in June,...

    53 min

  7. 06/06/2021

    Donna Hoffman – Women on Course

    “Men who are in the golf business need to step up and recognize that women golfers are here." Donna Hoffman Founder & President, Women on Course Oakton, Virginia   Back in 2012, Augusta National Golf Club -- long revered in the golfing world as the Sistine Chapel of the sport -- announced with great pride (a “joyous occasion,” according to former Augusta Chairman Billy Payne) that the Club had invited bureaucrat Condoleezza Rice and financier Darla Moore to join the club as its first female members. But the sad truth is that women had nothing to cheer about this “joyous occasion” at Augusta. That publicity stunt a decade ago did not represent any meaningful change in the club’s policy of exclusion. It simply provided Augusta National with convenient and high-profile validation that the Club would continue to exercise its right to do whatever it wants…whenever it wanted to. Today, in 2021, there are only 6 females in Augusta’s roster of approximately 300 members. So much for gender equality. But this podcast is not intended to be a rant against a private club’s sexist membership policy. I mention Augusta National for two reasons: First,  Augusta reflects, in many ways, the challenges that women face in exploring any interest they may have in playing the game, and in being accepted as bona fide members of the golfing community…both on the professional and amateur levels. Secondly, it provides a convenient introduction to an individual who, unlike Augusta National, is actually doing something tangible and meaningful…both for women and for the game of golf. Donna Hoffman is a CPA and a self-proclaimed former golf widow who, over the past 16 years, has built one of the most successful national networks of women who are provided opportunities to enjoy the game of golf on their own terms.  By demystifying the game, Donna has removed the intimidation factor, and empowered women to become comfortable and confident in a golf setting. Donna Hoffman is founder of “Women on Course,” which has redefined the sport to encompass business networking, travel, socialization and personal style. Each year, Women on Course hosts around 800 local golf, social and networking events across the country for its 20,000 members. They also provide custom golf events and programs for organizations seeking to develop their female leaders. In addition to running her organization, Donna speaks to Fortune 500 companies on the value of golf as a confidence builder – as well as a business development tool – while providing beginners a fun and easy on-ramp to be part of the conversation. Show Highlights: Highlights of Donna’s’ journey: from CPA, to owner of video production company, to founder of Women on Course. The origins of Women on Course; how and why Donna started the organization; its original visions and how it’s changed over the years. The scope of activities and geography that Women on Course covers. The differences between how men and women approach the game of golf. The best and worst ways for women to get started playing golf. The misunderstandings and fears that women have that keeps them from learning how to play golf. Types of courses that are most “women friendly.” Validation that the golfing world still has its share of male Neanderthals who are not enthusiastic to share the game with women. Notable Quotes:  On...

    46 min

  8. 10/12/2020

    Terry Koehler - The Wedge Guy

    “Those wedge shots hit out on the toe or high in the face that don't go anywhere? They're not your fault."  Terry Koehler Chairman / Director of Innovation, Edison Golf Port O'Connor, Texas   Terry Koehler is known as “The Wedge Guy” for good reason. In fact, Pope Francis – who plays 4 rounds a week on the Vatican’s private golf course – recently named Terry as the “Patron Saint of Wedge Play.” Unfortunately, his installation ceremony in Rome has been delayed because of the pandemic. But if you dig a little bit deeper into Terry’s background, or are a reader of his hundreds of blog posts, you know that his depth of knowledge regarding the game of golf, and about the golf equipment industry, goes far beyond wedges. If you follow Terry, you know that when it comes to golf, he’s always opinionated and often thought provoking. For example, Terry believes that: The golf courses you play on are often more difficult than the courses that the PGA Tour professionals play on.He believes that the focus on green speed has made the game too hard for the average golfer to score on,He believes you should carry a 4 wood in your bag, andHe believes that if you slow down the transition from your downswing, your ball-striking and distance will improve. (Terry plays to a 3 handicap, so he does have some credibility on swing mechanics.) Over the course of his history in the golf business, the connective tissue in his career path is Terry’s passion for craftsmanship, precision and performance when it comes to golf equipment. So it’s not surprising that Terry came out of retirement in 2018 to create a company with a value proposition based on those three attributes. And also not surprisingly, it’s a company called Edison Golf, that makes Edison™ Forged wedges. Show Highlights:  The origins of Terry's interest in exploring how things work, and in craftsmanship.How and why his fascination with wedges began.Why there has been such a consistent lack of innovation in wedge technology.Terry's rationale for making wedges for the average golfer, and why they would not be effective for Tour players.How a renegade brand like Edison, run by a contrarian thinker, intends to break into the mainstream golf equipment market.The rationale and logistics behind Edison’s “Custom Demo Offer."How many wedges, and what lofts, the average golfer should carry.If he had one last round to play, what course he would play on.What he might have done differently over the course of his 30 year career.Terry's most significant source of personal inspiration over the years. Notable Quotes:  On how he got started in golf: “I do not remember life before golf. I grew up playing on a 9-hole public golf course in a small town in south Texas, and that where I spent my summer days." On his golf equipment education: “In my early career as a marketer, I spent a lot of time in the "back end" of golf companies, asking them questions like, "Why did you do that to the golf club?" and 'Why does that golf club do this?" On his fascination with wedges: "After testing golf clubs for more than 20 years, I can say that wedges are the most volatile clubs in our bag." img...

    1h 3m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Golf Yeah showcases people who have built successful businesses and rewarding careers based on their love for the game of golf. Golf Yeah podcasts feature their life stories, lessons learned, sources of inspiration, future aspirations and advice for others.

Information

  • Creator
    Gordon G. Andrew
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2024
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019 Highlander Consulting Inc.
  • Show Website
    Golf Yeah