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Taylor Ramiz interviews Charles Beurmann, Director of Golf at the Cullasaja Club, about his career path through private clubs and his focus on merchandising. Beurmann describes how club retail has evolved toward dedicated merchandisers as shopping habits changed, and emphasizes relationship-based selling and knowing member demographics, tastes, and sizes. He shares tactics including member surveys and ongoing feedback, buying mostly proven sellers with limited risk, training staff through wearing and learning product, and using employees as “mannequins.” He outlines visual merchandising tips (themes, props, crisp folding, hiding tags), rotating displays by shop zones every 1–2 weeks, reacting quickly to slow movers, leveraging tournaments/tee gifts and member-only items to introduce brands, and managing seasonal inventory and deliveries.

Show Notes:
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:26 Career Journey in Golf

02:39 Why Merchandising Matters

03:59 Rise of the Merchandiser Role

08:55 Mentors and Buying Lessons

10:56 Shop Differences by Market

12:44 Selling Through Inventory

14:59 Member Feedback and Surveys

21:43 Staff as Walking Mannequins

24:49 Training the Retail Team

30:15 Visual Merchandising Displays

33:07 Seasonal Theme Displays

34:08 Sell the Why

35:30 Staff Engagement Tips

37:30 Rotate Zones Weekly

41:47 Fix Slow Sellers Fast

43:17 Events and Tee Gifts

49:14 Member Only Promotions

52:32 Seasonal Closeout Plan

55:23 Know Your Buyers

59:18 Stock Fill Repeat

01:00:32 Final Advice and Wrap

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

Live from the PGA Show, Spencer Clouatre interviews PGA professional Hill Herrick, longtime director of golf at The Greenbrier, about his career path and decades-long tenure there, plus his lifelong passion for playing French horn. Herrick contrasts the old, travel-heavy PGA training and pre-computer operations with today’s technology-driven education, instruction, tournaments, and booming retail. They also discuss The Greenbrier’s history, its Cold War congressional bunker, and relationships with figures like Sam Snead and Tom Watson. Herrick highlights challenges including declining service, high turnover, and whether simulators and entertainment golf will pull players away from outdoor golf, urging professionals to keep the human element, keep learning, and take accountability.

00:00 Live at PGA Show

01:09 Music and French Horn

03:01 Life at Greenbrier

04:07 Golf Beginnings

06:44 PGA Membership Path

08:19 Pre Internet Golf Ops

10:10 Mentors and Early Jobs

10:49 Work Ethic Roots

12:03 Why Stay at Greenbrier

15:08 Greenbrier History

19:02 Cold War Bunker Story

23:56 Golf Industry Changes

26:34 Ryder Cup Evolution

29:12 Next Gen Golf Pros

34:03 Trends and Tech Ahead

35:20 PGA Show Growth

35:34 Cart Tech Upgrades

35:52 Associations And Education

37:21 Tech Versus Service

39:33 Turnover And Burnout

41:31 Service Standards Culture

44:23 Simulators Threat Or Gateway

46:09 Too Much Lesson Data

54:02 Advice For New Pros

01:00:37 Mission Standards And Training

01:03:43 Human Element Finale

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode of the GBN University Podcast, host Spencer Clouatre interviews Alex Hoyos, the head golf professional at Essex County Club. Alex shares his unconventional path from being a music major at Florida Atlantic University to becoming a respected figure in the golf industry. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the value of networking, and the lessons learned from his experiences at top clubs like Trump International Golf Club, Deepdale, and East Hampton. Alex also delves into how he balances personal and professional life, highlighting the support from his wife Haley, and provides valuable advice for aspiring golf professionals.

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:50 Alex's Early Career and Achievements

02:48 Alex's Background and Passion for Golf

04:15 Transition from Baseball to Golf

06:25 Musical Influence on Golf

09:07 Mentorship and Career Growth

15:59 Networking and Creating Opportunities

27:45 The Importance of Trust and Performance

29:04 Navigating Career Opportunities and Transitions

31:24 Choosing the Northeast: A Personal and Professional Journey

33:08 Meeting Haley: A Life-Changing Encounter

38:12 Building a Strong Team Culture

49:33 Advice for the Next Generation of Professionals

49:59 The Power of Networking and Mentorship

56:00 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode of the GBN University Podcast, new guest host Taylor Ramiz, the golf shop manager at Manasqua River, introduces a new segment focusing on all aspects of merchandising. Taylor highlights her untraditional journey into the golf industry and the importance of relationships and timing in her career. She then welcomes Emily Gifford, the Director of Retail at Boca West Country Club, who shares her extensive experience and insights into the world of golf retail. Emily discusses her background, marketing strategies, adjusting to different club environments, and the importance of understanding member profiles. The episode also touches on merchandise selection, consulting in the golf industry, and the rise of pickleball. Emily provides valuable advice for aspiring professionals, emphasizing problem anticipation and member engagement.

00:00 Introduction to the GBN University Podcast

00:35 Taylor Ramiz's Journey into the Golf Industry

02:24 From Membership Services to Golf Enthusiast

04:25 Welcoming Emily Gifford: Director of Retail at Boca West

04:46 Emily Gifford's Path to Retail Management

07:32 Transitioning from Traditional to Modern Golf Shops

12:37 Managing Multiple Retail Outlets at Boca West

15:57 The Rise of Pickleball and Its Impact on Retail

20:54 Adapting to Seasonal Buying Patterns

26:00 Gathering Member Feedback

28:23 VIP Member Program

30:37 Consulting in the Golf Industry

32:30 Handling Sales Reps and Vendor Relationships

42:38 Exploring New Brands and Merchandise

49:13 Final Thoughts and Advice

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode of the GBN University Podcast, guest host Steve Scott sits down with Jim Smith Jr., Director of Golf and COO of the Philadelphia Cricket Club. Smith discusses his career journey, leadership philosophy, and experiences in hosting major golf events, sharing insights on the importance of being a straight shooter, the value of mentoring, and the significance of work-life balance for his staff. Known for his innovative approach to staffing, such as implementing a four-day work week, Jim's focus remains on making his team happy to enhance overall productivity. He also reflects on his contributions to the Philadelphia PGA section and offers advice to aspiring golf professionals.

Show Notes:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:16 Meet Jim Smith Jr.

00:58 Jim's Straight-Shooting Mentality

02:22 12 Rounds of Golf in 12 Hours

03:48 Jim's Upbringing and Influences

04:51 Career Beginnings and Mentorship

09:45 Hosting Major Golf Events

14:14 The Benefits of Hosting Major Events

16:32 Roles and Responsibilities During Events

18:25 The Importance of Professional Growth

18:32 Managing Golf Course Operations During Events

19:13 Volunteerism and Reciprocity in Golf Clubs

20:30 Award-Winning Leadership and Staff Management

21:03 Implementing a Four-Day Work Week

21:48 The Philosophy of Happy Employees

27:08 Creating a Positive Impression

31:53 Mentorship and Career Development

36:25 Traits of Successful Golf Professionals

41:16 Leadership Beyond the Club

45:07 Final Thoughts and Reflections

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode of the GBN University Podcast, guest host Steve Scott speaks with Chris Dymek, the head golf professional at Manasquan River Golf Club. They discuss a wide range of topics, including building a family-first team culture, enhancing member experiences, and innovative tournament operations. Chris shares his journey into the golf business, his leadership and mentorship philosophy, and how he creates engaging and memorable experiences for club members. They also explore strategies for building strong member relationships, handling challenging situations, and fostering an effective and cohesive team environment.

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

00:34 Sponsorship Message

01:15 Chris Dymek's Early Life and Career Beginnings

03:14 Transition to Manasquan River

05:07 Leadership and Member Relations

08:36 Playing the Game and Professional Development

17:01 Travel Experiences and Member Engagement

21:33 Merchandising and Business Strategies

23:53 Handling Difficult Situations with Members

26:44 The Importance of Giving Back

29:25 Encouraging Staff Involvement

32:01 Innovative Tournament Operations

36:53 Maximizing Event Participation

39:30 Building a Family Environment with Staff

46:44 Key Leadership Traits for Golf Professionals

48:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this episode of the GBN University Podcast, host Spencer Clouatre welcomes Casey Brozek, the Director of Golf at Medinah Country Club. They discuss Casey's impressive career journey, which spans from being a junior golf champion to his current role overseeing major renovations and preparing for the President's Cup. Key themes include leadership presence, the importance of effective communication, managing large events, nurturing young golf professionals, and maintaining work-life balance. Casey shares insights from his experiences at various prestigious golf clubs and emphasizes the significance of mentorship, team-building, and giving back to the profession.

Show Notes:

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

02:06 Casey's Early Career and Education

04:14 Transition to Professional Golf

06:20 Teaching and Mentorship

08:29 Leadership and Professional Growth

19:53 Medina Country Club and Major Events

32:02 Reflecting on the Ryder Cup and Team Dynamics

32:49 Challenges of International Team Events

34:27 Crowd Control and Sportsmanship in Golf

37:58 Mentorship and Leadership in Golf

45:15 Handling Failure and Learning from Mistakes

50:53 Building a Strong Team and Recruitment

59:53 Balancing Work and Personal Life

01:04:30 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.

In this special episode of GBN University podcast, host Spencer Clouatre interviews his close friend Doug Bell, a PGA professional and general manager at American Dunes Golf Club. They discuss Doug's career journey in the golf industry, his role at American Dunes, and the touching connections through Folds of Honor that have impacted their lives. This episode is rich with stories of dedication, moral integrity, and the importance of doing the right thing.

Learn more about Folds of Honor and American Dunes Golf Club at the links below.

Folds of Honor: https://foldsofhonor.org/

American Dunes: https://americandunesgolfclub.com/

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:44 Doug Bell's Background and Achievements

03:22 The Story of Jeff Davis

05:44 Hannah Davis and Folds of Honor

16:40 Doug Bell's Journey to American Dunes

28:37 The Emotional Impact of American Dunes

42:06 The Intersection of Preparation and Opportunity

42:47 Navigating the Golf Industry's Labor Market

46:32 The Importance of Social Skills in the Golf Industry

48:59 The Value of Personal Connections and Mentorship

50:31 A Memorable Golf Trip with Blake

52:34 Lessons from Shoal Creek

01:03:26 Transitioning from PGA Pro to General Manager

01:12:13 The Role of Trust and Relationships in the Golf Industry

01:14:29 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

GBN is the leading private network for today's most successful PGA Professionals. Exclusive events at premier facilities, vendor partnerships to grow your business, education to increase your knowledge, and access to the top Professionals in the industry are just some of what membership in Golf Business Network will get you. Go to www.golfbusinessnetwork.com to find out more and become a member.