Intersections Golf, Grit, and Creating Opportunity with Fred Perpall
Fred Perpall is not just the CEO of The Beck Group and the President of the USGA—he’s a powerhouse of purpose, grit, and vision. From humble beginnings in The Bahamas to becoming a national leader in architecture and golf, Fred shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, his leadership philosophy, and why golf is more than just a game. This episode explores how he built a meaningful life by refusing to compartmentalize work, play, and purpose.
In This Episode
[00:00] Meet Fred Perpall: Bahamian roots, basketball dreams, and a journey to leadership
[04:00] Golf’s Unexpected Gift: How a private club and a generous offer changed everything
[08:00] Seeing Opportunity, Not Division: Learning from success instead of resenting it
[12:30] Sports, Self-Esteem, and Showing Up: From athlete to top of his class to CEO
[17:00] On Work Ethic and Confidence: Outworking everyone and staying grounded
[21:30] From Architect to CEO: Curiosity, mentorship, and leading with vision
[26:00] Managing Across Generations: What’s changed and why it’s a good thing
[30:00] Architecture + Construction: Making two worlds work under one roof
[34:00] Tech, AI & Innovation in Construction: How Beck is preparing for the future
[38:00] Golf as a Mirror of Life: Integrity, community, and learning from the game
[42:00] Adaptive Open & Inclusion: Making golf accessible for everyone
[45:00] Golf’s Growth & Equity: Expanding the game without losing its soul
[48:00] Topgolf & New Entrants: Embracing change while keeping the core
[51:00] Golf Ball Rollback: Why USGA is speaking for the future of the game
[53:00] Golf Ball Rollback Debate: Why performance limits matter and protecting tradition
[56:00] Access & Equity in Golf: Fred’s vision for a more inclusive, community-based sport
[58:30] Golf as Cultural Connector: From the barbershop to the country club
[1:01:00] Global Perspective: What the U.S. can learn from how other countries embrace golf
[1:04:30] Leadership and Legacy: Mentorship, servant leadership, and building up others
[1:08:00] USGA’s Long Game: Investing in the future of the game—especially junior and adaptive players
[1:11:30] Final Word: Faith, family, and making your whole life count—not just your title
Resources Mentioned
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Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.