The Wednesday Match Play Podcast brought to you by Eden Mill St Andrews

I've known Bill Healey for many years, and if he recommends a product or service to me, I take note. A few weeks ago he mentioned he was working with Bob Silzer and Vantage Tag Systems. I was eager to learn more, and found a wealth of information on their website. We take GPS for granted, but I wanted to pick Bob's brain about his time in the industry. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play presented by MemberText you will learn more about Bob's history in the business, how GPS technology is helping with pace of play, exactly what a tag is and how clubs are using them, their work in agriculture and more on their RAPTOR rental program. Bob also talks about fleet management and their ability to track low speed automobiles. This was a fun and informative episode and I enjoyed having Bob on the show. Let’s tee off.

When I lived in Naples, I got the chance to network with Robert Bettinardi. Over the years he has built a household name in Bettinardi Golf, and is producing some of the finest putters on the market. To learn more about this illustrious brand, I invited his son Sam to come on the show.  On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about their putters, their fitting process and what their plans are for the PGA Merchandise Show. Sam also talks about their brand ambassadors, their pricing model and tells the story of the Widow Maker, a custom putter they made for a dear friend of mine living in SW Florida. Sam also talks about the LPGA and PGA TOUR players using their putters.

On this special edition of show I am joined by Mike Hendrix, Vice President, GolfNow Business Services. Mike first appeared on this podcast on March 27, 2019. Today he is back with some exciting breaking news to share with us. I am honored to have Mike with us to discuss Clubhouse Solutions, a business unit at NBC Sports dedicated to member retention and acquisition for private golf and country clubs. Mike talks about this solution, more on the EZLinks Golf acquisition, the Clubhouse Bulletin, ClubBuy and the team making Clubhouse Solutions possible.

We love to travel, and when we do, I always like to play golf. I've had the chance to play courses like Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland and The Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda. But booking a golf trip takes more than just showing up. You need to know what airline to fly, where to stay, where to play and where to wine and dine. That's where Forecaddie comes in. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Tom talks about Forecaddie, a website he built to help golfers book golf trips to popular destinations in Canada, Ireland, Scotland and the United States. Tom uses his free time to do all the research for you, is providing relevant content on a blog and looking to add even more destinations in 2020. Tom is passionate about this stuff and is working hard to help us at home plan the perfect golf getaways. He also drinks craft beer and shares his thoughts on the Himalayas Putting Course at St Andrews. This was a really fun episode and I enjoyed having Tom on the show. Let's tee off. 

A few weeks ago I found L.A.B. Golf on Twitter. I didn't know much about them, but after visiting their website and reading more on these putters, I just had to have them on the show! I reached out and connected with Sam Hahn. After this episode, I think Sam and I became best friends!  On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about where L.A.B. Golf started, their new website and mailing list, more on the Press Grip, their logo and Sam's bar. Yep. Same owns a bar! He also talks about their fitting process and their return policy.

Le Ann Finger is the Senior Director of Tournaments and Championships at the Arizona Golf Association. She is also a PGA Master Professional and is the president of Women in the Golf Industry. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about the AGA, the benefits offered to members, her journey to becoming a PGA Master Professional, her thoughts on Topgolf and her relationship with Suzy Whaley, the first female President of the PGA of America. We also talk about her favorite golf courses AND her favorite restaurants in Scottsdale/Phoenix. This was a really fun episode and I enjoyed having Le Ann on the show. Let's tee off.

Needless to say, Ryan Dailey is focused on growing the game of golf. On January 9, 2015, I interviewed Ryan and his business partner Matt Reagan on my YouTube show the Friday Foursome. At the time, they were promoting iGrow Golf. Ryan is still focused on growing the game and is putting all of his heart and soul into Operation 36 Golf. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast Ryan talks about the project, the team that is making it all possible, their plans for the PGA Merchandise Show in January and a goal of introducing the game of golf to 1 million people by 2025. He also talks about their new Junior Golf Development model. This was a really fun episode and I enjoyed having Ryan on the show. Let's tee off.

Sean Fairholm writes for Global Golf Post, a publication delivering golf news, information and insightful commentary to serious golfers worldwide. There are a lot of golf publications out there, but Global Golf Post is one of the best and is one of my favorite places to digest content.  On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about Sean's content, his travel schedule, his writing process and his time at NC State University. He also talks about Global Golf Post + and if he thinks Topgolf is helping grow the game. He doesn't have one yet, but I hope to get Sean blogging in 2020! Does he think Tiger will break Jack’s record? You'll find out! This was a really fun episode and I enjoyed having Sean on the show. Let's tee off.

The Spirit International features the world's best amateur men and women golfers as they represent their respective country in team and individual competitions. Led by Patricia Meunier-Lebouc, Team France won the event in 2019. Patricia is more than a coach… She is a former LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour player, a major champion and coaches with Martin Hall at Ibis Golf & Country Club.  On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about her illustrious playing career, her thoughts on Whispering Pines Golf Club. her time spent with Corby Robertson, how she helped her team prepare for The Spirit International and what this victory means to her. Does she think Tiger will break Jack's record? You'll find out! This was a fun episode and I enjoyed having Patricia on the show. Let's tee off.

Ralph Dunning started Dunning Golf in Hawaii and has turned this apparel company into a household name. They are a small company but have PGA TOUR players like Jason Dufner and Kevin Kisner wearing the product. Remember when Mike Weir won The Masters? He was wearing Dunning! The company also has a great relationship with Troon and Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, a place near and dear to me.  On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play you will meet Chris Frame, brand manager, and learn more about the company, their social media strategy, their connection to Maui Jim and their plans for the 2020 PGA Merchandise Show. Chris also talks about their new alignment stick and the branding possibilities with such a simple product. This was a fun episode and I enjoyed learning more about this brand. Let's jump into it. Or, as my good friend Chuck likes to say, let's tee off.