The Turn

Welcome to July and Troon Family Golf Month! In this episode, Julia visits again with First Tee, featuring special guest Brandon Luna, Director of Events & Alumni, along with First Tee alumni Steven Outlaw, Troon Director of Sales & Marketing, and Megan Conder, Troon Social Media Manager. Our Troon facilities around the world are dedicated to growing the game of golf every day of the year. So although July is Troon Family Golf month, these activities happen year-round! Juniors play golf for free after 3pm when playing with a paying adult. Juniors enjoy complimentary Callaway rental clubs all day. Juniors receive complimentary instruction when taking a lesson with a paying adult.  

In this timely Women's Golf Month edition of The Turn, Kris interviews Benedetta “Bennie” Moresco – Italian professional golfer and low amateur winner at the 2023 U.S. Women's Open (among many other accomplishments). This episode is proudly supported by performance lifestyle brand Rhone – Troon strategic partner and sponsor of Troon Women's Golf Month 2024.

Have you wondered about the pros and cons of using fresh, seasonal ingredients? In this F&B-focused episode, Julia and co-host Kristin Kelly from RealFood Hospitality, Strategy, and Design chat with two talented chefs – Andy Ingraham from Broken Top Club, a fully private facility in Bend, OR, and Tony Baclawski of Fellows Creek Golf Club, a daily fee facility in Canton, MI. For questions on best practices related to seasonal menu planning, please feel free to reach out to the chefs directly! Chef Andy Ingraham, Broken Top Club - angraham@brokentop.com Chef Tony Baclawski, Fellows Creek Golf Club - abaclawski@fellowscreekgolf.com   § 

In honor of Player Development Month, we're releasing even more content on the biomechanics and benefits of training on The Stack System. Join Kris and co-host Tim Mahoney, Troon's Global Director of Education and Coaching, as they dig into the details with Dr. Sasho MacKenzie, Co-Founder of The Stack System.

In this episode, Julia and Kris catch up with Damien Cosby and Clark Pastrick from National Links Trust – a non-profit organization dedicated to positively impacting the Washington DC community and changing lives through affordable and accessible municipal golf. As management partner, Troon is proud to support National Links Trust in its focus to rehabilitate the municipal golf facilities in our nation's capital: East Potomac Golf Links, Langston Golf Course, and Rock Creek Park Golf.

In this episode, Kris and co-host Tim Mahoney, Troon's Global Director of Education and Coaching, interview Matt Fitzpatrick, 2022 U.S. Open champion and eight-time DP World Tour winner, and Dr. Sasho MacKenzie, Co-Founder of The Stack System and “Savant of Speed.” Regarded as golf's foremost biomechanist, Dr. MacKenzie's work and theories have driven a scientific, evidence-based revolution in golf instruction and movement training.  

Joining Julia and Kris for this episode are Mike O'Neill, Executive VP of Cobbs Creek Foundation, and Meredith Foote, Executive Director of the TGR Learning Lab. Learn more about the Cobbs Creek Golf Campus currently under development in West Philadelphia, PA. Completed in phases over the next three years, the Cobbs Creek Golf Campus will serve the academic, athletic, and social-emotional needs of the youth of Philadelphia. The original Cobbs Creek Golf Course has been an important part of Philadelphia's history in its contribution to equal rights and encouraging diversity in the sport for more than 100 years, and now it is being transformed into a key component of a new model for introducing new players to the game, recreation, education, sustainability, and community.

In this episode, Julia and co-host Dolf May visit with Golfzon America's CEO Sean Pyun and VP of Business Development Jimmy McDonald for an exciting and fascinating update on the company's simulator products - the most advanced in the world - and Golfzon America's continued expansion into the US market... most recently partnering with Troon in the development of the Golfzon Social concept. Golfzon America is a division of Golfzon. Based in Seoul, South Korea, Golfzon has been producing the gold standard of simulators for the last 20 years and has a presence in 63 countries at 11,000+ locations, with users enjoying and competing in more than 90 million rounds annually. One fun fact - more than 7.6 billion shots are tracked by their technology - every year!  

In this episode, Julia and Kris are joined by Troon Revenue Managers Andy Sorensen and John Tidenberg to chat about the benefits of employing dynamic pricing techniques to maximize profit, tee sheet efficiency, operations, guest experience, and more. To learn how revenue management can help your club, contact asorensen@troon.com or john.tidenberg@troon.com.  

Julia and Kris are joined by Andy Stockinger (General Manager at Madinaty Golf Club in Egypt) and Chris Geraghty (General Manager at Vattanac Golf Resort in Cambodia) to chat about the global options available through a career with Troon. Listen in as they share their joys, lessons, languages, travels, and personal growth while working for Troon in India, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Egypt, and Cambodia. The world is small, get out and see it!

In this episode, Julia is joined by Alexis Moniello of RealFood Hospitality, Strategy & Design (a Troon company), with guests Roxann Diaz (National Account Manager with Boston Beer Company) and Amy Probasco (Mixologist with Beam Suntory) to chat about all things NA. Ranging from zero alcohol to low alcohol-by-volume (ABV), the options today are plentiful for those who want to drink mindfully, go damp, or even completely dry. Cheers!

In this episode, Julia is joined by Troon's Chief Development Officer Scott Van Newkirk, Troon International Division President DJ Flanders, and Troon International VP of Agronomy Simon Doyle to chat about what's ongoing, new and coming soon around the globe. With 40+ properties in 20+ countries, this episode presents an exciting look at the people and cultures that comprise the Troon International brand and make Troon a truly global company - plus we've added in a few trends, travel hacks, and culinary adventures to make things interesting! 

In wrapping up 2023, Kris and co-host Dolf May chat with Patrick Koenig, world record holder for the most courses played in one year during his RGV (Recreational Golf Vehicle) Tour 2.0, powered by Golf GameBook.

In this inspirational episode, Julia and Kris are joined by Troon COO Mike Ryan and Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney, decorated fighter pilot, Class A Member of the PGA, and founder of the Folds of Honor, a leading non-profit organization that provides educational scholarships for children and spouses of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. Since 2007, the foundation has provided nearly 51,000 life-changing scholarships totaling approximately $240 million. Over the last 15 years, close to 350 Troon facilities have helped raise a combined $4,242,570 toward that cause, with 2023 being a record year. 

What goes better together than BBQ and summertime? In this episode, Julia and Kris are joined by Ed Doyle and special guest Andy Husbands for a fun chat and best kept secrets for creating world-class BBQ. Andy is the Owner and Pitmaster of The Smoke Shop BBQ, with six locations in the Boston area, and author of six cookbooks, including Backyard BBQ and Pitmaster (over 100,000 copies sold). 

In this episode, Julia and Kris close out Troon Family Golf Month by chatting with Ryan Mahoney and Josh McCormack, who share the title of 2023 Troon Coach of the Year.

In honor of Family Golf Month, Julia and Kris have a heartwarming chat with Jennifer Weiler, Senior Vice President of Network Relations for the PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation, and special guest Steve Outlaw - Troon Director of Sales & Marketing and First Tee alum. 

Join Kris and Julia for a chat with professional golfer, Cheyenne Woods, about her own love of the game and personal advice to those who want to get into - or get better at - the game of golf.

Let's keep the groove going on Player Development Month! In this episode, Julia and guest host Steve Loesher dive into Operation 36 with founders Matt Reagan and Ryan Dailey to learn about the programming and technology guiding new players into the game of golf while supporting players, parents, coaches, and facilities.

May is Troon Player Development Month! Join Julia and guest hosts Phillip Martin and Tim Mahoney as they explore the resources available to players of all levels through the new Golf Mind & Body app. Tim and app founder Mark Wood share what they've learned in their 40+ year coaching careers, and listeners will also hear some bonus tips from Justin James, World Long Drive Champion and featured coaching talent on the Golf Mind & Body platform. 

Tune in as Julia and Kris chat with Haylie Lessard, Director of Membership at Manchester Country Club, and Joelle Creamer, Brand Development Lead for RealFood Hospitality, Strategy, and Design, about planning for the club's centennial celebration.

In this episode, Julia and Kris speak with Dr. Marlene Sotelo and Paige Thomas of the Els for Autism Foundation, whose global mission it is to "transform the lives of people with autism and those who care for them through lifetime services and collaborative partnerships." During the month of April, participating Troon courses are encouraging players to donate their score in order to help the Foundation create a world of limitless possibilities for those with autism spectrum disorder. 

In this special F&B edition of The Turn, Julia and co-host Ed Doyle of RealFood Hospitality, Strategy, and Design chat with Bob Barrett, Founder of Honours Golf, for an inside look into the F&B lessons to be learned as an attendee at Golf's First Major for the last 60+ years.

It's Women's History Month 2023, and in this episode Kris and Julia sit down with Kristy Edwards, General Manager of Jackson Park and South Shore Golf Courses of Chicago Park District Golf to chat about women in golf who have impacted our past, present and future.

In this episode, Kris and Julia are joined by Matthew Rose, Founder and CEO of ClubUp, a leading golf service and technology company acquired by Troon in 2022. Founded in 2016, ClubUp provides innovative technology that helps improve the caddie experience for golfers and caddies at partner clubs and resorts. Additionally, ClubUp technology offers a more efficient way to schedule and communicate with caddies working at a partner club property. The improved communication and efficient logistics provided by ClubUp technology yield significant productivity improvements for caddie programs. 

In this episode, Kris and Troon agronomy colleague Brie Kenny take a peek into the inspiring group of female turf specialists who came together to volunteer at the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua in Maui, including: Kimberly Gard - Territory Manager for Syngenta Carey Hofner - Superintendent of the Valley Course at The Club at Cordillera Morgan Taylor - Assistant Superintendent at Robert Trent Jones Magnolia Grove Noel Popoli - Assistant Superintendent at The Olympic Club

Listen in with Kris and Julia and hear great programming ideas from Atusa Freyer, Naperville Country Club, and Devin Lowe, Ak Chin Southern Dunes. From calendar standards to trending events and pop ups, these club professionals share best practices that anyone in the club world can use. "Ritas and Fajitas," anyone?

While onsite at Kapaula for the Sentry Tournament of Champions, Kris Strauss captures an interview with Michael Castillo. As the Head Professional of the Plantation Course at Kapalua and former President of the Aloha Section PGA, Castillo comes from a rich heritage of golf in Hawaii. His father is long-time club pro Ron Castillo, who has played the Sony Open 10 times. His five children all became golf professionals. His daughter, Lori, won the US Junior Girls in 1979 and US Women's Amateur Public Links in 1980 and is in the Hawaii Golf Hall of Fame along with her father. Michael Castillo may be 60 years old and a five-year cancer survivor, but he birdied 18 and putted well in 25 mph winds to take the section championship earlier this fall on the Island of Kauai. Now, as the oldest player at the Sony Open in a field that includes three-time major champion Jordan Spieth, Team Troon  members Gary Woodland and Matt Kuchar, Castillo is pleased and honored to have a chance to play and take in this PGA TOUR experience…with his “ohana” along for the ride.  

Listen in as Kris and Julia learn about the evolution of golf, utility, and personal transportation with Bill Hodge, David Hules, and Chris Sanders from Club Car - a Troon partner for 25+ years. 

In this special episode, Kris and Julia share the recording of an exclusive Q&A with world #1 Rory McIlroy, which was broadcast live on December 14, 2022. Tune in to hear Rory talk about his junior golfing days growing up in Ireland, career highlights, mentors, and his plans for the day he eventually decides to hang up his clubs.

In this episode, Kris and Julia took the opportunity to visit with Sven Wiedenhaupt, General Manager of Indian Wells Golf Resort about his global adventures and unique approach to the customer experience. For questions, feedback and show ideas, contact jkelly@troon.com

From a Patented Hydraulic Moving Platform, three hitting surfaces, and real-time ball flight data, to mesmerizing 3D graphics, birdsong, and cool breezes, Golfzon is truly a high-tech experience that might be as mind blowing as it is fun - especially when served up with a whole new level of food and beverage offerings. And the experience goes way beyond golf! Join Julia and Kris as they chat with Troon colleagues Ed Doyle - SVP F&B, Jeff Thomasson - SVP Operations,  and Ryan Phelps - VP Operations, joined by Ben Mackey, Regional Manager of Golfzon Social... and prepare to be amazed.

Troon only sends its biannual Golfer Survey once every two years, and in this episode Kris and Julia are joined by EVP Phil Green to chat about the interesting statistics revealed in the 2022 edition. More than 10,000 individuals from Troon's subscriber database responded, which represents an increase of 3,000 from the 7,000 who responded in 2020. This was the fifth survey sent since 2014. 

In honor of Veteran's Day, Julia and Kris chat with Tony Biata, PGA Member and Senior Director of Development for Folds of Honor. Meeting sacrifice with hope, Folds of Honor has awarded more than 44,000 educational scholarships to the families of fallen and disabled military personnel since its inception in 2007 - and now their mission also extends to first responders. Troon became involved with Folds of Honor on a corporate level in 2014 with the creation of the Troon Patriot Card, but Troon-managed clubs have been participating directly since 2007, contributing nearly $3.5 million to their efforts which has impacted 689 families. We are grateful for the military and first responders who run toward danger in order to keep us all safe - thank you for your service and for all you do. For feedback, questions, and show ideas, please contact JKelly@Troon.com  

In this episode, Senior Vice Presidents Phillip Martin and Bill O'Brien share ideas with Julia on how to incorporate the philosophy of deep work into our professional and personal lives, as described in Cal Newport's 2016 book Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. For feedback, questions, or show ideas reach out to Julia Kelly at jkelly@troon.com.

It's not just about the ice, glassware, garnishes, or pour... beverage programming also requires strategy, creativity and collaboration. Join Julia as she dives into the world of libations with Ed Doyle, SVP of Food and Beverage and President of RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design, Joe Martin Corporate Director of Food & Beverage, and Anthony DeSantis, Regional Account Manager for BeamSuntory.  For feedback, questions, or show ideas reach out to Julia Kelly at jkelly@troon.com.

Julia is joined by colleagues Phillip Martin and Justin Herr to discuss a few key concepts of club operations, viewed through the lens of the New York Times Bestseller, Greenlights, written by Matthew McConaughey and published by Crown Publishing Group.

This episode of The Turn features an excerpt of Kris' interview with Team Troon member and US Open Champion, Matt Fitzpatrick. Listen in as the pro shares special moments from the US Open and a few other cool thoughts along the way.

In this episode, Julia and Kris chat with the ultimate golfing family, the Maurers. Both Lindsay and Neil are Troon General Managers, and 9-year old son Kingston is already well into developing his love for the game. 

Listen in as Julia and Kris take a deep dive on logo changes relative to brand strategy, standards guides, best practices, and more. Our guests for this episode are Lauren Weingartner, Corporate Director of Sales & Marketing, and Joelle Creamer, Brand Development Lead for RealFood Hospitality, Strategy & Design.

Looking for ways to get more women into golf? Have a listen to this episode, featuring Marissa Kulig Crow, 2021 LPGA National Teacher of the Year, for best practices on growing the game with women and anyone who wants to get into golf!

In this episode, Julia and co-host Monica Fedri chat with Corporate Director of F&B Joe Martin and St. James' Director F&B, Lindsey Krause, about some creative and trending solutions to today's top F&B challenges.

In this episode, Julia and Kris chat with Tim Mahoney and Steve Loesher on how Troon's coaching team is helping to grow the game around the world.

In this episode, Julia and Kris chat with Jeff Poling and Jeff Schwinkendorf, two of Troon's golf course renovation and construction pros, on trends in the industry. 

Special guest Kendall Murphy, Troon's Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, joins Kris Strauss and Julia Kelly to discuss best practices for creating a more welcoming environment, on course and off.

What's the single most important component in food and beverage marketing? Jared Cohen and Julia Kelly chat with Joelle Creamer with RealFood Hospitality, Service & Design in this episode. And, spoiler alert, it's not what you think it is!

The internet never sleeps. Which is why it is important for your website and your business to always be prepared. Jared Cohen and Kris Strauss are joined by Jessica Lewis, Senior Director, Digital Strategy for Troon and Indigo Sports for a Google and Digital Optimization discussion with tips and strategies you'll want to make note of!

On this edition of The Turn Podcast, Troon and ThrivSports teamed up to bring elite coaching to more golfers around the world in a new and innovative way. Through strategic integration and marketing efforts, Troon Coach expects to be a game-changing way for all coaches in the Troon portfolio, for golf and beyond, to elevate their offerings and presence. Tim Mahoney, the global director of coaching and instruction for Troon, and Alex Weber, CEO and Founder of ThrivSports, join Jared Cohen to tell the story of Troon Coach. How the idea was formed, how it will impact coaches and instructors and how this expects to make a big impact on the golf and club industry.

The single rider revolution is on for the game of golf! Over the years, golfing with a push cart or a golf cart is not the only options to choose from when making your way around the golf course and one of the most fun and innovative ways to get from tee to green now is with a PHAT Scooter. Tim Moran, CEO of PHAT Scooters and Jerrel Grow, Director of Golf at Pronghorn Resort which were among the first locations to offer PHAT Scooters, join the show for a great discussion on the evolution of golf transportation.

From one to now 11 world-ranked amateur golf tournaments since 2014, the Troon Saguaro Amateur Series now features some of the more popular and sought after events in the amateur golf world. Coming off the announcement of the return of the six winter tournaments in this series, the co-founders, Roy Edwards and Joe Jensen, return for their second visit on the Turn with Jared Cohen and Kris Strauss to discuss the series' growth, trends in youth and amateur golf and much more!

The Turn Podcast has had many quests which are experts in many different aspects and focus' of the golf industry. But not yet has the show put it all together taking a broader look at the game through the eyes of a golf course owner. Kris Strauss and Jared Cohen were pleased to be joined by Bob McNichols, the owner of Longbow Business Park and Longbow Golf Club, and have a discussion about his path to purchasing a course, best practices he's learned and implemented along the way and his outlook on the future of the game.