#14: PGA Show Panel

Written By Dan Ferreira

(featuring CapTech, aboutGOLF simulators and Concert Golf Partners)

Much like Lebron in 2010, CRS decided to take it’s talents to South Beach…well, not quite. But we did land in Orlando for the PGA Show! We had an interesting panel of 3 guests, and covered a lot of ground. Here is a short outline, but give the episode a listen, and subscribe if you like the show! 

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Our guests:

Matthew Hobbins - Director and Leads Acquisitions at Concert Golf Partners

Ken Reynolds - Sales and Marketing for AboutGOLF Simulators

John Bradway - Principal at CapTech Consulting

Points of Discussion: 

  • Through and coming out of Covid, people want connectivity, refocus on lifestyle, relaxation.

  • Concert Golf partnership with F45 Fitness (yes, Marky Mark’s F45!)

  • Try to add private equity expertise and value as owner/operators

  • Country club market now different than in past - full family environment and activities now

  • Growth for About Golf both commercial and residential installations

  • DIY/residential market “exploding” with simulators in homes

  • Home installations evolving to multimedia space platforms with golf and other uses

  • Tech and golf evolution- some consolidation but fragmentation will persist which is a net positive because it meets different needs of customers

  • Data standards to be established so they can move across tech applications

  • Customer experience with data and analytics - golf with great potential such as 1) on course data creation, and 2) why do I, the golfer, care?

  • PGA of America and CapTech new partnership- 1) use of data, 2) Coaching Center with enhanced tech in Frisco, TX, 3) generate digital tools to grow the game

  • PGA Show this year- majority of conversation about tech with golf, which is a huge change from two years ago

Takeaways

  • Lots of energy for the business of golf at PGA Show, the purpose for The Course Record Show

  • Trends at Show: 1) less merchandise and more technology, especially putting, 2) PGA Center at Frisco- courses, training, resorts, future tournaments

  • Even more bullish on future of simulator golf, evolution of home and commercial and amenity-based spread

  • Merging golf and tech data for improving the customer experience for golfers

  • Green grass clubs evolving model to more full family programming 

  • Interesting discussion of pros and cons about private ownership/operations/governance versus private equity owner/operator model

Dan Ferreira
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#13: Predictions for the Business of Golf in 2022