SPEAKERS

Don Peppers

Recognized for well over a decade as one of the leading authorities on customer-focused relationship management strategies, Don Peppers is an acclaimed author and a founding partner of Peppers & Rogers Group, the world’s premier customer-centered consultancy. Don has earned him some significant citations by internationally recognized entities. The Times of London has listed him among their “Top 50 Business Brains,” and the United Kingdom’s premier marketing organization, the Chartered Institute for Marketing, cited Don among their inaugural listing of the 50 “most influential thinkers in marketing and business today.” The World Technology Network has cited Don as an “innovator most likely to create visionary ‘ripple effects’.”

With co-author Martha Rogers, Ph.D., Don has produced a legacy of international best-sellers that have collectively sold well over a million copies in 18 languages. Peppers’ and Rogers’ latest thinking is embodied in their newest book, Rules to Break & Laws to Follow, which was named as the inaugural title to Microsoft’s “Executive Leadership Series.” Their 2005 publication of Return On Customersm (or ROC) climbed to the top 20 business books on Amazon, and was a top ten best-seller for 2005 with 800-CEO-Read. The One to One Future (1993) was named by Inc. magazine’s editor, George Gendron as “one of the two or three most important business books of all time.” BusinessWeek called it “one of the bibles of new marketing.” Enterprise One to One (1997), received a five-star rating from The Wall Street Journal. The One to One Fieldbook (1999), is a step-by-step guide to the mechanics and methodology for building customer relationships. The One to One Manager (1999) highlights the pioneers who dared to implement one-to-one strategies. One to One B2B made The New York Times best- seller list within a month of publication in 2001. The authors have also published the first ever CRM textbook for university use in graduate level courses, Managing Customer Relationships (April 2004).

James Chung

James Chung is the President of Reach Advisors, a NY-based strategy and research firm focused on emerging shifts in the consumer landscape. James serves some of the nation’s largest and most innovative organizations involved in sectors such as community development, tourism and resorts, healthy living, museums and culture, and arts and entertainment.

James founded Reach Advisors in 2002, following his experience as a client searching for game-changing insight. He simply could not find advisors who could pick apart the key drivers for future shifts, deliver truly strategic work grounded in operational reality, and set a course leading to the intended impact. Reach Advisors was created to fill that need for strategic change, driven by data rather than guesswork, with the end goal of maximizing tangible impact for the client.

James shares insights regularly as a featured speaker at many of the national and international conferences for the fields that he serves. He is also a writer, analyst and recurring source for media organizations ranging from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, NBC Nightly News, among many others. James is also the co-author of Life Stages of the Museum Visitor, published in 2009 by AAM Press.

Donald A. “Dan” Danner

Donald A. “Dan” Danner was named President and CEO of the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s leading small business association, in February, 2009. Danner is only the 6th president in the history of the organization.

Before rising to the top spot, Danner was Executive Vice President, overseeing NFIB's federal and state public policy and political activities as well as the organization’s three 501 (c) 3 operations: the Research Foundation, Small Business Legal Center and the Young Entrepreneur Foundation. He came to NFIB in 1993 as vice president of the NFIB Education Foundation (now known as the Young Entrepreneur Foundation) and was named vice president of federal public policy in 1995.

Previously, he was chief of staff to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Danner also worked in the White House Office of Public Liaison, where he was special assistant to the president and deputy director of the department. Before joining the White House staff, Danner was an executive with Armco Inc., a steel manufacturing company. He held leadership positions in sales and marketing, as well as state and federal lobbying on issues such as energy, environment, taxes, and trade. He also served four years as vice president of federal relations at George Mason University.

A native of Middletown, Ohio, Danner holds an MBA degree from Xavier University and an electrical engineering degree from Purdue University.

Commentator, CBS and the Golf Channel; Host, Feherty on the Golf Channel
Tales of a Survivor: The Wit and Wisdom of David Feherty

David Feherty, golf’s premier funnyman, is a commentator for CBS and the Golf Channel, and the host of a widely acclaimed weekly show on the Golf Channel. He is popular on the speaking circuit and the author of six books, including his latest “The Power of Positive Idiocy.”

A former assistant greenkeeper, the Northern Ireland native turned professional golfer at age 17. He has 10 worldwide professional wins to his credit and despite his self-deprecating style, was considered a solid player, especially in team, match-play competition. But it is off the court where Feherty has captured his biggest wins.

Afflicted with depression and battling alcoholism, he has persevered and reached out to others to help them in their struggles. He is also a supporter of and a volunteer for wounded Special Forces, Green Berets and other U.S. heroes.

Tom Abts

As General Manager of Deer Run Golf Club, Tom Abts has been a constant innovator as a golf club manager for over 20 years. His FastPlayFriday concept has been featured in magazines such as GOLF DIGEST and imitated at golf courses throughout the country. He was a pioneer in emphasizing the need for fun in the golf experience. A past PGA Promoter of the Year, Tom has always pushed the limits of marketing his golf course - often to the point of the outrageous. He believes that golf operations need to periodically reinvent themselves but must always remember to focus on the number one fundamental - providing a likable atmosphere.

Founder, Adams Golf
The Power of “FUN”

Barney Adams’ entrance into the golf equipment business was based on passion. He says,” When I started on my own in 1987 I didn’t have a dime I just wanted to be in the business.”

What followed were long days as a custom fitter, afternoons and evenings at The Haney Golf Ranch; orders were carried into the small facility housing Adams Golf and were hand assembled by Barney and a skeleton crew. The goal was always trying to enhance enjoyment for golfers by designing clubs easier to hit. One called the Tight Lies became a sensation fueling sales growth to a point where Wall Street took the company public in 1998.

Now retired from the operations of the company Barney still has a passion for bringing more enjoyment to the game. He wrote about how golfers should play from tees that would make shots to the green equivalent to tour players. The story became the premise of Tee IT Forward, a national program endorsed by the USGA and PGA of America for which he is a volunteer spokesman. Quotes Barney,”I still have a passion for introducing enjoyment into the game, this program is the perfect vehicle.”

Hilda Allen

Since 1989, starting with the sale of a small golf course in Valdosta, Georgia, Hilda Allen has focused her company intensively on the golf industry: business models, financing and the owners and sellers, whether corporations, partnerships or individual proprietors. Of the nearly 16,000 golf properties in the United States, Hilda Allen Real Estate, Inc. (HWA) has accounted for the sale or auction of more than 4%.

Hilda and her associates regularly cover the major golf conferences and trade shows where she is a frequent guest speaker or panelist. She is considered to be an authority on the golf industry and at various times has been interviewed by Business Week, The Wall Street Journal and CNBC.

In addition to its marketing activities HWA offers related services to its clients and customers, both overseas and U.S. based, including identification of potential equity partners, acquisitions, and property evaluations; direct interim course management as well as longer term management agreements through HWA’s strategic partners.

The company remains “golf centric”: golf courses, country clubs, and residential golf communities. However, Hilda Allen has developed and expanded the company’s coverage to include: planned recreational communities, entitled tracts close to urban (or suburban centers), and timber land.

Scott Anderson

Scott Anderson is President and CEO of High Country Hospitality, a hospitality management and technology company formed in 2000. High Country Hospitality has helped clients in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean better understand and implement technologies that assist in the marketing of their products. Online distribution, web marketing, social media, web design and the convergence of technology and marketing have been challenges Scott and his company have helped hotels and resorts implement. Recently High Country Hospitality expanded their client base to include the golf industry, which are facing the same technology and marketing challenges still prevalent in the hotel industry.

Prior to his current position, Scott served as Group President of Hospitality & Real Estate for Kohler Company , was the General Chairman of the 2010 PGA Championship held at one of his courses Whistling Straits in Kohler and has served as Vice chairman of Quintess.

Jim Baugh

While Jim is a consultant for various companies in the sports and recreation business, he has been a champion in growing sports participation at the grassroots level. Jim helped tennis grow over 23% in the past few years while being President of the Tennis industry Association and on the Board of the USTA, the governing body of tennis. Jim is the key figure in spearheading the largest industry–wide initiative to grow tennis participation: the Tennis Welcome Centers. This former President of Wilson Sporting Goods is also the founder of PE4Life, an initiative to combat obesity and the sedentary lifestyle of America’s youth while rebuilding quality physical education programs throughout America.

Ralph Brekan

Ralph Brekan has been engaged in the appraisal of real property since 1973. The scope of his work includes the appraisal of commercial, industrial, special purpose, vacant land, residential, and recreational use properties, including numerous country clubs and golf clubs, cash flow and investment analysis, and market and feasibility studies. His golf course experience includes appraisals, market studies, feasibility studies, consultations and brokerage assignments dating back to the late 1970s, covering 21 states. He has served as an instructor in real estate and continues to appear as guest lecturer or faculty member at various real estate conferences, and special interest real estate functions.

Ron Carciere

Ron Carciere is the President of Golf Course Appraisal, a golf real estate valuation firm and one of the founding partners of Golf Market Advisors, a golf property and facility operations consulting firm. Over the past 25 years, Ron has performed appraisals and consulted on hundreds of golf facilities throughout the country. Ron’s experience also includes six years of working in golf operations and management, with tow years as an assistant professional.

Dan Clark

Dan Clark has held the position of manager of Willow Creek, a family owned 36-hole facility, since 1980. He has witnessed several cycles in the golf industry, and firmly believes that growing the game of golf is the responsibility of each and every golf course. Dan graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in business. He lives in West Des Moines with his wife, Beth, and their two wonderful children.

Tom Christy

Tom Christy joined OB Sports in 1998 previously working as a leading golf course superintendent at courses in California, Washington and Oregon. He is the recipient of the Golf Course Superintendents Association Environmental Stewardship and Leo Fezer Awards. As VP of Construction and Agronomy for OB Sports, Tom visits each property on a regular basis and establishes a customized golf course maintenance program working closely with the on-site superintendent, or identifying new candidates for that position when necessary. Tom also oversees OB's Construction Management division. For both construction and maintenance, Tom supervises OB's national account relationships. Tom is a graduate of Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Crop Science and Soils.

Robert Cole

Robert Cole is Founder of RockCheetah, a marketing strategy and travel technology consulting practice. He specializes in helping clients align strategic marketing objectives with innovative technologies and efficient business processes to drive customer engagement, exemplary service delivery and return on investment. Highlights of Robert’s extensive industry experience include leading corporate marketing planning for Four Seasons Hotels, running Sabre’s global hotel program, and launching dynamic travel packaging pioneer Neat Group.

A graduate of Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration, he has been actively engaged in many travel industry initiatives including The Open Travel Alliance, HEDNA, the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research and the University of Delaware HR&IM Technology Advisory Board. A well-regarded speaker at industry conferences, he is frequently quoted in leading consumer, business and travel industry publications. Robert is also author of the Views from a Corner Suite blog where he diligently attempts to prove marketing strategy, travel technology, quality service & profitability can peacefully coexist.

Darrell Crall, senior director of Golf 2.0, oversees the execution of The PGA's new strategic plan to grow the game. Prior to his current role, Crall was with the Northern Texas where he was responsible for the daily operation of the Section's 750 PGA Professionals and the Junior Golf Foundation, servicing an active customer base of 29,000 junior golf and associate members.

Among his accomplishments with the Northern Texas PGA include the growth of the Section's assets by 15 times; establishing and managing the Deloitte Justin Leonard Scholarship and Fairway to Success programs; organizing the nationally recognized Help-A-Kid Play Golf and Golf In Schools programs; and developing a PGA Tour ambassador program.

Crall began his professional career as a consultant for the National Golf Foundation of Japan in Tokyo in 1989, and through 1990 was a golf school instructor and operations manager for Duke University. From 1990-1995, Crall became one of the most active administrators of the Carolinas PGA Section. Crall is a board member of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame and Texas Organization of Recreation Associations; is serving his third term on the PGA Executive Director Committee; is an advisory board member of the TELOS Fitness Center and C-Prime Sports Performance; is a past board member of The First Tee of Dallas; and from 2007-09 was executive director and consultant of the PGA Foundation.

Laura Cray

Laura Cray is the National Director of Food and Beverage for KemperSports. With over 25 years of industry experience, Laura provides corporate support for thefood and beverage operations at KemperSports-managed properties while establishing cost control procedures and developing food and beverage vendor partnerships. Laura also serves as an internal resource for KemperSports’ senior operating executives and KemperSports-managed properties for budgeting and forecasting decisions, kitchen and clubhouse design, operating policies, menu development and event management.

Laura began her career with KemperSports more than 25 years ago at Kemper Lakes Golf Course, where she served as both the Food and Beverage Director and Club Manager. While at Kemper Lakes, Laura was responsible for operationsof the Ameritech/SBC Senior Open and also acted as General Chairman for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship, both of which were held at Kemper Lakes.

During her tenure at KemperSports, Laura was also responsible for the development and operations of Bolingbrook Golf Club’s 76,000 square-foot clubhouse, which included three unique kitchen operations, one of which served a ballroom for 900 people. Before the clubhouse opened in 2003, Laura successfully pre-sold $1.7 million in events.

Laura’s versatile background in both food and beverage and operations has helped her to provide valuable support to KemperSports’ golf course portfolio.

Henry B. DeLozier

Henry DeLozier is a Principal in Global Golf Advisors, an international consultancy serving the investment banking, real estate development and golf asset ownership and operations business segments.

Henry joined GGA after nine years as the Vice President – Golf of Pulte Homes, the largest developer of golf course communities in the US. He developed 27 new golf courses within 10 states for Pulte. During his tenure, Pulte became the largest developer of golf communities and courses in the USA having invested more than $500 million in the development of golf assets.

He is recognized by GolfInc magazine as one of the “Most Influential People in Golf” for ten consecutive years. He is a Past President of the NGCOA. Henry is recognized for his uncommon understanding of golf and residential properties; he is a no-nonsense profit producer, an innovative marketer, and an advocate of exceptional customer service.

He serves as an expert source for Business Week, CNBC-Squawk Box, Financial Times, GOLF, Golf Digest and Golf Business magazines, New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post.

Damon is Managing Director of Charlottesville, VA based Affinity Management which owns and operates golf courses and other private clubs in addition to being a leader in providing consultation and professional management for third parties in all aspects of their business. Affinity has advised clubs in 25 states since 1997. Damon also serves on the Selection Board for Equestrian Services.

Damon previously was a consultant with Boston-based Corporate Decisions, Inc. (CDI) alongside Steve Leavitt (Freakonomics) and Adrian Slywotzky (Demand: Creating What People Love Before They Know They Want It). CDI was an offspring of Bain & Co. providing strategic counsel to Fortune 500 Companies. Damon holds an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School where he was awarded the Samuel Forrest Hyde Fellowship. He also holds a BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and a BS in Finance from the Wharton School.

Damon once helped relocate 21 Tibetan refugees to Charlottesville as part of a special visa grant by Congress, including raising over 15% of the budget by playing 144 holes of golf in one day.

Damon authors a free newsletter for the club industry called Memberandum that is available at www.affinitymanagement.com.

William E Ellis

Bill has been Ernst & Young's Midwest Director of Real Estate Tax Services and KPMG's National Director of Tax Services for the Golf Industry Practice. He formulated, organized and led KPMG's engagement with the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) Depreciation Initiative that was successful in obtaining a formal published Revenue Ruling (2001-60) allowing depreciation of certain golf course land improvements. These efforts, which encompassed more than two years, included numerous tax issues affecting the industry as outlined in the IRS' proposed Audit Techniques Guide for the Golf Course Owner, Developer and Club Industry.

Bill has focused his practice within this industry on a national basis since 1999 advising clients from Hawaii to Massachusetts with developments in the U.S., Bahamas, Mexico and Turks & Caicos.

Bill has a broad tax background encompassing all types of real estate developments and transactions. Bill has long-term business relationships with several local and regional firms which can be accessed for complex or large staffing engagements. In addition, he has an intimate knowledge of specific capabilities that can be accessed from KPMG or Ernst & Young on a fee basis, if appropriate.

Jim Estes

Jim Estes, Co-Founder, SMGA, is currently the PGA Director of Golf Instruction at Olney Golf Park in Olney, MD. He has taught and played professionally since 1988. Jim earned his PGA Class A membership in 1993, and he has worked with some of the most accomplished instructors in the game of golf, including: Mike Adams, Jim Flick, David Leadbetter, and Jim Suttie. Jim's playing achievements include: earning exempt status on the PGA TOUR and recording two top 15 finishes in 1998; playing in 5 major championships (4 U.S. Opens and 1 PGA Championship); and a win on the Nationwide Tour. Jim's most rewarding teaching accomplishment has been the founding of the Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA) and teaching unilateral amputee Sean Lewis how to break a score of 100 in just 3 months. Jim received the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition's Community Leadership Award in 2011, was presented with the PGA of America's 2010 Patriot Award, was chosen as one of the top 50 instructors in America by Golf Range Magazine in 2008, and was one of 12 individuals honored with GOLF Magazine's 2007 Innovator Awards..

Nikki Gatch

Nikki Gatch is currently the assistant executive director for the Southern California PGA. With over 20 years experience in the golf industry, Nikki has held such positions as Junior Golf Director, Desert Junior Golf Program Manger and First Assistant Golf Professional. She is the vice president of the Women’s Southern California Golf Association Foundtation, on the Growth of the Game Committee for the California Alliance for Golf, the Advisory Committee for the Southern California Golf Association Foundation and Advisory Board for the Total Golf Adventures Foundation.

Phil Green grew up in Northern California surrounded by a strong influence of golf and community service. His grandfather played golf nearly every day and his uncle Nelson is still a PGA professional. Phil’s parents were highly involved in the youth service organization, 4-H, which develops a child's sense of community pride and leadership skills. And his twelve year old daughter is an accomplished golfer, winning the PGA Junior Tour Championship for Northern California in 2010. Phil played one year of high school golf but was more interested in other sports while he attended UC Davis from 1985 to 1991.

In 1991 Phil took a trip to Scotland and had the great fortune of playing St. Andrews. Soon after that seminal trip, Phil started construction of Home on the Range, a golf instruction and practice center.

Phil has combined his passion for golf with his love of community and developed some incredible programs with strong benefits for both. He is currently running golf programs at 8 schools, a Boy's and Girl's Club, and a Recreation Department. In total his programs have introduced golf to over 1,000 school children, their families, and teachers since the beginning of the 2011 school year.

Teresa Greenbaum has worked at Angel Park Golf Club since June of 1998. She has held the position of Food & Beverage Event Coordinator for over ten years and is responsible for the sales, coordination and supervision of events. Angel Park is a busy property with many golf events ranging from 20 to 300 guests, as well as evening parties, weddings, anniversaries and corporate events. Teresa is a graduate of the University of San Diego and has two college age children.

Shelly Haywood

Shelly Haywood was head Women's Golf Coach at The University of Arizona from 2004-2010. Prior to coaching, she was an instructor at Tucson Country Club for over 10 years.

She has a BS in Professional Golf Management and Business from New Mexico State University and was a member of the nationally ranked Women's Golf Team.

An accomplished player and teacher, Shelly was a two-time All Big West Conference selection during her college career and accumulated 3 victories on the West Coast Ladies Tour from 2002-04. Shelly is an Honorary Board Member of the Arizona Golf Association and currently serves as a committee member of the USGA's Women's Amateur Public Links Championship. In 2005, she was named the LPGA's Western Section Coach of the Year and was further honored as the 2005 LPGA National Coach of the Year.

Shelly is a co-founder of SNAG Arizona, is a SNAG Certified Trainer and is on the National Advisory Board for SNAG Golf. She is a TPI Certified Professional and has been a golf professional for over 20 years and was also nominated as Golf For Women Magazine's top 100 Teachers.

Michael Haywood

As current President of the Southwest Section PGA and past Chairman of the Section Finance Committee (2007-2011), Michael Haywood has led the section’s financial efforts through extremely inventive times. Michael served on the Chapter’s Board of Directors for 10 years and was elected by the Southwest Section PGA membership to serve on the PGA of America’s National Board of Directors (District 14), representing the Southwest & Pacific Northwest PGA Sections. He currently serves as Chairman of the PGA of America’s National Apprentice Committee.

Michael is a co-founder of SNAG Arizona, is SNAG Golf Certified and serves as a member on the National Advisory Board for SNAG Golf. Among his honors include the 2006 Southwest PGA Golf Professional of the Year, the 2004 and ’07 Southwest PGA Horton Smith Award, 2008 Southern Chapter SWSPGA Teacher of the Year, 2001, 2002 & 2006 Southern Chapter SWSPGA Professional of the Year 1999, ’07, ’10, and was cited in 2010 & 2011 by Golf Digest as one of the ‘Top Teachers in Arizona.’ He is a Titleist Performance Institute Certified Fitness Professional and certified in the TRX Suspension Training and RIP Training Programs.

David Hamilton

Prior to becoming Vice President of National Accounts for International Club Suppliers, David had a 20+ year career at Club Car (1988-2009). At Club Car he held the positions of Territory Manager, managed Branch Operations, managed Indirect/Direct Distribution Sales, National Accounts, Vice President of Golf Americas and VP of Global Strategic Accounts.

David received his Business Degree and played golf for Augusta State University. He also received an Executive MBA from Rollins College as well.

Kenneth Hopper

J. Kenneth Hopper entered the real estate appraisal business in 1963 with the firm of Wakefield & Hopper, Real Estate Appraisers. In 1972 Hopper founded Real Property Analysts, Wakefield & Hopper, Inc. affiliate and has been associated with this firm to the present date. Hopper is a member of the Appraisal Institute and past President of the Northern California Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and past President of the Northern California Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and past President of the Central California of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers. Hopper is a member of the Society of Golf Appraisers and has worked on numerous golf course appraisals, feasibility studies and consultations throughout California and for the past six years Hopper has specialized in the appraisal and feasibility study of golf courses, including private equity clubs, privately owned daily fee golf courses and municipal golf courses.

Dana Johnston

Dana Johnston is the Vice President and General Manager for entegra Procurement Services – a group purchasing organization serving the hospitality and non-commercial segments. Entegra, formed in 1999, provides services to customers in the health care, seniors, golf, restaurant and lodging industries. In addition to being an ordained Baptist clergyman, he has worked as a Director of Food and Nutrition Services in a retirement community, a community hospital and a teaching hospital. A graduate of Colby College and Colgate Rochester Divinity School, Dana resides with his wife and three sons in Connecticut. In his down time he enjoys reading and attempting to master the game of golf.

Laurence A. Hirsh

Larry Hirsh is President of Golf Property Analysts, a leading golf and club property consulting, appraisal and brokerage firm based in Harrisburg, PA. He has performed consulting and appraisal assignments on more than 2,500 golf & club properties in 45 US states, Canada and the Caribbean, and has previously written 2 articles on golf & club property valuation in The Appraisal Journal, and co-authored The Urban Land Institute’s Residential Golf Community Development. A founder and first president of the Society of Golf Appraisers (SGA), Larry has also developed a golf course and brokered more than $100 million in golf course & club properties. He is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University.

Milan Kapel

As General Manager, Milan Kapel oversees daily operations of Berkshire Hills, a renowned 18-hole golf course located in beautiful Northeastern Ohio. Formerly an exclusive members-only country club, the multi-venue facility (now open to the public) has been the distinguished recipient of numerous accolades, including: "Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play" as well as the exclusive "Best Golf Course in Geauga County, Ohio" award for 2011.

Since 1965, Milan has been actively involved with his family-owned golf course. Over the years, he has worked in a variety of managerial positions including the original construction, renovation and modernization of many value-added course amenities. For instance, Milan led the design and development of family / forward tee boxes selectively throughout the course. Milan adds “We've found that Seniors really enjoy playing from the forward tees because they can play the course the way they used to when they were younger.” Today, in addition to overseeing all facets of the golf course, he also manages Berkshire Hills food & beverage.
A graduate of Kent State University, with a background in Marketing and Accounting, Milan has successfully grown revenue at Berkshire with his sound business judgment and innate ability to understand and cater to the expectations of customers.

Arthur Little began his career as a venture capitalist from 1967-1992 with the Narragansett Capital Corporation and Narragansett Capital Partners specializing in management-led leveraged buyouts. Purchasing Province Lake Golf Course in 1996 led to rebuilding the course, its building and the facility’s reputation. We approached the business differently and did a number of things not expected at golf facilities. Rebuilding the tee system to fit a wider group of players with tees ranging from 4169 to 6336 yards increased women's play from 15 to 35% and junior play from 1.5 to 7.5%.We also significantly increased the size of our outings/tournaments as women could fully participate as important members of a team. Our pro shop was stocked with an equal amount of women's goods as men's and we sold more women's soft goods and clubs than men's.

An owner for 10 years of Province Lake Golf Club in Parsonsfield, ME , she and her partner brought the operation out of bankruptcy by repositioning the facility to appeal to wider segments of the golf community- particularly women, families, seniors and juniors.

Prior to owning the golf course, Jann worked as a venture capitalist, serving as VP of Venture Capital Fund of New England and president of Leeming Investment Company. As a marketing consultant and CEO of About Women, Inc., Jann was recognized as a leading expert on U.S. women’s lifestyles and purchasing habits, was a regular contributor on NPR, and appeared on CNN’s Market Report. She was appointed to BMW’s outside Board advising on how to sell more automobiles to women. Consulting clients included Gannett, Ocean Spray, Buick, Schwann and Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

Jann is now a contributor to golfwithwomen.com, serves on four non-profit boards, and is a Golf Week rater.

Doug, a Director with Deloitte FAS, leads the national golf and lifestyles advisory practice. The Deloitte team provides operation reviews, business/forensic consultation, valuation, bankruptcy, and expert witness services. Doug is a frequent speaker and has been quoted in Time Magazine, Washington Post, and The Boardroom.

Kelly McCammon

Kelly McCammon graduated from University of Florida with a Real Estate degree and a Minor in Agronomy. He started working for O&B sports in 1991 at Teton Pines as an assistant golf professional in the golf shop and as an assistant for the superintendent on the golf course. He has been a Class A PGA professional since 1996. Kelly has been involved with SNAG from its inception, providing feedback on original prototypes of SNAG made by Terry Anton and Wally Armstrong. Kelly placed the SNAG system into some of the first schools in 2000. As Vice President of SNAG Golf, Kelly currently oversees the U.S. Operations for SNAG Golf and is on the Player Development Committee for Golf 20/20.

Martha McMahon Acker

Martha McMahon Acker is currently the Vice President and Ask the Members™ Director for the McMahon Group. Martha joined McMahon Group in 1988 after graduating from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Martha has more than 20 years of experience with the private club field and has worked with numerous private clubs. She provides survey, strategic planning and consulting services to country and city clubs across North America.

Martha is in charge of new product development for the firm. She also works on special projects such as Ask the Members™, McMahon Club Trends® and our Internet directory (www.clubtopia.com). She is also the chief financial officer of the firm.

Martha is a member of Bellerive Country Club where she has served on numerous committees. She has also chaired committees for the 2004 Senior US Open and the 2008 BMW Championship. She has done volunteer work for the Junior League of St. Louis and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Terry Oetzel

Terrell R. Oetzel, MAI, CRE, SGA, has been completing real estate appraisals and counseling since receiving his Masters Degree from Michigan State University (College of Agricultural Economics), majoring in real estate appraising. He initially started working for Donald V. Whipp, Jr., MAI, CRE, during the summer of 1963. Following graduation in June of 1964 he continued to work for Mr. Whipp. His primary responsibilities were the collection of data and the analysis of data collected for appraisals and counseling. Terrell received his MAI designation in November of 1971. Since that time he has continued to complete real estate appraisal and counseling assignments. Terrell received his CRE designation in May of 1987 and his SGA designation in June of 2000. Terrell has appraised and counseled on many types of real estate including fee simple interests, leased fee interests, and leasehold interests.

Chris O'Neall

Cris K. O’Neall, ESQ. is a partner in Cahill, Davis & O’Neall, LLP in Los Angeles, California. Cris’s practice is devoted exclusively to property tax and assessment litigation, trials and counseling. Cris is a Director of the California Taxpayers’ Association. His firm is the California member of American Property Tax Counsel. Cris has taught thirty one-day courses on California Property Taxation to accountants, attorneys, real estate professionals, corporate executives, bank trust officers and property tax representatives. He has also published articles on property taxation in Real Estate Southern California, National Real Estate Investor, Cal-Tax Digest, The Journal of Property Tax Assessment & Administration, and Property Tax Alert (CCH Incorporated). Cris earned his BA degree in Economics summa cum laude from Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California and his JD degree from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and is admitted to the California Bar. He is the former chair of the State and Local Tax Subcommittee of the California State Bar Taxation Section and a former chair of the State and Local Tax Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

Gregg Patterson

Prior to becoming the General Manager of the Beach Club, Gregg was the Assistant Manager of the Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles and also worked as a Systems Analyst for the U.S. Army Club System.

Gregg also serves as Senior Associate with Kapoor and Kapoor Hospitality Consultants, where he teaches certification courses in leadership and marketing for the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA. Building on his experience as a club manager, Gregg has been a featured presenter at various club management seminars and hospitality forums in Canada, Ireland, the U.K., Spain, Denmark, Hungary, China, Thailand, Singapore, Korea and Colombia.

Gregg currently teaches at various business management institute programs and has spoken to club management classes and associations at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Cornell University and the University of Houston.

Gregg also writes a monthly column for Board Room magazine and is the author of Reflections on the Club Experience, an anthology of essays on club cultures and operations. In 2002, Gregg was awarded the Gary Player Private Club Educator of the Year Award by Board Room magazine.

Gregg earned an M.P.S. degree from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and a B.A. in British Imperial History from Colgate University.

Valyn Perini

Valyn is the CEO of the OpenTravel Alliance, and oversees the operations of the organization, including developing and executing strategies to reach the goal of standardized electronic distribution of travel and traveler information. Her travel career includes positions with InterContinental, Westin and Swissôtel, with PricewaterhouseCoopers as a travel technology consultant, and as the director of product strategy for Newmarket International. Responsibilities included hospitality and travel operations, sales and marketing, systems design and management, consulting, and software development. Valyn lives in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Tim Peter

Tim Peter helps companies put the web to work to grow their business. Prior to launching Tim Peter & Associates, a full-service e-commerce and internet marketing consulting firm in early 2011, Tim worked for over 16 years developing innovative e-commerce and internet marketing programs across a variety of industries. Since 2001, he has worked with the world's largest hotel franchisor and the world's premier independent luxury hotel representation firm to help hotels and resorts across diverse segments achieve more than $2 billion in online revenue. A popular, in-demand speaker, his writings have appeared in trade publications and multiple online sources, and his e-commerce and internet marketing blog "Tim Peter Thinks" attracts a large following each month. You can reach Tim at tim@timpeter.com.

Del Ratcliffe

A Class “A” member of both the PGA of America and the GCSAA, Del serves as the President of the North Carolina Golf Course Owner’s Association. As the Growth of the Game Chairman for the Carolinas PGA Section, Del is a strong proponent of providing “avenues” for people who want to learn to play golf, or simply improve their skills. He has championed Par-3 and short courses as “bunny slopes” for beginners to learn the game and his company, Ratcliffe Golf Services, Inc., specializes in constructing innovative courses that appeal to the natural learning curve that exists in golf. The company has completed five “learning course” facilities, and has a renovation of a nine hole course opening soon that will serve as a key component of his “Growth of the Game” initiative.

Jeff Robin

Jeff Robin has been the Food and Beverage Director at Angel Park Golf Club since 1994 and has overseen The Legacy Food and Beverage department since 2005. Jeff is responsible for the daily operations of the Food and Beverage departments insuring they meet the standards of an O.B. Sports property as a profit center for the individual clubs. His professional background reflects over 22 years experience in management with independent restaurants, corporate chains, hotel and casinos as well as, public golf clubs.

Owner, Juday Creek Golf Course
Group Discussion – Leveraging Elected Officials

Linda Rogers is the owner and operator of Juday Creek Golf Course in Granger, Indiana which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2008. Linda and her husband Mike built the course as well as the surrounding housing development. Members of the NGCOA since before they opened the course, Linda has been very active in the organization and currently serves as the Board Vice President and was one of the founding members of the Indiana Golf Course Owners Association, serving as its first President. As a member of the INGCOA, Linda was proactive in lobbying to bring Daylight Savings Time to the state and is now pursuing property tax reform for golf courses in Indiana. The Rogers also own a high-end custom home business that builds homes in Michigan and Indiana. Linda recently finished a 2-year term as the President of the St. Joseph Valley Homebuilders Association and is now an Area Vice President for the Indiana Builders Association. Prior to venturing into the golf business, the Rogers owned 5 restaurants. Mike and Linda’s only child, Michelle Wittig works closely with the couple in their businesses and is the General Manager of Juday Creek.

Terry Sedalik

Terry serves as Executive Director of the South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association (SCGCOA - 300 members) and the Charleston Golf Course Owners Association. The state association is involved in legislative actions, educational activities, communications, and group purchasing. The local association is more involved in destination marketing especially by developing increased funding and co-operative marketing efforts for the golf industry, and focusing members on local owner issues.

Terry is founder and facilitator of two significant coalitions of allied associations. One is the “Carolinas Golf Council”, which includes the Executive Directors of the Carolinas PGA, South Carolina Golf Association, Carolinas Golf Association, Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association, Club Managers Association, and the SCGCOA. The other group is called the “Golf Association Directors Forum” and includes top golf operator organizations from the eastern half of the US. Both of these organizations provide strong alliances across the many regions to protect and promote the golf industry.

Terry is former Chairman of the Board of an electronic tee time distribution company owned by member golf destinations. Control of tee time distribution inventory is paramount to stability and technology development in the golf tourism booking industry.

Electronic marketing and fulfillment capability present new opportunities for golf course operators.

Ron Stepanek

Ron Stepanek is the Director of Player Development with The PGA of America's national office in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Hired in the Spring of 2005, Ron oversees the PGA's Player Development efforts including Play Golf America, the development and implementation of national programs targeted to grow the game and business of golf. He has presented to numerous groups including the National Recreation and Parks Association, Golf Inc, National Golf Management Institute, and at numerous PGA of America programs.

Bill Stine

Bill Stine is Owner and CEO of Golf Enterprises, with over 25 years of golf course operations and acquisitions experience. Bill started in the golf course management business in 1981 as owner and CEO of U.S.A. Golf Inc., an owner and operator of golf courses in Florida. He was a co-founder of International Golf Maintenance the largest provider of third party golf course maintenance in the golf industry. He was the driving force in the consolidation of several companies into Meadowbrook Golf Group. With Bill as President and COO, Meadowbrook grew to become the third largest golf course operator in the United States. He is a board member and past president of the NGCOA.

As VP of Sales and Marketing, OB Sports Golf Management, Kris is responsible for creating group sales, public relations, brand development, promotional activities, internet marketing strategies and advertising initiatives. Kris has received honors such as Golf Inc's Marketing Excellence award and was recognized by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) with their national "Media Leader Award" for 2007. Recently, Strauss directed new OB Sports initiatives included the development of an OB Sports Golf App for Iphones and Droids, innovative social network campaigns and pace of play initiatives such as OB Sports Express Lane Tee Times.

Kate Tempesta

Kate is a member of the LPGA T&CP and the director of the Junior Golf Program at Montauk Downs. For the last decade, she has been working with children to bring movement education to schools. In 2001, she created her own curriculum at St. Thomas More Play Group where she taught for 9 years. She founded KTUGA to combine her passion for movement, early childhood education and golf.

Most recently, Kate was named one of the Top Young Instructors by Golf Digest and one of the '40 most influential people in golf under 40' by Golf Magazine. (November 2010 issues) We believe that these accolades come from Kate's contagious attitude about teaching golf to children as early as the age of four.

Jerry Trieber

Jerry Trieber, is a Director of Field Accounting (Regional Controller) at Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Inc. in Fairfax, Virginia, where he is responsible for oversight of a portfolio of 11 hotels across the United States. Jerry is also responsible for leading Crestline’s Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance initiatives as well as Crestline’s Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard compliance efforts.

Jerry is formerly the Director of Internal Audit at Hersha Hospitality Management in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the Director of Internal Audit at Noble Investment Group in Atlanta, Georgia, and Manager of Financial Review & Analysis at Interstate Hotels and Resorts in Arlington, Virginia. Jerry also served for a number of years in various professional capacities with Ernst & Young LLP, Arthur Andersen LLP, Price Waterhouse LLP, and KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.

Jerry is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), a Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE), and is Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF).

Edward Vaughan

Edward Vaughan is the President and Chief Executive Officer of ETS Corporation, a recognized leader in the merchant processing and ATM driving fields. Ed pioneered internet-based credit, gift card and debit transaction processing by designing the EMoney™ transaction platform, ranked as “the most secure platform in the world today” by MasterCard International risk assessment management team. ETS continues to differentiate itself from other processors through cutting edge products and services, continuous product development and superior relationship management.

Rob Waldron has more than 25 years of finance, marketing and operations experience in the golf and hospitality industries. In his role of Acquisitions and Business Development Manager for Billy Casper Golf, Rob is responsible identifying and underwriting third party management, lease, and acquisition opportunities for the firm. Prior to BCG, Rob held positions with Marriott Corporation, the Golf Consulting Division of Legg Mason Real Estate Services, KSL Fairways Group and Puregolf Financial Services. Rob is a member of the Golf Digest “America’s 100 Greatest” Ranking Panel and serves on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Chapter of the National Golf Course Owners Association and Argyle Country Club. Rob majored in Finance at Pennsylvania State University Smeal School of Business Administration and Marketing at the Temple University Graduate School of Business.

Becky Wilkins

Becky Wilkins is the owner of Retail Management Associates, a buying and consulting company with a focus on small specialty shops including golf. Her shops have garnered the coveted Golf World Business “Top 100” status for over eight years.

She began her career in retail by completing the Executive Buying Program for Macy’s in San Francisco and has been buying and consulting for multiple shops on the west coast for over 20 years. The focus of Retail Management Associates is on inventory and buying plans, product mix and profitability analysis by department for independent retail shops.

Becky is the Northwest Region Director for the Association of Golf Merchandisers, a frequent presenter at regional seminars and national conferences, a member of the AGM Education Team and a recipient of the “Excellence in Education” award.