In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we welcome Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), to dive into the pressing trends and challenges shaping the golf industry today. With over 28 years of experience in association management and a mission to champion golf course owners and operators, Jay shares his unique perspectives on workforce development, emerging trends, and the industry's advocacy efforts. Join us as we uncover strategies to navigate workforce chal...
Jan 07, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 37
In this special year-end episode of Leadership on the Links, host Tyler Bloom and his team take a moment to reflect on their growth, experiences, and the milestones they've reached throughout the year. Each team member shares insights into their personal and professional development, the evolution of their roles, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Throughout the episode, Tyler and his team also discuss the importance of their work in recruitment, particularly within the competitive g...
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 36
In this episode of Leadership on the Links, Tyler sits down with Nick Mazzella, founder of The Mazzella Partnership and a leading expert in golf course project management and renovations. Nick shares his journey, from managing small-scale public projects to working with historic venues preparing for major championships. With his deep industry knowledge, Nick discusses the art of balancing large-scale transformations with smaller, strategic improvements that elevate a course without breaking the ...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 35
In this episode, Tyler sits down with style experts Eric and Lisa to discuss the importance of personal style and how it can elevate your professional image. Eric and Lisa share their journey of combining their talents in fashion and hair design to help clients feel confident and polished. They dive into common misconceptions about style, the benefits of a closet purge and capsule wardrobe, and practical tips for busy professionals to balance comfort and sophistication. Eric and Lisa also share ...
Dec 17, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In this episode of Leadership on the Links , host Tyler Bloom sits down with Scott Pavalko, the Superintendent at Castle Pines Golf Club, as he shares his journey from his early days in Ohio to leading at iconic courses like Muirfield Village and Cog Hill. Scott discusses the unique challenges of transitioning to Castle Pines, managing turf in diverse climates, and his commitment to continuous improvement in golf course management. Scott offers valuable lessons on leadership, focusing on the imp...
Dec 10, 2024•49 min
In this episode, host Tyler Bloom sits down with Bill Langley, the General Manager of The Club at Quail Ridge, to discuss Langley's extensive career in the club management industry. Langley shares his journey, from opening and transitioning clubs to managing large-scale resort and development projects over the past 30 years. Langley emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships and camaraderie within the club management community. He shares insights on effectively managing up (with ...
Dec 03, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Many professionals find themselves at a career crossroads, contemplating a career change or transition. Whether it's moving from a superintendent role to a sales/marketing position, or exploring opportunities beyond the golf course, these transitions can be both exciting and daunting. Eric Snelsire, a seasoned veteran of the golf industry, has experienced his fair share of career pivots. From his early days as an assistant superintendent at prestigious clubs like Oakmont Country Club, to becomin...
Nov 26, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 31
In this episode, Tyler talks with Matthew Shaffer, a renowned former golf course superintendent, about his career path and the lessons he's learned from various roles, including at high-profile clubs like Merion Golf Club and Augusta National, and humble beginnings. He credits his time at Hershey Food Corporation for shifting his perspective. At Hershey, he learned to see a golf course as a business asset rather than merely a space to protect. This exposure, combined with the mentorship of legen...
Nov 19, 2024•46 min
In this episode, we’re diving into the power of personal branding—not just as a tool for visibility, but as a journey in personal development with Rachel Gogos, owner of BrandID. Rachel shares her career journey, from starting in higher education and working at the United Nations to launching her agency focused on personal branding and business strategy. The importance of self-discovery in personal branding Rachel shares when we truly understand our strengths, vision, and how we want to be perce...
Nov 12, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this episode, we sit down with Jon Urbanski, an accomplished golf course superintendent, to discuss his impressive career journey, insights on team culture and leadership, and his unique experience hosting the 2022 BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club. Jon shares how he went from considering a career as a math teacher to finding his passion in the golf industry. We discuss his journey from a summer crew member to one of the industry's top superintendents, highlighting his passion, serv...
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In this episode, Brian Chapin shares insights from his unique career journey from golf course superintendent to general manager (GM) during the pandemic, and eventually to VP at LaBar Golf, where he joined in 2022. His path offers a valuable perspective on moving from hands-on turf management to overseeing broader club operations, providing a holistic view of club success. Emphasizing career development, Brian advises superintendents to stay open to non-traditional roles, like GM, as the entire ...
Oct 29, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Adam Garr discusses his unique career journey and expertise in communication strategies tailored for golf course superintendents. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling and creative branding techniques to improve career advancement and opportunities, as well as to sell the opportunities within a department and operation. Garr also shares his own entrepreneurial journey and offers advice for those looking to pursue niche businesses in the golf industry. Creatively telling your story can boo...
Oct 22, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In this special episode of Leadership on the Links , host Tyler Bloom highlights the impactful work of the Super Scratch Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2020. Tyler is joined by industry colleagues Scott Bordner and Timothy Zurybida to discuss how the foundation is making a difference in the often underserved and overlooked side of the golf industry: turfgrass and agronomy. The Super Scratch Foundation's mission is to invest in the future of the golf industry by supporting...
Oct 19, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 25
In this episode of Leadership on the Links, host Tyler Bloom interviews Shane Conroy, a GCSAA field staff representative, about his unconventional career path and his role as a field rep. They discuss the importance of getting involved in the industry and the various programs available for personal and professional development. They also touch on the role of Superintendents in encouraging their team members to engage in the industry and the rewarding aspects of the job. They discuss the challeng...
Oct 15, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 24
In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we explore the career journey of Jason Tharp, a golf course superintendent whose unconventional path led him from the music industry to one of the most prestigious golf clubs in the country. Career Journey: From Music to Turf Jason Tharp’s story begins in Nashville, where he grew up surrounded by the music industry. After high school, he took jobs at local golf courses to make ends meet, all while exploring a career in recording arts. But it wasn’t lon...
Oct 08, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we explore the inspiring career journey of Alan FitzGerald, a golf course superintendent whose path has taken him from the emerald shores of Ireland to some of the world’s top golf courses. Alan shares his experiences growing up around golf courses, his early career at Mount Juliet resort, and his education at Penn State and Loch Lomond. His six-year tenure at Pine Valley and 19 years at Ledgerock prepared him for his current role at Rehoboth Beach Cou...
Oct 01, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In the latest episode of Leadership on the Links, we were thrilled to host Eric Schultz, whose career journey and industry insights provide valuable lessons for golf professionals and enthusiasts alike. Eric Schultz’s journey and insights provide a wealth of inspiration for anyone in the golf industry. His emphasis on relationships, empathy, and collaboration, combined with his personal anecdotes, make for a compelling and insightful episode. From Humble Beginnings to Prestigious Clubs Eric Schu...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Courtney Trimble, a former college golf coach, shares her journey of starting a recruitment service for women in the golf industry. She saw a need to help college golfers transition into careers in the golf space and connect them with organizations looking to hire. She helps candidates find employment and provides career development opportunities. Courtney emphasizes the unique skills that college golfers bring to organizations and aims to build their confidence and help them map out their caree...
Sep 17, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Guy Cipriano has served as editor-in-chief of Golf Course Industry magazine since 2014. The interviewer becomes the interviewee in this revealing listen about the birdies, pars, and bogeys of industry management that he has chronicled during his decade atop one of our sport’s leading publications. Cipriano started playing golf as a teenager after his father took him to the 1994 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club near Pittsburgh. He had become a successful sports writer in Pennsylvania when he rea...
Sep 10, 2024•48 min•Ep. 19
Throughout her marketing career, Meredith has gained key insights into the world of golf and what it takes to connect with people in this industry. Before starting her own marketing business, Meredith worked in golf course events and marketing where she met her husband, Tyler Otero. Meredith also has a background in real estate marketing, giving her a unique perspective in her current career. In this episode, Meredith shares her tips for posting on social media for a golf course, how women can n...
Sep 03, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Get an inside look into the NYSTA Apprenticeship Program from former student and industry pioneer, Ryan Bain. Ryan is an Assistant Golf Course Superintendent at Noyac Golf Club in Long Island, New York. As someone who entered the golf industry with no formal experience, Ryan became a huge proponent of the New York State Turfgrass Association’s (NYSTA) Apprenticeship Program – a mutually beneficial program for an industry struggling to find qualified talent and candidates who need a foot in the d...
Aug 27, 2024•36 min•Ep. 17
What sets good superintendents apart from great ones is their business ability. The most successful superintendents bring a higher-level thought process to their leaders, club members, and team. Patrick Michener shares how you can become that irreplaceable leader. Patrick has been the Superintendent at Bidermann Golf Course and Vicmead Hunt Club since January 2019. Prior to that, he was the Golf Course Superintendent at the Country Club of York in York, PA for six years. A graduate of Penn State...
Aug 20, 2024•50 min•Ep. 16
We are excited to introduce our very own Administrative Manager, Mary Maloney, on this episode of Leadership on the Links! Mary provides essential administrative support to the Tyler Bloom Consulting team, along with assisting in our recruiting efforts and marketing channels. Prior to working with Tyler Bloom Consulting, Mary worked in manufacturing before pivoting to a career in recruiting. Mary is tied to the golf industry through her husband who is a Field Staff member for the GCSAA, and gran...
Aug 13, 2024•39 min•Ep. 15
A great leader knows how to get the most out of their team. Eric Materkowski is an expert in building strong team cultures that increase productivity and create supportive and innovative work environments on the golf course. Eric received his Turfgrass Management degree from Ohio State ATI and has been a golf course superintendent for 28 years. He recently finished his 10th year as Golf Course Superintendent at St. Clair Country Club. Before St. Clair, he was the Golf Course Superintendent at Wi...
Aug 06, 2024•41 min•Ep. 14
We are excited to introduce our very own Communications Manager, Mitch Rupert, on this episode of Leadership on the Links! Mitch facilitates the interview process, interviewing candidates and sharing key takeaways with the hiring managers we serve. Prior to working with Tyler Bloom Consulting, Mitch worked as an award-winning sports journalist, covering professional sports, Phillies minor league baseball, collegiate athletics, high school athletics, all the way down to the youth-level sports. He...
Jul 30, 2024•56 min•Ep. 13
Booking entertainment at golf course venues can boost member engagement and revenues. Who better to advise club managers than comedian, magician, and Private Club Radio host Denny Corby? Corby fell in love with magic as a kid growing up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and he had an obvious knack for entertainment. After balancing college and work for his parents at their paper supply company (yes, it was in Scranton), the real-life cross between “The Office” characters Michael Scott, Jim Halpert, and...
Jul 23, 2024•42 min•Ep. 12
011 | 3 Surprising Traits That Make a Successful Leader with Joe Blackburn What makes a great leader? Joe Blackburn boils it down to 3 key traits that he’s seen lead people to success time and time again. Joe is a Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Lion’s Eye Coaching, with a track record of helping clients significantly increase their revenues. He's a former director at Merrill Lynch, where he managed a team of over 140 financial advisors and oversaw billions in assets. Joe's expertise ...
Jul 16, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 11
We are excited to introduce our very own Operations Manager, Ryan McNally, on this episode of Leadership on the Links! Ryan has been with Tyler Bloom Consulting just shy of three years now. His focus is on our recruiting arm of services, where he does talent outreach, client and candidate coordination, and background and reference checks. Essentially, Ryan ensures our entire recruitment process is seamless from start to finish. He succeeds in this role due to his commitment to relationship-build...
Jul 09, 2024•40 min•Ep. 10
We are excited to introduce Golf Course Superintendent and 82nd President of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Darren Davis, on this episode of Leadership on the Links! Darren has been in the golf industry for 35 years, serving as the Superintendent of the Olde Florida Golf Club for the majority of his career. Darren sits down with Tyler to discuss his tenure in the golf industry and how he got his start back in 1989. He gives key insights into the status of the industry an...
Jul 02, 2024•42 min•Ep. 11
Improve your job search outcomes with these tips Erin Wolfram shares on this episode of Leadership on the Links! Erin is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Professional Etiquette Consultant who is the owner of Career Advantage Golf – career consulting services geared toward professionals in golf course maintenance and turf management. Her business partners with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) to provide its members with free resume and cover letter r...
Jun 27, 2024•53 min•Ep. 8
