Leadership on the Links

Summit Promotion Join us at the Leadership on the Links Summit on Monday, October 12, 2026 at Toftrees Resort in State College, Pennsylvania. This one day program brings together golf course superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of agronomy, equipment managers, and industry leaders for keynote sessions with Cael Sanderson and AJ Vaden, attendee driven discussions, and professional development built specifically for agronomy leaders. Attendance is capped and seats are limited. Registration is open at https://bloomgolfpartners.com/our-events/. Introduction Adam Ikamas started in this industry raking bunkers at a local country club at seventeen, and he arrived at Michigan State expecting to study photography rather than turfgrass science. Nearly three decades later he serves as Executive Director of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association, an organization that has grown from roughly 600 members to nearly 900 during his tenure and that now devotes as much attention to executive leadership and workforce development as it once did to agronomic education. That distance, from a maintenance crew at a northern Michigan resort to the executive director's chair of a statewide association, shapes how he thinks about career pathways, chapter value, and what the profession owes the people entering it. Adam joins host Tyler Bloom on Leadership on the Links for a conversation on registered apprenticeships, aligning maintenance expectations with budget, and why participation rather than persuasion is what makes a professional association work. What You'll Learn in this Episode: Adam explains why he tells owners and managers that the golf course is the only real asset at a club and everything else is an amenity, and how that framing has advanced recognition of the superintendent's role over the past fifteen years. He traces the development of Michigan's Golf Course Maintenance Technician Registered Apprenticeship Program, a Michigan Golf Course Association initiative built with input from MiGCSA, the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation, GCSAA, and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and describes the state grant funding that helped launch it. He identifies the turf school enrollment gap of the late 2000s that left comparatively few experienced turf managers in the 35 to 45 age range today, and explains what that shortage means for both hiring facilities and mid career professionals currently in that window. Adam addresses the phrase "doing more with less" directly, arguing that it is a path to burnout and that superintendents are better served by an annual conversation that aligns maintenance expectations with the budget, staffing, and resources actually provided. He explains why MiGCSA shifted its education emphasis away from agronomic content and toward executive leadership and professional development, and why the relationships formed around an event often deliver more lasting value than the classroom sessions themselves. He shares the governance practices he relies on to move initiatives forward, including an accountability list that assigns a named owner to every commitment and a standing willingness to question long established practices rather than repeat them by default. Adam offers practical guidance for members on extracting value from a local chapter, noting that association benefits accrue to those who attend events, volunteer for committees, and build relationships over time rather than to those who simply hold a membership. Links and Resources Adam Ikamas, CGCS on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-ikamas-cgcs-41a5087/ Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association: https://www.migcsa.org/ MGCA Golf Course Maintenance Technician Registered Apprenticeship Program: https://michigangca.org/memberships/member-benefits/rap Michigan Golf Alliance: https://www.michigangolfalliance.com/ Leadership on the Links Summit registration: https://bloomgolfpartners.com/our-events/

Summit Promotion Join us at the Leadership on the Links Summit on Monday, October 12, 2026 at Toftrees Resort in State College, Pennsylvania. This one day gathering brings together golf course superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of agronomy, equipment managers, and club leaders for a day focused on leadership development, personal branding, and building high performing teams. Keynote speakers include Cael Sanderson, Olympic gold medalist and head wrestling coach at Penn State University, and AJ Vaden, New York Times bestselling author and CEO of Brand Builders Group. Registration is 197 dollars and seating is limited to 100 attendees. Register at https://bloomgolfpartners.com/our-events/. Episode Introduction Zach King believes the isolation that many leaders accept as a condition of the job is neither necessary nor permanent. King spent more than a decade in international media training and nonprofit leadership, working with leaders across six continents, before serving as board president and later Executive Director of the Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce in northeast Ohio, and his guiding conviction is that the fastest route out of professional isolation is to serve one person in front of you. He discusses why leaders with a clear vision often stall between what they can see and what they can explain, how to build genuine buy in inside institutions that have operated the same way for a century, and why the daily inputs a leader controls matter more than the outcomes they fixate on. This conversation on Leadership on the Links with host Tyler Bloom examines leadership habits that carry across industries, including the private club environment where general managers and directors of agronomy answer to a board, a membership, and a staff at the same time. Leadership on the Links is hosted by Tyler Bloom of Bloom Golf Partners. What You'll Learn in this Episode: • King identifies four forms of decision paralysis that stall leaders, which he defines as perfection paralysis, language paralysis, overwhelm paralysis, and shiny object paralysis. • He explains the difference between lag measures, which leaders often control very little of, and lead measures, which are the daily and weekly inputs that compound into results over time. • Leaders stepping into century old institutions are advised to treat the first ninety days as a listening tour that studies the history of the organization, not only the stakeholders currently in the building. • King describes a wet cement approach to strategic planning, in which a plan is developed to roughly seventy five percent and then shaped as it is tested in practice rather than finalized before launch. • The conversation addresses the isolation reported by leaders who sit between a board above them and a staff below them, and King explains why he views shifting focus outward as the practical remedy. • Bloom and King discuss the seasonal nature of workload in the golf industry and make the case for scheduling personal and family time with the same intention applied to agronomic and operational planning. • King outlines the five pillars of his leadership framework, which are growth, unity, influence, legacy, and drive, and his position that organizations perform better when leaders stop competing and start c ompleting. Links and Resources • Leadership on the Links Summit registration: https://bloomgolfpartners.com/our-events/ • Zach King on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-king/ • Zach P. King website: https://zachpking.com • Bloom Golf Partners: https://bloomgolfpartners.com/

The Leadership on the Links Summit takes place October 12, 2026 at Toftrees Golf Resort in State College, Pennsylvania. The one day program runs from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM and is built for golf course superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of agronomy, equipment managers, and club leaders, with industry partners, vendors, and consultants also welcome. The day includes breakfast, lunch, education credits, and a mix of speakers, panel discussion, and attendee engagement, with an evening networking element under consideration. Registration is $197. The first twenty sign-ups pay $147 with code SUMMIT50 at checkout, and each attendee registers individually with their own email address. Lodging details and sponsorship opportunities are available on request. Full details are at https://bloomgolfpartners.com/our-events/ and registration is at https://bloom-golf-partners.circle.so/checkout/leadership-on-the-links-summit-2026 . Most conversations about hiring focus on the candidate, yet the outcome of a search is shaped just as much by how clearly a club defines what it actually needs. Mitch Rupert has spent five years on the other side of that table as Communications Manager at Bloom Golf Partners, conducting candidate interviews and due diligence for searches ranging from assistant superintendent roles to director of agronomy positions. He came to the work after two decades as an award winning sports journalist, and that outside vantage point shapes how he reads hiring committees that change direction midway through a search, strong candidates who withdraw late, and the difference between a prepared candidate and a rehearsed one. In this episode of Leadership on the Links, host Tyler Bloom speaks with Mitch Rupert about the mechanics of a superintendent search, the education gap between agronomy teams and club leadership, and the next phase of professional development at Bloom Golf Partners. What You'll Learn in This Episode ● Hiring committees frequently adjust their criteria partway through a search, and Rupert explains why communicating those shifts early prevents frustration for the club, the search firm, and the candidate. ● Candidates who withdraw after learning more about a role are making a defensible decision, and Rupert argues that taking the wrong job is far worse than not getting the job at all. ● Clubs generally understand the financial requirements of maintaining a golf course but often underestimate the human side of it, the staffing and leadership investment behind those conditions, a gap Bloom Golf Partners is working to close with general managers, hiring teams, and green committees. ● Rupert offers feedback to candidates who did not get the job, and roughly sixty to seventy percent take him up on it, conversations that help professionals identify skill gaps before their next opportunity. ● Authenticity outperforms rehearsal in an interview setting, and Rupert compares the process to poker, a process-oriented game rather than a results-oriented one, where sound decisions matter more than the outcome of any single hand. ● Bloom Golf Partners will launch a professional development platform following the Summit, offering monthly engagement and ongoing career and team development support in the months between annual industry gatherings. ● The firm's inaugural turfgrass management scholarship drew thirty to forty applicants from across the country and led to an introduction to The Outpost Foundation, which funds club employees pursuing turf management education such as online and advanced certificate programs. Links and Resources Mitch Rupert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchrupert/ Bloom Golf Partners: https://bloomgolfpartners.com Leadership on the Links Summit: https://bloomgolfpartners.com/our-events/ Summit Registration, code SUMMIT50 for the first twenty: https://bloom-golf-partners.circle.so/checkout/leadership-on-the-links-summit-2026 Bloom Golf Partners Turfgrass Management Scholarship: https://bloomgolfpartners.com/scholarship-program/ The Outpost Foundation: https://outpostfoundation.org Toftrees Golf Resort: https://www.toftrees.com

Few voices in the agronomic community carry the credibility of John Reilly, a Director of Agronomy known throughout the industry as "Turf Monkey." John has built one of the more innovative data-driven programs in the country across 45 challenging holes of coastal Florida golf. On this episode of Leadership on the Links, Tyler sits down with John to explore the career path, the philosophy, and the relentless curiosity behind a benchmark approach to conditioning and member engagement. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How John's formative years at renowned Philadelphia-area clubs, including Rolling Green and Merion, shaped his standards and his approach to course conditioning. The career path that brought him from intern to Director of Agronomy, including pivotal stops at multi-course facilities and a Coore Crenshaw grow-in. Why he initially resisted Paspalum and what ultimately convinced him it was the right grass for a unique coastal Florida environment. How John built a data-driven agronomic program from the ground up, incorporating moisture monitoring, firmness readings, clipping yield, and Stimpmeter consistency. The value of transparent member communication, and how driving the narrative proactively builds trust with members and management alike. His perspective on information-sharing within the golf industry and why greater transparency could benefit facilities at every level. What he believes is the most underrated maintenance practice in the profession today. LINKS AND RESOURCES John Reilly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-reilly-057024225/

Leadership on the Links Summit Join us at the Leadership on the Links Summit on October 12, 2026 at Toftrees Golf Resort in State College, Pennsylvania. This one-day gathering brings together superintendents, directors of agronomy, club executives, and industry leaders for a day focused on personal branding, leadership development, and building high performing teams. Register here: https://bloomgolfpartners.com/our-events/ ------ In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we explore the science and philosophy of biological soil management with Joel Simmons, Founder and President of EarthWorks Natural Organic Products. Joel shares his journey from Penn State county extension agent to co-founding EarthWorks with the late Jerry Brunetti in 1988, pioneering a carbon based approach to soil health that was once dismissed by academics and is now standard practice across the turfgrass industry. Tyler and Joel discuss why soil testing functions like blood work for a golf course, what separates truly engaged superintendents from the rest, and how emerging technology, from autonomous mowers to AI driven agronomic programs, is reshaping the profession. Joel also reflects on his decade teaching soils at Rutgers University and how that work evolved into the GCSAA accredited Soil First Academy. If you care about agronomy fundamentals, superintendent development, or the future of soil health in golf, this is a conversation worth your time. What You'll Learn in this Episode How Joel's path from Penn State county extension agent and executive recruiter led to co-founding EarthWorks and establishing biological soil management in the turf industry. Why carbon based fertility was heavily criticized in the early 1990s and how it became a fixture in virtually every golf course maintenance facility today. Why Joel compares soil testing to a patient's blood work, and how roughly 15,000 annual soil tests anchor EarthWorks' agronomic recommendations. What has stayed constant in golf course maintenance, including superintendent intuition, and what is changing rapidly, from autonomous mowers to research on the rhizophagy cycle. How the Soil First Academy condenses Joel's ten years of Rutgers soils instruction into a GCSAA accredited seminar on soil chemistry, physics, and biology. How EarthWorks is developing an AI based program that tailors recommendations to each property's specific soil and water data. How Tyler and Joel evaluate genuine engagement and mastery of fundamentals when vetting superintendent candidates. Links and Resources Leadership on the Links Summit Registration: https://bloomgolfpartners.com/our-events/ Joel Simmons – LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-simmons-504b7241/ EarthWorks Natural Organic Products: https://www.earthworksturf.com/ Soil First Academy: https://www.earthworksturf.com/soil-first-academy/

Few names in the professional turfgrass industry carry the weight of the Valentine family, whose multigenerational connection to Merion Golf Club spans more than a century and helped shape the foundation of Penn State's nationally recognized turfgrass management program. Growing up on the grounds of one of the most storied clubs in American golf, Tom Valentine absorbed the rhythms of course management from his grandfather, Joseph Valentine, and his father, Richie Valentine, before charting his own path on the commercial side of the industry. Today, as Portfolio Manager at The Aquatrols Company, he brings that deep institutional knowledge to bear in support of superintendents and turf managers throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. In this episode of Leadership on the Links, host Tyler Bloom sits down with Tom Valentine for a candid conversation about industry legacy, the evolution of sales, career development in the green industry, and what it means to carry a family name that helped define turf management in America. What You'll Learn in This Episode The Valentine family's three-generation legacy at Merion Golf Club spans from the founding era of American turfgrass management through 1989, and includes the establishment of Penn State's Joseph E. Valentine Turfgrass Research Center in honor of Tom's grandfather. Richie Valentine led Merion's agronomy program by empowering his assistants with meaningful autonomy, a management philosophy that produced numerous professionals who went on to lead some of the most prestigious clubs and properties in the country. The golf industry experienced a defining compensation and budget inflection point in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when superintendent salaries and operational budgets increased dramatically as clubs transitioned from wholly in-house operations to a model that incorporated outside contractors and specialists. The rise of outside consultants in the 1990s, including those on the agronomic and architectural sides, fundamentally changed the way club memberships received and acted on course management recommendations. Sales methods in the green industry have evolved from relationship-driven, in-person territory management toward a hybrid model shaped by digital communication and accelerated by the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, while personal relationships remain a meaningful differentiator for high-performing sales professionals. Tom completed his Master of Professional Studies in Turfgrass Management at Penn State at age 50, a decision he credits with making him a significantly more effective resource for the superintendents he supports on the commercial side. Career paths in the turfgrass industry extend well beyond the superintendent role, and professionals who gain experience on the commercial side before returning to course management often bring a broader business perspective that benefits the clubs they serve. Links and Resources Tom Valentine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-valentine-70111926/ The Aquatrols Company: https://www.aquatrols.com Merion Golf Club: https://www.meriongolfclub.com Penn State Joseph E. Valentine Turfgrass Research Center: https://plantscience.psu.edu/research/centers/turf

In this episode of Leadership on the Links, Tyler Bloom sits down with Stephen Tucker, Director of Equipment Operations at TPC Sawgrass and founder of Turf Addict, for a conversation spanning career development, team leadership, workforce challenges, and the growing role of technology in golf course maintenance. Stephen brings a rare perspective to the discussion, having spent his career on both sides of the equipment management relationship and now building his own software platform designed to modernize how golf facilities track, manage, and optimize their equipment operations. Stephen reflects on his path from player to industry professional, shares what shaped his leadership philosophy across two decades at Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton properties, and offers candid insight into the workforce pipeline challenges that have long defined the equipment management profession. The conversation closes with a detailed look at the AI-powered platform Stephen has been quietly developing, a system designed to give golf operations the data-driven tools they need to reduce reactive maintenance, improve equipment longevity, and better communicate the value of the equipment team to club leadership. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How Stephen's career evolved from equipment manager to director of agronomy, and what he observed from both sides of the superintendent-equipment manager relationship. Why the equipment management profession has grown increasingly demanding, and how compensation has shifted to reflect the expanded scope of the role. The workforce pipeline challenge facing the industry, and why career awareness remains one of the most underleveraged tools for attracting new talent. Practical strategies for superintendents to build stronger partnerships with their equipment teams, including the value of collaborative weekly meetings and visible recognition. The AI-powered operations platform Stephen has developed through Turf Addict, including predictive maintenance capabilities, real-time error code monitoring via John Deere's Operations Center, and cutting unit management tools. Why Stephen built the platform to be AI-agnostic, allowing facilities to integrate their preferred AI system regardless of corporate policy. The broader implications of technology adoption in golf course operations, and what superintendents and directors should be thinking about as these tools continue to evolve. Links and Resources Stephen Tucker | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenrtucker/ Turf Addict | Website: https://www.stephentucker.net/ TPC Sawgrass | Website: https://tpc.com/sawgrass/ IGCEMA (International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association): https://www.igcema.org/ GCSAA (Golf Course Superintendents Association of America): https://www.gcsaa.org/ BOOK A STRATEGY CALL

In this episode of Leadership on the Links, Tyler Bloom sits down with Darin Bevard, Senior Director of Championship Agronomy for the USGA Green Section, for a conversation spanning nearly three decades of service to the game at its highest level. Darin shares how a mentor's challenge early in his career led him to trade a comfortable assistant superintendent role for a position with the USGA in 1996, and how that decision shaped a career defined by championship preparation, industry leadership, and a deep commitment to developing the next generation of turf professionals. Recorded on the eve of the US Open at Shinnecock Hills, this episode offers a rare look at what it takes to prepare a championship golf course and the collaborative processes that drive decisions when the world's best players are watching. What You'll Learn in this Episode: How Darin's career path from Penn State and Talbot Country Club led him to the USGA, where he has served for nearly 30 years across roles in regional agronomy and championship preparation. The evolution of the USGA agronomist role, from handwritten consulting reports to data-driven course management supported by tools like the DEACON platform and GPS sprayer technology. How Darin thinks about balancing agronomic data with field observation, and why the most effective superintendents rely on both numbers and experience. The collaborative process behind US Open course setup, including how the USGA works with host clubs, setup teams, and player feedback to make incremental adjustments throughout championship week. Darin's perspective on the USGA's Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program and why workforce development initiatives like this are critical to the long-term health of the industry. His excitement about autonomous mowing technology, the resurgence of turfgrass education programs, and the growing diversity of professionals entering the field. The personal dimension of a career in golf course management, including family members who have followed Darin into the industry. Links and Resources Darin Bevard — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darin-bevard-6b8b4128/ Darin Bevard — USGA Green Section Profile: https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/course-care/meet-the-agronomists-new/darin-bevard.html USGA Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program: https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/course-care/greenkeeper-apprenticeship-program.html USGA Course Consulting Service: https://gsshop.usga.org/course-consulting-service Bloom Golf Partners: https://bloomgolfpartners.com/

In this episode of Leadership on the Links, Tyler Bloom is joined by Connor Healy, Superintendent at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Illinois, one of the premier private clubs on the North Shore of Chicago. Connor traces his career from an early start caddying at Ravisloe Country Club to working alongside respected industry mentors at Old Elm and Olympia Fields, before establishing a long-tenured career at Conway Farms. He also discusses his decision to pursue an MBA at DePaul University while serving as sole assistant through a major course renovation, a commitment that broadened his perspective on club leadership and helped position him for the superintendent role. This is a thoughtful conversation about professional development, team building, and what it means to lead with intention at a high-caliber private club. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How foundational experiences under respected mentors at Old Elm, Bel Air, and Olympia Fields shaped Connor's approach to the profession. Why pursuing an MBA while managing a course renovation demonstrated a level of commitment that resonated with club leadership. The value of cross-departmental relationships with the director of golf and COO in building the trust and credibility necessary for an internal promotion. How meaningful exposure to members, board meetings, and club committees distinguished Connor as a prepared and capable successor. Connor's approach to staff development: assessing individual goals, building on existing strengths, and supporting team members in finding the right opportunities for their growth. Why consistent, ongoing feedback and open communication are central to preparing assistant superintendents for the responsibilities of club leadership. A measured perspective on work-life balance and how thoughtful scheduling and clear expectations contribute to a more sustainable and professional work environment. Connor's involvement with the Super Scratch Foundation and his commitment to supporting the next generation of golf course management professionals. Links and Resources Connor Healy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-healy-2982a021/ Conway Farms Golf Club: https://www.conwayfarmsgolfclub.org/ Super Scratch Foundation: https://www.superscratchfoundation.org/ Bloom Golf Partners: https://bloomgolfpartners.com/

BOOK A STRATEGY CALL In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with Joel Inman, CCM, PGA, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer at Montclair Golf Club in West Orange, New Jersey. After 14 years leading Laurel Creek Country Club, Joel recently assumed leadership of one of New Jersey's most historic and multifaceted private clubs. Joining Tyler Bloom and Meredith Otero, Joel shares insights on leadership, organizational culture, team development, and navigating transition in a new environment. The conversation explores the realities of leading a large, member-focused operation and the importance of building trust, alignment, and long-term success through people. Whether you are a club manager, golf professional, superintendent, or emerging leader, this episode offers practical perspectives on leadership in today's private club industry. Links and Resources Joel Inman, CCM, PGA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-inman-pga/ Montclair Golf Club: https://montclairgolfclub.org/ Bloom Golf Partners: https://bloomgolfpartners.com/ BOOK A STRATEGY CALL

In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with Kent Johnson, COO of Baltimore Country Club, one of the most storied platinum-level private clubs in the country. Kent pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a club culture that runs through every layer of an organization, from the board room to the line-level staff. He shares the philosophy behind BCC's "Great People Make Favorite Places" credo, how BCC University keeps staff engaged and growing, and why the club has leaned hard into becoming a community employer of choice in a tight labor market. If you lead a club, manage a team, or are simply passionate about what high-performance hospitality looks like in a private club setting, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. What You'll Learn in this Episode: How Kent built BCC's "Great People Make Favorite Places" culture over eight years and why it starts long before anyone is hired. Why BCC University, with 70 to 80 classes per year taught by staff, members, and celebrities like Cal Ripken Jr., keeps team engagement high and turnover low. The role of cross-departmental leadership meetings in breaking down silos and driving the club's core values to every level of the organization. How hosting USGA championship events, including the US Senior Amateur and Women's Amateur, helps BCC attract elite agronomy and hospitality talent. Kent's honest take on where the club management industry is headed, including the workforce pipeline challenge facing agronomy and equipment manager roles. Why developing talent from within is the most reliable recruiting strategy in today's tight labor market. How the GM-superintendent relationship should work, and what "just get out of their way" really means in practice. Links and Resources: Kent Johnson, Baltimore Country Club: LinkedIn Baltimore Country Club: baltimorecc.org Tyler Bloom, Bloom Golf Partners: bloomgolfpartners.com Book Mentioned: The Simple Truth About Your Business by Alex Brennan-Martin Book Mentioned: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara Club Management Association of America: cmaa.org

In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with two of the most respected figures at one of golf's most iconic clubs, Paul Latshaw, Director of Golf Course Operations at Merion Golf Club, and Golf Course Superintendent, Alexander Bonini, to dig into what it really takes to build a culture of excellence in turf management. From Merion's legendary impact on the turf industry to the hands-on mentorship philosophy that has shaped careers across the country, Paul and Alex share the principles behind one of the most admired grounds programs in the game. We also get into the evolving role of the superintendent as both a field agronomist and organizational leader, and what may be the most pressing staffing challenge the industry faces. Whether you're an intern just entering the field, an assistant looking to take the next step, or a club leader trying to build a winning team, this conversation is packed with insights you won't find anywhere else. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why Merion Golf Club has functioned like a "teaching hospital" for the turf industry, developing generations of superintendents, assistants, and professionals who've gone on to lead elite clubs nationwide. How Paul Latshaw approaches staff culture from day one, and why attitude and effort always outrank technical skill when hiring. The power of tailored intern experiences and why Alex Bonini and the Merion team leverage their alumni to do the recruiting for them. What first-time superintendents almost always misunderstand about the job before they land it. How the superintendent role has evolved into a CEO-level position and why staying in the field remains the most valuable thing a great super can do. A behind-the-scenes look at preparing Merion for the 2025 US Amateur Championship in August, one of the most demanding tournament prep challenges Paul says he has ever faced. Why the equipment manager may be the hardest position to fill at a private club and what clubs need to do right now to prepare for a looming talent gap in that role. The generational shift happening in how young turf professionals view their careers, and why Paul and Tyler both believe we are entering a golden age for the turfgrass industry. Links and Resources Paul Latshaw -- LinkedIn Profile Alexander Bonini -- LinkedIn Profile Merion Golf Club -- Website Bloom Golf Partners -- bloomgolfpartners.com Leadership on the Links Podcast -- Listen Here

BOOK A STRATEGY CALL In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we dig into one of the most urgent and overlooked workforce challenges in the golf industry, the equipment manager pipeline crisis. Tyler Bloom is joined by Pat Jones, veteran golf industry journalist and researcher, and Mike Rollins of SIP, for a revealing breakdown of their third employment trends study, this time focused entirely on golf course equipment managers. Together, they unpack data gathered from over 110 respondents to paint a clear picture of a role that is vital, evolving, and dangerously understaffed. From aging workforce demographics to the cultural dynamics that drive equipment managers out the door, this conversation challenges superintendents, directors of agronomy, and club leaders to take real action before the house truly is on fire. If you care about turf quality, equipment reliability, or what it takes to sustain the record-breaking growth golf is experiencing right now, this is a conversation you cannot afford to miss. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Nearly 80% of equipment managers describe themselves as lifers, but asterisks apply: poor culture and lack of advocacy from superintendents remain the top reasons they leave. 59% of respondents have 20 or more years of experience, while only 5% have entered the field in the last five years, revealing a dangerous gap in the pipeline. Equipment manager knowledge is largely informal and tribal, with no dedicated formal training programs currently filling the gap left by schools like Lake City Community College. Annual performance reviews and transparent compensation pathways consistently rank as top retention drivers, often more than pay increases themselves. Culture eats strategy: superintendents who advocate for their equipment managers in budget meetings, board rooms, and day-to-day operations are the single biggest factor in retention. The role has expanded well beyond cutting units to include robotics, GPS systems, cart fleets, and facility maintenance, raising the stakes for finding and developing qualified candidates. Apprenticeship programs and pulling talent from existing maintenance crews are among the most practical near-term solutions for building a new generation of equipment managers. 64% of equipment managers say they would stay in golf even if better-paying opportunities existed outside the industry — a silver lining that depends on clubs stepping up. Links and Resources: Pat Jones —linkedin.com/in/pat-jones-226766b0 Pat Jones — Flagstick LLC: patjonesflagstick.com Mike Rollins — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mike-rollins-9b34a3114 Mike Rollins on X: x.com/MikeRollinsSIP Cutline is King (free PDF): sipgrinder.com/support/cutline.html The Daily Grind Series (YouTube): Bloom Golf Partners Employment Trends Research: bloomgolfpartners.com/research-2

Summary OUR 100TH EPISODE! In this exciting, milestone episode of Leadership on the Links, Tyler Bloom and Meredith Otero sit down with Jeff Morgan, CEO of the Club Management Association of America (CMAA), to explore what the future holds for private club leadership, workforce development, and the role of technology in transforming the club experience. Jeff shares how his background in finance and technology led him to association management and ultimately to the helm of CMAA, one of the most influential organizations in the private club industry. From building a more diverse leadership pipeline to tackling governance challenges and embracing AI, this conversation covers the full landscape of where clubs are headed and how the professionals inside them are rising to meet the moment. Whether you are a superintendent eyeing a path to club leadership, a GM navigating a shifting membership, or a club professional curious about the forces shaping the industry, this episode delivers real insight from someone who has dedicated over a decade to advancing the profession. What You'll Learn in this Episode: CMAA has grown dramatically since COVID, with nearly half its current membership joining post-pandemic, signaling a surge in interest and investment in professional club management. The pathway to becoming a general manager has opened significantly, welcoming superintendents, chefs, CFOs, and wellness professionals into senior club leadership roles. Jeff outlines what good club governance looks like: a true partnership between the board and staff team, with boards focused on financial stewardship and strategic vision rather than day-to-day operations. Women now represent roughly a third of CMAA's membership, and for the first time in the association's history, four women currently serve on its national board of 13. AI and autonomous technology will not replace human connection at clubs but will free up professionals to focus on high-touch member experiences and more meaningful work. CMAA is approaching its 100th anniversary with a new member needs analysis that will shape its next strategic plan, designed to serve an evolving and growing profession for the next century. The integration of amenities, golf, fitness, food, wellness, and social programming, is what creates the kind of stickiness that keeps members engaged and clubs financially healthy. Links and Resources Jeff Morgan – LinkedIn Profile Club Management Association of America (CMAA) – cmaa.org BOOK A STRATEGY CALL

BOOK A STRATEGY CALL In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with Paul Hurst, founder of Greens Pro and one of the golf industry's most recognizable voices in independent distribution. Paul shares his unlikely path from aspiring lawyer to university golf course assistant, and how that foundation shaped his passion for the sales and distribution side of the turf industry. Known for his sharp humor and unfiltered takes on X (formerly Twitter), Paul opens up about why he started creating content, what it really takes to build genuine partnerships with superintendents, and why the price-first approach kills relationships before they start. We also dig into one of the industry's most pressing challenges: the growing divide between well-funded clubs and the rest of the market, and what that means for recruiting, training, and long-term sustainability in golf course operations. Plus, Paul doesn't hold back on the PGA Tour's use of vendor volunteers, the culture conversation nobody wants to have honestly, and what separates truly great golf operations from average ones. If you're in turf, sales, or anywhere in the golf industry ecosystem, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. What You'll Learn in this Episode: How Paul went from a seven-year college journey to building Greens Pro into a respected independent distributor in the Midwest. Why leading with price is the fastest way to get ignored by a superintendent and what actually builds lasting vendor relationships. The growing talent and workforce crisis in golf, and why smaller facilities are getting squeezed out of the recruiting pipeline. What separates great golf course operations from average ones: it's not budget, it's presentation, detail, and a tight-knit staff. Paul's candid take on PGA Tour volunteer expectations for vendors and why he believes the model is fundamentally flawed. How a COVID-era music side hustle on Twitter helped Paul build a community, grow his business, and create content that resonates across the industry. Why culture is more than mission statements, and what real team culture actually looks like on the ground. Links and Resources Paul Hurst on X (Twitter): @GreensPro Greens Pro: greensproturf.com Bloom Golf Partners: bloomgolfpartners.com

In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with Danny Gwyn, Vice President of Golf Course Maintenance at Concert Golf Partners, one of the top owner-operator golf companies in the country. Danny brings over 40 years of experience in the industry, from pulling goosegrass out of greens at 14 to overseeing agronomic operations across Concert's 40+, and growing, private clubs in the United States. He shares hard-won lessons on leadership, labor, member communication, and what it truly means to run a golf course like a business. Whether you're a superintendent, an aspiring regional director, or a club leader looking to sharpen your edge, this conversation delivers the kind of no-nonsense insight that only comes from decades in the field. What You'll Learn in this Episode: Why Concert Golf Partners operates as an owner-operator rather than a management company, and why that distinction matters for superintendents and clubs alike. How Danny transitioned from single-course superintendent to overseeing multiple properties and what the biggest mindset shifts were. The importance of removing ego from member interactions and why listening is one of the most underrated leadership skills in turf management. What trends Danny is watching closely: labor market resets, deferred maintenance, and the undervalued assistant superintendent pipeline. How Concert is investing in staff development through internal promotion incentives and tuition support for crew members pursuing agronomy education. Why clubs often overestimate their market position and how realistic self-assessment leads to smarter decisions. The simple, visible communication tactics that build member trust without a single email. What autonomy really looks like across a 40+ club portfolio and why Concert refuses to cookie-cutter its operations. Links and Resources Danny Gwyn – Concert Golf Partners Leadership Page: https://www.concertgolfpartners.com/leadership Concert Golf Partners: https://www.concertgolfpartners.com Bloom Golf Partners: https://bloomgolfpartners.com Book a Call with Tyler: https://calendly.com/marym-bloomgolfpartners/executive-search-recruitment-services

BOOK A STRATEGY CALL Summary In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with John Ballard, a 27-year golf industry veteran and former Superintendent at Valhalla Golf Club, to talk about one of the most underexplored topics in the turf profession: what happens when you decide to walk away from a top-100 club and start over. John shares his remarkable career story, from landing his first superintendent role at just 22 years old at Audubon Country Club, to managing cool-season transitions at the University of Louisville, to leading the grounds operation at Valhalla through COVID, a historic Zoysia renovation, and the 2024 PGA Championship. But what makes this episode truly special is what came after Valhalla: his candid reflection on identity, career transitions, and his move into a new role as Key Account Manager at Simplot Turf and Horticulture. Whether you're a superintendent eyeing your next move, an assistant trying to build your network, or someone navigating a career crossroads, this episode is packed with perspective you can act on today. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How John climbed from assistant to superintendent at 22 and the mentality that carried him through every step of his career. Why he believes your network is the single most powerful tool in landing your next opportunity, and how he has intentionally built it over 27 years. What it was really like to navigate Valhalla through COVID, staffing shortages, and a complete fairway and tee renovation, and why patience in building the right team made all the difference. The importance of engaging assistants and AITs in leadership decisions, green committee exposure, and member interactions, and why more superintendents should be doing this. What the job search actually looks like when you leave a high-profile role: the nerves, the strategy, and the mindset shifts required to stay focused. How John is discovering an entirely new side of the turf industry through his role at Simplot, and why superintendents may be limiting themselves by thinking there's only one path. The honest conversation about professional identity: what happens when your job title is how others define you, and why separating the two matters. Links & Resources John Ballard: john.ballard@simplot.com | Twitter/X: @jballard1 Simplot Turf & Horticulture Bloom Golf Partners GCSAA Member Directory

BOOK A STRATEGY CALL In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with Aaron Dawson, founder of Viewpoint EQ and a 20-year hospitality and private club veteran, for a candid conversation about self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and what it truly takes to lead at the highest levels of the golf and club industry. Aaron shares his transformative journey with the Birkman Method a powerful personality and behavioral assessment and how it changed not only how he leads, but how he listens, communicates, and builds psychologically safe teams. From lessons learned at Carmel Country Club to the universal blind spots holding club leaders back, this episode is a masterclass in intentional leadership. Whether you're a superintendent, director of agronomy, general manager, or aspiring leader, this conversation will challenge you to look inward and elevate how you show up for your team every day. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How the Birkman Method unlocks hidden behavioral needs that other personality assessments miss and why self-awareness is the most critical leadership skill in private clubs today. Why the "Golden Rule" fails 70% of the time, and what to do instead when communicating with your team, members, and board. The concept of psychological safety and how Aaron helped cultivate it at Carmel Country Club to create a high-performing, candid, and aligned culture. How alignment (not talent) is the #1 blind spot in private clubs, boards, and leadership teams and the questions you must ask before accepting your next role. Why asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness and how top leaders like Jeff Bezos do only what only they can do. Practical advice for directors of agronomy on managing up, handling member feedback, and building trust before the pressure of summer season hits. What general managers and club leaders actually look for in director-level hires and the red flags that disqualify otherwise talented candidates. How stress indicators and personality traits (like Aaron's "high insistence, low restlessness") show up in leadership and how to proactively manage them. Tyler Bloom's personal leadership evolution: from operator to CEO, delegating identity, and building a team that carries pride on the trade show floor. Links & Resources: Aaron Dawson – Viewpoint EQ: viewpointeq.com Email Aaron: aaron@viewpointeq.com Call Aaron: 979-436-3851 Aaron Dawson – LinkedIn Profile: Connect on LinkedIn Bloom Golf Partners: bloomgolfpartners.com CMAA (Club Management Association of America): cmaa.org

In this episode of Leadership on the Links, Tyler Bloom is joined by team members Meredith Otero and Mary Maloney for a candid, behind-the-scenes debrief of their first-ever attendance at the CMAA World Conference & Club Business Expo. From the trade show floor to a standing-room-only presentation on championship culture, the Bloom Golf Partners team unpacks the energy, connections, and key lessons from one of the most intimate and impactful industry conferences in the golf and private club world. If you work in club management, agronomy, or any department striving to bridge the gap between leadership and operations, this episode is a must-listen. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The CMAA conference stands out for its intimate, personalized feel — a stark contrast to the PGA Show and GCSAA, with a stronger focus on software, products, and leadership education. Why cross-departmental attendance at industry trade shows builds visibility, credibility, and stronger club relationships — superintendents at CMAA, GMs at GCSAA. The Bloom Golf Partners team presented on Building a Championship Culture to a standing-room-only crowd of general managers and club decision-makers. Common challenges in club culture: retaining long-tenured employees resistant to change, siloed agronomy departments, and the universal struggle of filling equipment manager roles. Why should superintendents see themselves as strategic partners — not just operational leads — and how showing up at cross-industry events elevates the entire profession. The power of spending unstructured time with your own team at conferences strips away layers and builds real relationships that translate back to the workplace. Professional photography and visual identity are low-hanging fruit for both individuals and clubs — a shoutout to Karlo for elevating the Bloom Golf Partners brand. Early planning matters: the team is already preparing presentation proposals for the next conference season before this one is fully wrapped. Notable Moments & Takeaways: Shoutout to Bobby Davis, now General Manager at Oakmont Country Club and former assistant superintendent — a testament to the career paths available across the industry. The CMAA "Idea Fair" showcased best practices from clubs in areas like member engagement, recruiting, and programming — a concept the team would love to see replicated at GCSAA. "The equipment manager is the hardest position to fill in the industry" a line that drew zero pushback from an entire room of club managers. The talent pipeline challenge is real: universities, career services on the trade show floor, and new services supporting career changers are all part of the solution. A key insight from the culture presentation: employees often want ownership and recognition — not just paycheck. Listening without an agenda goes a long way. Links & Resources: Bloom Golf Partners Website: https://bloomgolfpartners.com Bloom Golf Partners YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bloomgolfpartners CMAA World Conference & Club Business Expo: https://www.cmaa.org/conference/ Karlo Gesner (Visual & Photography Services): Reach out via Bloom Golf Partners for a connection Tyler Bloom – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerbloom/ Connect with Bloom Golf Partners: Have a topic you'd like us to cover at a future conference, regional event, or on the podcast? Drop a comment or reach out directly — the team wants to hear what matters most to you in your facility and career. 🌱 Website: bloomgolfpartners.com 📹 YouTube: @bloomgolfpartners 💼 LinkedIn: Bloom Golf Partners

Summary Book a Strategy Call In this episode of Leadership on the Links, we sit down with two powerhouse voices from The Oaks Club: Holly Farrell, General Manager, and Brian D'Agostino, Greens Committee Chair, for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what it truly takes to build a successful relationship between a golf course superintendent and the people they serve. From communication strategies to budget battles, hiring instincts to managing member expectations, this conversation is packed with real-world insight that every turf professional and club leader needs to hear. Holly brings 13 years of experience at The Oaks Club and a clear vision for what modern agronomy leadership looks like. Brian brings a rare dual perspective with 16 years on the board and greens committee at Ivanhoe Club in Chicago, and now leading a newly restructured Greens Committee at The Oaks. Together, they paint a vivid picture of what clubs are really looking for and what separates a good superintendent from a great one. What You'll Learn: Transparency and consistent communication are the foundation for trust between superintendents and their members, committees, and boards. Proactive communication — especially when things go sideways — prevents rumors and builds credibility faster than any technical achievement. The superintendent role has evolved into an executive-level position requiring strategic thinking, financial fluency, team leadership, and member-facing communication skills. Greens Committees serve as a critical conduit between the agronomy staff and the broader membership — and building that relationship is a strategic advantage for any superintendent. Setting realistic expectations tied to budget is the key to avoiding the single biggest gap at most clubs: resources not matching member expectations. In hiring, the differentiators aren't technical — they're trust, authenticity, clear communication, and the ability to connect with people at any level of expertise. Data-driven decision-making and capital planning are becoming non-negotiable expectations for top agronomy leaders. Team development and the ability to grow staff from within are long-term multipliers that great superintendents prioritize. Links & Resources: Holly Farrell – The Oaks Club, General Manager | [LinkedIn Profile] Brian D'Agostino – The Oaks Club, Greens Committee Chair | [LinkedIn Profile] The Oaks Club – [Website] Bloom Golf Partners – bloomgolfpartners.com