Episodes

Ever wondered how to onboard new members into your private club in a way that ensures they get the most out of their membership? This conversation with Sean Bleyl of MembersFirst. We unravel the intricacies of the new member journey from their initial website visit to the continuous process of engagement and nurturing that goes beyond mere orientation. Sean’s insights are invaluable for any club looking to enhance their new member's experience and engagement. We touch on crafting personalized m...

Get ready to join us with our esteemed guest, Joe Trauger, CEO of the NCA National Club Association. Joe has some news about the NCA's Champion Club Conference happening this November 13th. The conference is all about hosting an elite golf championship at your club! Joe also gives us a sneak peek into the future of the National Club Association and how it plans to bring clubs closer together. Now imagine, as a private club leader, how it would be to have a better understanding of legislative an...

In the game of chess, every piece has its strategic value, with the king being the most indispensable. Similarly, in the realm of club management, a board of trusted individuals holds the power to steer the ship. Have you ever wondered about the optimal size for a board? Spoiler alert: The magic number might be nine. We also delve into the nitty-gritty of board member terms, emphasizing the significance of staggered terms and diverse representation. In the age of hustle culture, we explore how ...

What if you could enhance your golf game with delicious fare delivered right to your location on the golf course? We're turning the spotlight onto a revolutionary platform that’s changing the golf course food and beverage experience. We're conversing with Spencer Potter, the brain behind the innovative ClubGrub app. This powerful tool leverages GPS technology, allowing golfers to place food and drink orders without missing a stroke. But it’s not just about convenience for the players, the app a...

Ever wondered what the internet is saying about your club? You're about to find out in our latest episode of Private Club Radio, where I, Denny Corby, break down the necessity of online reputation management for clubs. Drawing from my personal experiences of performing at various clubs around the country, I share my insights about the power of Google searches and why engaging with both positive and negative reviews is crucial. But it's not just about Google! Our conversation extends to...

Ever wondered what goes into maintaining those lush golf courses you admire? Danny Gwyn, the SVP of Agronomy at Concert Golf Partners, is the man with all the answers. A golf industry veteran since the age of 14, Danny takes us on a journey into the intricate world of golf course management, where agronomy goes way beyond the greens and fairways. Delve into the challenges of the role, the importance of an agronomy degree, and how to please demanding club members, all while delivering an exceptio...

We dig into the nitty-gritty of transitioning from managing a privately owned country club to a member-owned one with Bruce Furman, CCM of Venice Yacht Club, Bruce takes us through his unique journey, the importance of governance, and the challenges he encountered during his early days at the Venice Yacht Club. Bruce shares fascinating insights into learning new rules and regulations, the role of governing bodies, and the significance of building a robust programming team. We uncover his approa...

What does a yacht club do when a hurricane is on the horizon? Find out as Bruce breaks down the club's detailed emergency preparedness plan for slip holders, the intricate process of shutting down the club and securing the premises. From his expert point of view, he gives you the lowdown on what to do during a hurricane, and shares the lessons learned from previous hurricanes, underscoring the significance of communication, early action, and continuous learning in disaster preparedness. Follow ...

Find out how this dynamic duo took an idea sparked from our show about IV hydration and turned it into a game-changer for their event Discover the behind-the-scenes magic of an unforgettable event at the Country Club of Asheville. In this episode, we dive into the innovation and creativity that Aaron James and Brittany Lucas brought to the club's member guest event. And the surprising success of an IV hydration service - it's an experience you won't want to miss. Listen in to learn about the var...

Our guest, Elliot Freedman, the Youth Program and Aquatics Director at Northridge Country Club, not only answers that question but also reveals how he turned Northridge into a family-friendly hub of activity. He shares details of his innovative practices, rooted in his experiences with the Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line. Through his engaging approach, he enriched the club atmosphere, added value to memberships, and even boosted food and beverage sales. This episode is a journey in...

Welcome to Board Chats presented by our friends Concert Golf Partners. This episode introduces Dave and Joe, executive consultants from Club Benchmarking, who share their wealth of knowledge on club management. Drawing from their rich backgrounds as CFOs, CEOs, and board members, they provide a deep dive into debt management, explaining the difference between good and bad debt and the role of planning cycles. The episode also covers clubhouse project financing and the value of surveys in decisio...

Craving a nostalgic trip down memory lane? Join us as we reconnect with our childhood memories and journey through the magical world of summer camps with Dan Schmitz of KE Camps. Swapping stories from our time at sleepaway camps in the Poconos, Pennsylvania, we journey through a realm where children learn, grow, and step outside their comfort zones. The ever-evolving culture of camps is a fascinating journey, and who better to guide us through it than Dan Schmitz. After expanding KE Camps from ...

Circling the fast-evolving landscape of private clubs is our insightful guest, Steve Graves of Creative Golf Marketing. Steve unpacks the strategies that clubs should adopt to circumnavigate the artificial surge in business brought about by the pandemic, and how to market their memberships effectively. Breaking the illusion that not-for-profit organizations like clubs can't advertise, he shares expert advice on replacing myths with methods. Adding a technological twist to the discourse, we trav...

How pivotal is effective communication in shaping a private club's culture? Expect a profound exploration of this topic with Shanna Bright, founder of Private Club Online, in our latest podcast episode. Shana unravels the significance of communication in enhancing member experience, leading to increased participation and subsequently, a thriving club culture. She pinpoints that good communication not only enriches each member's experience but also makes them more likely to stay, spend and bri...

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a prestigious golf championship? Well, buckle up as we invite Ian Hock and Tommy Donovan to share their unique experiences in the club industry. From navigating the chaos of the PGA championship with 5000 people in the clubhouse to sharing anecdotes about golf - we've got your curiosity covered. Get ready to witness a deep dive into the future of golf, as we discuss the introduction of the liv tour, a concept that's both shaking up the la...

Imagine a historic club on the brink of collapse, brought back to life with a well-timed capital injection and professional management. Today on our podcast, we unravel the inspiring preservation story of the Wisconsin Club, a landmark in downtown Milwaukee. Our guests, Rick Whiting and Fred Joachim , detail the strategic partnership with Concert Golf Partners that allowed the club to swim out of financial difficulty and enhance its operations. From challenges in club ownership to securing capi...

What do you need to know about the latest government updates and their implications for clubs and their governance? This episode features an exclusive wrap-up of the NCA's yearly conference with none other than Joe Traeger, the CEO of the NCA. Joe shares his insights on the current state of the federal government, Supreme Court decisions, and the relationship between clubs and their managers. You'll also hear about the incredible production quality of the NCA's lean staff and the range of divers...

Excited to unravel the clandestine world of club member vetting? Buckle up for an intriguing exploration as we invite Paul Dank from ASG Investigations to the mic. With a rich experience in background checks and research, Paul introduces us to the sophistication of their process. It's far beyond a regular Google search. We investigate the role of public record information and open source data in unearthing key aspects about potential club members. This episode jumps into the world of club cultu...

What if you could uncover the true personalities of potential members at your private club, creating a more harmonious environment for all? That's exactly what we discuss in this captivating episode with our special guest, Paul Dank from Kennis/ Member Vetting. Paul shares his unique approach to background research, utilizing public records and open source information to reveal crucial details about applicants that can't be found with a simple Google search. We dive into the importance of evalu...

Ready to revolutionize your club with the power of AI? Join us in our fascinating conversation with Laura Leszczynski from Strategic Club Solutions as we explore the untapped potential of artificial intelligence in transforming the club industry. Laura shares her expert insights on how AI can help clubs achieve their goals faster, simplify tasks, and even provides a sneak peek into an exclusive masterclass packed with tangible content that you can take back and implement at your club immediately...

Ever wondered how the magic behind renovating a new golf club happens? Well, today's your lucky day! Join us for an insightful chat with Phil Miller, Executive Vice President of Development, Construction, and Capital at Concert Golf Partners. With over 23 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Phil generously shares his expertise in capital planning, renovations, and design. Together we explore his transition from the hospitality to the golf industry, along with the capital spending...

Do you ever wonder what it takes to rise through the ranks and thrive in the club world? This episode of Private Club Radio features a fascinating conversation with Tom Wallace, an award-winning manager and partner at KK&W. From shining shoes as a teenager at a country club to becoming the general manager at Oakmont Country Club, Tom shares his incredible journey and the valuable lessons he's learned along the way. We uncover the secrets of Tom's success, including his holistic approach to huma...

Do you know how the upcoming Google Analytics 4 (GA4) update on July 1st, 2023 will impact your private club? Download a step by step guide here Are you ready to harness the power of free data to elevate your members' experience? Join us as we welcome Sean Bleyl from Members First, an industry expert who has worked with high-end clubs and managed high-volume resorts, to guide us through the GA4 update and its implications on the private club industry. Discover the significance of tracking conve...

Join us for an exciting episode as we dive into the 2023 NCA National Club Conference! We recap the conference and chat with one of the speakers David Walker from Day 1. We couldn't attend the second day, so we brought on Victoria Burns from MembersFirst, our awesome new show partner and NCA Sponsor. Victoria gives us an inside scoop on the highlights of Day 2, sharing the best moments and valuable takeaways. Not only that, but Victoria is a club world expert! She shares her background and exp...