Conference Agenda 2027

JW Marriott Austin
April 12th – 14th, 2027

3

DAYS

20+

SESSIONS

INDUSTRY

LEADING SPEAKERS

PREMIER

NETWORKING

CREDITS

Available

Owner Track sessions sponsored by Lightspeed

Operations Track sessions sponsored by TBA

 

Technology Track sessions sponsored by foreUP

Full Agenda Coming Soon!

Three days of insights, connections and strategies.

Day 1

Monday, April 12
Kickoff

Day 2

Tuesday, April 13
Main Sessions

Day 3

Wednesday, April 14
Closing Day

DAY 1 – MONDAY, APRIL 12

10:00 AM

Registration Opens

Sponsored Text/Note

Registration Desk is located at the top of the elevator on the second floor, near the pre-function space

Check-in begins at 10:00 am. Have your confirmation ready for a smooth check-in experience and get excited for the next three days!

  • Start the day with breakfast and stay energized with a boxed lunch
  • Explore products and solutions showcased by industry vendors throughout the course
1:00 PM – 2:15 PM

Opening Reception

PREFUNCTION SPACE

New and returning attendees are welcome to the Opening Reception, designed to help first-time participants network, connect with others and ease into the conference in a welcoming atmosphere.

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

BREAKOUT SESSIONS - Choose one track

RISK – VERELST/PERCIVAL/VERNON

The risk manager’s blind spot: Clinical exposures that undermine coverage

A focused look at how clinical exposures can create unseen coverage risks, and what risk managers can do about them.

Moderator: Catherine Jones, CEO, Risk Transitions Healthcare Risk Management Company, LLC

Lisa Turman, Senior Clinical Risk Manager, Grady Health System

Erica Ladler, Risk Manager, Joseph M. Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center

David Ferrainolo, Founder and Attorney, Ferrainolo Allen

CLAIMS/LEGAL – BALLROOM ABC

Bad faith and medical liability: Avoiding large verdict pitfalls

Rising nuclear verdicts have increased scrutiny of settlement decisions in medical malpractice cases. Attorneys and claims leaders examine bad faith exposure, how professional liability differs from other lines, and key legal developments to watch.

Moderator: Daniel Huff, Founding Partner, Huff Powell Bailey, LLC

Joseph Sheahan, National Claims Division Manager, MedPro Group

Tanya Springman, VP, Head of Healthcare Liability Claims, QBE North America

Operations Track

Municipal Golf Reimagined: How Top Operators Are Winning Today

Municipal golf facilities are evolving to meet changing player expectations while balancing accessibility, affordability and financial performance. Hear how leading operators are driving participation, improving operations and creating exceptional experiences that keep golfers coming back.

  • Mike Suglich, CPA and Founder, Greenlight Advisors
  • Scott Rethlake, Director of Golf, Denver Golf
  • Keith Miller, CEO, Montgomery County Revenue Authority
3:45 PM – 5:00 PM

OPENING KEYNOTE

Hot topics and emerging risks in medical professional liability

BALLROOM ABC

Industry leaders from claims, underwriting and clinical practice examine the key trends reshaping medical professional liability, from social inflation and nuclear verdicts to evolving care models and regulatory change.

Moderator: Graham Billingham, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, Chief Medical Officer, MedPro

Tim Zawacki, Principal Research Analyst, S&P Global Market

Brant Poling, Attorney, Poling Law

Paul Greve, Senior Director, Healthcare Risk Solutions, Markel Specialty

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Cocktail Party & Networking Party

PREFUNCTION SPACE

Join us for a relaxed evening with tasty cocktails, delicious bites and fantastic networking opportunities. It’s the perfect chance to connect in a social setting and enjoy a fun-filled atmosphere before getting dinner.

DAY 2 – TUESDAY, APRIL 13

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Owners & Operators Breakfast Roundtables

By invitation only

Join fellow owners and operators for candid, peer-driven discussions on today’s most pressing business topics, including indoor golf, capital planning and membership strategies.

Breakfast for All Attendees

Sponsored by Addison Law

Join fellow owners and operators for candid, peer-driven discussions on today’s most pressing business topics, including indoor golf, capital planning and membership strategies.

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM

MORNING KEYNOTE

From American Golf to Today: Lessons from Two Industry Builders

Joe Guerra and David Pillsbury began their careers together at American Golf, then the world’s largest management company, during a period that reshaped golf ownership and operations. Decades later, they lead major platforms across ownership, operations and investment. In this candid interview, they’ll share lessons from scaling businesses, navigating cycles and building enduring companies—offering practical insight on leadership, growth and risk in today’s evolving golf landscape.

  • Joe Guerra, CEO & Owner, ripp Island Golf & Beach Resort and Seascape Hospitality Group
  • David Pillsbury, CEO, Invited Clubs
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM

TRADESHOW

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

BREAKOUT SESSIONS - Choose one track

Owner Track

Renovation in a Demanding Market

In today’s high-cost environment, golf course renovations require more than vision — they demand strategy, creativity and precision. Award-winning architect Forrest Richardson leads a discussion with a team of experts who’ve successfully navigated the challenges of modern renovation. Find out when the risk pays off and when it doesn’t.

  • How to manage rising costs
  • Balance membership expectations with operational realities
  • Forrest Richardson, Principal Golf Course Architect, Forrest Richardson Golf Course Architects
  • Richard Mandell, Richard Mandell Golf Course Architecture
  • Dave Ashton, Co-owner, Swing First Golf
  • Jeff Lundgren, Co-owner, Swing First Golf
  • Capillary Flow

Operations Track

Pricing Strategies Workshop

After years of strong demand and record-setting performance, golf operators are entering a new phase. Economic uncertainty, shifting consumer behavior and increased scrutiny of dynamic pricing are creating both challenges and opportunities. This session will examine the outlook for 2027, discuss strategies for sustaining growth and review legislative efforts that could impact revenue management practices.

  • Mark Mattingly, Executive Vice President, Landscapes Golf Management
  • Matt Anzalone, VP of Operations, Blue Star Resort & Golf
  • *More speakers to be announced

Technology Track

Tech’s Evolving Role in Maximizing Play: Operations and yield management

Tech, tech everywhere – and now even more so with AI. This session will explore how operators are using technology to improve the customer experience and operate more efficiently and profitably. It is not just about doing what you are doing today more efficiently, but about reimagining how technology and AI can transform the golf experience and the golf course business model.

  • Mike Zisman, Executive Chairman, Golf Genius
  • Sean Palmer, Chief Operating Officer, The Union League
  • Nathanaël Pietrzak-Swirc, CEO, UGolf International
  • Bodo Sieber, CEO, Tagmarshal
  • Eric Schultz, PGA, Director of Golf, The Tree Farm
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

BREAKOUT SESSIONS - Choose one track

Owner Track

The Architecture of Profit: Business Strategies for Long-Term Success

Great courses aren’t just designed to be beautiful — they’re designed to perform. This session explores how smart development and design decisions translate directly into stronger EBITDA, member satisfaction, and long-term asset value. From reinvestment strategies that future proof your property to the hard economics behind when (and why) upgrades matter, this discussion goes beyond aesthetics to focus on returns.

  • BR Koehnemann, Director of Corporate Communications, KemperSports
  • Bruce Charlton, President & Chief Design Officer, Robert Trent Jones Golf Course Architects
  • Nathan Crace, Watermark Golf

Operations Track

Trends in Private Club Programming & Amenities

Member expectations continue to evolve, influencing everything from events and wellness offerings to dining, recreation and family-focused experiences. This session will examine the latest trends shaping club programming and amenities, and how leading clubs are using them to enhance engagement, satisfaction and retention.

  • Frank Vain, Chairman, McMahon Group
  • Robert Sereci, CEO, Colleton River Country Club
  • Mario Campuzano, General Manager/COO, Long Cove Club
  • Spencer Potter, CEO, ClubGrub

Technology Track

Big Data: Driving golf course profitability

An inside look at the key business matrices and numbers that drive golf course profitability. This panel will examine the stats and figures that can help optimize your business. Learn what to measure, how to interpret, and how you can use these data points to assist decision making for long term golf course profitability.

  • Bryce Voisin, CEO, GolfBack
  • Chris May, Supreme Golf
  • *More speakers to be announced
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Lunch Break

Golf Inc. Networking & Awards Luncheon

Celebrate the best in golf ownership, operations and development during this special awards luncheon. Golf Inc. will honor the winners of Clubhouse of the Year, Renovation of the Year, the Golden Fork Awards, the Hilda Allen Award for Women in Leadership and other distinguished recognitions. Gather with industry peers for lunch and a brief awards presentation recognizing the year’s most notable achievements.

Owners & Operators Roundtable Luncheon

By invitation only

This exclusive luncheon brings together owners and operators for open discussions on the issues impacting their businesses. Share experiences, exchange ideas and gain insights from industry peers at tables focused on development, technology and operational challenges.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

BREAKOUT SESSIONS - Choose one track

Owner Track

Buy/Sell Part 1:

Golf Course Valuation: How Every Player Defines Value

Deals stall when stakeholders do not agree on value. This session shows owners how buyers, sellers, appraisers, brokers, and lenders each value your course — and how to negotiate from strength no matter which side of the table you are on.

Perspectives from the Pros:

  • Seller: How to maximize price through positioning, timing, and narrative
  • Buyer: Underwriting risk adjusted returns and identifying upside
  • Lender: Collateral quality, cash flow durability, and debt coverage
  • Appraiser: Building a defensible, market supported valuation
  • Broker: Bridging expectations and turning valuation gaps into closed deals
  • Richard Zrbanek, Senior Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield
  • Rob Waldron, Senior Managing Director & Partner, Leisure Investment Properties Group
  • Jeff Dugas, Senior Managing Director Leisure Appraisals, Leisure Appraisal
  • *More speakers to come

Operations Track

Best practices in golf course operations

From staffing and technology to maintenance and customer service, successful operations require a thoughtful balance of efficiency and experience. This session will highlight proven strategies and practical solutions that help facilities improve performance, control costs and deliver exceptional golf experiences.

  • Rachel Carter, Senior Director of Membership, National Golf Course Owner's Association
  • Monica Davis, Senior Vice President of Operations, KemperSports
  • Allen DePuy, Founder, Commonwealth Golf Group
  • Jeff Tyrrell, Director of Operations, The Cliffs
  • Jake Gordon, Noteefy

Technology Track

Course of the Future: How automation, AI and other advancements are transforming operations

What will golf course operations look like in three to five years? Technology is changing the business in ways never imagined. This session will discuss the future and what operators should invest in now.

  • Dave Vanslette, Founder & CEO, FairwayiQ
  • Eduardo Ruiz COO, UGolf International
  • Jaime Sharp Director of Product Management, Xplor Golf and Club
  • Andrew Kline VP of Sales, Roboranger
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

BREAKOUT SESSIONS - Choose one track

Owner Track

Buy/Sell Part 2:

The Golf Course Transaction Playbook for 2026

The deal looks simple. It never is. This session pulls back the curtain on the entire golf course transaction process — and the landmines hiding in each one. From pre‑listing strategy to post‑close value creation, this is a practical, no‑nonsense guide to avoiding mistakes, protecting leverage, and maximizing outcomes.

The Transaction Process:

  1. Pre Listing Strategy & Timing – Preparing the asset and the story
  2. Listing & Marketing – Targeting the right buyers, not just more buyers
  3. LOIs & Negotiation – Structuring terms that survive diligence
  4. Due Diligence – Common traps, red flags, and deal killers
  5. Financing Realities – What lenders will (and won’t) do in 2026
  6. Closing & Post Close – Immediate levers to create value after the sale
  • Adam Rieck, Addison Law
  • Chris Karamitsos, Senior Managing Director & Partner, Leisure Investment Properties Group
  • Greg Lewis
  • Jordan Peace, SVP of Corporate Development | Club Acquisitions & Recapitalizations, Concert Golf Partners

Operations Track

Innovative programming to increase member participation and loyalty

The most successful clubs are creating experiences that keep members engaged long after their round is over. Learn how leading facilities are using creative events, leagues, social activities and member-focused programming to boost participation, strengthen connections and build lasting loyalty.

  • Cathy Harbin, Owner, Pine Ridge Golf Course
  • Brady Noland, GM, The Patch Augusta Municipal Golf
  • Monique Waller, Director of Member Engagement, Heritage Golf Group
  • Jill Walsh, Head of Sales, North America, Toptracer

Technology Track

Marketing 2030: How AI will reshape golfer acquisition, retention and loyalty

By 2030, the courses winning the battle for rounds won’t be the ones sending the most emails — they’ll be the ones whose data actually works for them. This panel explores how AI is transforming the golfer lifecycle: predictive models that flag at-risk members and lapsing players before they churn, agentic workflows that personalize offers using tee sheet, POS, and email data, and dynamic strategies that fill shoulder times without eroding rate integrity. We’ll separate near-term reality from hype and map what operators should be building toward today.

  • Ross Liggett, Founder & Managing Partner, Metolius Golf
  • Tom Prince
  • Scot Wellman, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Landscapes Golf Management
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

CEO KEYNOTE

State of the Golf Industry

Sponsored by TenFore

The golf industry’s surge in participation has created enormous opportunity — but also new complexity. In this CEO keynote, the industry’s most respected leaders offer a candid, behind the scenes look at how top operators and owners are evolving their strategies to capture growth, protect margins, and position their businesses for what comes next. This forward looking session will explore how successful organizations are capitalizing on sustained demand, navigating rising costs and labor pressures, and making smart decisions amid an uncertain macro environment. Panelists will also share what they are seeing across their portfolios—and what they expect in the year ahead.

  • Jonathan Wride, CEO, TenFore Golf
  • Tim Schantz, CEO, Troon
  • Jim Hinckley, Founder & CEO, Century Golf Partners
  • Mark Burnett, CEO, Heritage Golf Group
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

The 19th Hole Reception

Sponsored by Thompson Golf Group

Wrap up the day with cocktails, appetizers and conversation alongside fellow Summit attendees. Whether you’re continuing a discussion from a session or simply relaxing after a full day of learning, this casual reception offers the perfect setting to unwind and enjoy the company of industry peers.

DAY 3 – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Owners & Operators Breakfast Roundtables

By invitation only

Join fellow owners and operators for candid, peer-driven discussions on today’s most pressing business topics, including indoor golf, capital planning and membership strategies.

Breakfast for All Attendees

Join fellow owners and operators for candid, peer-driven discussions on today’s most pressing business topics, including indoor golf, capital planning and membership strategies.

9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

CLOSING KEYNOTE

What the Golf Consumer Will Want by 2027

Sponsored by Cover the Tees

Start the quarter with clarity and confidence. Drawing on exclusive NGF data and insights from top voices in golf, this session breaks down how the golf consumer is changing—and where the biggest opportunities will emerge over the next three years.

  • Greg Nathan, President & CEO, National Golf Foundation
  • Mike Sharp, CEO, CourseCo
  • Ian Versaw, VP of Revenue, ClubProphet
  • *More speakers to be announced
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM

TRADESHOW

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM

BREAKOUT SESSIONS - Choose one track

Track

The Women’s Market: Turning Participation into Long-Term Growth

Women are playing golf in record numbers and increasingly shaping purchasing and membership decisions at clubs and facilities nationwide. This session, led by Elisa Gaudet, founder of Women’s Day Golf, will examine how owners and operators can better connect with this growing audience through thoughtful programming, facility design, communications and member experiences. Panelists will share practical strategies and real-world examples for attracting new female golfers, increasing participation and creating lasting relationships that benefit the entire operation.

Operations Track

How to Build a Community based Culture at Public Golf Facilities

Creating a loyal customer base starts with building a culture that keeps golfers coming back. Learn how leading public facilities are using events, communication, customer service and community outreach to strengthen engagement, encourage repeat visits and support long-term growth.

  • Jon Last, Founder & Presidents, Sports and Leisure Research Group
  • Kris Strauss, Executive Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing, Troon
  • Cathy Harbin, Owner, Pine Ridge Golf Course
  • David Frem, Owner, Cyprian Keyes Golf Club

Technology Track

The Practical AI Playbook: Where to start, what to fix and how to see ROI fast

Most golf operations don’t have an AI problem — they have a data problem. This panel skips the buzzwords and gets tactical: how to get your tee sheet, POS, and customer data clean and connected, which fixes to prioritize first, and which AI use cases deliver measurable ROI in months, not years. Panelists will share real implementations from real facilities, including what they cost, where they stumbled, and what they’d do differently. You’ll leave with a practical starting checklist, whatever your budget or tech stack.

  • Ross Liggett, Founder & Managing Partner, Metolius Golf
  • Ryan Denner
  • Jason Lowe
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Women’s Roundtable Luncheon

Invite only

FEATURED KEYNOTES

INDUSTRY KEYNOTE

State of the Industry
Tuesday, Sept 29 | 4:30 – 5:30 pm

Jim Hinckley
Founder & CEO
Century Golf Partners

OPENING SESSION

Expanding the Game’s Footprint
Tuesday, Sept 29 | 4:30 – 5:30 pm

Jay Karen
CEO
NGCOA

CLOSING KEYNOTE

The 2027 Golf Consumer
Thursday, Oct 1 | 9:00 – 10.15 am

Greg Nathan
President & CEO
National Golf Foundation

Location