AGENDA

Bronco Ballroom

High Tech vs. High Touch: Data-Driven Insights from Both Sides of the Game

Jon Last | President | Sports and Leisure Research Group
Whitey O’Malley | Owner | Saddleback Golf Club

In the evolving landscape of golf technology, striking the right balance between high tech and high touch has never been more important. Led by the author of NGCOA’s annual ‘Golf Business Pulse Report’ Jon Last, and featuring insights and input from Whitey O’Malley, this data-driven session explores key trends, opinions, and adoption patterns from two critical perspectives: golf course owners/operators and the golfers they serve. You’ll gain insights into where the industry is headed, what technologies are resonating, and how expectations differ between business and consumer sides. Walk away with a clearer understanding of how to align your tech strategy with both operational goals and golfer preferences.

Cavern 2 Ballroom

Smart Ranges, Stronger Returns: Tech-Driven Strategies for Growth

John Harrington | Green Harbor Golf Club (MA)
Johan Rogebrant | Chief Commercial Officer | Sweetspot
Jill Walsh | Head of Strategic Partnerships, Renewals, and Sales North | Toptracer

As driving range technology continues to prove its ROI, course owners are rethinking the role of the range as a powerful business asset. Join Jill Walsh and hear John Harrington, an NGCOA member from Green Harbor Golf Club, and Johan Rogebrant of Sweetspot, as they’ll dive into the strategic opportunities that tech-powered ranges present—from new revenue streams and customer engagement to expanded food & beverage and event offerings. Examine real-world examples, financial models, emerging obstacles to avoid and operational best practices that drive long-term success. Join us to discover how to turn your range into a high-performing extension of your core golf business.

Cavern 1 Ballroom

More Profit, Less Effort: Future State of Course Revenue Technology

Erica Espe | VP of Marketing | KemperSports
Jake Gordon | Co-Founder and CEO | Noteefy

Unlock more profit with less effort! Join Noteefy CEO Jake Gordon and KemperSports VP of Sales and Marketing Erica Espe to discover how automation and smart systems are revolutionizing golf course operations. Discover new ways to boost revenue, lighten staff workloads, and elevate the guest experience—all while cutting down on manual work. Walk away with real-world examples, actionable strategies, and a clear roadmap to future-proof your facility.

Bronco Ballroom

The Future of On-Course Hospitality: How Golf Car Technology is Elevating Player Experiences

A.J. McGahee | East Coast Regional Manager, Direct Sales | Yamaha Golf Car

Golf car technology is redefining the standard of hospitality in the golf industry, providing course operators with innovative tools to enhance the player experience. Join A.J. McGahee as he examines the latest advancements and how these features can be leveraged to develop a special experience for your golfers. Discover how features like food & beverage ordering, real-time messaging, and dynamic on-screen activations can create an unforgettable round of golf.

Cavern 2 Ballroom

Avoiding the Legal Rough: Today’s Technology to Simplify Safety and Compliance

Gareth Macklin | Founder & CEO | Obbi Golf

Safeguard your golf course business by eliminating outdated paperwork and scattered processes, and removing unnecessary risk. Led by Gareth Macklin, Founder & CEO of Obbi Golf, this session will show you how innovations are transforming the way golf facilities manage safety and compliance, technology like personalized staff records and real-time compliance dashboards that can centralize training and audits, incident reporting and documentation that can reduce admin time and boost accountability to support a stronger safety culture, and more!

Cavern 1 Ballroom

Driving Traffic: Google, AI & the New Rules of Golf Course Marketing

Mike Hendrix | Host, Tech Caddie Podcast | Founder & President, smbGOLF
Jonathan Wride | CEO | TenFore Golf

In a fast-changing digital landscape, how can you stay ahead, drive real results, and turn your website (and web presence) into your most valuable asset? Mike Hendrix and Jonathan Wride unpack the latest trends shaping golf marketing—from evolving online tools to smarter, data-driven strategies. You’ll gain practical insights into behavior-based marketing, AI-driven automation, and how to execute smarter strategies that meet modern golfer expectations.

Cavern 2 Ballroom

Hundreds of Thousands in ‘Found Revenue’? How Courses are Using Tech to Optimize Pace and Maximize Yield

Dan McIntire | General Manager | Frisco Lakes Golf Club
Bodo Sieber | CEO | Tagmarshal

Learn how golf course decision-makers lean on technology to discover proven tactics that boost revenue and yield at the course. Join this session as Bodo Sieber, CEO, Tagmarshal, and Dan McIntire, General Manager, Frisco Lakes Golf Club, will reveal how new tech can deliver actionable, data-driven pace and tee sheet optimization strategies that elevate the player experience, enhance retention, and create a platform for sustained growth.

Cavern 1 Ballroom

Investing in Innovation: Grow Your Golf Business by Harnessing Today’s (and Tomorrow’s) Tech

Spencer Cody, PGA | Corporate Director of Club & Golf Operations | Omni Hotels and Resorts
Kris Hart, PGA | Senior Director, Growth and Ventures | PGA of America

PGA of America’s Kris Hart, PGA and Omni Hotels’ Spencer Cody, PGA offer a front-line view of the technologies reshaping the golf business. Kris, who also oversees the EP Golf Venture Fund, will bring unparalleled insight into where capital is flowing in golf tech and what innovations are gaining serious traction. From operational shifts and workforce planning to bold tech integrations, this session will challenge owners and operators to think ahead, take smart risks, and prepare their businesses for the next evolution of the game. Whether you’re ready to overhaul or just looking for a starting point, this is your roadmap to staying competitive in a fast-moving industry.

Bronco Ballroom

Irrigation Innovation: The Intelligent Use of Water

Chad Davis | National Accounts Manager | Rain Bird Golf
Matt Miller | National Accounts Manager | Rain Bird Golf
John Pollok| National Accounts Manager | Rain Bird Golf

Discover how emerging irrigation technologies can significantly reduce water usage and operational costs through precision, data-driven methods. Integrated control systems are revolutionizing course management by simplifying operations and improving responsiveness. Join Matt Miller and Chad Davis and gain insight into how irrigation tech advancements not only enhance turf quality but also support broader environmental sustainability goals, benefiting your course, your bottomline and your community.

Cavern 2 Ballroom

‘Game’ified Golf: Where Sims and Screens are Captivating Customers and Boosting Bottomlines

TJ Schier | Founder & CEO | SmashSwing Immersive

As simulators and screens continue to evolve, today’s technology allows for even more experiences in a flexible footprint. Learn how forward-thinking facilities are rethinking ROI on a per-square-foot basis and creating social hubs within their four walls. Maximize revenue, increase customer engagement and bring new people to the game as you explore the next generation of indoor golf entertainment!

Cavern 1 Ballroom

Tee Sheet to Treasure Map: Strategies for Shifting Seas

Bruce Gerlander | General Manager | Walt Disney World Golf
Chris May | Senior Vice President | Supreme Golf Solutions

Join Bruce Gerlander and Chris May as they chart a course through today’s favorable golf demand and unpredictable economy — all to help golf course decision makers navigate with confidence. Learn how to lean on new technology to use dynamic pricing to fill your tee sheet, implement velocity-based subscription models for steady revenue, and turn customer data into unexpected (and non-traditional) profit opportunities. This session blends strategic thinking with real-world tech tools to help you stay ahead of the storm. Get ready to turn your operation into a well-oiled, revenue-generating, and tech-savvy vessel.