Season 19 Wrap-up / Season 20 Preview Hey there I'm Colin Weston, host of The ModGolf Podcast. We recently wrapped up Season 19 so I'm here to let you know that after nine years and over 250 episodes, we're taking some time off to develop our 20th season and focus on creating YouTube video content. In the meantime I've put together a recap of our previous season to give you a taste of the dozen engaging conversations that we delivered over the past couple of months. We heard some amazing stories from a diverse group of inspirational guests who discussed how innovation, inclusion, technology, entertainment, sustainability, music, celebrity, hospitality and community building intersect to shape the future of golf. Over the next 20 minutes I'll provide you with a quick bite from each episode that I hope peaks your interest so that you'll go back and listen to the ones you liked most. Before we get started with our Season 19 recap episode I want to take a moment to thank our Presenting Partner - Golf Genius Software who have supported The ModGolf Podcast since 2019. Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you're a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com. ________ To kick off season 19, I sit down with Hyman Ngo, Co-Founder and SVP of Product and Marketing at the premium athletic wear brand, Levelwear. Hyman takes us on a fascinating journey that began not as a startup, but as an acquisition. He shares the story of how his family transitioned from being a contract manufacturer to building the branded powerhouse that now outfits 85 of the top 100 golf clubs in the U.S and Canada. We dive deep into Levelwear's unique brand ethos, exploring their powerful "Who's With You" community buildng campaign and how it shows up in the real world through their innovative "Caddy Lounge" activation at PGA and LPGA events. Whether you're a golfer, an entrepreneur, or a fan of smart business strategy, this conversation is packed with insights on building a brand that lasts. Episode 01/02 - Hyman Ngo sound bite - Drew Koehler intro You can listen to my full conversation with Hyman that's filled with inspiring insights, practical wisdom, and a refreshingly straightforward approach to authentic brand building. I also encourage you to watch the video version on The ModGolf YouTube Channel where we take a deeper dive into how Levelwear balances performance and value with sustainability and social responsibility. Next up - We find out what happens when a broken Amazon rangefinder ruins your round and sparks a multi-million dollar business idea. In this episode I sit down with Blue Tees Golf co-founder Drew Koehler to unpack the entrepreneurial journey behind one of golf’s fastest-growing tech brands. From liquidating bank accounts for bootstrap capital to launching the new Rainmaker launch monitor and Scout AI, this is a must-listen for golfers and entrepreneurs who want to learn how to disrupt the golf industry through better design and smarter technology. Episode 02/03 - Drew Koehler sound bite - Greg Collins intro Did you know that we offer extended guest interviews on The ModGolf YouTube channel? After Drew and I finished up with our podcast recording we jumped on a video call to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned along the way. If you sometimes enjoy watching rather than listening, I encourage you to check out The ModGolf YouTube channel and please subscribe while you’re there to help us grow! Next up on episode three, I speak with Greg Collins, founder and CEO of GRIT Inc., to reveal how the 40-year industrial design veteran expanded from hockey into golf, turned fear into fuel by creating the revolutionary GRIT 2.0 Tower golf bag - a square, cart-stabilizing design that proves the best golf innovations come from off the fairway. If you're a golfer tired your golf bag twisting sideways in your cart and lacking the storage capacity you desire, check out this episode on Apple Podcasts. I’ll include the link for this and the other eleven episodes in the show notes. Episode 03/04 - Greg Collins sound bite - Renate Roelveld intro During my engaging conversation with Greg you will discover how watering down your design as an attempt to please everyone is the enemy of innovation, along with the value of looking outside of your industry and comfort zone for creative inspration and so much more. So what happens when a hospitality professional stumbles into golf and ends up leading the charge for the sport’s evolution across an entire continent? Next up on episode 4 I sit down with Renate Roeleveld, CEO of the Golf Course Association of Europe to soak up her infectious energy and unique perspective on how Europe is redefining golf - from battling climate change with robotic mowers to creating "Fabulous Fridays" to get more women on the course. Episode 04/05 - Renate Roelveld sound bite - Geoff Tait intro Renate and I take a deep dive into the industry’s hottest topics: moving beyond the traditional 18-hole mindset, using tech to solve labour shortages, and why listening is the most powerful tool for inclusion. If you’ve ever wondered how golf can survive and thrive by embracing change, this conversation is your new playbook. Our episode five guest walked away from a $750,000 golf apparel order, cried on his living room floor, and told his wife that their dream was dead. Then he built a $12 million business from scratch - without knowing how to brew a single beer. In this raw conversation, Triple Bogey Brewing founder Geoff Tait shares the painful lessons from losing Quagmire Golf, why slow growth and customer loyalty beat venture capital, and how the tagline "better hit another" became a mantra for resilience. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, golf business fans, and anyone who loves craft beer on the first, ninth or 19th hole. Episode 05/06 - Geoff Tait sound bite - Kris Lynch intro I also encourage you to watch my ModGolf YouTube conversation with Geoff, as he shares stories around entrepreneurial lessons he learned from “The King” - Arnold Palmer. Next up on episode 6, I speak with Golf Yourself Happy creator Kris Lynch - a former finance professional turned golf mindset coach - who argues that golf is broken by a performance-obsessed culture. If you have ever felt like a "hacker" who doesn't belong, Kris has a radical prescription: forget your handicap, join his tribe of "Happy Hackers," and discover why belonging is more powerful than performance. Episode 06/07 - Kris Lynch sound bite - JR Charles / Aron Schuller intro Are you a watcher more than a listener? Then you can watch our video with Kris on The ModGolf YouTube Channel where he exposes why 4 million golfers quit annually and why a "happiness first, handicap later" approach is the cure. Tune in to discover tips on golf mindset, mental health, and how to overcome golf anxiety and imposter syndrome so you can actually enjoy the experience of playing over focusing on the result. I'm excited to announce that we launched our ModGolf Patreon platform to bring together our close-knit community of golf-loving people! As a ModGolf Patron member you will get access to exclusive live monthly interactive shows where you can participate, ask-me-anything video events, bonus content, golf product discounts and entry in members-only ModGolf Giveaway contests. I'm offering two monthly membership tiers, but you can also join for free! Your subscription will ensure that The ModGolf Podcast continues to grow so that I can focus on creating unique and impactful stories that support and celebrate the future of golf. Come join us at www.patreon.com/Modgolf Are you feeling overwhelmed by launch monitor data and conflicting YouTube golf tips? If so, you’re not alone. For episode 7, guest host Rich Katz sits down with ParOne’s JR Charles and engineering director Aron Schüler to introduce AVA Golf - a new platform designed to replace guesswork with genuine golf intelligence. Discover how this "video-first" solution aggregates your Arccos and Garmin data to serve a personalized video playlist from Top 100 instructors, helping you fix the right thing in the right way at the right time. Episode 07/08 - JR Charles / Aron Schuller sound bite - Don Donatello intro I encourage you to give this full episode a listen to discover why focusing on everything results in fixing nothing, and how the right direction can finally unlock the golfer you know you can be. So what really happens when the cameras stop rolling on the PGA Tour? On episode 8 of The ModGolf Podcast Season 19, I speak with 28-year caddie veteran Don Donatello at the RBC Canadian Open to uncover the untold physical, financial, and emotional realities of life on the bag and how Levelwear's Caddie Lounge is finally giving loopers the space, resources and respect they deserve. Episode 08/09 - Don Donatello sound bite - Rob Sunstrum intro From carrying 42-pound golf bags up the equivalent of 60 flights of stairs a round to a dramatic "I quit" moment on the 4th hole, Don shares his wild, unfiltered stories from over 650 tournaments and why Levelwear's Caddie Lounge is a game-changer for professional caddies. So why would a laid-off logistics executive bet everything on building golf tournament software from scratch during COVID? In this live episode 9 recording from Highland Golf Club in London Ontario, I sit down with Smart Golf founder Rob Sunstrum to explore how his innovative scoring platform is revolutionizing league management, re-engaging members, and driving F&B revenue for courses across North America. Episode 09/10 - Rob Sunstrum sound bite - Valerie De Maio / GolfDr intro If you're in the golf industry, are a business leader, a passionate golfer or simply fascinated by how founders navigate the startup journey, I encourage you to give this episode with Rob a listen on Apple Podcasts or a watch on The ModGolf YouTube channel. This conversation is packed with actionable insights you won't want to miss. Are you ready to stop your body from sabotaging your golf game? Next up on episode 10 I speak with the mother/son co-founding duo behind GolfDr: emergency physician Dr. Valerie De Maio and golf physiotherapist Dr. Chris Adamson to reveal why personalized, golf-specific body work is the secret to not just improving your performance, but sustaining it well into your 70s, 80s, and beyond. Episode 10/11 - Valerie De Maio / GolfDr sound bite - Kevin Carpenter intro This conversation with the GolfDr co-founders is a must-listen for golfers, fitness enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs alike, as they unpack the critical role of mobility in the golf swing, share the entrepreneurial journey from a mobile clinic to a scalable digital platform, and explore the massive business opportunity in golf longevity and wellness. Tune in to discover how you can play longer, hurt less, and finally bridge the gap between what your mind knows and what your body can do. Next on episode 11 I reconnect with previous guest and good friend Kevin Carpenter - aka: The GratiDude. Kevin is the US Managing Director of AM GOLF and he helps us discover how golf technology can actually deepen human connection rather than diminish it through an inspiring conversation that bridges golf business strategy, personal transformation, and the future of tournament experiences. From reimagining event software as a community-building platform to Kevin's powerful journey of sobriety and gratitude, this episode delivers nuggets of wisdom for golf entrepreneurs, fitness-minded golfers, and anyone passionate about where the game is headed next. Episode 11/12 - Kevin Carpenter sound bite - Jimmy Roberts intro As you will gather from listening to this episode, Kevin's journey is anything but ordinary. From personal transformation through gratitude and sobriety to fostering a tech revolution in golf, his story reminds us that the greatest innovations come from the heart. In this conversation, Kevin reveals how AM Golf is breaking down barriers, creating genuine community, and turning tournament software from a utility into a social experience. On our final Season 19 episode my guest is legendary sports broadcaster and 16 time Emmy Award winner Jimmy Roberts, who provides a masterclass in storytelling, journalism, and the business of golf. From his unforgettable first Masters experience alongside Byron Nelson to launching Big Swing Media, Jimmy reveals why curiosity trumps stats, how golf became America's most inclusive growth sport, and why 450 of 500 Fortune 500 CEOs can be found on a golf course. Whether you're a golf industry professional, aspiring broadcaster, or passionate fan, this episode delivers insider access you won't find anywhere else. Episode 12/outro - Jimmy Roberts sound bite - host outro Well I hope that you're now inspired to go back and listen to a couple of full episodes based on what you just heard from our dozen Season 19 guests. I have included links to all of these episodes in the show notes to make it nice and easy for you to find the ones that intrigue you most. To make sure that you're automatically entered in our latest #ModGolfGiveAway contest, join our ModGolf Patreon community at www.patreon.com/modgolf for a chance to win the golf products that I review. I want to thank our generous sponsor partners Golf Genius Software and British Columbia Golf, who without their continued support I wouldn't be able to bring you these inspirational, impactful and educational stories. I now need to get back to recording our next season of conversations with the influencers, entrepreneurs and disruptors who are shaping the future of golf. I hope you'll join us for Season 20 as we continue to explore how golf industry innovators are surviving AND thriving during these uncertain times. Until then, get out there and enjoy some golf, whether you've been playing the game for years or are thinking about picking up a club for the first time. Thank you so much for listening in and I look forward to connecting with you again soon. I'm Colin Weston. Bye for now.