"From Picking Range Balls at 13 to Innovating Golf Technology: My Journey in the Golf Industry”

My journey in the golf industry began when I was just 13 years old, working at Carrying Place Golf Club in Ontario. Armed with a hand-held golf ball picker and a large garbage bin, I spent my days collecting range balls while golfers aimed more for me than their targets. Those early experiences taught me resilience, hard work, and the unique culture of the golf industry—values that have shaped my career ever since.

As I grew older, my love for the game deepened, and I sought ways to make a greater impact. I transitioned into a marketing and design consultant role at Cardinal Golf Club, one of Canada’s largest golf facilities. There, I gained valuable insights into the business side of the industry, learning what golf clubs need to succeed and how to solve their operational challenges.

In 1999, I founded Teeblockers, introducing a groundbreaking tee block sign design that redefined how golf courses approached sponsorship and branding. But my commitment to innovation didn’t stop there. Recognizing the challenges faced by charity tournaments, I launched the Free Grab Bag program, supporting over 2,000 tournaments and fundraisers with creative solutions that enhanced player experiences while driving donations for important causes.

As the industry moved online, I saw a critical gap in how golf facilities managed registrations and payments for events and programs. This inspired me to create Golf EMS, a cutting-edge Event and Program Registration Payment Platform. Built specifically for golf clubs, Golf EMS simplifies the sign-up process, making it easier for managers to run successful events and programs while boosting participation and revenue.

Today, Golf EMS serves hundreds of golf facilities, from top management companies to iconic clubs across North America. Looking back, it’s hard to believe this journey began with a 13-year-old boy picking up golf balls. But that experience sparked a lifelong passion for supporting the golf industry—and I’m proud to help clubs thrive through innovative tools and strategies.

Whether it’s helping facilities streamline their operations or supporting tournaments that give back to their communities, my mission has always been the same: to make the golf industry more efficient, more connected, and more successful—one idea at a time.