A special “We Love this Game” presentation, an insightful examination of the “Evolution of Inclusion,” a report on the “State of the U.S. Golf Economy,” a panel discussion on the “Future of Off-Course Golf,” and presentations on the PGA of America REACH Foundation, PGA WORKS Career Pathways, and on the 2025 Ryder Cup: “Member Experience at Bethpage and Your Facility” headline a diverse schedule on the PGA of America Industry Stage presented by CapTech at the 2025 PGA Show Wednesday through Friday.
Always one of the most popular stops in the heart of the PGA Show floor, the PGA of America Industry Stage was introduced in 2007 by the Association to provide the game’s industry leaders with a platform to present timely discussions on golf-industry issues to attending industry professionals on current innovations, strategies, trends and business practices that impact the greater golf industry.
PGA of America President Don Rea Jr., a PGA Master Professional and owner-operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Club in Mesa, Arizona, will introduce recipients of the national 2025 PGA Awards in a special presentation Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. on the PGA of America Industry Stage presented by CapTech, while PGA Junior League Game Changer Awards will be presented earlier in the afternoon (at 3:30 p.m.).
“PGA of America Golf Professionals and all PGA Show attendees will greatly benefit from the presentations on the PGA of America Industry Stage this year,” said Rea. “Every year, the PGA Show never fails to provide incredible networking and education opportunities. Our members, associates and contributors to this great game we all love will enhance their expertise, leaving the PGA Show better equipped to lead the golf industry.”
Another special presentation on the PGA of America Industry Stage presented by CapTech will unfold at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, when several industry experts pay tribute to Callaway Golf founder Ely Callaway during “The Unconquerable Game: Living Legends Remember Ely Callaway,” to celebrate his forthcoming posthumous autobiography and AI-audiobook.
Here is the schedule of events for the PGA of America Industry Stage presented by CapTech:
Wednesday, January 22
8:30-9:30 a.m.
The Evolution of Inclusion presented by Make Golf Your Thing
Sandy Cross – Chief People Officer, PGA of America
Dave Barton, PGA – Executive Director, National Alliance for Accessible Golf
Dr. Michael Cooper – Senior Advisor, USGA
Laura Diaz – Sr. Director of Community & Inclusion, PGA TOUR
Tom Kuhn – Vice President, Corporate Partnerships, PGA TOUR
Moderated by Lauren Thompson, NBC Sports Next
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Eye Health by Maui Jim: Golf, Vision, and the Importance of Eyewear on and off the Course
Lydia Ko – Maui Jim Golf Ambassador
Stacey Dunn – Maui Jim Training Consultant, Optometrist
Jeffrey Harris, OD – Maui Jim Optometrist
10:30-11:30 a.m.
How Building a Personal Brand Can Help Your Business
Hally Leadbetter – Host, Producer
Roger Steele – Founder, HIPE Media
Colin Landforce – President, LTRMN; Co-Founder, Cut30
Jordan Rogers – Founder, Perseus Creative
Abby Parsons, PGA – Head Golf Professional, Pinnacle Peak Country Club
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The Future of Off-Course Golf
Roberto Castro – Managing Director, Sports and Media, CapTech
Jared Solomon – CEO, Five Iron
Josh Brickley, PGA – Five Iron Golf – Director of Instruction
Moderated by Kris Hart, PGA – Senior Director, Growth and Ventures, PGA of America
12:30-12:40 p.m.
Trackman PGA Professional Open -Champion Presentation
12:45-1:30 p.m.
Golf is Fore Athletes – How PGA Members and the Game Can Benefit
Josh Dobbs – Fore Athletes Founder, NFL Quarterback
Marcus Jones – Fore Athletes Member, NFL DB
Tyrell Adams – Fore Athletes Member, NFL LB – Retired
Roberto Castro – Managing Director, Sports and Media, CapTech
Moderated by Kris Hart, PGA – Senior Director, Growth and Ventures, PGA of America
1:30-2:00 p.m.
The State of the U.S. Golf Economy: Navigating Growth, Change and Market Forces in 2025
David Lorentz – Chief Research Officer, National Golf Foundation
2:00-2:30 p.m.
We Love this Game – Results of Grass Roots Efforts
Nikki Gatch, PGA – Executive Director, Southern California PGA Section
Dr. Alison Curdt, PGA Master Professional – President, Southern California PGA Section
Geoff Surrette, PGA – Executive Director, Philadelphia PGA Section
Matt Frey, PGA – Communications Director, Philadelphia PGA Section
Moderator by Fahad Zahid – Sr. Director, Brand & Digital Marketing, PGA of America
2:30-3:30 p.m.
The Unconquerable Game: Living Legends Remember Ely Callaway, the Founder of Callaway Golf to celebrate his forthcoming posthumous autobiography and AI-audiobook
An Exclusive Worldwide Preview
Annika Sorenstam – 10-Time Major Champion & Member of the World Golf Hall of Fame
Jim Nugent – Publisher, Global Golf Post
Roger Cleveland – Golf Club Design Innovator, Callaway Golf Co; Founder, Cleveland Golf
David Leadbetter, PGA – World Renowned Golf Instructor
Nicholas Callaway – Son of Ely Callaway, Publisher, Callaway Arts &
Entertainment; Editor, The Unconquerable Game
Introduction by Chip Brewer – CEO, Callaway Golf
Moderated by Jim Kelly – Veteran award-winning ESPN and CBS Sportscaster
3:30-4:00 p.m.
PGA Jr. League GameChanger Awards
Moderated by Lauren Thompson, NBC Sports Next
4:00-4:30 p.m.
PGA of America REACH Foundation “Give. Serve. Share.”
Derek Sprague, PGA – CEO, PGA of America
Jenny Lewis – Executive Director, PGA of America REACH Foundation
Bob Ford, PGA – PGA Professional Ambassador, PGA of America REACH Foundation
Jason Epstein, PGA – Director of Golf & Athletics at Congressional Country Club
Joe Assell, PGA – Co-Founder & CEO, GOLFTEC
4:30-5:00 p.m.
PGA of America National Awards Presentation
Don Rea Jr., PGA Master Professional – President, PGA of America; Owner/Operator, Augusta Ranch Golf Club
Moderated by Brian Crowell, PGA – General Manager, Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point
Thursday, January 23
9:00-9:30 a.m.
Career Pathways: PGA WORKS Fellows to Full Time
Professionals
Tomie Anderson – PGA Jr. League Grants Coordinator, PGA of America REACH Foundation
Shannon Gilbert – Marketing Associate, RX Global
Mackenzie Myers – Player Engagement Manager, Gateway PGA Section
Moderated by Michael Collins – ESPN
9:30-10:30 a.m.
2025 Ryder Cup: Member Experience at Bethpage and Your Facility
Christie Decker – Account Director, GDX Studios
Erin Marsh – Account Director, Jack Morton Worldwide
Moderated by Bryan Karns – Championship Director, 2025 Ryder Cup
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Building TGL: The Tech Driving Prime Time, Team Golf
Roberto Castro – Managing Director, Sports and Media, CapTech
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Career Advancement for PGA of America Members at Any Stage of
Their Career Journey
Scott Kmiec – Senior Director, ExecuSearch, PGA of America
Keith Soriano, PGA – Senior Consultant, Member & Section Operations, PGA of America
Jack Druga, PGA – Vice President, Western Golf Association & Evans Scholarship Foundation
Courtney Trimble – Founder, Fore Hire
Ryan Holland, PGA – Career Consultant, PGA of America
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Surviving the Golf Swing
Dave Phillips – Co-founder, Titleist Performance Institute
Dr. Greg Rose – Co-founder, Titleist Performance Institute
3:00-4:00 p.m.
Elevating Events and Member Experience at Your Facility
Tim Willerton – PGA Relationship Manager & Senior Golf Travel Specialist, Premier Golf
Jill Walsh – Head of Strategic Partnerships, Toptracer
Moderated by Brian Crowell, PGA – General Manager, Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point