Press / Media.
Liza Churchill is a Freelance Multimedia Sports Journalist based in the Boston area. It's Liza like Minnelli ~ her friend's call her Goldie. A Sports Reporter and Broadcaster on 95.9 WATD FM on Boston’s South Shore since 2009, Liza’s main focus’ are the local, New England and global golf scenes ~ players, industry leaders, hot shots, products and travel.
Liza pens a weekly “Goldie’s Hot Sheet” on www.959WATD.com/hotsheet featuring the latest in Lifestyle ‘N Culture Trends. During New England's Golf Season tune into 95.9 WATD's The South Shore's Morning News Broadcasts Thursday mornings at 8:40am for Goldie Bounce Golf, Goldie's Hot List and Goldie's Golf Getaways features
Golf highlights on 95.9 WATD Sports :22 and :52 past the hour from 5-9am M - F as well Liza is a Member of the Golf Writers Association of America and Les Dames d’Escoffier International New England Chapter.
For inquires feel free to contact her at [email protected] or phone 339-337-5180
Liza pens a weekly “Goldie’s Hot Sheet” on www.959WATD.com/hotsheet featuring the latest in Lifestyle ‘N Culture Trends. During New England's Golf Season tune into 95.9 WATD's The South Shore's Morning News Broadcasts Thursday mornings at 8:40am for Goldie Bounce Golf, Goldie's Hot List and Goldie's Golf Getaways features
Golf highlights on 95.9 WATD Sports :22 and :52 past the hour from 5-9am M - F as well Liza is a Member of the Golf Writers Association of America and Les Dames d’Escoffier International New England Chapter.
For inquires feel free to contact her at [email protected] or phone 339-337-5180
Gabriel Aluisy is the founder of The Private Club Agency, a Tampa, Florida based design, marketing and consulting firm focused on membership marketing and retention strategy at private clubs. He is the author of the bestselling book, Moving Targets: Creating Engaging Brands in an On-Demand World and the host of Private Club Radio.
Gabriel has been featured in Entrepreneur®, NBC, iHeart Radio, and many other leading publications. His keynotes have included the PCMA National Conference, The FLCMAA Club Summit, the Asia Pacific Golf Summit and many regional events. He is a graduate of American University’s School of Communication.
Gabriel has been featured in Entrepreneur®, NBC, iHeart Radio, and many other leading publications. His keynotes have included the PCMA National Conference, The FLCMAA Club Summit, the Asia Pacific Golf Summit and many regional events. He is a graduate of American University’s School of Communication.
Danielle Tucker’s Golf Club™ broadcasts from Hawaii, talking to PGA, LPGA and International Golf Professionals, Young Rising Stars, Teaching Pros, Sports Shrinks, Authors, Mental Coaches, Golf Equipment Companies, Club Designers and Golf Broadcasters.
Danielle Tucker’s Golf Club™ has been broadcasting from Hawaii since 1999.
Danielle Tucker’s Golf Club™ has been broadcasting from Hawaii since 1999.
Danielle Tucker’s Golf Club™ broadcasts from Hawaii, talking to PGA, LPGA and International Golf Professionals, Young Rising Stars, Teaching Pros, Sports Shrinks, Authors, Mental Coaches, Golf Equipment Companies, Club Designers and Golf Broadcasters.
Danielle Tucker’s Golf Club™ has been broadcasting from Hawaii since 1999.
Danielle Tucker’s Golf Club™ has been broadcasting from Hawaii since 1999.
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Club Chefs Step Into the Limelight By Joanna DeChellis
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Joanna DeChellis is an award-winning writer, editor and graphic designer who specializes in food-related publishing. A graduate of John Carroll University, Joanna has written for a number of different magazines including Supermarket News, Food Management, Restaurant Hospitality and Club & Resort Business. She is currently the editor of C&RB’s Chef to Chef magazine. She also follows Cleveland’s culinary culture as the local editor for Gault Millau’s Gayot.com.
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"Michael Williams Born in Washington, DC, Michael Williams has lived in or visited over 40 countries but he has a special appreciation for his native city. A graduate of The Sidwell Friends School and the first African-American male to attend the prestigious school from Kindergarten through High School, Mr. Williams attended the University of Maryland at College Parkwhere he majored in English Literature.
Mr. Williams has had success in industries ranging from High Tech companies to foreign exchange banking. But his life has been defined by his abilities in the media and for his love of the game of golf and world affairs. In 2003, Mr. Williams became Director of Marketing and Communications for Golf Course Specialists, Inc., the largest golf course operator for the National Park System. In his role, Mr. Williams was responsible for the three NPS golf courses in Washington, DC. He was tasked with connecting the playing public to the game, and in that capacity he was involved with the conception and implementation of such groundbreaking national programs as Patriot Golf Day, Play Golf America Day and Women’s Golf Week/Month. In 2005, Mr. Williams launched his first radio show on FOX News Radio, "Sticks and Stones", a show that covered golf, business and politics. Since that launch, Mr. Williams has established a reputation as a savvy broadcaster, and as an incisive interviewer and writer.
An avid golfer himself, Michael has covered the game of golf and the golf lifestyle including courses, restaurants, business, travel and sports marketing for publications all over the world.
Mr. Williams is currently working with a wide range of outlets in traditional and electronic media. In his first year as host of The 19 th Hole Golf Radio Show on CBS Radio in Washington, D.C., Mr. Williams led the show to becoming the top-rated golf show in the 7 th largest market in the United States. He is also the recipient of the 2014 Middle Atlantic PGA Earle Hellen Award for the Outstanding Media Person of the Year. Mr. Williams is the first African-American to receive the honor and the first in the section to win an award of any kind. He also produced and hosted “Sticks and Stones” on the Fox Radio network, a critically acclaimed show that combined coverage of the golf world with interviews of the Washington power elite. That and his television work on Newschannel8’s “Capital Golf Weekly", “SportsTalk” and "NewsTalk" have established him as one of the area’s most trusted sources for golf and other reporting.
Mr. Williams has established an international following with his writing for GolfWRX.com, the most popular golf site in the world. And Mr. Williams is now established as one of the political worlds most astute commentators as a contributor to " Issues in the News" the flagship political and current events program for Voice of America which is heard by over 19 million listeners weekly.
A sought-after speaker and panel moderator, Mr. Williams was most recently chosen as the keynote speaker at the National Day celebrations of the Turkish Embassy in Washington, DC. He has also recently launched a new partnership with The O Team to create original golf-themed programming and events.
Mr. Williams has just completed his first book, ghost writing the memoirs of a prominent national political figure. Mr. Williams is also a contributor to a wide range of charitable organizations, including being a board member of The Peter G. Dodge Foundation and The First Tee of Greater Washington, DC.
Mr. Williams is the Global Golf Ambassador to the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, which is authorized by The White House and Congress to establish the Memorial to the President Eisenhower.
Mr. Williams is a member of the United States Golf Association and the Golf Writers Association of America.
Mr. Williams has had success in industries ranging from High Tech companies to foreign exchange banking. But his life has been defined by his abilities in the media and for his love of the game of golf and world affairs. In 2003, Mr. Williams became Director of Marketing and Communications for Golf Course Specialists, Inc., the largest golf course operator for the National Park System. In his role, Mr. Williams was responsible for the three NPS golf courses in Washington, DC. He was tasked with connecting the playing public to the game, and in that capacity he was involved with the conception and implementation of such groundbreaking national programs as Patriot Golf Day, Play Golf America Day and Women’s Golf Week/Month. In 2005, Mr. Williams launched his first radio show on FOX News Radio, "Sticks and Stones", a show that covered golf, business and politics. Since that launch, Mr. Williams has established a reputation as a savvy broadcaster, and as an incisive interviewer and writer.
An avid golfer himself, Michael has covered the game of golf and the golf lifestyle including courses, restaurants, business, travel and sports marketing for publications all over the world.
Mr. Williams is currently working with a wide range of outlets in traditional and electronic media. In his first year as host of The 19 th Hole Golf Radio Show on CBS Radio in Washington, D.C., Mr. Williams led the show to becoming the top-rated golf show in the 7 th largest market in the United States. He is also the recipient of the 2014 Middle Atlantic PGA Earle Hellen Award for the Outstanding Media Person of the Year. Mr. Williams is the first African-American to receive the honor and the first in the section to win an award of any kind. He also produced and hosted “Sticks and Stones” on the Fox Radio network, a critically acclaimed show that combined coverage of the golf world with interviews of the Washington power elite. That and his television work on Newschannel8’s “Capital Golf Weekly", “SportsTalk” and "NewsTalk" have established him as one of the area’s most trusted sources for golf and other reporting.
Mr. Williams has established an international following with his writing for GolfWRX.com, the most popular golf site in the world. And Mr. Williams is now established as one of the political worlds most astute commentators as a contributor to " Issues in the News" the flagship political and current events program for Voice of America which is heard by over 19 million listeners weekly.
A sought-after speaker and panel moderator, Mr. Williams was most recently chosen as the keynote speaker at the National Day celebrations of the Turkish Embassy in Washington, DC. He has also recently launched a new partnership with The O Team to create original golf-themed programming and events.
Mr. Williams has just completed his first book, ghost writing the memoirs of a prominent national political figure. Mr. Williams is also a contributor to a wide range of charitable organizations, including being a board member of The Peter G. Dodge Foundation and The First Tee of Greater Washington, DC.
Mr. Williams is the Global Golf Ambassador to the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, which is authorized by The White House and Congress to establish the Memorial to the President Eisenhower.
Mr. Williams is a member of the United States Golf Association and the Golf Writers Association of America.
Zack Bates
CEO & Creative Director
Zack Bates is the CEO & Creative Director at Private Club Marketing, Inc., which he founded in 2009. He leads the development of Private Club Marketing’s communication, branding and membership consulting services, including its custom media division, Club and Resort Publishing.
Zack began his career at ClubCorp where he ignited internal marketing standards and cross-club communication strategies to improve member usage and foster new member referrals. While at ClubCorp, Zack worked closely with his membership sales and marketing peers at over 200 properties world-wide, sharing campaigns, strategies and best practices with peers in both the Golf/Country Club and the Business/Sports Division.
In 2008 Zack was recruited by the Irvine Company to work with Shady Canyon Golf Club (Irvine, CA) in its successful transition from developer to equity member ownership. Since that time Zack has worked closely with world renowned properties such as The Riviera Country Club (Los Angeles), Monterey Peninsula Golf Club (Pebble Beach), Trump National (Bedminster), San Francisco Yacht Club (San Francisco), The Princeton Club of New York, Silverado Resort and Spa (Napa), The Sports Club at Four Seasons Resort (Dallas), Four Seasons Resorts (Dallas, Vail, Punta Mita, Costa Rica, Lanai), The Vintage Club (Indian Wells), Mayacama Golf Club (Santa Rosa), Santa Lucia Preserve (Carmel), Tradition Golf Club (La Costa), to name a few.
The founding President of the Orange County Chapter of the Professional Club Marketing Association (PCMA), Zack and Private Club Marketing are now a corporate sponsor of the association, in addition to support of the National Golf Course Owners Association, Club Managers Association of America and its local chapters.
Zack also serves as Chairman of The Luxury Marketing Council of Southern California and Las Vegas, Executive Board Member of the British American Business Council (BABCOC), and Board Member for Western Youth Services for at youth risk in Orange County. He and his wife, Carly (and their new daughter, Reagan) are supporters of the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) in Newport Beach and the Laguna College of Art and Design.
He holds a Bachelor of Fine Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design from California State University Northridge in Los Angeles.
CEO & Creative Director
Zack Bates is the CEO & Creative Director at Private Club Marketing, Inc., which he founded in 2009. He leads the development of Private Club Marketing’s communication, branding and membership consulting services, including its custom media division, Club and Resort Publishing.
Zack began his career at ClubCorp where he ignited internal marketing standards and cross-club communication strategies to improve member usage and foster new member referrals. While at ClubCorp, Zack worked closely with his membership sales and marketing peers at over 200 properties world-wide, sharing campaigns, strategies and best practices with peers in both the Golf/Country Club and the Business/Sports Division.
In 2008 Zack was recruited by the Irvine Company to work with Shady Canyon Golf Club (Irvine, CA) in its successful transition from developer to equity member ownership. Since that time Zack has worked closely with world renowned properties such as The Riviera Country Club (Los Angeles), Monterey Peninsula Golf Club (Pebble Beach), Trump National (Bedminster), San Francisco Yacht Club (San Francisco), The Princeton Club of New York, Silverado Resort and Spa (Napa), The Sports Club at Four Seasons Resort (Dallas), Four Seasons Resorts (Dallas, Vail, Punta Mita, Costa Rica, Lanai), The Vintage Club (Indian Wells), Mayacama Golf Club (Santa Rosa), Santa Lucia Preserve (Carmel), Tradition Golf Club (La Costa), to name a few.
The founding President of the Orange County Chapter of the Professional Club Marketing Association (PCMA), Zack and Private Club Marketing are now a corporate sponsor of the association, in addition to support of the National Golf Course Owners Association, Club Managers Association of America and its local chapters.
Zack also serves as Chairman of The Luxury Marketing Council of Southern California and Las Vegas, Executive Board Member of the British American Business Council (BABCOC), and Board Member for Western Youth Services for at youth risk in Orange County. He and his wife, Carly (and their new daughter, Reagan) are supporters of the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) in Newport Beach and the Laguna College of Art and Design.
He holds a Bachelor of Fine Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design from California State University Northridge in Los Angeles.
Mitch Laurance
Mitch Laurance is a funny guy — equal parts funny-ha-hah and funny-clever with just a wee bit of funny-odd sprinkled on top. That’s what comes from more than 25 years on television, radio and in movies, sharpening his chops alongside the likes of Bill Murray as an associate director and producer on “Saturday Night Live” in the late 1970s and as a cast member of HBO’s groundbreaking “Not Necessarily the News” in the 1980s. He’s taken his licks from Andy Griffith’s “Matlock,” helped send men into the solar system on “From the Earth to the Moon” and even played a film school teacher on the landmark teen television series, “Dawson’s Creek.” And along the way, he’s also traveled the world as play-by-play commentator for ESPN Championship Billiards for more than 20 years.
These days, though, we’re happy Mitch is behind the microphone and in front of the golf camera — and on the golf course even more — as the voice and face of Team GolfGetaways across the Golf News Net platforms. For 5 years, Mitch’s podcast hit “Golf Connections with Mitch Laurance,” as well as his feature videos, appeared on the Golf Getaways Digital Network, and connected viewers and listeners with a stunning variety of golf’s greatest destinations, players, celebs, journalists, media personalities and more, sharing long-form, in-depth interviews with the likes of Annika Sorenstam, Peter Alliss, Matt Ginella, David McLay Kidd, Peter Jacobsen, and Darius Rucker. Now, Mitch and co-host Darin Bunch (the force behind GolfGetaways for more than a decade) bring their fun, informative, unique golf travel podcast “Talking GolfGetaways with Mitch & Darin” to the highly acclaimed Golf News Net, 5x a week, in addition to sharing video features appearing on the website.
Wielding his beloved hickory sticks and not afraid to don the plus-fours — or even a kilt now and again — Mitch considers himself more than just a passionate golfer. He’s an advocate for the game, both as it once was and now is — and how great it can be.
Mitch lives with his wife, professional pool player (and Billiards Congress of America Hall of Famer) Ewa Mataya Laurance in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Follow Mitch Laurance on Twitter and Instagram @MitchLaurance
Darin Bunch
Perhaps best known these days for his hickory golf clubs and famous goatee (which has left many men, from Back9 Network's Shane Bacon to Golf Channel personality Todd Lewis, in awe), Darin Bunch spent most of his early journalism career behind thick walls and giant computer screens, editing stories and pages for daily newspapers such as the Merced Sun-Star and Las Vegas Review-Journal, serving as Sunday Editor for the latter, rarely seeing the weekend let alone the sun. So when he left the newspaper business just after the turn of the millennium, he sought to do something he truly loved. And it turns out he loved golf. Still does, perhaps even more now that he's discovered the joys of donning plus-fours and playing the game with equipment from the 1920s, never missing an opportunity to talk golf history with those who spot his ancient sticks and Mackenzie Walker bag outside a clubhouse.
His partnership with Vic Williams at the helm of Fairways + Greens magazine — which eventually evolved into the GolfGetaways golf-travel brand — garnered more than its share of awards and goodwill throughout the golf industry. But most importantly it helped build some of his strongest friendships, many of whom are the foundation of the GolfGetaways Digital Network adventure upon which we've embarked.
Today, he serves as the crazy genius behind this little venture (more crazy, less genius) as Team GolfGetaways believes golf travelers across the globe are looking for a trusted source of golf-travel news, ideas and packages. "Golf is supposed to be fun, an exploration of new destinations outside your comfort zone as well as your inner self," he says. "Hopefully we'll do our best to convey the fun we have every time we hit the road on a golf trip — and inspire others, from couples and foursomes to once-a-year buddy trips, to find those special spots throughout the United States and beyond that remind us why the game, and traveling with others, is fun."
Darin lives in Bakersfield, Calif., with his wife, Jill, and their four dogs — Franklin, Simon, Theo and Ragsy. And by the end of 2014 plans to embark on another crazy mission — building a 200-square-foot tiny house on wheels with his father, Chuck, when they're not playing golf.
In the end, he's humbled by the team that has come together, donating their time, to keep GolfGetaways alive in the post-print era. "I've been truly blessed to work for this magazine as long as I have — and I'm looking forward to the challenge of what this team of extremely talented people can do now that the constraints of print have been lifted. It's a new chapter for all of us, and I can't begin to thank everyone enough for how they've jumped off the cliff with me and into an unknown abyss rife with possibilities."
Mitch Laurance
Mitch Laurance is a funny guy — equal parts funny-ha-hah and funny-clever with just a wee bit of funny-odd sprinkled on top. That’s what comes from more than 25 years on television, radio and in movies, sharpening his chops alongside the likes of Bill Murray as an associate director and producer on “Saturday Night Live” in the late 1970s and as a cast member of HBO’s groundbreaking “Not Necessarily the News” in the 1980s. He’s taken his licks from Andy Griffith’s “Matlock,” helped send men into the solar system on “From the Earth to the Moon” and even played a film school teacher on the landmark teen television series, “Dawson’s Creek.” And along the way, he’s also traveled the world as play-by-play commentator for ESPN Championship Billiards for more than 20 years.
These days, though, we’re happy Mitch is behind the microphone and in front of the golf camera — and on the golf course even more — as the voice and face of Team GolfGetaways across the Golf News Net platforms. For 5 years, Mitch’s podcast hit “Golf Connections with Mitch Laurance,” as well as his feature videos, appeared on the Golf Getaways Digital Network, and connected viewers and listeners with a stunning variety of golf’s greatest destinations, players, celebs, journalists, media personalities and more, sharing long-form, in-depth interviews with the likes of Annika Sorenstam, Peter Alliss, Matt Ginella, David McLay Kidd, Peter Jacobsen, and Darius Rucker. Now, Mitch and co-host Darin Bunch (the force behind GolfGetaways for more than a decade) bring their fun, informative, unique golf travel podcast “Talking GolfGetaways with Mitch & Darin” to the highly acclaimed Golf News Net, 5x a week, in addition to sharing video features appearing on the website.
Wielding his beloved hickory sticks and not afraid to don the plus-fours — or even a kilt now and again — Mitch considers himself more than just a passionate golfer. He’s an advocate for the game, both as it once was and now is — and how great it can be.
Mitch lives with his wife, professional pool player (and Billiards Congress of America Hall of Famer) Ewa Mataya Laurance in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Follow Mitch Laurance on Twitter and Instagram @MitchLaurance
Darin Bunch
Perhaps best known these days for his hickory golf clubs and famous goatee (which has left many men, from Back9 Network's Shane Bacon to Golf Channel personality Todd Lewis, in awe), Darin Bunch spent most of his early journalism career behind thick walls and giant computer screens, editing stories and pages for daily newspapers such as the Merced Sun-Star and Las Vegas Review-Journal, serving as Sunday Editor for the latter, rarely seeing the weekend let alone the sun. So when he left the newspaper business just after the turn of the millennium, he sought to do something he truly loved. And it turns out he loved golf. Still does, perhaps even more now that he's discovered the joys of donning plus-fours and playing the game with equipment from the 1920s, never missing an opportunity to talk golf history with those who spot his ancient sticks and Mackenzie Walker bag outside a clubhouse.
His partnership with Vic Williams at the helm of Fairways + Greens magazine — which eventually evolved into the GolfGetaways golf-travel brand — garnered more than its share of awards and goodwill throughout the golf industry. But most importantly it helped build some of his strongest friendships, many of whom are the foundation of the GolfGetaways Digital Network adventure upon which we've embarked.
Today, he serves as the crazy genius behind this little venture (more crazy, less genius) as Team GolfGetaways believes golf travelers across the globe are looking for a trusted source of golf-travel news, ideas and packages. "Golf is supposed to be fun, an exploration of new destinations outside your comfort zone as well as your inner self," he says. "Hopefully we'll do our best to convey the fun we have every time we hit the road on a golf trip — and inspire others, from couples and foursomes to once-a-year buddy trips, to find those special spots throughout the United States and beyond that remind us why the game, and traveling with others, is fun."
Darin lives in Bakersfield, Calif., with his wife, Jill, and their four dogs — Franklin, Simon, Theo and Ragsy. And by the end of 2014 plans to embark on another crazy mission — building a 200-square-foot tiny house on wheels with his father, Chuck, when they're not playing golf.
In the end, he's humbled by the team that has come together, donating their time, to keep GolfGetaways alive in the post-print era. "I've been truly blessed to work for this magazine as long as I have — and I'm looking forward to the challenge of what this team of extremely talented people can do now that the constraints of print have been lifted. It's a new chapter for all of us, and I can't begin to thank everyone enough for how they've jumped off the cliff with me and into an unknown abyss rife with possibilities."
Mitch Laurance is a funny guy — equal parts funny-ha-hah and funny-clever with just a wee bit of funny-odd sprinkled on top. That’s what comes from more than 25 years on television, radio and in movies, sharpening his chops alongside the likes of Bill Murray as an associate director and producer on “Saturday Night Live” in the late 1970s and as a cast member of HBO’s groundbreaking “Not Necessarily the News” in the 1980s. He’s taken his licks from Andy Griffith’s “Matlock,” helped send men into the solar system on “From the Earth to the Moon” and even played a film school teacher on the landmark teen television series, “Dawson’s Creek.” And along the way, he’s also traveled the world as play-by-play commentator for ESPN Championship Billiards for more than 20 years.
These days, though, we’re happy Mitch is behind the microphone and in front of the golf camera — and on the golf course even more — as the voice and face of Team GolfGetaways across the Golf News Net platforms. For 5 years, Mitch’s podcast hit “Golf Connections with Mitch Laurance,” as well as his feature videos, appeared on the Golf Getaways Digital Network, and connected viewers and listeners with a stunning variety of golf’s greatest destinations, players, celebs, journalists, media personalities and more, sharing long-form, in-depth interviews with the likes of Annika Sorenstam, Peter Alliss, Matt Ginella, David McLay Kidd, Peter Jacobsen, and Darius Rucker. Now, Mitch and co-host Darin Bunch (the force behind GolfGetaways for more than a decade) bring their fun, informative, unique golf travel podcast “Talking GolfGetaways with Mitch & Darin” to the highly acclaimed Golf News Net, 5x a week, in addition to sharing video features appearing on the website.
Wielding his beloved hickory sticks and not afraid to don the plus-fours — or even a kilt now and again — Mitch considers himself more than just a passionate golfer. He’s an advocate for the game, both as it once was and now is — and how great it can be.
Mitch lives with his wife, professional pool player (and Billiards Congress of America Hall of Famer) Ewa Mataya Laurance in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Follow Mitch Laurance on Twitter and Instagram @MitchLaurance
Darin Bunch
Perhaps best known these days for his hickory golf clubs and famous goatee (which has left many men, from Back9 Network's Shane Bacon to Golf Channel personality Todd Lewis, in awe), Darin Bunch spent most of his early journalism career behind thick walls and giant computer screens, editing stories and pages for daily newspapers such as the Merced Sun-Star and Las Vegas Review-Journal, serving as Sunday Editor for the latter, rarely seeing the weekend let alone the sun. So when he left the newspaper business just after the turn of the millennium, he sought to do something he truly loved. And it turns out he loved golf. Still does, perhaps even more now that he's discovered the joys of donning plus-fours and playing the game with equipment from the 1920s, never missing an opportunity to talk golf history with those who spot his ancient sticks and Mackenzie Walker bag outside a clubhouse.
His partnership with Vic Williams at the helm of Fairways + Greens magazine — which eventually evolved into the GolfGetaways golf-travel brand — garnered more than its share of awards and goodwill throughout the golf industry. But most importantly it helped build some of his strongest friendships, many of whom are the foundation of the GolfGetaways Digital Network adventure upon which we've embarked.
Today, he serves as the crazy genius behind this little venture (more crazy, less genius) as Team GolfGetaways believes golf travelers across the globe are looking for a trusted source of golf-travel news, ideas and packages. "Golf is supposed to be fun, an exploration of new destinations outside your comfort zone as well as your inner self," he says. "Hopefully we'll do our best to convey the fun we have every time we hit the road on a golf trip — and inspire others, from couples and foursomes to once-a-year buddy trips, to find those special spots throughout the United States and beyond that remind us why the game, and traveling with others, is fun."
Darin lives in Bakersfield, Calif., with his wife, Jill, and their four dogs — Franklin, Simon, Theo and Ragsy. And by the end of 2014 plans to embark on another crazy mission — building a 200-square-foot tiny house on wheels with his father, Chuck, when they're not playing golf.
In the end, he's humbled by the team that has come together, donating their time, to keep GolfGetaways alive in the post-print era. "I've been truly blessed to work for this magazine as long as I have — and I'm looking forward to the challenge of what this team of extremely talented people can do now that the constraints of print have been lifted. It's a new chapter for all of us, and I can't begin to thank everyone enough for how they've jumped off the cliff with me and into an unknown abyss rife with possibilities."
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Danielle Tucker’s Golf Club™ broadcasts from Hawaii, talking to PGA, LPGA and International Golf Professionals, Young Rising Stars, Teaching Pros, Sports Shrinks, Authors, Mental Coaches, Golf Equipment Companies, Club Designers and Golf Broadcasters.
Danielle Tucker’s Golf Club™ has been broadcasting from Hawaii since 1999. |
Currently, The Golf Shop Radio Show can be heard in and around Charlotte NC on ESPN730 AM, Greensboro on WPTI 94.5 WPTI, and Asheville on WZGM 1350 AM.
Listeners can also stream the show live, and enjoy other ESPN-Charlotte programming by clicking the Listen Now tab in the menu or sidebar on TheGolfShopShow.com
The Golf Shop Radio Show was founded in 2009, at a time when there were no other sports talk shows in the Charlotte market that primarily focused on the game of golf. The show is an excellent way to reach the highly coveted and prosperous golfer demographic.
By taking listeners “From Tee to Green and Everywhere In Between,” the show offers something for the hardcore golfer, the weekend hacker and anyone who is a fan of talk-radio entertainment. If it is being discussed on the course, in the golf shop, hosts Mark “Greeny” Greenhalgh and Mike Fresina will cover it – whether it is a golf story or not – and listeners love their varying approaches to topics and interviews.
For example, here is what each asked a Champions Tour Legend on a recent show:
Greeny: “How big is the drop-off in club-head speed between players on the PGA Tour and players on the Champions Tour?”
Fresina: “Is it true the PGA got rid of drug testing on the Champions Tour because all they ever found was Grey Goose and Cialis?”
As the Golf Shop Radio Network continues to grow and attract new affiliates, it also offers a unique outlet for businesses to target the golf enthusiast as a consumer.
Mark "Greeny" Greenhalgh
Greeny grew up around the golf business as his Dad is a PGA Master Professional and lifetime member.
While playing in junior and amateur tournaments in the north- east, southeast and California he won a few and lost a bunch!
Greeny had the honor of playing in the 1987 Optimist World Junior at Torrey Pines in San Diego against players from around the world, including Phil Mickleson, Ernie Els and Shigeki Maruyama.
Paired with current Web.com and former PGA Tour player Geoffrey Sisk, Greeny won the 1992 Cronin Memorial against the best players in the Northeast.
Greeny was a 2-year walk-on player at Clemson University and then caddied in New England PGA, eGolf Tour, PGA Tour Qualifying and European Tour Qualifying events.
When not busy working for Wells Fargo Bank in Technology and Operations Group Instructional Design and hosting the show, Greeny plays in amateur events all over the Carolinas and hosts several charity golf tournaments.
Email Greeny: [email protected]
Follow Greeny on Twitter: @GolfShopGreeny
Mike Fresina
A Boston native and Davidson College graduate, Mike Fresina has taken a circuitous route to this radio gig and likes to say his life has been, “like Forrest Gump’s but without all that running.”
Fresina came to the Carolinas for college and never left, beginning his professional life as a teacher and coach at Charlotte Country Day school. Leaving the classroom for a career in media, Fresina eventually became a publisher at Street & Smith’s Sports Group, overseeing its Motorsports Division.
In 2012, Fresina launched MJF Media and has become a go-to consultant for a variety of clients on everything from social media to traditional marketing.
Despite being “unpredictable” on the course, golf has been a constant in Fresina’s life since he slogged bags as a caddie and learned to play with “lefty” clubs modified by his grandfather, golf has been a constant in Fresina’s life.
He now enjoys working in the industry as the Tournament Director for the LPGA’s Symetra Classic at Raintree Country Club and is founder of “Rock the Putt” and “Daddy-Daughter Golf.”
Email Mike: [email protected]
Follow Mike on Twitter: @MJFresina