Why Is Golf So Important to Me?

🗣️ Hello Friends, 

As some of you might know, I started a golf podcast named “Bunker to Bunker” in June of 2023 with a friend. We launched the podcast after the shocking news that the PGA Tour agreed to merge with LIV Golf and the Public Investment Fund (PIF). 

After pondering the idea of posting my own golf content for months, primarily covering the weekly tournaments from a gambling perspective, there was no better time to put myself out there following the golf world being flipped upside down. 

Over the last year, I have connected with many industry leaders who work in the media or on the business side of golf. The goal was to learn more about how the sport is evolving on and off the golf course. This is an industry where hopefully I can achieve a career in one day.

I have been fortunate to interview many of these connections that I have built in the past year and a half. For example, my interviewees have worked at CBS Sports, Golf Digest, Barstool Sports, PGA of America, the Philadelphia Inquirer, etc. I also landed an interview with a professional golfer, Chase Johnson, after he finished playing in the Genesis Invitational.

It has been an eventful journey so far, with many highlights and memories. One of my favorites being the official PGA Tour X account retweeting me by poking fun at Scottie Scheffler’s unorthodox swing at the Players this year. He would then go on to win the tournament, for a second time!

After doing some reflecting in the off-season, I decided it is time to start another golf project. This has led me to create the “Future of Golf” newsletter to highlight trends within golf media, businesses, leaders, and to share my own opinions on the trajectory of the sport, professionally and recreationally.  

Furthermore, I thought it would be appropriate for the first newsletter edition to highlight why golf is so important to me, and to pay tribute to family members that have stimulated my passion.

💙 How did I become so passionate about golf?

My enjoyment of playing golf came from my father, who is an avid golfer himself, and he learned how to play golf from both of my grandfather’s. 

Jimmy, who I called Poppy, was my mother’s stepfather. He picked up golf because he was always asked to play with business clients. Michael, who I called Pop Pop, was my father’s dad, and he picked up the game of golf due to tennis being too much of a toll on his body.

When my father started his career in sales, Poppy taught him the game. He told my father that it is considered a necessity in business to at least be capable of playing the sport.

Unfortunately, Poppy was paralyzed on the left side of his body, making the game much harder for him to play. He thought about giving up the sport, but my grandmother influenced him to keep going out there since it brought him so much joy.

Poppy figured out how to play with one functioning arm and leg. He would only hit his driver and irons, but would not be able to chip and putt on the greens. Poppy just wanted to still go out on the course and be social with family and friends. 

Similar to Poppy, my Pop Pop loved the social aspect of golf, and he even ran a golf league within his retirement community in New Jersey. He cherished those competitive moments, always trying to earn bragging rights with his peers. 

I grew up idolizing both of their passions for the game. Poppy taught me resiliency with his condition, as he rarely ever complained, because any day on the golf course was a good one. 

Unfortunately, neither my Poppy nor Pop Pop are with us today, but I am thankful that they taught me the game that so many love to play with their very own family.

⚡️ The Power of Golf

At the end of the day, golf is just about bringing people together, especially the ones you care about the most. Golf has given me countless memories with my natural family foursome consisting of my two younger brothers, Justin and Jack, and my father Jason.

When Covid hit in 2020, it commenced a resurgence of people picking up golf. I have been able to successfully convince many of my closest friends to join me out on the links. Little did they know, at the time, I did this so I could take their money!

Ultimately, it was my two grandfathers who influenced the passion for golf within my family. I am forever grateful for them and look forward to building this newsletter and connecting with more golf sickos around the world.

👀 What to expect from the newsletter:

Even in a divided professional golf universe, I am very bullish on the future of the golf industry. The golf industry is not just at the professional level, it also includes recreational golf. 

The main purpose of this newsletter is showcasing businesses, trends in social media, and sharing my opinions on golf.

My hope with the podcast is to interview individuals that are associated with the topics I write about, along with some weekly tournament and player analysis discourse.

The best way to support this endeavor is simply subscribing to this newsletter. Subscribing is free, I promise!

I will be doing giveaways throughout the year to all subscribers. Feel free to share this to whoever might have interest.

Talk soon, world!