Episodes

What happens when two childhood friends sit down to talk about growing up together, where their careers have taken them, what they’ve learned about leadership, and the game they’ve loved along the way? Tune in this week to find out, as Derek is joined by long-time friend and current LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler. Hear about the unique way that Derek and Craig met as teenagers, how Craig is reshaping the LPGA around a bold vision for growth, and why his mom’s minivan had over 150,000 miles on ...

In the triad of the USGA’s biggest events every year, the Mid-Amateur is, in theory, the “easiest” to qualify for, thanks to its age restriction of 25 or older. But not so fast. Even mid-amateurs can play some damn good golf. Join Derek and his dad, Joe, as they recap Derek’s final qualifier of the summer, both before and after the round from the car, as well as on-course audio captured during some of the key moments. It was an action-packed day that neither of them will soon forget. Enjoying ...

When American Junior Golf Association Executive Director Stephen Hamblin stepped into the role 42 years ago, the AJGA had a broken-down van, a dozen annual events, five full-time employees, and an operating budget of just $200,000. Today, the AJGA has grown by 10x to 100x in nearly every measurable category… and all under Hamblin’s leadership. Join Derek and Stephen for a fun and memorable conversation about the past, present, and future of junior golf, and discover why the junior golf movement ...

Episode 7 of The Golfing CEO finds Derek on the precipice of one of the biggest achievements in any amateur golfer’s season, maybe even over an entire amateur career in golf… qualifying for the United States Amateur Championship. Join Derek and his caddie, Ray Day, as they recap the action from Dallas National Golf Club, where Derek is only 18 holes away from Merion Golf Club, and everything that comes with playing in America’s oldest organized golf tournament. Enjoying the show? Be sure to fol...

Episode 6 of The Golfing CEO features one of our most recognizable guests yet: acclaimed writer, director, producer, and actor Ed Burns, whose latest independent film, Finnegan's Foursome, brings the game of golf to the big screen. Join Derek and Ed as they discuss the inspiration behind the film, Ed's life and career on and off the course, and why golf has a way of bringing together family, friendships, and unforgettable stories. Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if yo...

Episode 5 of The Golfing CEO turns the microphone on Derek's own competitive golf journey. Joined once again by his instructor, Cory Scoggin, Derek relives the highs, lows, and biggest moments from the first stage of qualifying for the U.S. Amateur. Together, they break down Derek's annual spring and summer tournament season as he pursues one of golf's toughest tests. Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes cont...

Episode 4 of The Golfing CEO features Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association and one of the golf industry's leading advocates and thought leaders. Join Derek and Jay as they discuss the golf industry's annual trip to Capitol Hill for National Golf Day, the business realities facing public and private golf courses, and why participation, innovation, and new audiences are giving plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future of the game. Enjoying the show? Be sure to f...

Episode 3 of The Golfing CEO features a guest who almost perfectly embodies the title of this podcast: Scott McNealy, co-founder and former CEO of Sun Microsystems, and father of PGA TOUR standout Maverick McNealy, as well as three other boys who reached higher levels of golf than most of us can only dream about. Join Derek and Scott as they discuss leadership, competition, using golf as a strategic business tool, and why Scott chose to put four boys in the same bedroom, even though there was pl...

It’s Season 2, Episode 2 of The Golfing CEO, and Derek has the pleasure of sitting down with Hrag Hamalian, CEO of the TGR Foundation. Founded by Tiger Woods in 1996, the organization has impacted more than 300,000 students and educators through education and STEAM-based learning programs focused on underserved communities. Join Derek and Hrag as they talk about Hrag’s “delusional” foray into education, where TGR is going from here, and why he finally understands the obsession that so many golfe...

Welcome back to Season 2 of The Golfing CEO, where Derek Belch explores how far dreams, drive, and a dose of delusion can take us in the pursuit of the impossible. Joining him to kick off the second season of the pod is former Oracle President & COO Ray Lane, who invested in Derek’s company nearly ten years ago and has sat on Strivr’s board ever since. Join Derek and Ray as they talk about Ray’s decision to take the Oracle job (despite strong opposition from his personal network), why he chose t...

It's Season 2 of The Golfing CEO, and Derek is back and just as delusional as ever. This season will feature 18 bi-weekly episodes with more amazing guests, who are eager to share their stories, both told and untold, on and off the course.

In the final episode of Season 1, Derek and co-founder & COO Michael Manuccia wrap up the story of Strivr’s first two years in business — this time with help from two of the company’s earliest employees who lived it day-in and day-out… Mike Colucci and Peter Murray. From spending endless days on NFL practice fields to creating virtual reality content for the U.S. National Soccer and Ski teams, Mike and Peter share what it was like to be “boots on the ground” during Strivr’s scrappy, early days....