The Golfing CEO
The Golfing CEO
The Golfing CEO Dreams, Drive, and a Dose of Delusion What happens when elite ambition meets the pursuit of the perfect swing? The Golfing CEO is a podcast about the relentless, often irrational drive required to lead in business—and golf. Hosted by Strivr CEO and U.S. Open hopeful Derek Belch, each episode features conversations with world-class leaders, athletes, and entrepreneurs who share a love for the game and a mindset built around bold goals, personal growth, and embracing the grind. From Fortune 500 boardrooms to fairways, guests open up about: The lessons golf has taught them about leadership The setbacks that nearly broke them—and the shots that brought them back What it takes to dream big, stay driven, and push past delusion Whether you’re building a business, chasing a personal milestone, or just love a good underdog story, The Golfing CEO offers a refreshing, unfiltered look at the mentality behind greatness—on and off the course. Follow our journey and never miss an episode—wherever you get your podcasts.
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Sept. 2, 2025

S1E4: The Puzzle Piece (feat. John Sawin)

S1E4: The Puzzle Piece (feat. John Sawin)
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Welcome to “episode 4” of The Golfing CEO, where host Derek Belch explores how far dreams, drive, and a dose of delusion can take us in the pursuit of the impossible. This week, Derek talks to Senior Vice President of Golf at Pebble Beach, John Sawin. Derek shares that John’s year-long sabbatical to play in some of the biggest amateur events in America is one of the “pieces of the puzzle” that inspired him to improve his game and start this podcast. John talks about the joys and challenges of managing golf operations at one of the world’s most iconic courses, and relays a story about how someone else’s delusion helped him qualify for his first US Amateur.


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  • Enjoying the show? Be sure to follow and leave us a review if you’re feeling generous. For more episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and updates, visit TheGolfingCEO.com.

  • Like what you heard? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform—and leave us a review if you're enjoying the show. More episodes are on the way. In the meantime, explore past conversations and share with anyone who believes that chasing greatness might just require a healthy dose of delusion.