111. Jay Karen, CEO of NGCOA, on The Growth and Future of Golf, Bold Communication, and Governance

How do you balance board strategic direction and oversight with operational management? How do you anticipate future industry challenges in your organization, and what role does your board play in identifying those trends?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Jay Karen, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA). Jay discusses:The diversity of NGCOA’s membership, which includes very exclusive private courses, and municipal courses that want to make golf accessible to all.How public perception of golf is changing through the growth of public golf courses and driving ranges (such as Topgolf), challenging the historical perception of golf as an elitist sport.The importance of keeping governance (the board) and management (staff) separate in associations.How NGCOA’s board helps the association stay ahead by discussing future industry changes, ensuring that the association remains agile. This helped NGCOA recognize the impact of COVID-19 very early in the pandemic.How NGCOA is making efforts to improve diversity and inclusion through initiatives like the “Lead Golf Together” conference to make diverse talent with leadership opportunities.How NGCOA is partnering with smaller associations to extend their influence.How NGCOA is using foresight to anticipate what members may need before they even ask.References:NGCOA WebsiteMake Golf Your Thing