Introducing the Business in Golf 100
Golf has no shortage of ways to recognise success.
Players are ranked every week. Courses are ranked every year. Products win awards. Companies are measured by revenue, investment and growth.
But plenty of the people shaping the golf industry don't fit neatly into any of those measures.
The founder building something from scratch. The executive changing one of the game's biggest organisations from the inside. The creator finding an audience golf wasn't reaching before. The operator making thousands of small decisions that nobody outside the business ever sees. Designers, investors, coaches, photographers, editors, community builders and people whose job titles don't easily fit into any of those descriptions.
Some are already well known. Others aren't. We're launching something to celebrate them all.
The Business in Golf 100 will recognise 100 of the most inspiring individuals shaping the future of the global golf industry.
If that's you, or someone you know, we want to hear from you. Nominations are open until 30th October 2026.
In partnership with
RepSpark
The ecommerce platform golf shops use to order from more than 250 brands. Whether you're launching your first wholesale program or scaling across hundreds of green grass and off course accounts, RepSpark gives every facility a 24/7 ordering experience they'll actually use, built for how golf wholesale really works. See how RepSpark works here or check out their website to learn more.
BEHIND THE LIST
How it works
Nominations only take 5 minutes.
● OPEN NOW
OPEN CALL
Nominate yourself or someone else
Nominations are open globally, across every part of the golf industry. One strong nomination is all it takes.
THE PANEL
Meet the Judges
The Business in Golf 100 is judged by an independent panel of senior industry leaders. The panel brings together global expertise across governing bodies, innovation, technology, operations, player management, media, entertainment, and investments.
Martin Slumbers OBE
Former Chief Executive, The R&A
PANEL CHAIR
One of the most influential figures in global golf over the past decade, Martin Slumbers served as CEO of The R&A from 2015 to 2024, overseeing the championship, commercial, golf development and regulatory operations of one of the sport's two governing bodies. He brings the experience of running golf at its highest institutional level to the chair of this panel.
Catriona Matthew OBE
Solheim Cup Captain
A Major champion and two-time Solheim Cup-winning captain (2019, 2021), Catriona Matthew is one of the most respected figures in the women's game globally. Her perspective spans elite competition, team leadership, and the commercial development of women's golf.
Rick Shiels
Founder Rick Shiels Media
The architect of golf's digital revolution, Rick Shiels built the world's most-followed golf channel into a media empire. Rick's multi-channel YouTube portfolio, podcast, and equipment review channels have redefined how the sport connects with new audiences; driven by an unmatched understanding of what golf fans actually want and where the media landscape is heading.
Vicky Cuming
VP & Head of Golf Clients, EMEA — IMG
With more than three decades in golf's commercial ecosystem, Vicky has managed Ryder Cup captains, Major winners, and Solheim Cup winning captain throughout a career at IMG (WME). An advocate for women in the game and a recognised industry leader across talent, sponsorship and commercial strategy.
Sal Syed
CEO & Co Founder Arccos Golf
Sal Syed co-founded Arccos Golf in 2014, building it into the golf industry's most advanced data capture and AI platform — with investors spanning Ping, TaylorMade, Cobra, Callaway, and the PGA Tour. A Yale MBA and recognised innovator, he has shaped how the industry thinks about analytics, player improvement, and connected technology.
Steve Skinner
CEO KemperSports
Steve Skinner has led KemperSports since 2008, building it into one of North America's most respected golf management companies, overseeing a portfolio of more than 240 courses, private clubs, destination resorts, and sports venues, including Bandon Dunes, Chambers Bay and Streamsong. Recognized by Golf Inc. as the second most powerful person in golf, Steve champions a "Play Fast and Have Fun" culture.
Jared Solomon
Co-Founder & CEO, Five Iron Golf
Jared Solomon co-founded Five Iron Golf in 2017 with a single simulator location in Manhattan's Flatiron District. The company has since grown into a global indoor golf and entertainment brand operating across five countries. An EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 New York winner, he is a leading voice on urban golf, accessibility, and the next generation of golf participation.
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions
The short version of everything people wonder before they enter the 100 List.
Is it free?
Yes it is free to apply.
Can I pay to be on the list?
No. The Business in Golf 100 is independently judged. Commercial partners have no role in deciding who is included.
Do multiple applications increase my chances of making the list?
No. The number of nominations doesn't matter.
When do nominations open and close?
Nominations are open now and close on 30th October 2026. Keep an eye out for the call for publication date in January 2027.
Is it better to self-nominate or have someone nominate me?
Every nomination, whether it comes from someone or from yourself, is given the same level of consideration. What matters is what the nomination tells us about you.
What if I nominate in wrong category?
Don't worry. Categories are there to help us understand the breadth of the industry and provide context for each nomination. They are not separate judging pools and there is no fixed number of places in each category.
How and when do I know if I have made the list?
You find out on the same day as everyone else! No one learns whether or not they've made the list until the day of publication in January 2027.
Categories
Founders
The entrepreneurs building the next generation of golf businesses. Brands, platforms, and companies created from scratch and scaled with conviction.
Executives
The leaders steering golf's biggest organisations and brands. The people whose decisions shape the commercial direction of the game.
Operators
The people running golf's courses, clubs, resorts, and travel experiences at the highest level. Where strategy meets execution, and where the day-to-day experience of golf is made.
Investors & Dealmakers
The capital allocators, private equity leaders, and strategists shaping where the money flows. The people quietly redrawing golf's ownership map.
Innovators
The pioneers bringing new technology, formats, and thinking to the game. The ones rewriting what golf can be, on and off the course.
Designers & Creatives
The architects, product designers, and creative minds shaping golf's physical and visual world. From the courses we play to the products we wear, the films and photography that capture the game.
Brand Builders
The marketers, strategists, and creative directors elevating golf's most iconic names. The people turning companies into brands, and brands into culture.
Creators
The content creators, media voices, and digital personalities defining how golf is consumed. The new front door to the game.
Catalysts
The connectors, thought leaders, and advocates moving the industry forward. They change conversations, broaden access, create social impact, and shape where golf goes next.
Rising Stars
The next generation already making serious impact. Early career and the names you'll be hearing for years.
How to make a great nomination
1. Speak to the judging criteria
Our independent panel assesses every nominee against five criteria. The strongest nominations address as many of these as possible. For a detailed breakdown on each of the criteria, click here.
Impact – the results and contribution they've demonstrated to date
Innovation – the originality, creativity or new thinking they've brought to golf
Inspiration – their influence on and example to others in the game
Future – the durability, scalability and longer-term significance of their contribution
Character – how they lead, conduct themselves and represent the game
2. Show, don't just tell
Specific examples carry far more weight so ideally include figures, milestones, launches, deals or outcomes wherever you can, along with links to projects, press coverage, websites or social profiles that help the panel see the work for themselves.
3. Focus on the last 12–18 months
A long career is valuable context, but the panel is most interested in what the nominee has achieved recently and the momentum they're carrying into the year ahead.
