Welcome to the Private Club Radio Show, the industry's weekly source for education, news, trends, and other current developments in the world of private clubs. Hosted by the talented entertainer and industry expert, Denny Corby, the podcast offers a unique perspective on the private club industry, featuring expert guests, product spotlights, predictions, and more. Whether you're involved in a golf club management, yacht clubs, athletic clubs, or business clubs, the Private Club Radio Show is the…
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Knowing a member’s drink order is easy. Knowing what they care about, what excites them, and what is happening in their life is what creates a private club experience people never want to leave. In this solo episode Denny Corby shares a simple member engagement challenge for private club leaders and country club teams: get curious. Learn one new, real thing about the members you serve, then use…
One nasty DM can feel like a private moment. Until it follows you back into real life. A viral TikTok sparked this conversation after a creator identified the person behind an abusive message, connected him to his employer and private country club, and contacted both. Suddenly, one person’s online behavior became part of a much larger conversation about reputation, responsibility, and club…
Conflicting leadership advice can make even great private club managers second-guess themselves. One person says the general manager should always be visible and on the floor. Another says the GM should build a strong team, empower people, and get out of the way. The truth is, both can be right. In this episode, Denny explores a better question for private club leaders. Not, “What is the right way…
Japan is not just a destination. It is a lesson in how much care can be placed into even the smallest details. After separate trips to Japan, Denny brings together Joe Smith, General Manager of Countryside Golf and Country Club in Naples, and Matthew Gilbert, Executive Chef at Medinah Country Club outside Chicago. They did not travel together, and they went for very different reasons, but they…
A club can look perfect and still feel off. That’s the problem we tackle with one simple idea: the layers of ambiance. We’re not talking about a pretty lobby or an Instagram moment. We’re talking about how deep the experience really goes, from the driveway and parking lot to the bathrooms, locker rooms, signage, music, lighting, and the energy your team brings into every interaction. We unpack why…
Club leadership can feel like constant problem-solving, but what if the real work is learning how your mind and body react under pressure? Denny sits down with Crystal Thomas, a Master Club Manager and educator with a master’s degree in spiritual psychology, to unpack a grounded approach to staying calm, clear, and effective when members, boards, and staff hit your nervous system at full speed.…
500 episodes doesn’t happen by accident, and it definitely doesn’t happen by playing it safe. For this milestone, we flip the format and let marketing powerhouse Jay Schwedelson (host of Do This Not That and author of Stupider People Have Done It) interview Denny Corby about the path from Scranton to performing at hundreds of private golf and country clubs, and why Private Club Radio became a home…
Your club can spend $10M, $15M, even $20M on a renovation and still leave members with a first impression that feels stuck in the early 2000s. That disconnect is exactly what we tackle with Sean Bleyl from MembersFirst. Sean’s a former club pro who now helps private golf and country clubs improve marketing, communications, and digital presence, and he brings a rare perspective that blends real…
A cockroach in a hotel shower is not the opening scene I planned, but it turned into one of the clearest lessons I’ve ever learned about private club leadership. After flying in day-of to emcee the CMAA Golden State Chapter Spring Conference, I’m stressed, underprepared, and trying to keep my head on straight. Then the bathroom turns into enemy territory, and the story becomes the perfect reminder…
Renovations can upgrade a golf course, but they can also wreck trust if you miss the human side. I sit down with my friend Brian Tulk, a former club caddie who worked his way up to General Manager, to talk about what it really takes to deliver major private club improvements while members still expect everything to feel effortless. We get into the nuts and bolts of golf course renovation planning…
Your club can feel lively before a member even pulls into the parking lot, but only if your communication actually sounds like your culture. We’re joined by Hannah White, Membership Experience and Communications Director at Sugar Creek Country Club, to talk about what it takes to create country club marketing and member communications that feel human, fun, and worth paying attention to. Hannah…
In this episode of Private Club Radio, Denny Corby welcomes back Joe Smith of Countryside Golf and Country Club for a conversation about creating exclusive member experiences through better communication. Joe shares how Countryside has turned communication into part of the member experience, not just a way to send updates. From weekly videos and member stories to transparency, consistency, and…
The fastest way to make a member loyal isn’t a new simulator or a renovated clubhouse. It’s a moment where we prove we were paying attention. I learned that on stage as a magician through a tool called the “callback” a reference to something earlier that lands because it feels real, shared, and unscripted. We translate that idea into private club hospitality and country club member experience,…
A chef can nail a service and still lose the month on payroll, ordering, and waste. That’s the gap we get into with Chef Eduardo Castillo, whose career took him from a marketing role at Texaco in Venezuela to building high-performing culinary teams inside private golf and country clubs in the United States. We walk through Eduardo’s path into the club world, the mentors who challenged him with…
Member vetting is not just a background check. It is governance. It is culture protection. It is risk management. In this episode of The Private Club Radio Show, Dan Klimek of Kennis Member Vetting returns to talk about what private clubs should be thinking about in 2026 when it comes to their membership vetting procedures, systems, and overall approval process. Because clubs can’t afford to rely…
What would an entertainer who's performed at 400+ private clubs actually do if he became a GM? In this episode, Denny Corby breaks down the five things he'd tackle in his first 30 days as new club leadership — no management degree, no BMI, just a raw outside perspective built from years on stage inside these clubs. From a full top-to-bottom cleanliness overhaul to getting a real pulse on…
Your first year as a country club GM can feel like you’re flying the plane while rebuilding the runway. I’m joined by Jordan Mezzerole, General Manager of Doylestown Country Club, for a candid year-in-review that starts with an unconventional career path and ends with the kind of real-world leadership moments you never forget. Jordan didn’t come up through a traditional hospitality track. He moves…
You can love private club work and still be running on fumes. I’m sharing a straightforward reminder for golf and country club professionals: reward the effort, protect your energy, and make time to be fully present somewhere outside the club. We talk about what real recovery looks like for hospitality leaders and club managers, especially after holiday stretches and nonstop seasons. Sometimes…
If you've worked in private clubs long enough, you know this moment. The RSVPs slow down, the numbers look lighter than you hoped, and suddenly the question on the table is: do we pull it or push through? In this episode of Private Club Radio, Denny Corby shares a real situation — a club, a soft turnout, and a decision that reveals something most club leaders never talk about out loud. Because…
Mini golf is not just windmills, clown heads, and beach town nostalgia. In this episode, Denny talks with Katie and Sal Conaboy of Harris Golf about how modern mini golf can become a real amenity for clubs, resorts, and golf properties. They get into how premium custom courses can create more family engagement, give clubs fresh programming ideas, and turn underused space into something fun,…
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In this episode of Private Club Radio, Denny Corby breaks down why anticipation, excitement, and staff energy play such a huge role in the private club member experience. After performing back to back shows at clubs across the country, Denny shares what he sees again and again, the clubs with the best events do not just put something on the calendar. They create emotional momentum around it. From…
In this episode of Private Club Radio, we shares a man on the street montage from conference, where we asked club pros and club leaders one question, what is the hardest part about your job that nobody sees. You will hear real answers about the invisible load behind private golf and country clubs, emotional labor, constant feedback from members, time management, staffing challenges, curveballs…
We recap the 2026 CMAA World Conference in Anaheim through the lens of this year’s theme, Plant Seeds for Success. After tons of conversations and quick expo hall interviews, one idea kept repeating, connection, but the real difference maker is connecting people, not just meeting them. This quick episode is a practical follow up kick in the pants for club leaders and vendors, with a simple…
CMAA World Conference is the Olympics of human behavior, the lobby is a safari, the bar is a documentary, and the expo hall is a very polite casino. In this quick Private Club Radio episode, Denny Corby shares simple, real world body language tips to help club professionals read people and read the room fast, so you can join the right conversations, help your friends join the right conversations,…
CMAA World Conference is like the Super Bowl for club professionals, positions get earned and lost, deals get made and quietly die, and reputations get built in hallways and at dinner, not just in ballrooms. In this quick episode, We share four simple goal buckets to help you stop gliding through conference and start coming home with real, tangible wins you can use right away. You will learn how…
Booking entertainment for a private club should not feel like a gamble. In this episode of Private Club Radio, Denny Corby breaks down the exact questions club leaders should ask before booking a band, DJ, comedian, magician, speaker, or specialty act, so your club events run smoothly, match the membership vibe, and feel worth the spend. You’ll learn how to vet for fit and professionalism, not…
In this episode of Private Club Radio, Denny sits down with Jeff Thomas from Corning Country Club to talk growth, culture, and what it really takes to move a club forward in a smaller market. Jeff shares the wild moment that kicked off his tenure, yes, a major flood on day one, then breaks down how he aligned departments, rebuilt momentum, and brought in 100 members in 100 days. They also get into…
In this solo episode of Private Club Radio, Denny Corby shares a personal list of books that changed how he shows up as a leader and decision maker, with practical takeaways for private club professionals who want to lead better, communicate better, and stay sharp under pressure. Denny breaks down lessons on creating access when the standard route is blocked, pushing through resistance,…
In this episode of Private Club Radio, we're joined by John Good and Joe Trauger from the National Club Association to preview the 2026 National Club Conference at Ocean Reef Club in Florida, happening April 19 through 21. We get into what makes this conference different, why it’s designed for both club leadership and boards, and how NCA is building a shared learning experience around their core…
To kick off 2026, Denny’s handing you a power list — the must-have relationships every club pro should be building now. Not just your board, not your team — we’re talking about your go-to people behind the scenes: your construction guy, your media contact, your legal lifeline, your “am I crazy or is this nuts?” text thread crew. These aren’t vendors. They’re not consultants. They’re your…
This isn't just a recap — it's a rapid-fire rewind of some of the biggest club leadership takeaways, off-the-wall moments, and most replayed quotes from the Private Club Radio Show in 2025. Denny Corby brings you back through ten standout clips featuring conversations with private club professionals, GMs, consultants, and leaders who dropped gold on everything from imposter syndrome to budgeting…
In this quick solo episode, Denny Corby shares his not-so-secret secret weapon: Schedule Send (or Send Later for iPhone users). It’s one of the most underrated tools in your personal and professional communication toolbox. Whether you’re checking in with a member, sending birthday wishes, or following up like a boss — this feature lets you send emails or texts exactly when they need to land,…
Want to get your club featured on the local news? Start here. In this episode, Denny sits down with media pro and strategic communication consultant Julie Kraft , who spent two decades helping TV stations, newsrooms, and networks craft messages that connect. She now coaches leaders, brands, and businesses on how to tell their stories — and how to own the moment when the camera starts rolling.…
Holiday season at the club means packed banquet sheets, nonstop member events, and inboxes that will not quit, so let us turn that boring out of office reply into a tiny hospitality win. In this episode, I walk you through a simple way to turn your autoresponder from a dead end into a warm, useful touchpoint that actually drives engagement. You will hear a real world example from my buddy and…
Curtis Garner is running a 27 million dollar renovation at Shoal Creek, working out of a cottage office while the clubhouse comes down around him, and still finding ways to keep members happy and staff engaged. In this episode, Curtis, Assistant GM and Director of Operations at Shoal Creek in Birmingham, walks through his path from mechanical engineering student, to hotel bar manager, to cross…
What if the most impactful thing your club could do this season… didn’t cost a dime? In this episode of The Private Club Radio Show , host Denny Corby shares two powerful — and surprisingly simple — ways club leaders can make meaningful connections with members during the holidays. It’s not about big budgets or fancy activations. It’s about human moments. Gratitude. Intentional outreach. And yes —…
Ever wondered what it’s like to run a private club inside one of the most iconic hospitality brands in the world? In this episode of The Private Club Radio Show , we go behind the scenes with Kevin O’Brien , General Manager of Hershey Country Club , to explore what it takes to lead a club that sits at the intersection of tradition, luxury, and the sweetest brand in America. With over 13 years at…
She started as a server. Now she’s the General Manager. In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Felegy, CCM , General Manager of Lehigh Country Club , to explore what it really takes to build a club career from the ground up. Over her 25+ years in private clubs, Jen has done it all — membership, HR, events, operations, even teaching hospitality students. Her story is one of grit, loyalty, and…
This episode is a beginner friendly kit for anyone speaking in front of people, clubs, teams, boards, or conferences. You will learn a simple structure that uses fifteens and tens, how to build clean chunks, one idea, one story, one tool, how to use WIIFM so people lean in, and how to finish on time. We cover pre show nerves, mix and mingle to make friends, the smile on purpose trick, confidence…
So you want those letters after your name—CCM, CCE, maybe even MCM—but you’re not sure where to start, how long it takes, or if it’s even worth it? This episode answers all your certification questions. This week on The Private Club Radio Show, we sit down with Brian Watkins, Director of Certification & Education at the Club Management Association of America (CMAA). If you’ve ever registered for a…
We break down why a short, friendly, and current voicemail can shape first impressions and speed up callbacks, especially in the club world where every touchpoint matters. Practical tips help you record a clear greeting, set expectations, and add just enough personality. Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio Instagram Private Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin
From bussing tables at Circus Pizza to leading top private clubs, Bridget Eckert, CCM has lived every side of hospitality. In this episode, she and Denny Corby dive into what it takes to build a career you’re proud of — one rooted in curiosity, connection, and purpose. They talk messy résumés that actually make sense, teaching the next generation of club pros, and why pride still matters in this…
Ever watch the room drift during a seven-minute bio read? We’ve all been there, so we/me (host Denny Corby) built a reliable way to introduce speakers that actually lifts the energy, respects the audience, and makes your guest feel like a headliner. In this fast, focused walkthrough, we share the exact 60-second structure we use onstage: gather attention with a clean opening line, deliver a sharp…
Seasonal staffing doesn’t have to be a yearly crisis. In this episode, we sit down with Carly Eglin (CEO of Seasonal Connect) and Keith Pabian (Founding Partner of Pabian Law) to break down how private clubs can finally get it right—from H-2B visa strategies to housing solutions, team culture, and compliance nightmares. Whether you’re a general manager, HR director, or just tired of last-minute…
What happens when you throw over 30 club professionals into BMW M cars and let them rip around a professional racetrack? Pure magic—and unexpected leadership lessons that no conference room could ever provide. Management in Motion 2025 began as a casual conversation with the GM of Monticello Motor Club during a podcast interview. What started as a simple track visit evolved into a full-blown event…
Ever feel like you are not good enough, even when you are? In this episode, GM Kent Johnson opens up about his personal experience with imposter syndrome as a leader in the private club world. We talk honestly about the voice of self-doubt that can show up even after years of success, and what it really takes to lead with vulnerability, clarity and confidence. Kent shares how imposter syndrome…
How do you go from college intern to banquet manager before 30 — and actually lead with confidence? In this episode of Private Club Radio , we’re joined by Mikayla Luby , a rising star in the private club industry, who shares her journey from hospitality student to full-time banquet manager at a major country club. We explore what it’s like to grow your career inside a private club — navigating…
Ever wondered what it’s like to run a private club that functions more like a municipality than a clubhouse? In this episode, GM Joe Smith takes us deep into the world of Florida HOAs where leadership isn’t just about member experience… it’s about navigating state law, statutes, and real legal accountability. You’ll hear how HOA-run clubs operate under public scrutiny, manage board meetings where…
What happens when chandeliers, mahogany bars, and 150 years of tradition collide with TikTok and influencers? That’s the story unfolding at The Austin Club under the leadership of Paul Kornfeind, MCM, CCE. In this episode of Private Club Radio, Paul explains how he’s reimagining a historic city club for Gen Z and Millennials, while still honoring its rich legacy. From “Bingo After Dark” and…