About this episode
Welcome to Season 17 of The ModGolf Podcast! This episode takes on a travel theme, as you will discover how to simplify the effort and complexity of transporting your clubs. And if you are considering a golf getaway with friends to Ireland, we have the person that can help make your dream trip a reality. We pick up where we left off at the end of last season where ModGolf was invited back to cover The 2025 PGA Show and host Colin Weston recorded four engaging conversations with golf industry innovators on the Show Floor Media Stage. First up on Episode 01 is Hazel Thompson, Founder and CEO of Excelerator Luxury Golf Tours who helps Colin plan his upcoming Irish golf trip. ☘️ "Certainly AI is disrupting travel. Where it's a simple travel experience AI can do it, but considering the travel times from each course and hotel, the human tour operator understands the local nuances of the courses and the local culture and directly interact with the locals. It's taking it to an elevated level if you're wanting unparalleled, unrestricted and unforgettable and most of all fun is our ethos. So AI cannot replicate this and it's amazing because I use AI to help put together the beautiful colour pictures for the itinerary. So there's that place, but the actual experience of understanding what you want to do when you're there and putting all of that together. AI can't do that." ... Hazel Thompson, Excelerator Luxury Golf Tours Are you looking to experience the best that Ireland has to offer, both on and off the golf course? Then I encourage you to contact Hazel to help plan your perfect Irish excursion... * https://excelgolftours.com * You can also learn more about Hazel and Excelerator Luxury Golf Tours on her ModGolf bio page . Click on the image below to watch Colin's conversation with Hazel Thompson on The ModGolf Youtube Channel ! Taking the hassle, complexity and effort out of travelling with your golf clubs Our second conversation at The PGA Show Media Stage was with Jonathan Marsico, CEO of Ship Sticks. During our conversation with Jonathan you will discover how to take the hassle, complexity and effort out of travelling with your golf clubs. You'll also learn how Jonathan and his co-founder went from an idea that addressed a personal pain point to a scaleable, profitable business. "So what we've done and still do today with Ship Sticks is centered around the customer experience and journey perspective. Everything the customer touches is what our business is about. Yes, we're powered by these great global logistics companies, but we provide a high end personal touch. We know as golfers, when you're going to golf resorts, when you're going to country clubs, when travelling to play golf, that's what the experience we want to get ourselves and our customers are getting it at these golf facilities. We want to be a great extension and a great partner of that experience for the travelling golfer, who work with our team at Ship Sticks." Click on the image below to watch Colin's conversation with Jonathan Marsico on The ModGolf Youtube Channel ! We want to thank our Episode Presenting Partner Golf Genius Software who have supported The ModGolf Podcast since 2019! Are you a golf course owner, manager or operator looking to increase both your profit margins and on-course experience? Golf Genius powers tournament management at over 10,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, golf associations, and tours in over 60 countries. So if you’re a golf professional or course operator who wants to save time, deliver exceptional golfer experiences, and generate more revenue, check them out online at golfgenius.com . Join our mission to make golf more innovative, inclusive and fun... and WIN some awesome golf gear! As the creator and host of The ModGolf Podcast and YouTube channel I've been telling golf entrepreneurship and innovation stories since May 2017 and I love the community of ModGolfers that we are building. I'm excited to announce that I just launched our ModGolf Patreon page to bring together our close-knit community of golf-loving people! As my Patron you will get access to exclusive live monthly interactive shows where you can participate, ask-me-anything video events, bonus content, golf product discounts and entry in members-only ModGolf Giveaway contests. I'm offering two monthly membership tiers at $5 and $15 USD, but you can also join for free. Your subscription will ensure that The ModGolf Podcast continues to grow so that I can focus on creating unique and impactful stories that support and celebrate the future of golf. Click to join >> https://patreon.com/Modgolf I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin Special Guest: Hazel Thompson - Founder & CEO of Excelerator Luxury Golf Tours.