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PODCAST

Behind the Gates

Ed Chapman & Michael Herd

Join us for wide-ranging conversations with guests from around the world as we approach every topic with Private Club management and leadership.Who are your hosts?Ed Chapman, CCM, PGA - a Club hospitality professional and current CEO of Royal Auckland & Grange Golf Club in New Zealand, who has worked in four countries on three continents over the past 20 years in Clubs.Michael Herd - one of the industry"s leading recruiters, Head of International Search & Consulting for Kopplin Kuebler &

business management

All Episodes

00:56:22

Jim Rohrstaff | Re-visiting a favourite episode

Behind the Gates ·

2026/10/04

We revisit one of our most popular, and one of our favourite, episodes this week.Jim Rohrstaff’s journey from caddying in Michigan to helping build world-class golf destinations in New Zealand is full of lessons in leadership, hospitality, and taking calculated risks. Jim joins Ed Chapman and Michael Herd to discuss what makes a club truly memorable, why great service starts with the right people, and how clear vision and empowered teams create a strong culture. He also shares what led him to move

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00:45:38

Tim Neil | Building culture is about doing the reps!

Behind the Gates ·

2026/09/20

This week we are joined by Tim Neil, PGA, LLM, General Manager of Hann Reserve.The conversation delves into the importance of quality time over quantity time, effective time management, education and career pathways, adapting to new cultures, and the significance of leadership and human connection. It emphasises the value of engaging activities, curiosity, and empathy in personal and professional growth, as well as the impact of cultural adaptation and human connection in leadership roles.Connect

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00:47:28

Desi Speh, CCM, CMAA Fellow | Leading Authentically

Behind the Gates ·

2026/09/06

Desi Speh, CEO of the Desert Highlands Association, shares his journey from a young golf enthusiast to a successful leader in the club industry. He emphasises the importance of being authentic, finding the right cultural fit, and building trust in the workplace. Desi's approach to hiring and leadership fosters a family-like environment at Desert Highlands, where values and culture are paramount. The conversation covers the challenges and qualities of effective leadership, the transition from number

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00:47:17

Javier Reviriego | Curiosity & Education

Behind the Gates ·

2026/08/23

The conversation with Javier Reviriego, CEO of Real Club Valderrama, covers his journey to the role, the importance of education, leadership, experience, transition to hotel operations, curiosity, continuous improvement, preparing for board meetings, building trust and credibility, handling pressure and expectations, and professional tournaments and golf IQ.The conversation delves into the impact of tournaments on branding and positioning, the decision-making process for hosting Liv Andalusia, the

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00:43:54

Review of the First 10 Episodes

Behind the Gates ·

2026/08/02

The podcast review covers a range of topics, including reflections on past episodes, Ryan Fox's Open Championship win, authenticity, candid moments, insights from Jim Rohrstaff, Denny Corby's perspective on hospitality and magic, Tom Wallace's journey and leveraged leadership, Sarab Singh's authenticity and empathy, Elaine Patterson's perspective on personal and professional prioritization, accepting the price of success, Chris DeChillo's perspective on compromise and tradition, and Scott Clark's

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00:40:11

Nathanael Pietrzac-Swirc, CCM | How UGolf is...

Behind the Gates ·

2026/07/19

Join us as we explore the global golf industry with Nathanael Pietrzac-Swirc, CCM, CEO of UGolf International. Discover insights on international golf management, leadership challenges across cultures, and the booming development of golf in Africa and emerging markets.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Nathaniel Piazak-Svertz00:59 Nathaniel's Journey in Golf Management04:08 Choosing UGolf: A Calculated Bet09:10 UGolf's Global Operations and Management11:37 Motivating and Training Staff in Africa15:43

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00:42:13

M. Kent Johnson, CCM, CCE, ECM | Work-place and life...

Behind the Gates ·

2026/07/12

We are joined by M. Kent Johnson, CCM, CCE, ECM, the GM/COO of Baltimore Country Club.The conversation explores the importance of work-life harmony and fostering a positive work culture in club management. It delves into the challenges of balancing work and personal life, the definition of work-life harmony, and the strategies for building a positive work culture. The conversation covers the importance of maintaining non-negotiable standards, adapting values, and learning from mistakes.It also

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00:54:01

Chris DeChillo | Be curious, not judgemental

Behind the Gates ·

2026/07/05

In this podcast episode, Chris DeChillo shares insights on authenticity in leadership and the value proposition in club restaurants. He discusses his background, career beginnings, and the transition from hotels to clubs. Additionally, he explores the role of authenticity in leadership and the importance of coaching for leadership development. The conversation covers empowerment, authenticity, values, leadership, coaching, curiosity, and fun in the context of the hospitality industry. It emphasizes

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00:50:28

John Blanch | Cultural adaptations and leading with...

Behind the Gates ·

2026/06/28

The conversation delves into John Blanch's experiences as a General Manager with a storied career in the private club industry. It explores his journey through various countries, the challenges of adapting to different cultures, and the importance of leadership and empathy in managing diverse teams.The conversation covers John's experiences in adapting to the UK, managing people in Asia, cultural differences and humor, leadership and tough decisions, and a fascinating Tiger Woods story. John's

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00:52:43

Scott Clark | A journey from PGA to GM

Behind the Gates ·

2026/06/21

The podcast episode features an insightful conversation with Scott Clark, CCM, an experienced General Manager. Scott shares his career journey, transition to private member clubs, leadership style, and the challenges of balancing work and personal life.The conversation highlights the importance of empathy, delegation, and self-awareness in leadership roles, as well as the value of transferable skills from a PGA background. The conversation covers the importance of balancing personal and professional

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00:58:55

Elaine Patterson | Finding Joy in Experiences

Behind the Gates ·

2026/06/14

The conversation covers Elaine Patterson's professional career, her experience as the spouse of a club manager, and the challenges of relocation. It delves into the importance of authenticity, personal growth, and prioritising personal and professional life.The conversation covers various aspects of being married to a club manager, including the impact on relationships, the importance of perspective, and the unique dynamics of the club industry. It also delves into the significance of communication,

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00:52:18

Sarab Singh | Building Social Capital

Behind the Gates ·

2026/06/07

Sarab Singh, of Corporate Sherpas, shares insights on change leadership, modern leadership, and the importance of a learning mindset. He discusses the challenges of leading in a VUCA environment, the role of authentic leadership, and the neuroscientific approach to decision making. The conversation delves into various aspects of effective leadership, communication, and change management. It explores the challenges of leadership, the importance of empathy and active listening, and the value of

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00:56:08

Tom Wallace, CCM, CCE, ECM | Authenticity and self...

Behind the Gates ·

2026/05/31

The conversation with Tom Wallace covers his journey from early career beginnings to his leadership roles at prestigious golf clubs. It delves into his personal reflections, his father's influence, and the importance of work-life balance. Tom's authenticity and competitiveness are key takeaways from the discussion.The conversation delves into the themes of leadership, mentorship, career development, adaptability, authenticity, and self-awareness. It explores the attributes of effective leadership

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00:43:08

Denny Corby | Hospitality is Magic

Behind the Gates ·

2026/05/24

Denny Corby shares his journey from a family business to a career in magic and entertainment, navigating the pandemic, reviving Private Club Radio, and embracing adaptability and resilience. He emphasises the importance of commitment, curiosity, and embracing imperfection, drawing from his experiences and lessons learned from his family's business.The conversation explores the art of adaptation, reading the room, and observing club culture. It delves into the impact of leadership on team dynamics,

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00:55:29

Jim Rohrstaff | Bag room to Boardroom

Behind the Gates ·

2026/05/17

The conversation delves into Jim Rohrstaff's passion for golf and his journey in creating a world-class experience in the golf industry. From his early golf experiences to his transition to Southern California, meeting industry leaders, and his philosophy of creating a great work environment, Jim shares insights on hiring the right people, balancing time, and taking his family on the journey. He also discusses the concept of hardware and software, servant mindset, and breaking through mental limits

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00:11:59

Behind the Gates | A brand new podcast

Behind the Gates ·

2026/05/10

The Behind the Gates podcast launches, and its hosts, Ed Chapman, CCM, and Michael Herd, discuss their experience co-hosting, their different approaches to asking questions, and the importance of authenticity in conversations. They share insights into how they got started, the fascinating conversations they've had, and the launch of the podcast with its partners. The hosts also engage the audience and encourage participation.TakeawaysImportance of authenticity in podcast conversationsEngaging the

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33:13

#36: Navigating difficult conversations in the...

Behind the Gates ·

2024/07/31

Spaska Ivanov, Assistant General Manager at Rehoboth Beach Country Club in Delaware, USA, joins me in this episode of The Modern Club Management Podcast.This conversation focuses on navigating challenging conversations in the workplace. We discuss how to approach them, framing the conversation, the importance of setting clear expectations, and giving permission to others to have tough conversations. It was an enjoyable discussion about a topic that all managers need to be skilled at but something

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49:19

#35: Michael Herd | Employer branding and EQ for leaders

Behind the Gates ·

2024/06/26

Michael Herd, Head of International Search & Consulting, from Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace joins me on this episode to discuss trends in Club management, hiring, AI, EQ, employer branding, and "The One Thing" approach to hiring.This is a wide-ranging conversation that touches on lots of aspects of the Club industry, hiring, future trends, and how employers can create a brand to make themselves the employer of choice. What creative strategies can be used to bring talented people into your

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49:26

Richard Pennell | Following your dreams

Behind the Gates ·

2023/11/03

Richard is one of my favourite people in the world. It is that simple. He has taken that big leap into following your dreams and passions, and also saying enough is enough in a job that was no longer fulfilling and nourishing, and that is inspirational.In this wide ranging conversation we dive into a myriad of topics from the joys of sabbaticals, meditation, writing, golf in general and much more. Our conversations tend to be tangential and that is one of the joys of spending time with

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33:41

Grace Rokela | Passion in marketing

Behind the Gates ·

2023/10/18

Today I am excited to be joined by Grace Rokela, the Marketing Director for Te Arai Links in New Zealand. In this conversation we dive into new member inductions, newsletters, the purpose of dress codes, social media, and much more.Please enjoy this conversation.This episode is brought to you by Suada. Suada is the social learning platform that delivers high-quality blended learning with human connection. Suada has transformed my skills in optimal communication and influence. But don't just take my

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