This blog post highlights the upcoming sessions led by James Cronk at the 2026 Ohio Golf Course Owners Association (OGCOA) Annual Conference. You can find the full video interview with Mike Hendrix and James Cronk below.
The golf industry is currently navigating a period of significant transition. While participation numbers remain strong, operators are facing a “labor crisis” that has made finding, training, and retaining quality staff more challenging than ever before. To address these hurdles, the OGCOA is bringing in industry veteran James Cronk for a two-day residency during the 2026 Annual Conference at the newly renovated Westbrook Country Club in Mansfield, Ohio.
James Cronk brings over 30 years of experience as a Class “A” PGA of Canada professional and former club manager. His career is marked by prestigious accolades, including managing a facility rated by Golf Digest as having the “5th Best Customer Service in North America”. Cronk’s primary thesis is that the golf industry’s success is inextricably linked to the quality of its human capital—an asset that is frequently undervalued and under-trained.
As the co-founder of Golf Industry Guru (GIG), Cronk has been recognized as one of the most influential people in golf. His upcoming sessions on March 2nd and 3rd are designed to move beyond traditional seminars, offering hands-on “problem-solving” strategies for owners and operators.
Monday, March 2nd: The “People” Deep Dive Workshop
The engagement begins on Monday afternoon (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM) with an intensive half-day workshop focused entirely on human capital. Unlike a standard lecture, this session is limited to just 40 attendees to ensure an intimate, collaborative environment where peers can trade solutions.
What to Expect:
- A Complete HR Roadmap: Cronk will cover the entire lifecycle of an employee—from hiring and onboarding to training, motivating, and even the difficult conversations surrounding firing.
- Peer-to-Peer Learning: The workshop uses a “round table” format, allowing delegates to share mutual challenges and successful strategies from their own facilities.
- Universal Truths: As Cronk notes, “Motivating someone in Vancouver is no different than motivating someone in Ohio.” Whether you run a high-end private club or a municipal daily-fee course, the principles of managing human nature remain constant.
The workshop fee is $75 for OGCOA members and $100 for non-members. Following the session, attendees are invited to a networking cocktail hour in the Westbrook members’ bar, featuring the club’s new Trackman simulators and panoramic views of the Donald Ross course.
Tuesday, March 3rd: The Keynote Presentation
On Tuesday, James Cronk will take the main stage to deliver the conference keynote, sponsored by Jonas Club Software. His presentation will explore the “Universal Truths” of Hospitality, focusing on how to exceed rising customer expectations in a post-COVID market.
Cronk’s philosophy is built on the idea that training is not just an expense, but a critical form of risk management. By professionalizing the “back-of-house” and front-line service, facilities can drive long-term profitability and member satisfaction.
Modernizing Operations: GIG and eGolf Waiver
Beyond leadership coaching, Cronk will share insights into two technology platforms designed to simplify the operator’s life:
- Golf Industry Guru (GIG): A virtual community and training vault with over 200 hours of content. To support Ohio operators, Cronk is offering a 90-day free trial of the platform for all conference attendees and association members.
- eGolf Waiver: A cloud-based solution that digitizes golf cart and equipment waivers. This system eliminates expensive carbon copy books, improves legal protection, and speeds up the check-in process to as little as 10 seconds for returning golfers.
Register Today
The 2026 OGCOA Conference is more than just a meeting—it’s a chance to recalibrate your business for the modern era at “North Central Ohio’s best-kept secret,” Westbrook Country Club. Seats for the March 2nd workshop are limited to the first 40 registrants.
Watch the full conversation between Mike Hendrix and James Cronk here: