AG Founder Pete Wlodkowski on The General Area podcast
2022 marked AmateurGolf.com's 22nd year in business. We've grown a loyal following and strong membership around the U.S. -- especially in historically "golf-rich" states like Ohio.
So it was only fitting that as we head for year 23, founder Pete Wlodkowski closed things out with a podcast on the excellent media production by Justin Golba and the Northern Ohio Golf Association. We love the name "The General Area" and Pete appreciated the opportunity to share his story. Here are a few excerpts with a link to the entire 30-minute pod.
Thanks for listening.
On the value of playing amateur tournaments:
“If you don’t register for any tournaments, you don’t have the incentive to practice. I always felt that the tournament was a twofold process. It was the event itself – the playing in it, and the lead-up to it, including all the preparation. Learning how to prepare for and play in more significant events helped me win smaller tournaments that were still meaningful to me, like club championships.
The process for launching AmateurGolf.com:
“My career migrated into software and computer companies, and I became technically adept. I worked in the internet space in the early 2000s when it was crashing and burning but also burgeoning. I looked at golf and realized that my golf association had a website. The USGA had a website. But nobody took it one level above that in terms of encompassing all the tournaments of any substance. I told people back then (and it’s the same today) that if you go on AmateurGolf.com, you’ll find schedules, news, rankings, and results for thousands of events worldwide.
On the business problem that AmateurGolf.com was trying to solve:
“It’s the mystery of it all [entering and competing in golf tournaments]. Let’s take a junior golfer. And their parents don’t play golf. And now they’re trying to figure it out. I always get these calls asking what tournaments are available for their daughter or son. And it’s a mystery. Whereas the people that are PGA members or played tournament golf growing up or collegiate golf, their kids have the advantage that they know the system. I felt like I was an outsider growing up. There was no internet, but I found a way to learn about all the available tournaments. It’s been a lifelong passion.”
On bucket list courses: (any members listening?)
“Three of the best courses I’ve walked but never played are National Golf Links of America on Long Island, Chicago Golf Club, and Seminole. I attended Walker Cups at all three and would love the chance to play them.”