Sagacity Golf Co-founder and CEO, Brett Darrow, is the featured guest on the latest episode of the Tech Caddie podcast, hosted by Mike Hendrix of smbGOLF. In a rare and candid interview, Darrow recounts the untold story of how he created Cypress Golf Solutions, which would later become the industry-defining company, GolfNow. The episode offers a fascinating look into the early days of online tee times and the evolution of golf course technology. During the episode, Darrow and Hendrix took the opportunity to announce a new partnership between Sagacity’s Yards platform and the Ohio Golf Course Owners Association that will drive revenue to the association and help strengthen golf in the Buckeye State.
Darrow, a widely respected but low-profile figure in golf tech, shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of building GolfNow from the ground up, including the pivotal decisions that shaped its future and the eventual sale to Comcast/Golf Channel. For the first time, listeners get a peek behind the curtain at the strategic moves and business philosophy that led to the creation of one of golf’s most recognizable brands.
“It was a truly exciting conversation, and a unique opportunity to sit down with someone who has had such a profound impact on the golf industry,” said Mike Hendrix. “Brett’s story is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, and hearing his perspective on both the past and future of golf technology is invaluable for anyone in the space.”
In the episode, Darrow also introduces his current venture, Sagacity Golf, and its innovative engagement platform, Yards. The discussion highlights Sagacity’s unique approach to golf course management, focusing on data-driven solutions and enhancing the golfer experience.
Regarding the company’s core mission, Darrow stated, “And so that’s literally all we think about at Sagacity all the time is how can we make the golf course owner more money, number one.” He also detailed how the new Yards platform tackles a key problem for golf courses, noting that mobile is everything but until building engagement tools no one was opening golf course apps.
Visit the full episode HERE
Watch on YouTube HERE
Listen on Apple HERE
Enjoy with Spotify HERE
Brands Mentioned: Cypress Golf, greens.com, Desert Golf Promotions, GolfNow, Time Inc, Comcast, Golf Channel, Last Minute Golfer, Quick 18, Orca, IBS (Integrated Business Systems), Fore! Reservations, Crescent Systems, EZLinks, foreUP, Lightspeed, Club Caddie, Clover, Toast, Augusta Ranch, Harbor Town Golf Links, Greyhawk, Tech Caddie podcast, Sagacity Golf, Yards
About the Tech Caddie Podcast
The Tech Caddie podcast explores the intersection of golf course operations and technology, delivering insights from industry leaders and innovators. In less than two seasons and 36 episodes, the podcast garnered over 25,000 views, covering topics ranging from tee sheet strategies to AI-driven customer engagement. As the podcast moves into 2025, Season Two debuts with refreshed branding and a continued commitment to delivering valuable discussions that help golf course operators navigate the evolving technology landscape.