Charleston, S.C. — The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) will host its annual Multi-Course & Resort Operators Retreat (MCOR) in Monterey, California, on June 9 and 10, welcoming attendees representing nearly 2,000 golf facilities from around the country and beyond. Attendees will include owners and operators of six or more golf courses, executives from management companies (MCOs), top resort operators and executives (TROs), and, for the first time this year, top financial officers (TFOs). These hand-picked executives will gather at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa for two days of high-level learning, unparalleled knowledge sharing, exceptional networking opportunities and organized relaxation. After 31 years, MCOR remains the premier event for top executives in the golf course and golf resort industry.
During the retreat education program, attendees will engage in dynamic discussions and high-level collaborations focused on the most pressing issues facing the golf industry today. Returning co-chairs John Brown, CEO of GreatLIFE Golf, and Whitney Crouse, CEO and Founding Partner of Bobby Jones Links, partnered with the NGCOA Education Department to curate sessions that directly address the strategic business priorities of multi-course operators and resort executives. These sessions will deliver actionable best practices and proven strategies for tackling the most critical challenges in the industry.
Charlie Rymer, executive vice president at McLemore Club, will serve as master of ceremonies for MCOR26. The Wednesday morning education sessions will feature two keynote-style presentations: Jon Last, president of the Sports and Leisure Research Group, will share the latest state of the golf industry, and Dr. Anirban Basu, Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, will deliver his always-popular economic outlook. The morning will also include a panel of leading course design experts, featuring Gil Hanse, president of Hanse Golf Course Design, and John Sawin, senior vice president of golf at the Pebble Beach Company. They will explore current trends and evolving demands in golf course architecture. MCOR26 emcee Charlie Rymer will moderate the panel.
The afternoon education will feature a market intelligence session led by Jordan Klein, managing director of Baird Global Investment Banking, followed by a fascinating AI closing keynote presented by Trent Gillespie, a former Amazon executive and current CEO of Stellis AI.
The concurrent top agronomic officer (TAO) meeting held throughout the day will cover a variety of topics, including AI and turf management, managing water costs and restrictions, the labor market, new products, electric and autonomous mowers, environmental stewardship and an update on GCSAA government affairs, among others.
The TAOs will join the other attendees for the closing interview session, where NGCOA CEO Jay Karen will share the stage with Sir Nick Faldo, a six-time major champion and World Golf Hall of Fame member. Sir Nick will reflect on his legendary career that included six major championships and a record 11 Ryder Cup appearances, while sharing insights into his current passions and global golf course design work. He will also take questions from the MCOR26 audience to conclude the event.
NGCOA appreciates the support and engagement of 36 generous and dedicated sponsors, including Premier Sponsor Yamaha, as well as Executive Partners Club Caddie, on! Nicotine Pouches, Pepsi, PGA of America, Rain Bird, Tagmarshal and Toptracer; Presenting Sponsors Arnie’s, Big Digital, Club Prophet, Golf District, Golf Genius, IOA, John Deere, Lightspeed, Never Miss Your Shot Golf, Noteefy, Obbi Club, Paychex, Priswing, Roboranger, SkimTurf Management, Sunbelt Rentals, Syngenta, TenFore Golf, Toro and Xplor foreUP; Participating Sponsors CapillaryFlow, COURSEREV.AI, Cover The Tees, Future Golf, GOLF.AI, Ottimate, USGA Green Section and Whoosh.
ABOUT MULTI-COURSE & RESORT OPERATORS RETREAT
MCOR is an exclusive, invitation-only gathering for the top professionals in the golf course and resort industry. This prestigious event brings together MCOs (owners of six or more golf courses and top executives from golf management companies), TFOs (top financial officers) and TROs (top resort operators and executives). To learn more about MCOR and find details about the 2026 event, visit MCOR-Retreat.com.
ABOUT NATIONAL GOLF COURSE OWNERS ASSOCIATION
The NGCOA is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The association represents and promotes the interests of golf courses as the principal businesses and economic assets of the game of golf. The not-for-profit organization is the only trade association dedicated exclusively to golf course owners and operators. Through advocacy, education and information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses. For more information or to join, visit ngcoa.org or call 800-933-4262.
Media Contact: Renée Flowers, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, NGCOA, rflowers@ngcoa.org
