Upper Arlington, OH — The Pennsylvania Golf Course Owners Association (PGO) has announced that smbGOLF, a golf industry consulting and data company led by Mike Hendrix, has been selected as the Official Technology & Data Partner of the association.
Through this partnership, smbGOLF will provide PGO members with technology insights, industry data, and strategic guidance designed to help golf course owners and operators make stronger operational and business decisions.
PGO Executive Director Ron Stepanek, PGA, said the partnership reflects the growing importance of technology, digital visibility, and data in the modern golf business.
“Technology and digital presence now play a major role in the success of golf facilities,” said Stepanek. “Mike Hendrix and smbGOLF bring a deep understanding of how technology impacts golf operations. We’re excited to introduce these insights and resources to our members.”
As part of the partnership, Hendrix will serve as PGO’s Senior Technology & Data Advisor, supporting the association and its members with education, research, and guidance on golf course technology platforms, digital marketing tools, and emerging industry trends.
The partnership follows smbGOLF’s successful collaboration with the Ohio Golf Course Owners Association, where a similar model was implemented to deliver technology guidance, operational insights, and industry data directly to member facilities. During the first year of that engagement, the Ohio association more than doubled its membership, as operators increasingly looked to their state association for help navigating technology and digital strategy.
“One of the goals of our work with state associations is to make valuable technology insights available to operators as part of their membership,” said Hendrix. “It’s very simple — we’ve built a model that helps associations deliver more local value to their members at no additional cost. Golf course owners are busy running their businesses, and it’s hard to keep up with everything happening in technology, digital marketing, and industry data. Associations can play a powerful role in making sure their members have access to those insights.”
Similar to the program established in Ohio, PGO members will begin receiving regular Google visibility and economic trend reports, providing insights into how their golf course appears across search platforms and how broader economic conditions may impact their business. These reports will be delivered as a member benefit at no additional cost to PGO member courses.
In addition, smbGOLF will provide the association and its members with access to premium industry research, including the company’s Tee Sheet Market Share Report and Tee Time Booking Engine Rankings Report, which evaluates the performance and user experience of online tee time booking systems used across the golf industry. The next edition of the Tee Time Booking Engine Rankings Report will be released in March 2026.
Hendrix is the founder of smbGOLF, a consulting and data company focused on helping golf course owners better understand the technology powering their operations. Through smbGOLF’s proprietary industry database and research initiatives, the company tracks technology usage and operational data across thousands of golf facilities across North America.
PGO will formally introduce Hendrix and outline the partnership during a PGO Zoom Room session on Thursday, March 12, where members will learn more about the resources and technology insights now available through the association. Call link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83726164554?pwd=QmA6RZ0SrU8BNFn1hOYT5ZVDAkbSTi.1
The Pennsylvania Golf Course Owners Association represents golf course owners and operators across the Commonwealth and works to support the long-term success of golf facilities through advocacy, education, and industry partnerships.
About the Pennsylvania Golf Course Owners Association
The Pennsylvania Golf Course Owners Association (PGO) represents golf course owners and operators across Pennsylvania and provides advocacy, education, and industry resources designed to support the success and sustainability of golf facilities throughout the state.
About smbGOLF
smbGOLF is a golf industry consulting and data company that helps golf course owners, associations, and technology companies better understand the rapidly evolving technology landscape in golf. Through research, advisory services, and industry data, smbGOLF provides insights into the platforms, vendors, and digital strategies shaping golf operations across North America.
