031 From Broccoli Farm to Golf Trailblazer: Barry Forth’s Epic Genesis Story and Bold Playbook at Copetown Woods Golf Club
Manage episode 488062965 series 3646238
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In this episode of The AceCall.ai Podcast, we sit down with Barry Forth, Owner and General Manager of Copetown Woods Golf Club—a one-of-a-kind public course built on his family’s former broccoli farm just outside Hamilton, Ontario.
Barry’s story is legendary. From helping his dad open the course in 2003, to leaving for seven years to run RBC’s global golf portfolio, and then returning to reimagine Copetown Woods with a fearless mix of creativity, humor, and business savvy—he’s redefined what a public golf course can be.
We dive into Barry’s unfiltered take on:
✅ Turning long weekends into sold-out brand events with limited-edition merch
✅ Ditching bunkers rakes and old rules in favor of speed, fun, and freedom
✅ Launching the Public Player Society loyalty model—Copetown’s answer to memberships
✅ Building a service culture that keeps staff and golfers coming back
✅ Growing a strong and highly engaged social media and Instagram following with playful, self-deprecating content
✅ Leveraging data and partnerships (like with TaylorMade and Levelwear) to drive revenue
✅ And how AI fits into the future of club operations—from staffing to scheduling to marketing
This episode is a must-listen for any golf operator who’s tired of hearing “that’s just the way we’ve always done it.”
🎧 Listen now to hear how Barry is flipping the script on public golf—with guts, grit, and an occasional clown costume.
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to The AceCall.ai Podcast for more expert interviews and insights at the intersection of hospitality, leadership, and A.I. in golf.
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#PublicGolf #GolfInnovation #BarryForth #CopetownWoods #GolfMarketing #GolfClubLeadership #GolfCourseManagement #VoiceAI #AIForGolf #TheAceCallAIPodcast #CanadianGolf
32 episodes