Your Contributor & Coach Bob Fagan
Golf writer, Bob Fagan, features one of the most interesting and accomplished backgrounds in all of golf: as a player, teacher/coach, PGA Section Executive Director, golf company executive, “Expert Golf Witness,” extensive traveler, and, of course, a highly acclaimed golf writer and reviewer. As such, Bob has become golf’s guru of information: courses, coaching, critiques, contacts, and consulting.
Playing since 1962, Bob was dubbed the original “Wandering Golfer” and is one of the best-traveled living golfers in America, playing more than 2,625 courses there including more than 1,100 Golfweek Magazine Ballot Courses, and a more than a 175 more abroad. In 2005, he achieved what is believed to be the first and still only person to play the Top 200 Courses in America as defined by Golfweek Magazine. He has also played at least three courses in all fifty states including the top rated ones, and has now branched abroad. Bob has studied golf course architecture since 1966 and produced a thesis on the subject as well as one on golf shop operations. Such an extensive background has allowed him to become one of the most creditable travel and golf critics in the business.
A former teaching and playing golf professional that won at the state, collegiate, and professional levels and established several dozen course records, Fagan also served as the Executive Director/CEO for the Northern California PGA in which he led an unprecedented turnaround of a very challenged situation (1991-98). As a “Golf Expert Witness” in the legal arena since 1993, Fagan also continues to consult with facilities and in litigation regarding golf safety and risk management, golf course design, the rules of golf, service, marketing, and golf business and operating practices. More than forty golf legal assignments have included working for the US Department of Justice and testifying before the Internal Revenue Service, as well as in California and North Carolina Superior Courts, and Maui District Court.
Fagan’s golf writing has included more than 1,000 articles and he currently serves as Associate Editor for Golf Today Magazine, America’s largest regional golf monthly. There he writes about golf and travel, equipment, books, people, and the business of the game. He is an International Golf Course Rater for Golfweek Magazine where he is that publication’s most prolific contributor. He has co-authored “California Golf,” “California Golf Survival Guide,” “California Golf Universitee,” and has authored “Hawaii Golf,” “Golf in the Forest,” “Golf’s Higher Plane,” “Business Traveler’s Golf Guide,” “A Course in Golf Miracles,” “Running Golf Fundraisers and Corporate Events,” and “Classic Golf Courses of America.” He has “The American Golf Course Book of Lists” as well as a mainstream self-improvement book entitled “The Bliss-ipline Factor.” Bob has also contributed to GRIP, CEO Magazine, Private Clubs Magazine, Golf Magazine, Golf For Women, and Golfweek and has, himself, been the subject of feature articles in South Korea, Sweden, the British Isles, Austria, Dubai, and the United States as the “World’s All-Time Golf Nut.”
Bob has resumed his teaching career to now include a unique mentoring and speaking practice in what might be described as a holistic approach to golf that transcends the standard swing and sports psychology approaches to also include spiritual/emotional/energy methodologies. This is highlighted in the highly acclaimed DVD and audio book entitled “Golf’s Higher Plane,” as well as “The Best Damn Golf Calendar Ever,” and the internet-based series, “The Course in Golf Miracles.”
In November, 2008, Jack Nicklaus confided to Bob that no one had ever in his entire life shared with him such teaching points, but that he has always privately embraced them and considered them his “secret advantage,” though he continued, “most modern pros don’t understand or apply them.” Fagan has developed this coaching practice and DVD/CD products not only for golfers, but also for business executives and general folks who are interested in improving their performance and their lives. Bob was honored as the sole teacher to be approved to write the only spin-off project for the highly successful mainstream product called “The Secret.”
Fagan’s business accomplishments may actually exceed his golf ones. Off the course, Bob Fagan relishes building businesses, and empowering and creating heroes. Most of his career has been focused upon improving operations, strategic planning, and organizational and market development. In addition to his work with the PGA, as Chief Marketing & Sales Officer for a high tech startup, he helped build the company from scratch to a $2 billion valuation. He has also worked for such companies as Southwest Airlines, UPS, General Fabricators, American Travelers, and an industry-leading division of Armstrong World Industries, and was the Interim-COO for the San Jose State University Research Foundation, in addition to working at a C-level capacity or consulting in the software, manufacturing, distribution, financial services, high tech, retail, and service industries. Fagan has an MBA with Honors, is a Six Sigma Black Belt & Champion, and an Ordained Minister who once lived as a homeless street person in San Francisco for the experience of it. Supplementing his work and golf, Bob has been active as a corporate, association, and charitable board leader and in 2008 established a Charitable Foundation where he shows people of average means how they can “do well by doing good.” Last, but certainly not least, Bob Fagan is the proud father of a daughter, Kelly, and son, Matt.
Bob has been written about for his amazing energy and stamina and has many interests beyond golf, business, and philanthropy to include: health and fitness, spirituality, body surfing, hiking, music, history, reading, learning, and the arts.
Because of his personality, knowledge of business leadership, golf, golf courses, life coaching, and service, Bob makes for an outstanding teacher/trainer/guide/speaker for any corporate or travel outings. His enthusiasm, energy, easy personality, coaching experience, and golf and business acumen allow him to provide valuable insights and contributions to most any project he tackles. When not coaching, speaking, or playing golf, Bob actively seeks consulting,and travel/golf and equipment review assignments.
Disclosure Statement: As is customary in the travel and golf industries, this writer may receive discounted or free travel, lodging, products or services.
