Private Club Radio Show

In this episode of Private Club Radio, Denny sits down with Jeff Thomas from Corning Country Club to talk growth, culture, and what it really takes to move a club forward in a smaller market. Jeff shares the wild moment that kicked off his tenure, yes, a major flood on day one, then breaks down how he aligned departments, rebuilt momentum, and brought in 100 members in 100 days.They also get into Corning’s master planning journey, including how member surveying shaped the priorities (casual dining and patio, a resort style pool, and year round activities like simulators), what it looks like to keep the board, members, and staff aligned, and why starting with the pool became the smart first move. Jeff explains how Corning partners with the local community through charities, schools, and tournaments, plus the little details that helped revive an 85 year old invitational into a sellout event with a waitlist.Finally, Jeff opens up about working with a coach, what that accountability looks like, and how it’s strengthened his leadership, confidence, and boardroom approach.Topics include private club leadership, membership growth, master planning, capital planning, board alignment, member onboarding, club culture, staff retention, community partnerships, and leadership coaching.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin

In this solo episode of Private Club Radio, Denny Corby shares a personal list of books that changed how he shows up as a leader and decision maker, with practical takeaways for private club professionals who want to lead better, communicate better, and stay sharp under pressure. Denny breaks down lessons on creating access when the standard route is blocked, pushing through resistance, recognizing how leadership issues become behavioral as you rise, protecting your edge, focusing on effort as the one controllable lever, and staying open when life gets unpredictable. Books covered include The Third Door, The War of Art, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, How to Win at the Sport of Business, The Surrender Experiment, and Oh, the Places You’ll Go.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin

In this episode of Private Club Radio, we're joined by John Good and Joe Trauger from the National Club Association to preview the 2026 National Club Conference at Ocean Reef Club in Florida, happening April 19 through 21.We get into what makes this conference different, why it’s designed for both club leadership and boards, and how NCA is building a shared learning experience around their core pillars, governance, insight, and advocacy.We also talk speaker highlights including Steve Sands (Golf Channel and NBC Sports), economist Chad Moutray from the National Restaurant Association,  and Dr. Jessica Kriegel on culture and workforce trends.Plus, the fun stuff, the Excellence in Club Management Awards dinner and gala, networking events, a chairs reception at Key Largo Anglers Club, and yes, a rum tasting that somehow became educational (do not ask questions you are not prepared to enjoy the answer to 😉).Registration details, the conference site is nationalclubconference.org, and presale pricing runs through February 16. Non members can attend, members get discounted rates.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin

To kick off 2026, Denny’s handing you a power list — the must-have relationships every club pro should be building now. Not just your board, not your team — we’re talking about your go-to people behind the scenes: your construction guy, your media contact, your legal lifeline, your “am I crazy or is this nuts?” text thread crew.These aren’t vendors. They’re not consultants. They’re your professional brain trust — people you can count on for honest advice, better decision-making, and fewer messes down the line. From real estate to marketing to first responders, this episode is your relationship checklist (without feeling like homework).Whether you’re a GM, AGM, event lead, or just someone who wants to grow in this business — this is your guide to leveling up in 2026.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin

This isn't just a recap — it's a rapid-fire rewind of some of the biggest club leadership takeaways, off-the-wall moments, and most replayed quotes from the Private Club Radio Show in 2025.Denny Corby brings you back through ten standout clips featuring conversations with private club professionals, GMs, consultants, and leaders who dropped gold on everything from imposter syndrome to budgeting red flags to branding with bourbon.You’ll hear about: • Why ghost members and shady data could put your club at risk • What bourbon barrels and club culture have in common • How to build a personal brand (and an exit plan) before you need it • The balance between tradition and change in member expectations • How hospitality and aging intersect in a meaningful way • Marketing wins that started with golf carts in lakes • And financial blind spots every GM should avoidFeaturing clips from: Kaitlyn Allen, Kent Johnson, Dan Klimek, David Sweet, Jeff Wilson, Kevin Rice, Samantha Sheffield, Desi Speh, Ionel Porumb, and Ed Chapman.Whether you're a GM, department head, or just love the behind-the-scenes stories that make this industry tick, this one’s packed with moments you’ll want to rewind.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin

In this quick solo episode, Denny Corby shares his not-so-secret secret weapon: Schedule Send (or Send Later for iPhone users). It’s one of the most underrated tools in your personal and professional communication toolbox.Whether you’re checking in with a member, sending birthday wishes, or following up like a boss — this feature lets you send emails or texts exactly when they need to land, without relying on your memory or mood. It's not just a productivity hack — it's a trust-builder and relationship-booster, especially in the club world.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin

Want to get your club featured on the local news? Start here.In this episode, Denny sits down with media pro and strategic communication consultant Julie Kraft, who spent two decades helping TV stations, newsrooms, and networks craft messages that connect. She now coaches leaders, brands, and businesses on how to tell their stories — and how to own the moment when the camera starts rolling.Whether you’re a GM, a club marketer, a chef, or just someone with a story to share, Julie breaks down how clubs can:Pitch stories that get picked up by the mediaLook and sound confident during TV interviewsAvoid the common mistakes clubs make on airUse local coverage to drive visibility, engagement, and excitementIf your club is doing something amazing — don’t keep it a secret. Learn how to land your segment, tell a better story, and turn 3 minutes of airtime into serious member buzzFollow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin

Holiday season at the club means packed banquet sheets, nonstop member events, and inboxes that will not quit, so let us turn that boring out of office reply into a tiny hospitality win. In this episode, I walk you through a simple way to turn your autoresponder from a dead end into a warm, useful touchpoint that actually drives engagement. You will hear a real world example from my buddy and fellow club pro, Sean Bleyl, whose OOO emails use playful subject lines, personal details, and smart links to feel human and helpful.We talk through easy plug and play ideas for every role at the club. Chefs can drop a seasonal recipe or tease the New Years Eve menu, golf pros can link a winter warm up or holiday scramble registration, and events teams can push a wine dinner or family night with direct RSVP links. Underneath it all is a simple idea, hospitality lives in the little moments. Update that one tiny setting in your inbox and you will set better expectations, get more smiles, and quietly nudge members toward the next best thing at your club.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin

Curtis Garner is running a 27 million dollar renovation at Shoal Creek, working out of a cottage office while the clubhouse comes down around him, and still finding ways to keep members happy and staff engaged.In this episode, Curtis, Assistant GM and Director of Operations at Shoal Creek in Birmingham, walks through his path from mechanical engineering student, to hotel bar manager, to cross country move to Idaho, to coming home to Alabama in a senior leadership role.We talk about what it is really like to lead a full property renovation while staying visible and calm, why clubs are a better long game than hotels if you want a life outside work, and how smaller teams can actually accelerate your growth if you are willing to wear a lot of hats.Curtis also shares his work rebuilding the Alabama CMAA chapter and launching student chapters at schools like North Alabama and Auburn, plus his take on why private clubs are a perfect fit for curious, high energy, slightly shiny object brains.If you are in the middle of a project, questioning your next career move, or trying to rebuild community in your chapter, this one will hit home.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin

What if the most impactful thing your club could do this season… didn’t cost a dime?In this episode of The Private Club Radio Show, host Denny Corby shares two powerful — and surprisingly simple — ways club leaders can make meaningful connections with members during the holidays.It’s not about big budgets or fancy activations. It’s about human moments. Gratitude. Intentional outreach. And yes — asking your staff to take the photo.Inside, you’ll hear:Why Thanksgiving is the perfect time to re-engage quiet or “missing” membersA small hospitality habit that creates big emotional ROI“Miss You Week” — a low-effort, high-impact campaign you can run right nowHow dessert and check-in calls could turn into your club’s most-loved traditionsWhy member memories matter more than your club newsletter ever willWhether you're a GM, department head, or hospitality pro, this episode is a warm reminder that the smallest gestures often go the furthest — especially when paired with purpose.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin