The 2025 PGA Championship — I was there! At the practice rounds, navigating from a spectator’s distance and carrying my Canon EOS R with a nifty 50 lens. By sports photography standards, this is a toy… but I got my shoes soaking dirty-wet anyway and captured what I could. Being in Charlotte filled me with inspiration as I continue trying to build my company, From The Fringe. In the long term, I see it as a service supporting golf sponsors with creative storytelling and authentic and memorable ideas. We could be the creative partner for golf sponsors. From The Fringe… coming a little from the outside and helping brands get in the game.
Quail Hollow is a magnificent place, from whatever perspective I had, I was quite grateful to be in the moment and see it. There’s a lot to say about Charlotte, but I will mention that it’s a city on the list to be revisited. In my short time at the practice rounds, I racked up record steps and took a few hundred photos to capture the moments around me. Selected here are a collection of keepers.
Here are ideas I had for From The Fringe…
The business could (and should) be more about helping brands with creative partnership ideas. Being a consultant who can come up with authentic and memorable sponsorship activations and ideas that elevate the brand and the fan experience.
Johnnie-O! The Johnnie-Open. It’s a Johnnie-Only invitational. That includes John’s, Jons, Johnny’s, Johann’s, Jonathan, and of course.. Johnnie’s. Maybe even a Giovanni and Juan, keep it international! Sorry, Steve’s… We’ll host it at Jonathan’s landing, or perhaps St. Johns in St Augustine. Maybe Johnnie Walker will be there too. We’ll introduce a brand discount for people named all sorts of Johnnie. Game on and Johnnie-On! We could make fun commercials about the Johnnie-Only experience and how easy it is to remember everyone’s name at the party. As a Johnny and a John, I approve this idea!
Johnnie-O Port-O-Johnnie’s. The current experience for on-course bathroom facilities is an undignified and almost unbearable atrocity. I’m putting it lightly, and I’ll spare further details. Everybody knows it’s brutal. An unbreathable blue plastic cell. Whiffs in the breeze of perfumed liquid and foul odor. It’s a problem that stinks, yet I smell opportunity… Intr-O-ducing the Johnnie-O lockeroom experience. A facility for both Johnnie’s and Jane’s that allows people to TCB at the event and keep their humanity. Put an attendant in there. Toilets and sinks with running water. Get some old school country club atmosphere going. A place to freshen up… maybe it’s more of an Old Spice idea.
Here’s an idea for Rolex. Right now they have “Reach for the Crown.” Building off that, taking it one more step.. I wonder what happens when you get the crown? How do you stay in that moment? How can you stop reaching for the past? Or relentlessly reaching for more? Rolex could evolve that idea to be, “Reach for the moment.” This gives people a moment, showing champions who have achieved glory, in a moment of satisfaction. A moment of peace. A moment of presence. Soaking in their moment in the sun. A moment that matters more than the victory. Premium, cinematic, at ease, and inspiring. A reminder that true glory comes from knowing you have everything you need, right here, right now… You have achieved what you set out to do. And maybe a subliminal reminder that you should buy a Rolex.
Pitching a series idea… Back to Golf School. Originally, I envisioned Adam Sandler being the character here — a mash-up of Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore. But then I thought… I’m the guy who wants to go back to golf school! Why not me? I’m relatively comedic! This could be great! So it’s me.. going Back to Golf School! I get a coach. I see PGA instructors. I play in events. Maybe I even play in the Drive, Chip and Putt against kids. In another episode, I play with tour pros. It’s me learning the game to see if I can get my 10 handicap down to scratch. Maybe even complete or qualify for a competitive event. Why not give it a shot? I go to TPI and get a fitness routine to strengthen my game. I get a club fitting. I do the things I need to do to get better and see where it leads. One guy on a journey to learn something and pursue better. I get the show sponsored by Charles Schwab or Wells Fargo. It’s all about investing in my game… Preparing well and going far!