Continuing what we’re growing

Golf Course Industry has a new leader. And he’s a familiar name to many of you.

Our parent company, GIE Media, recently elevated Guy Cipriano to the publisher role. Starting out as an assistant editor in 2014, Guy has advanced his career at GIE Media through the last decade with promotions to associate editor, senior editor, editor, editor-in-chief and now his new role as publisher.

What does this news mean for our readers and partners? In an era where publishers and editorial teams are trying to serve multiple markets, we have a team solely focused on covering the growing golf business. Like many golf facilities, we’re in a growth mode. Guy’s golf zest, industry knowledge, relentless work ethic and authenticity make him the ideal person to lead our business.

His credentials are nearly unmatched in B2B and golf industry media.

Guy’s dynamic approach to covering the industry has led to an impressive résumé that includes three awards from the Golf Writers Association of America in 2018, 2021 and 2024. Guy is the first person from an “industry publication” to be honored in the prestigious contest against brands such as Golf, Golf Digest, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times and all other media outlets that cover golf.

Throughout his journey, Guy has visited golf facilities in 35 states. In 2018, he was named to the Folio:100 list honoring trendsetters, thought leaders, newsmakers, and innovators in the magazine industry. His passion and drive have played a crucial role in developing and executing sponsored content offerings, expansion of our podcast network, and fueling industry-leading metrics on social media and in the Fast & Firm newsletter. Whether it be going the extra mile for interns, befriending grounds crew workers at municipal golf facilities or presenting the latest golf data to clubs and associations across the United States, he consistently delivers and continually raises the bar for the standard of excellence in the golf market.

Guy even worked a part-time “hobby” golf maintenance job at the Penn State Golf Courses for flexible superintendent Rick Pagett around a full-time sports writing job during his days in central Pennsylvania. Turns out, hand-mowing tees, raking bunkers and combining with co-workers on projects (some of whom are now superintendents) was preparing Guy for what awaited later in his career.

For those of you who enjoy our print, web, social media, audio and newsletter content, Guy’s not going anywhere on that side of our operation. His business card now says Publisher + Editor-in-Chief. But Guy will be the first to tell you Golf Course Industry is a team effort.

We’re confident he can handle both roles because we’re surrounding him with incredibly talented and dedicated people. Continuity and culture are Golf Course Industry pillars. Anybody who has been around Guy, managing editor Matt LaWell, national sales manager Russ Warner, accounts manager Jimmy Clark, creative director Jim Blayney, our writers and columnists, and members of our internal GIE Media support team know how much we care about your stories and goals. Our group also knows how to have fun and develop enduring relationships along the way. Since Guy took over Golf Course Industry’s editorial team in 2019, we have maintained the same nucleus of contributors.

Consider it rare continuity in a volatile media landscape. Consider it a reflection on our new leader.