Rick Stewart is a PGA of America Golf Professional and Owner of The Range at Clermont National in Clermont, Florida.
Rick Stewart on the importance of leveraging international experience for facility innovation:
My journey from a California driving range to Singapore and Sydney taught me that exceptional golf facilities aren’t built on conventional thinking – they’re created by embracing diverse perspectives and proven innovations from around the world. During my years working in Asia and Australia, I witnessed teaching methods and technologies that were transforming how golfers practice and learn, yet were rarely seen in American facilities. This global exposure became my foundation for creating The Range at Clermont National, where I’ve applied international best practices to Central Florida’s golf market. When I survey our facility today, I see more than radar-based tracking systems and virtual golf experiences – I see the culmination of lessons learned across three continents. My approach centers on understanding that innovation isn’t about chasing the latest trends, but about strategically selecting proven technologies and methods that enhance the golf experience for every skill level. The vision was clear from the start: create a golf experience that merges top-tier instruction with fun, flexible, tech-driven engagement. I didn’t want just another driving range – I wanted something that could serve the serious player, the weekend golfer, and even someone who’s never picked up a club. This philosophy guided every decision, from selecting Inrange Golf’s radar-based tracking system to designing programming that removes traditional barriers while providing serious practice tools for experienced golfers.
Rick Stewart on the business impact of leveraging international experience for facility innovation:
Applying international insights to local markets creates competitive advantages that transcend typical facility offerings. My global experience taught me that successful innovation requires understanding diverse clientele needs and adapting proven solutions to local contexts. At The Range, this translates to technology that makes golf less intimidating for beginners while providing experienced players with everything they need to improve. The business impact extends beyond customer satisfaction – when you offer experiences that genuinely serve multiple market segments, you create sustainable revenue streams and natural word-of-mouth marketing. The key is recognizing that today’s golfers expect more than traditional practice facilities; they want engaging, measurable experiences that fit their lifestyle and skill level. For other golf professionals: don’t limit yourself to local market conventions. Study what works in other regions and countries, then strategically adapt those innovations to your community’s needs. The most transformative facility improvements often come from proven solutions that simply haven’t been implemented in your market yet.
If you would like to email the author of this Best Practice directly, please email rick@clermontnational.com.
