Brian Thompson
Apex,NC
Summary
Golf Industry Ambassador with expertise in strategic planning and relationship management. Demonstrated success in enhancing service delivery within the golf maintenance sector. Committed to developing effective solutions that drive success for clients. Skilled in creating impactful presentations that strengthen brand leadership and foster customer trust.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Golf Business Development Manager
BASF Professional and Specialty Solutions
Research Triangle Park, NC
08.2022 - Current
- Define and execute marketing plans to cultivate relationships with key golf management influencers.
- Establish trust and rapport with golf course superintendents and directors of agronomy to address industry challenges.
- Increase market awareness by sponsoring USGA and PGA Tour events, enhancing brand leadership.
- Deliver customer insights to internal stakeholders for future marketing and product development strategies.
US Turf Marketing Manager
BASF Professional and Specialty Solutions
Research Triangle Park, NC
03.2019 - 08.2022
- Directed business performance strategy and marketing initiatives for the US Golf Turf market.
- Managed registration and launch of five novel chemistries in the Golf Turf market.
- Redesigned the annual Early Order Program, achieving 22% year-over-year sales growth.
- Spearheaded a competitive pricing analysis on legacy products to enhance volume and revenue.
Sales Manager - US Turf
BASF Professional and Specialty Solutions
Research Triangle Park, NC
02.2016 - 06.2022
- Managed a team of 14 professionals servicing Turf and Ornamental business in US.
- Initiated program to enhance personal and professional development of sales team.
- Identified unique talents, leading to hiring of six key positions for US Golf markets.
- Created demand generation module to establish customer trust and drive sales growth.
Strategic Account Manager
BASF Professional and Specialty Solutions
Research Triangle Park, NC
02.2013 - 02.2016
- Drove financial targets and operational excellence with Golf National Accounts and strategic distributors.
- Exceeded annual sales targets through collaboration with centers of influence.
- Established training programs that delivered value to key customers.
Farmlinks Project Leader
BASF Professional and Specialty Solutions
Sylacauga, AL
04.2008 - 02.2013
- Acted as on-site representative for BASF at Farmlinks Golf Club, the world's only research and demonstration golf course.
- Administered presentations to golf course superintendents demonstrating BASF product efficacy and strategies for disease and weed management.
- Conducted field biology assessments with new and existing chemistries for research trials.
- Maintained relationships with over 1,200 annual customers visiting Farmlinks.
- Executed timely follow-ups with past attendees to enhance demand generation for BASF field sales team.
Golf Course Superintendent
Sutton Bay Golf Club
Agar, SD
01.2006 - 03.2008
- Managed 18-hole championship course and nine-hole par-3 course with $1.2M maintenance budget. Named "Best New Private Course of 2004" by Golf Digest
- Proposed comprehensive department needs assessment for infrastructure, equipment, and human resources.
- Implemented five-year plan to enhance playing conditions and improve workforce efficiency.
- Reconstructed greens, tees, fairways, and irrigation systems due to significant geological shifts.
- Researched and integrated high-density polyethylene pipe to mitigate irrigation breaks in vulnerable areas.
- Utilized cutting-edge technology that reduced annual irrigation breaks by 50%.
Golf Course Superintendent
Elcona Country Club
Elkhart, IN
02.2000 - 01.2006
- Managed $750,000 annual maintenance budget for 18-hole private course with extensive practice facilities.
- Renovated bunkers and tee complexes per master plan by Arthur Hills & Associates.
- Developed detailed tree inventory program to guide future plantings and removals.
- Achieved certification by completing all five components of Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for golf courses.
2nd Assistant Superintendent
Inverness Club
Toledo, OH
04.1999 - 01.2000
- Assisted in full greens renovation for 2003 US Senior Open preparation.
- Executed regular plant health applications while managing moisture management teams on greens, tees, and fairways.
- Monitored organic matter levels and conducted green speed research in collaboration with Michigan State University.
Golf Course Construction Foreman
Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex
West Lafayette, IN
05.1996 - 08.1998
- Oversaw greens drainage to meet USGA specifications for $7.5M renovation project at Purdue University.
- Collaborated with Pete Dye and design team to develop green and fairway bunker complexes.
- Managed grow-in and maintenance of green, tee, and fairway surfaces effectively.
- Participated in creation of wetland areas and wildlife-friendly habitats on property.
Education
Jackson Leadership Training
07-2021
Insights Discovery Graduate
04-2018
Crucial Conversations Workshop
06-2015
Perspectives Marketing Accelerator
02-2015
Bachelor of Science - Agronomy, Turf Science
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN04-1999
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Relationship management
- Presentation delivery
- Team collaboration
- Golf industry knowledge
- Effective communication
- Creative innovation
Accomplishments
- 2011 BASF Top Innovation Award - Created a new program voucher for attendees of Farmlinks to generate incremental sales and measure ROI of program investment
- 2012 BASF "Best of the Best" - Award given to individual contributor for providing critical sales enablement to the field sales team
- 2014 BASF Top Sales Award - Given for largest sales growth for an individual distributor account
- 2014 BASF Dialogue with the Divisions - Selected as a US Delegate for a three week comprehensive training in all global business divisions at BASF headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany
- 2015 BASF Top Sales Award - Given for largest sales growth and volume in a new customer segment - golf national accounts
- 2017 BASF "Best of the Best" Award - Given as a result of driving market awareness by fostering agreement to be the exclusive chemistry sponsor of the 2016 US Open
- 2019 BASF Marketing Excellence Award - Given as a result of successful new product launch and redesign of the Early Order Program
- Outstanding Achievements Performance Rating - Highest performance assessment from direct manager for the following years at BASF - 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2023
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Golf Business Development Manager
BASF Professional and Specialty Solutions
08.2022 - Current
US Turf Marketing Manager
BASF Professional and Specialty Solutions
03.2019 - 08.2022
Sales Manager - US Turf
BASF Professional and Specialty Solutions
02.2016 - 06.2022
Strategic Account Manager
BASF Professional and Specialty Solutions
02.2013 - 02.2016
Farmlinks Project Leader
BASF Professional and Specialty Solutions
04.2008 - 02.2013
Golf Course Superintendent
Sutton Bay Golf Club
01.2006 - 03.2008
Golf Course Superintendent
Elcona Country Club
02.2000 - 01.2006
2nd Assistant Superintendent
Inverness Club
04.1999 - 01.2000
Golf Course Construction Foreman
Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex
05.1996 - 08.1998
Jackson Leadership Training
Insights Discovery Graduate
Crucial Conversations Workshop
Perspectives Marketing Accelerator
Bachelor of Science - Agronomy, Turf Science
Purdue University