On the Tee…
Andrew Szunyog
Andrew is an experienced golf industry professional with almost two decades of career focus in golf tournament administration and business operations. With an MBA from George Washington University, he has worked as a collegiate golf coach at GW, the tournament director at a private club in Maryland and several tournament operations positions with the Sun Country PGA, Mid-Atlantic PGA, Arnold Palmer Invitational, and US Senior Open.
Now, Andrew works as a sustainability consultant and project manager for the National Links Trust in Washington, D.C. The bulk of his work with NLT is writing a sustainability impact report and working with community partners to redefine Washington D.C.’s three municipal facilities as regenerative community assets that serve the large communities that surround the facilities.
“My goal with ‘Driving The Green’ is to create a community of inclusion and transparency that advocates for the integration of resilient practices and social impacts within the golf industry. Energy and passion guided by the values of empathy, integrity and environmental stewardship drive my vision for the long-term development and implementation of initiatives that enable the golf industry to lead social, ecological and economic change in the sports world.”
Andre Paul
A passion for golf and love for nature are what called Andre to the integration of golf, sustainability, and his personal journey of growth and healing.
For two years, Andre supported the golf industry’s premier market research department as a Research Associate for the National Golf Foundation. This role exposed Andre to every aspect of the golf industry while he researched more inclusive and equitable models for golf's culture. He participated in multiple state-wide studies, measuring golf's economic and non-economic impacts in the states of Colorado and Oregon.
In 2019, Andre completed The Sustainable Innovation MBA program at The University of Vermont, where he explored the intersections of economic, social, and environmental value creation. His study of sustainable business began with several projects and roles in sustainable food systems. His aspirations then evolved toward reconciling a passion for golf with the global need for sustainable development.
“Golf could become the first truly regenerative industry. It can do so within a story of hope, community, and inspiration, rather than the usual doom-and-gloom approach of addressing sustainability. Through the right design and partnerships, golf could heal and regenerate not only the planet upon which it’s played, but also the people who play it. The game of golf meets the gamut of human needs. Given the wealth, influence, and natural capital within and around golf, the industry holds massive potential for leadership.”
Alex Baxter
Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Alex Baxter is a graduate of the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University holding his degree in Sustainability (Economics of Sustainability) and a minor in business. At Blue Strike Environmental, Alex oversees sustainability programs for multiple PGA TOUR events, marathons/road-races and festivals among other special events nationwide. His work is centered on advancing sustainability to create a positive environmental and social impact in each market Blue Strike engages with.
Most recently, Alex managed the GEO (Golf Environmental Organization) certification for the 2019 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Council for Responsible Sport (CRS) certification for the 2019 Wharf to Wharf Race. He currently serves on the CRS Organizational Certification Advisory Committee and spoke at the 2019 Green Sports Alliance Summit. He also served on the Phoenix Local Organizing Committee for 2017 NCAA Final Four CRS evergreen certification as well as helping facilitate the Arizona Diamondbacks inaugural composting program during the 2017 season.
“Golf importantly holds a unique platform to leverage sustainability, inclusion, and overall social impact. With that, I am excited to join Driving The Green with the ultimate hope of creating a social network to include folks of all disciplines in the golf and sports world to breed collaboration and push forward the incorporation of golf and the natural environment the sport relies on.”
Katie Veasey
Katie is a sustainability consultant with experience in energy efficiency, clean energy, food waste diversion, and recycling. In her consulting roles in Washington, D.C., Katie has directly supported federal energy programs and has helped private companies with their environmental and climate policy advocacy.
A lifelong golfer and environmentalist, Katie is passionate about helping the golf industry reduce its environmental impact and expand access to the game that has taught her so much. After graduating in 2017 from Hamilton College where she played on the golf team and majored in environmental studies, Katie received a fellowship to travel and study the intersection of golf and sustainability for one year abroad. Through her research, she came away with an optimistic view of golf's potential to foster nature, bring communities together, and promote sustainability.
One of Katie's big takeaways from studying golf internationally is that golf can inherently be sustainable, and at some golf courses sustainability drives their operations. Not enough golf courses adhere to these principles, however, and the ones that do are not communicating this well. Katie is excited to join Driving the Green to help amplify ideas about how golf can reduce its environmental impact and strengthen communities.