One of the things I’ve learned over the years is that the best networking doesn’t feel like networking. It feels like life. It feels like connection, shared experiences, and spending time with people you genuinely enjoy being around. For me, golf has become one of the most natural ways to build relationships in this business. It’s where conversations happen without agendas, where trust builds quickly, and where referrals are born without anyone ever asking for one.

And if I’m being honest, playing the top golf courses in the world gives me a level of joy that’s hard to describe. I love the history, the architecture, the exclusivity, the challenge, and the stories you walk away with. Selling real estate is what I do to make money. Networking is how I build my referral business. Golf is what makes the whole thing fun and fulfilling. The best part is I get to do it guilt-free, because technically it’s still “work.”

It also helps that my wife, Marni, owns a travel company and recently launched TribuGolfTravel.com, so the intersection of business, golf, and travel is basically becoming a lifestyle for us. If you ever want to plan a bucket-list golf trip, she’s building something really special.

That brings me to the Compass Cup in Jupiter, Florida.

Seminole: The Perfect Start to the Week

This trip started the way many great real estate trips do: aggressively. I flew on a red-eye from San Diego to Orlando, grabbed a car, and drove about two and a half hours to Jupiter.

And right out of the gate, the week delivered. Huge credit to Sarah West for the invitation to play Seminole Golf Club, one of the most exclusive and historically significant golf clubs in the world. I also had the chance to meet up with the legend herself, along with Philly, Florida’s #1 agent Liz Hogan, and our amazing (and anonymous) host.

Seminole isn’t just a great course. It’s one of those places where you can feel the history the moment you arrive. Ben Hogan famously used to play Seminole before The Masters to sharpen his skills, and being able to experience it with close friends and colleagues was something I won’t forget.

The golf was incredible, but the people made it special. That ended up being the theme of the entire trip.

A Night of Networking Done the Right Way

After Seminole, the night turned into what Compass does best: bringing high-level people together in a relaxed environment. It was a night full of agent networking, reconnecting with contacts I’ve made over the years, and meeting several new agents that I’ll absolutely stay in touch with.

Compass events are unique because the relationships feel genuine. It’s not transactional. It’s relationship-based. And in luxury real estate, that’s where the real long-term value comes from.

The Compass Cup: Big Energy, Big Laughs, Bigger Purpose

The next day was the main event: The Compass Cup, and I have to give major credit where it’s due. Jeremy Browne, Tom Hughes, and the Compass staff did an incredible job putting the event together. Everything was organized, fun, well-run, and genuinely elevated.

Even better, the event raised over $50,000 for Mia’s Miracles, the charity founded by pro golfer Camilo Villegas(famously known for his spider-like green reading and his signature popped collar). That part matters. A lot of real estate events can feel like they’re just about the industry. This one had real purpose behind it, and you could feel it.

It’s a great reminder that when the right people gather for the right reasons, the impact can go far beyond the golf course.

The Winning Team (and the Best Story of the Week)

The winning group was right in front of me, so I can officially validate the win.

They shot a 57 and the team consisted of Ben Beacham, Craig Bretzlaff, Andy Bovender, and John Zimmerman.

But the best part of their win wasn’t even the score.

The airline lost JZ’s bag.

And instead of being rattled, he doubled down on style. He showed up to a nice dinner party (the night before) in a purple velour tracksuit, and somehow still pulled together a full golf outfit out of Andy’s suitcase the next day like it was completely normal.

The guy lost his bag, still showed up looking like a legend, and then won the entire event. That story alone made the trip.

My Group Didn’t Win, But We Laughed…ALOT!

I was paired with three close friends: Joe Belz, Jozef Maston (both out of Naples), and Scott Drucker out of Miami.

We had a blast. We didn’t win the Cup, but we may have led the tournament in laughs per hole. And honestly, that’s a category that matters.

The funniest moment of the day happened at one of the host holes where they were handing out Jeremy Browne and Tom Hughes shirts. Joe grabbed an extra-small pink shirt thinking about his two daughters and wife, and one of the girls at the booth immediately said, “Oh… you won’t fit into that.”

Instead of Joe clarifying that it was obviously for his family, Maston saw it as a personal challenge.

And he proceeded to prove to everyone that he could (sort of) fit into an extra-small shirt.

The photo says it all.

That’s the beauty of golf trips like this. It’s competitive, but it’s also where friendships deepen and stories get created that you’ll be laughing about for years.

Bears Club: A Bucket List Finish

After the Compass Cup wrapped up, the trip somehow got even better.

Following the trophy ceremony (and after Sarah West won yet another pickleball tournament, because of course she did), Jozef, Peter Colbert, and I had the honor of staying the night and having dinner at The Bears Club.

Jeremy Browne and his wife were incredibly gracious hosts, and it was a special experience from start to finish. The Bears Club is one of those places you hear about for years, and then when you finally step on property you realize it’s even better than the reputation.

It’s the home of Jack Nicklaus, and the membership list reads like a who’s who of legends: Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Michael Jordan, and more. It’s the type of place where every detail feels intentional and Jack could be right around the corner.

We played the course, had an incredible dinner, and sure enough, we even saw Jack Nicklaus himself in the clubhouse after the round.

That’s not something you forget.

A Quick Miami Stop and Back to Real Life

After Bears Club, I drove down to Miami for a quick meeting and brainstorm with Ben Moss, Director of the Compass Sports & Entertainment Division, then flew back home in time to spend the weekend with my family and clients.

It was one of those trips that felt like a full week packed into a few days. Busy, but the kind of busy that energizes you.

Why This Matters (Beyond the Golf)

Compass Cup was a perfect reminder of why I love what I do. This business is built on relationships. The best referrals don’t come from chasing people. They come from building genuine connection over time.

Events like this are the perfect blend of business development, community, and personal joy. And when you can wrap all of that into a few days that include Seminole, the Compass Cup, and Bears Club, it’s hard not to walk away grateful.

Huge credit again to Sarah West for the Seminole invitation, and to Jeremy Browne, Tom Hughes, and the Compass team for putting together an unforgettable event and raising serious money for an incredible cause.

And to everyone I spent time with on this trip, I’m already looking forward to the next one.