Senior Vice President, Head of Real Estate & AGC Strategy
Paul Ballam
Senior Vice President, Head of Real Estate & AGC Strategy
Paul has been a member of American Golf’s executive committee since 2014 and has led American Golf’s national business development efforts since 2007.
In addition to his extensive involvement in numerous golf facility purchase and sale transactions, he has extensive experience negotiating and implementing golf facility leases and management agreements. Throughout his more than 20-year career with American Golf, Paul has held senior golf operations positions and has been integral to the Company’s efforts in partnering with golf course owners including numerous municipalities to provide capital improvements and professional golf management services to their constituents. Prior to joining American Golf, Paul held various management and operations positions at a wide variety of golf facilities including a municipally owned course, member-owned private clubs, and a major golf resort.
Paul earned his B.A. in History from Brandeis University where he was a co-captain of the school’s golf team
Vice President of Business Development
Scott Scozzola
Vice President of Business Development
Scott Scozzola is a seasoned golf industry executive with over 25 years of experience in golf operations, management, and ownership. Throughout his career, Scott has served in leadership roles as both General Manager and Owner, combining entrepreneurial insight with operational discipline. For 17 years, he led SS Golf Inc., a company that leased and operated an 18-hole golf property in Southern California.
In 2018, Scott joined American Golf Corporation as the General Manager of Brookside Golf Club at the Rose Bowl, where he led one of Southern California’s most iconic public golf facilities. During his tenure, he successfully enhanced operational performance, built a strong team culture, and positioned the property as a hub for large-scale community and corporate events.
Now serving as Vice President of Business Development for American Golf, Scott leads strategic growth initiatives through high-impact partnerships and large-scale event activations. His work continues to expand the company’s presence in both the golf and broader hospitality sectors, showcasing his ability to drive revenue, strengthen brand relationships, and scale complex operations.
Scott is widely respected for his ability to build high-performing teams and lead cross-functional collaboration across sales, marketing, operations, and food & beverage. His leadership style emphasizes alignment, accountability, and innovation—consistently delivering results across diverse business environments.
He holds bachelor’s degrees in finance and marketing from New Mexico State University, where he also completed the university’s Professional Golf Management Program. A member of the PGA of America for over 25 years, Scott continues to be recognized as a trusted leader in the golf and hospitality industries.
Regional Director of Business Development
Ben Baldwin
Regional Director of Business Development
Ben Baldwin brings more than 25 years of experience in the golf industry, spanning operations, instruction, leadership, and business development. He has built a strong reputation for helping golf facilities grow through innovative marketing strategies, effective brand positioning, and practical technology solutions.
As Regional Director of Business Development at American Golf, Ben leads strategic growth initiatives by partnering with golf course owners and operators nationwide. He focuses on identifying opportunities that align with American Golf’s mission to deliver creative, flexible, and client-focused golf management services. His work centers on expanding market reach, strengthening relationships, and driving measurable results across all areas of the business.
Beyond his professional role, Ben is an active leader within the PGA of America at both the national and section levels. He has served on numerous committees and currently sits on the Southwest Section PGA Board of Directors. His leadership has included chairperson roles in the Advocacy, Communications, and Tournament Committees. He is also actively involved with the Arizona Alliance for Golf.
Ben earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from New Mexico State University where he also completed the Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program. A PGA Member for nearly 20 years, he is widely respected for his leadership, professionalism, and commitment to the game.
Based in the Phoenix, Arizona area, Ben enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters. Outside of work and competition, he follows college and professional sports, loves to travel, enjoys live music, and attending comedy shows.
Regional Director of Business Development
Thomas Fowler, PGA
Regional Director of Business Development
As Regional Director of Business Development at American Golf, Thomas Fowler brings a forward-looking, strategic approach to identifying and shaping growth opportunities that align with the organization’s mission to deliver creative, flexible, and client-focused management solutions. He is known for translating market insight into action—expanding geographic reach, cultivating enduring partnerships, and structuring value-driven outcomes that benefit owners, clients, and communities alike.
Thomas has built his career at the intersection of operations, development, and strategy. Most recently, he served as Director of Business Development for a leading manager and developer of private, public, and resort clubs across the United States. Earlier leadership roles as General Manager and Head Golf Professional provided him with firsthand operational insight, grounding his business development philosophy in practical execution, financial discipline, and customer-centric excellence.
Throughout his career, Fowler has played a pivotal role in elevating golf operations nationwide, including impactful tenures with Invited and Marriott Golf. His background also includes business development roles in the technology and consumer data sectors, equipping him with a data-informed mindset and a refined ability to design, launch, and scale new business initiatives with measurable results.
A graduate of Mississippi State University, Thomas earned a BBA with a concentration in PGA Golf Management. He is a PGA Certified Professional in General Management and remains actively engaged in industry leadership, including past board service with the Southern California PGA Desert Chapter—reflecting his commitment to advancing the profession and shaping its future.
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Thomas values time with his wife, son, and daughter. Outside of work, he can be found supporting Atlanta sports teams, working in the yard, and appreciating the balance that fuels both personal fulfillment and professional perspective.
Regional Director of Business Development
Ryan Holt
Regional Director of Business Development
Ryan Holt brings more than 20 years of experience in the golf industry, with a diverse background spanning operations, project management, sales leadership, and business development. He has built a strong track record of driving growth, forging strategic partnerships, and delivering innovative solutions that enhance golf facility performance and the overall golfer experience.
Prior to joining American Golf, Ryan held key roles with leading companies in the golf and golf technology space, including TaylorMade Golf, Full Swing Simulators, and Toptracer Range. His experience across these organizations gave him a distinctive perspective on integrating technology, enhancing player engagement, and driving revenue growth — skills that are increasingly essential in today’s rapidly evolving golf management landscape.
As Regional Director of Business Development at American Golf, Ryan focuses on expanding the company’s portfolio of managed and leased golf facilities by partnering with golf course owners and operators across the country. He works closely with ownership groups and stakeholders to identify opportunities that align with American Golf’s flexible, client-focused golf course management approach — helping facilities maximize value and achieve long-term success.
Ryan studied Communications at California State University, Long Beach and is based in the San Diego, California area. Outside of work, he can often be found on the golf course, coaching his son’s baseball team, surfing, or catching a live sporting event with his wife and three children.
