Join The 1911 Group for an exclusive private luncheon and fireside discussion at the Dallas Country Club.
We are honored to host PGA Tour veteran and 2011 U.S. Amateur Champion Kelly Kraft, alongside Blake Walker, Founder and CEO of Arcis Golf. Together, they will lead a candid conversation on the intersection of elite competition and business innovation.
This session offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the business of golf from two distinct perspectives:
The Athlete’s Path: From the fairway to the boardroom, exploring the mindset required to compete at the highest level.
The Operator’s Approach: Scaling a billion-dollar enterprise and driving innovation within a traditional industry.
Michael Harris | Dean, Simmons School of Education & Human Development at SMU
Kelly Kraft | PGA TOUR Veteran | VP, Disruptive Kelly grew up in Denton, Texas, attended SMU on a golf scholarship, and went on to compete on the PGA Tour for over a decade after winning the 2011 U.S. Amateur Championship—defeating then-world-number-one Patrick Cantlay in the final. That title earned him starts at The Masters, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship, launching a career that included multiple top-two PGA Tour finishes on the world’s biggest stages. In 2025, Kraft stepped away from competitive golf to join Dallas-based technology investment firm Disruptive as Vice President of Strategic Business Development.
Blake Walker | Founder & CEO, Arcis Golf Blake launched Arcis Golf in 2013 with little more than an idea and the backing of Fortress Investment Group. Over the past decade, he has built Arcis into a billion-dollar enterprise operating more than 70 courses nationwide, pioneering a subscription-based membership model that is reshaping how golfers and clubs engage with the game. A former EY Entrepreneur of the Year winner and SMU Cox School of Business advisory board member, Walker is widely regarded as one of the most innovative executives in the golf industry.
Location: Dallas Country Club
Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Member Tickets: $60
Please Note: This event is exclusively for 1911 Group members. Seating is limited to ensure an intimate environment for discussion.
Member pricing is applied at checkout. Ensure you are signed in to your member portal to register.
Not a member? Apply here to register for this event.
