Episode 196: How I Built Ohoopee

Few places in golf have inspired as much intrigue—or imitation—as Ohoopee Match Club. For founder Michael Walrath, it was never about simply building an exclusive playground. It was a simple promise to keep his friends connected. In this wide-ranging conversation with host Casey Bannon, Walrath shares how a 20-page “manifesto” became one of the most talked-about clubs in the world. From zebras in Georgia to a Michelin-level restaurant, he reveals the ideas, risks, and small rebellions that shaped Ohoopee’s identity as one of the best experiences in golf. Along the way, Walrath reflects on his parallel life as a tech CEO, why he thinks golf clubs are bad investments, and how chasing timelessness—not trends—has become his life’s most rewarding project. The Golfer's Journal and this podcast are made possible by reader support. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider becoming a member here: The Golfer’s Journal Podcast is presented by Titleist.

You can listen to Episode 196: How I Built Ohoopee online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Episode 196: How I Built Ohoopee is an episode from The Golfers Journal Podcast by The Golfer's Journal.

This episode is 01:17:42 long.

This episode was published on Oct 23, 2025.

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