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The Shivas Iron Society

The Shivas Irons Society


LAURA CURTIS

Chairperson

I love a good quote and the following touch on what I think is special about the game of golf: 

“Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots–but you have you have to play the ball where it lies.” -Bobby Jones

Keep your sense of humor. There’s enough stress in the rest of your life not to let bad shots ruin a game your supposed to enjoy.” -Dr. Bob Rotella

To find a man's true character, play golf.” -P.G. Wodehouse

And finally,…

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing!” -Anonymous

There’s irony in that last quote. Growing up in California, I was introduced to the game early on by my dear dad, but only started playing concertedly as a mature adult living in New York, and now London, where the weather isn’t as cooperative as I’d like! 

For me, the lure of golf isn’t just the love of the game, but instead playing the game with people that I love.

On a break from corporate life (the majority of my time is spent in global financial services marketing and operations), and hoping to improve my game, I serendipitously learned about the Shivas Irons Society. Intrigued that ‘it’s not about golf education, but education through golf’ (stealing a line from Fred Shoemaker), I was fortunate enough to be invited to join the Board and I’m looking forward to ‘uncommon conversations’ with other Society members.

TODD ROHRER

Director and Chief Executive Philosopher

Golf found me in my thirties.  It was the 1990’s, and I’d quit the real world to take “any job” in golf… probably because my wife hoped it would make…

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JOHN FRANCIS

Treasurer


I started playing golf in high school then left it behind for about 30 years when its magic pulled me in on a driving range in Virginia. Fast forward to 25 years later when I picked it up again with my wife.


BEN KLINE

President


When I was a teenager I played golf a handful of times with a father who was passionate about the game, but I didn't get it. On the course with dad,…


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LUKE BROSTERHOUS

Director


RICK THAU

Director


As a workaholic from Silicon Valley, I didn’t start to play golf until well into my 40's. Starting younger would have been easier, but this road to discovery might not have been so rich. Golf is now an important part of my life and social connection. Shivas Irons brings out the intellectual and enhanced consciousness inherent to the joy of the game we love. 


DAVE BUCKINGHAM

Director


When I was eight, my brother Mike and I created a very small three-hole layout in our yard and used a baseball bat and ball as our method of...

JOSEPH PARENT

Director


Dr. Joe Parent has coached Performance Psychology with golfers and other athletes, as well as actors, artists, and business professionals, for over…

JOHN WILLIAMS

Director


I studied Religion at Colorado College and in 2021, completed a Master’s degree in Business Management at the University of St. Andrews. I resisted the game of golf for most of my life. It never clicked for me the way other sports did. I had to come to it in my own way, on my own time.  That said, there are three people who continue to influence my approach to golf and life. The first is my Dad. He taught me to play fast and enjoy the walk. He has always encouraged me to discover the game for myself, rather than apply someone else’s model. He also reminds me to be accountable - to the standard I set for myself, to the other people around me, and to the grounds I am privileged enough to play on.

The second influence is Fred Shoemaker. I attended Extraordinary Golf with Fred in 2017. He changed my game without ever giving me any swing tips or mechanical instruction. Fred created space for me to be present without judgment, to confront my blind spots, and to realize my potential. He helped me embrace the game of golf as a lifelong practice of mastery.

The third influence is Michael Murphy, and through him Shivas Irons. Shivas remains, in many ways, the guru I am searching for in my own life. His vision and mastery, as well as his humanity and eccentricity, remind me of why I play golf. Because I see it as a genuine yoga, as an opportunity to join my deepest self and expand my sense of what’s possible. All life is yoga. All golf is yoga. There are endless ways to turn an impulse into an exercise. Imagine, practice, start again. On it goes.


ADVISORY BOARD

Thank you to all of the Advisory Board members from 1992 - Present!


The Shivas Irons Society is a 501(C)3 nonprofit corporation
PO Box 222339 Carmel, CA 93922 | 831.216.6252
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