It began as a pandemic-proof way to promote beer. Now, the Amateur Golf Society, based in Radnor, is on a mission to grow the region’s golf community, writes John George for Philadelphia Business Journal.

COVID-19 shut down bars and restaurants, and Dan Hershberg needed to find another way to promote beer that was being made at the Workhorse Brewing Co. in King of Prussia, which he co-founded.

Golf was relatively safe and popular during the pandemic, so Hershberg started offering tournaments for beer-drinking golfers.   

The tournaments grew to 450 members, so Hershberg decided to expand with the Amateur Golf Society and the AGS 2023 Tour.

The Society’s 650 members can play competitive golf on their own time at more than 60 public courses in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

“This gives you an outlet to be competitive regardless of your skill level,” Hershberg said.  

Members access an app to guarantee spots for upcoming events, connect with other players, and track the tournament leaderboards.

To fund his golf mission, he raised $2.7 million in equity financing led by Meridian Venture Partners, also in Radnor. 

Read more about the Amateur Golf Society and Hershberg’s future golfing plans in the Philadelphia Business Journal.