Michael Rush
Hi I'm Michael 👋, a misfit, entrepreneur, professional golfer, technologist, creative developer and a massive movie nerd!Misfits often become narrative violators in business, artistic, athletic and creative realms because they do not really live in the present as they are thinking and living in the future. I know intimately how this can make for a challenging life in many ways as we all long to fit in and connect with others.While the creative journey is often lonely and painful I believe misfits have a paradoxically outsized impact on our world and I hope to do the same.
I am attracted to pursuits that call out something beyond our current abilities or understanding and competing in professional golf provides this for me. This ongoing pursuit challenges my mind and body and also serves as an amazing vehicle to spend intentional time with people of all walks of life from around the world. A number of the relationships I've been privileged to experience both personally and professionally have come through golf.I'm currently focusing my competition efforts towards an aim of gaining membership on the DP World Tour via it's developmental system. My best finish this season on Clutch Pro Tour is a top 10 in Surrey England. My lifetime career low is 62 and I hold two course records. I have also had many big numbers on the scorecard as well - golf is hard!Rush Pro Golf + SAAV (a ministry dedicated to serving others using 'Sports As A Vehicle') currently has an open fundraising round with partners signed up. Contact me for more information.
Personal Pursuit: Pro Golf
Serial Entrepreneur: Zero to one (& beyond) adventures
With deep expertise in first to market innovations, creative and technology development I have built several digital and IRL products and services that have reached millions of people and generated $20M+ in attributable revenue.I am always working on new exciting visions of my own as well as helping others bring theirs to life.What gets me excited about an idea or opportunity? It has to come from a strong WHY and sincerely aim to be a net positive on humanity in value and impact.
As founder and CEO for 10 years, SwingThought made a significant impact in the world of golf with millions of digital engagements each year and thousands of customers. The company's unique brand positioning, messaging and digital + IRL innovations were initially seen as unorthodox, but now many golf companies have adopted these methods to engage with customers and the market. SwingThought boasted one of the largest social media followings in all of golf to that point.Through SwingThought and the SwingThought TOUR, we introduced a number of game-changing concepts to the world of golf both digitally with FAST Entry, Choice Entry, custom leaderboards, CrowdSponsoring as well as in-real-life with live events for men and women across various playing abilities (like a CrossFit for golf). We delivered over 200+ events across 15+ states.SwingThought focused on democratizing the game and development rather than exclusivity. It's platform-based approach to professional golf tournaments set it apart from other tour organizations. This was proven even on the course with ST Pros making up over 50% of PGA TOUR fields and often the bulk of successful qualifiers each week into events.The company was originally created as a product and lifestyle brand with the goal of simplifying the game of golf with positive messaging on shirts, wristbands and more. It was fun, playful and one of a kind at the time when the game was still VERY PROPER AND STUFFY. After reaching thousands of customers this way, the company evolved into an experience platform that existed IRL as it operated golf events and digitally with its custom technology platform. This growth allowed SwingThought to reach a wider audience and make a greater impact in the world of golf.Unfortunately, SwingThought was forced to close down after the loss of its primary investor and lead partner to fast acting cancer. I invested everything I had emotionally and financially into the mission that served golfers, courses and organizations. This was meant to be a once a generation market re/making business and sometimes things work out differently than you plan no matter how irrationally committed you are. While it didn't end the way I had planned I am proud of an amazing team for their grit and passion and find comfort in the fact that we had a net positive effect on tens of thousands of customers and hundreds of course and local partners and the sport as a whole.
Disrupted & Democratized Golf
Brand Identity
Assisted NEXT DECADE, now a publicly traded company, with its brand identity and more in it's earliest days as a startup.
E-commerce & Lifestyle
When e-commerce was still in its infancy, I successfully developed and launched a product line and lifestyle brand with the product line being sold online orders and in hundreds of retail stores.
As a student and when social networking was still in its early days (and before many golf courses had functional websites), I saw the potential to connect golfers, courses, and businesses through the creation of golfinteract.com. Golf Interact was started by myself and two founding investors. We built a custom niche social platform offering targeted advertising for B2B partners, simplified search and social tools for users. As a result, golfinteract.com became a pioneering platform in the world of golf.
Early To Social Networking
Personal Passion: Movies
Since I was a young kid I have been WOWED by movies and the movie going experience.As my favorite director, Christopher Nolan, says "movies are shared community experiences and yet interpreted subjectively".I believe movies are perhaps the most impactful invention on culture to date. They also show us what is in store for the future... Inventing and showcasing ideas, tools and experiences that don't yet "exist" in our culture. For example, in Mission Impossible 1 (1996) the IMF spies are using watches that allow them to communicate during missions and record video through their eye glasses. 30 years later this is our everyday experience... And most of us are not spies on a covert mission! So what came first... Art or life!?I hope to get involved in the creative process of film making and exhibition one day."The dream is real"
My Mission In Life
As a flawed human who believes in the underserved gift of Grace, I am called to love others as Christ loves us.This world is increasingly tribal despite the fact we are all a part of THE TRIBE of humanity so whatever differences we may share my mission and responsibility remains the same - to love as Christ loves us.John 3:30
Contact
AI robot: "It's not possible."
Cooper (human pilot): "No. It's necessary."
- Interstellar, written and directed by Christopher & Jonathan Nolan