📝 Editor’s Note | Rob Belk
Imagine walking onto an elevated stage. The DJ’s music starts getting louder. In front of you is a green mat and a single golf ball. 125 yards away stands a flagstick. To your left, hundreds of spectators. To your right, a parking lot filled with vulnerable windshields. Sink the ball in one swing, win $100,000.
I'm definitely not walking off $100K richer; more likely poorer after funding someone's new windshield.
This past weekend, a local group hosted The First Tee of Central Carolina’s Race to Ace. While unfortunately no one claimed the grand prize (my buddy Ryon Plummer got close), many left having a great time with family and learning more about the important work of the First Tee.
The First Tee is a nonprofit dedicated to making golf accessible while also developing life skills. I was genuinely impressed watching young golfers from diverse backgrounds brave the pressure with a shot that most adults, myself included, would find terrifying.
And yes, my former Call of Duty esports co-workers will certainly spot some... familiar inspirations in the format…
Without further ado….
Why Rob?
I first met Rob in college. He was two years older and a well-known guy around Charlottesville. The ultimate Hype Man. His nickname was (is) Champ. With his personality, he could or maybe should have a second career as a WWE wrestler. For now, he’s impressed with his vision to start River City Roll several years ago and his latest ventures in F&B and in tech with the Surf Dating App.
Self-Description
Lily and Bobby's dad. World's worst banking analyst turned serial entrepreneur. ADHD and dyslexic.
Rob’s 6 Recommendations
Written in his own words…
1. Foreign Rider | Solace Track Suit ($120+)
Foreign Rider - awesome Canadian clothing brand from Ralph Dunning (founder of Dunning Golf)..I live in the solace track suit - great for travel, lounging at home or Sunday errands with the fam…
2. Mustard Golf App
I got into golf later in life and have become obsessed, especially with practicing. Mustard makes practicing so much more efficient. You upload a video of your swing and then they analyze and give you a practice plan that you can work on almost anywhere. Justin Rose is one of the founders. The practice plan is custom tailored to you and WAY cheaper than paying for in person lessons. Once you complete a "section" you upload another swing video and get a new plan...it's awesome! PS - for baseball dads they have a version for pitching that is done with Clayton Kershaw.
3. Protekt ($18)
Protekt - sleep & immunity liquid supplements. I stock both at the house and use the sleep nightly , great results and no groggy feeling in the morning. My kids are in daycare and I feel like they are always sick, so whenever I feel like they are getting sick I start using the immunity, for the most part it has done a good job of helping me fight off whatever they are bringing home...
4. Imprint
As mentioned above, I am dyslexic and very ADD, so reading has never been a favorite of mine. Recently, a friend told me about Imprint, and it's been an incredible tool for me to learn things I would normally need to read a book for. “Lessons” are covered in a very easy-to-digest visual format, and they are quick…Imprint covers a wide variety of topics from health & wellness to finance!
5. Handley Watches | The Terrier ($225)
I got The Terrier for Christmas and it's fantastic! Handley offers approachable price points, fun color options and their rubber straps make them super versatile for travel, golf, day to day life with kids etc…
6. 49 Winchester
Alt-Country band hailing from VA. "This is Chris Stapleton, Aretha Franklin level shit," per Saving Country Music. Couple favorites: Last Call & Make It Count
Plug | Surf Dating App
Tell all your single friends that they no longer have to swipe aimlessly for hours trying to find a match! On Surf all users are shown in a grid format and totally bot free. Think Zillow for dating. Users can sort and filter the grid for things that are meaningful to them and then make a productive "first move" based on common interests. For example, you can filter the grid for pickleball and wine, then your first message to someone could be "would you like to go to the park and play pickleball then get a glass of wine after." No algorithms telling you who you should match with, putting you totally in control.
Want to get in touch with Rob? “Shoot me a note at rob@surfdatingapp.com !”
P.S. from Rambull — This week’s “PS” comes from my mom. She has two pugs and six grandkids, all boys, all under 5. Well, all boys until later this summer...She recently bought this couch cover for $29 for her couches. The feature she likes best is the anti-slip hold (and that it is washable!). I’m buying one for our green couch that has started to look brown.
