Mike Pelliccione

Golf wasn't always my North Star. Growing up in suburban Pittsburgh, world-class courses and international travel seemed as distant as the Melbourne Sandbelt I'd later come to love. But sometimes, life's greatest passions find you in unexpected moments.

For me, that moment came at the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion. I went as a general sports enthusiast, leveraging family roots in Philadelphia to watch what I thought would be just another sporting event. Instead, I witnessed something that would change the trajectory of my life. That week ignited a flame that still burns bright today – what started as casual curiosity evolved into an all-consuming passion.

Soon, my weekends revolved around discovering every course possible in the Philadelphia / Metropolitan area. But local exploration wasn't enough to satisfy my growing appetite for the game. When a family vacation in 2015 to North Carolina presented itself, I convinced my best friend to join me on a side quest to Pinehurst. That first golf trip opened my eyes to a world of possibilities I never knew existed.

That first trip to Pinehurst in 2015 sparked something bigger than I could have imagined. Soon my golf passport began filling up - first exploring the hidden gems across America, then venturing across the globe, from the ancient links of Scotland to the time honored traditions in Japan. Through golf, I've explored corners of the world I never imagined visiting, and earned the privilege of evaluating courses for publications like Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine. While completing 100 of America's Top 100 courses (and 95 of the World's Top 100) has been incredibly fulfilling, it's the relationships forged along the way that truly define my journey.

I often say I travel the world through fairways and greens. Yes, it's a bit cheesy, but it captures the essence of what golf means to me. This game has introduced me to hundreds of remarkable people, each sharing their own unique connection to golf. These shared experiences, these stories that we reminisce about years later – this is what makes golf truly special.

It's this belief in golf's power to create lasting connections that inspired Red Stag Travel Co. While playing the world's greatest courses is incredible, my journey has come full circle - from dreaming about these adventures to now making them possible for others. Through Red Stag, I'm sharing the knowledge and expertise I've gained to help others create their own unforgettable golf memories. After all, the game truly is better shared.

Travel Resume:

  • Golf Digest Rater (2017-2020)

  • Golf Magazine Panelist (2020-Present)

    • 2020, 2022 US Top 100 (100 of 100 completed)

    • 2023 World Top 100 (96 of 100 completed)

Golf Other: