Not every corporate golf day comes with a two-time major champion on the tee sheet. On Monday, November 2, I had the privilege of photographing the Capital Dynamics investor meeting and golf tournament at Weston Hills Country Club, where John Daly joined investors, guests and a group of South Florida first responders for a full day of business, golf and celebration.
From the first cup of coffee to the last toast at the 19th Hole, my job was simple to say and demanding to deliver: capture the day, and make sure every single guest went home with a photo next to John Daly.
The Morning: Business Before the First Tee
The day opened with a welcome from Capital Dynamics CEO Martin Hahn, followed by a private equity market update and a run of fund updates from the firm’s investment team. For a photographer, these sessions are about more than podium shots. I’m watching for the moments in between: a speaker making a point with their hands, an investor leaning in, a quiet conversation over coffee during the break.
The morning closed with guest speaker Mike Enright, CEO of National Safety Apparel, a fitting voice for a day that honored the people who wear protective gear for a living. Then it was out to the range for warm-ups and custom FootJoy shoe fittings, which made for some fun, candid detail shots before the real golf began.
On the Course with John Daly
The scramble teed off at 12:15 with box lunches on the carts, and play ran through the afternoon. John Daly needs no introduction to golf fans, and he was every bit the crowd favorite you’d expect.
What made this field special was who was in it. Police officers, firefighters and other first responders played alongside investors and guests. Watching a firefighter line up a putt while a two-time major champion offers a read is the kind of scene you don’t get to photograph every day.
My priority all afternoon was making sure every group got its photo with John. That takes planning: knowing where he’ll be, staging groups quickly, and keeping the pace of play moving so nobody’s round gets held up.
Cocktails Behind the 18th Green
The day wrapped with a cocktail reception behind the 18th green and the tournament awards. With the late-afternoon light coming across the course, it was the perfect setting for winners’ photos, team shots and the relaxed, real smiles that only show up once the scorecards are signed.
This was also my last pass to catch anyone who hadn’t yet gotten their photo with John. By the end of the reception, every guest had one.
Behind the Lens
A corporate golf day is really three shoots in one: a conference, a sporting event and a party. Each calls for a different approach, and the light changes from a ballroom to midday sun to golden hour in the span of a few hours.
After 23 years behind the camera, I’ve learned that the client’s top priority shapes the whole plan. Here it was clear from the start: no guest leaves without a photo with John Daly. Galleries from the groups and the awards reception were delivered to the Capital Dynamics team the day after the event.
Planning Your Next Corporate Event?
Thank you to Matt Burke and the entire Capital Dynamics team for trusting Vision Studios Photography with such a memorable day, and to every first responder who came out to play.
If you’re planning an investor meeting, charity tournament or corporate outing, I’d love to help you capture it. See more of my work in the events gallery, or call 954-699-8600 to talk about your event.
