Chipping Champs
Behind the Scenes of Chipping Champs Challenge: Episode 1 with Martin Karafilis
In the first episode of Chipping Champs Challenge, The Golfer Network founder Steve Fanale takes on entrepreneur Martin Karafilis in a head-to-head showdown on the practice green. But it’s more than just chips and banter—Martin shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey, the lessons he’s learned building businesses, and how his next big move ties into his passion for golf.
Building Chipping Champs: The Vision
The idea behind the Chipping Champs Challenge was simple: create a fun, competitive series that goes beyond pure golf skills. The goal was to showcase great personalities, foster conversations about life beyond golf, and create content that real golfers can connect with. Every match is framed around the classic Jack Attack format from bowls—simple, quick, and packed with pressure moments.
We didn’t want highly scripted content. We enjoyed laughs, a few rogue shots, real competition, and genuine stories. And that’s precisely what we got filming Episode 1.
Meet Martin Karafilis
For those unfamiliar, Martin Karafilis is a well-known figure in Australian entrepreneurship circles. With a track record of building and advising startups, Martin has worked across various sectors, including fintech, technology, and more recently, ventures connected to sports and community engagement.
Beyond business, Martin has a deep love for golf. It’s the perfect fit—the patience, strategy, and resilience required on the course mirror the qualities needed to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. In Episode 1, Martin opens up about the parallels between golf and building businesses, his latest projects, and why golf has always been a grounding force for him.
Filming the First Episode: Grit, Laughter, and a Few Miss-Hits
Sneak peek at some round 1 action
When Steve and Martin met on the practice green, there was an immediate sense of competitive camaraderie. The “Chipping Champs” format brought the heat early. Six balls, the shots closest to the pin win the points. Lose the hole, regroup fast. It’s fast-paced but strategic — just like golf, and just like startup life.
Both players had their moments of brilliance—and a few clunky misfires. But what stood out wasn’t just the golf. It was the conversation flowing between shots: the importance of resilience, the mistakes that fuel growth, and the reminder that golf, like business, is a game of managing your misses just as much as your wins.
And the banter? Top-shelf. Watching two passionate golfers needle each other while diving into bigger topics was exactly the energy we hoped the series would capture.
Why Chipping Champs Matters
At The Golfer Network, we believe golf is more than scores—it’s about connection, community, and character. Chipping Champs Challenge gives a glimpse into that world. It’s about seeing what happens when the pressure’s on (and when the chip shots are flying), but it’s also about hearing the stories behind the people swinging the clubs.
Episode 1 is just the beginning. More personalities. More competition. More stories that blend golf, life, and everything in between.
Watch It Now
Want to see who came out on top between Steve and Martin?
👉 Watch the First Episode of Chipping Champs Challenge here!
(And make sure you subscribe to The Golfer Network YouTube channel—plenty more episodes are on the way.)
Take on the challenge
Want to be featured on Chipping Champs Challenge? Please send us an email to CCC@thegolfernetwork.com with a brief description of why you’d be an interesting guest and if you think you can take out the Chipping Champs Challenge.
