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Alex Elias  Could you share the story behind founding Good Boy Originals—what inspired it and how it came about? It's funny because I'm what you might call the opposite of a hoarder—I literally throw out everything and despise clutter. But when it comes to matchbooks and golf items like pencils, scorecards, and tees, I’ve always saved them for some reason. I just turned 40, and I still have cards from when I was 13 or 14. I kind of blame my Dad for that. We used to go through the dozens of early '70s Bethpage Black scorecards he stashed in his drawer, which fascinated me. I started Good Boy Originals purely as a passion project to showcase the items I felt so connected to. I had no idea if anyone else would care, but they did—immediately. Then I printed and framed a photo of a few matchbooks and sent it to a friend who hosted me at their club as a thank-you. That’s when it shifted from a hobby into an official side hustle. How do you see fine art and golf intersecting? Do you notice similarities in how both allow for creativity, and is that part of why you’re drawn to them? They're completely connected in my mind. Both are beautiful, subjective, frustrating, and addictive. The reason I’m so drawn to both is because of the people who influenced me. My Dad and uncle taught my brother and me to golf by hopping the fence to a local public course when we were about 12. There was something rebellious about that, which I loved, and we didn’t waste a second out there because we knew if a ranger came by, he’d kick us out. The first two things they taught us were proper etiquette and not being afraid to try different shots. Be creative and have as much fun as possible. Art entered the picture a little later and was heavily influenced by people I worked with professionally. One of the first things I shot was a copy of Golf Dreams (Top 25 course pencils in the U.S.). I remember telling my colleague Chris at the time that I wanted to do it and getting a puzzled look. While we were going through the photo selects afterward, he goes, “Yo, this is art.” How would you describe your passion, and what drives or motivates you to keep going? Above all, my top passions—and values—are relationship-driven and rooted in hospitality. From a business perspective, what motivates me most is exceeding expectations: providing someone with something so unexpected and thoughtful that it genuinely blows them away. That reaction alone is all the motivation I need. I get genuinely giddy when I’m wrapping up a finished piece, thinking about the emotions it will bring someone. I love the joy it creates. One of the reasons I’ve always loved golf is the attention to detail—the signature drinks, custom signs, unique tees, and all the thoughtful touches that make each club special. Since you capture that so well, how would you describe what makes each course or project unique? Well, objectively, each project is always unique. I put “Originals” in the name because I wanted people to instantly feel all those things you mentioned. When I frame something, it’s a one-of-one. Even if it’s an existing design—say, a Bethpage matchbook—I’ll never use the same paper, matting, or frame combination twice. On top of that, I always personalize the recipient’s name on the back and include a handwritten note with every order. It’s just my way of making sure the recipient is completely blown away. I now have several of your prints, and I value them not just for their detail, but because each one brings back memories of a specific round with family or friends. What does it mean to you to know your work can capture those moments—and, in some cases, a once-in-a-lifetime day? Honestly, that’s the name of the game, baby. I create pieces that spark joy, memories, and conversations. There’s no way I could handle a side hustle of this magnitude if it weren’t based on pure passion. The energy, technique, and sheer love I pour into every piece is, I hope, evident every time someone receives a package stamped with Good Boy Originals. Many golfers purchase your work as gifts for holidays, Members/Guests, and more. What does the support of the golf community mean to you? Honestly, the gratitude I feel for every single order can’t be overstated. That’s why I’ve never shipped anything—whether an 8x10 print or a 40x60 framed piece—without including a handwritten thank-you card, which also doubles as a bonus print. Whether an order is $70 or $7,000, I’m beyond grateful—especially since it’s all word-of-mouth marketing. I’ve probably spent a total of $100 on marketing since I started in late 2017. The beauty is that my clientele has expanded well beyond just golf. I’d say golf still makes up about 75% of my overall market, but each year more non-golfers are requesting custom work, which is exciting for the growth of Good Boy. Don’t get it twisted, though—golf is still the heart and soul of everything I do. Click HERE to order a print from Good Boy Originals.
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