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Alex Elias  Could you share the story behind founding Good Boy Originals—what inspired it and how it came about? 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. I just turned 40 and still have cards from when I was 13 or 14. I 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 as a passion project to showcase the items I felt most connected to. I had no idea if anyone else would care, but they did immediately. I printed and framed a photo of a few matchbooks and sent it to a friend who had hosted me at their club as a thank-you. That was the moment it shifted from a hobby into an official side project. How do you see fine art and golf intersecting? To me, they are closely connected. Both are beautiful, subjective, frustrating, and addictive. The reason I’m 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, and we didn’t waste a second because we knew if a ranger came by, he would kick us out. The first lessons they taught us were proper etiquette and the importance of trying different shots—to be creative and have as much fun as possible. Art entered my life a little later and was heavily influenced by colleagues 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 he gave me a puzzled look. While we were reviewing the photo selects afterward, he said, “Yo, this is art.” How would you describe your passion, and what drives or motivates you to keep going? 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 impresses them. That reaction alone is all the motivation I need. I get genuinely excited when I’m wrapping up a finished piece, thinking about the emotions it will bring. I love the joy it creates. One reason I’ve always loved golf is the attention to detail—custom signs, signature drinks, unique tees, and other thoughtful touches that make each club special. What makes each project unique? Every project is unique. I included “Originals” in the name because I wanted people to instantly sense those qualities. When I frame something, it is always one-of-one. Even if it’s an existing design—say, a Bethpage matchbook—I never use the same paper, matting, or frame combination twice. On top of that, I personalize the recipient’s name on the back and include a handwritten note with every order. It is my way of ensuring the recipient is completely impressed. 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. Honestly, that’s the name of the game. I create pieces that spark joy, memories, and conversation. There’s no way I could manage a side project of this size if it weren’t fueled by pure passion. The energy, technique, and care I put into every piece, I hope, are evident each time someone receives a package stamped with Good Boy Originals. Many golfers purchase your work as gifts for holidays, Members/Guests, and other occasions. What does the support of the golf community mean to you? I am profoundly grateful for every single order. 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 serves as a bonus print. Whether an order is $70 or $7,000, I am thankful—especially since all marketing has been word-of-mouth. I have probably spent a total of $100 on marketing since I started in late 2017. My clientele has grown beyond golf, although golf still represents about 75% of my market. Each year, more non-golfers request custom work, which is exciting for Good Boy Originals. Golf remains the heart and soul of everything I do. Click HERE to order a print from Good Boy Originals.
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