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You might not expect to find East Stroudsburg University gear in Southern California. But for Dustin Ghaul ’11, it’s more than a sweatshirt. It’s a signal.
A signal that even after 14 years, two kids, and a growing business on the West Coast, the values he learned at ESU still travel with him.
After graduating with degrees in Elementary and Special Education, Dustin and his then-girlfriend, Colleen Ruddy ’11, packed up their car and drove across the country. “No jobs lined up,” he said. “Just a dream and excitement.” That leap of faith led them to Huntington Beach, where they still live today. Now, they’re raising a family and running a lifestyle golf brand that’s been seen on everyone from Jake Elliott and Nick Swisher to Zac Efron and David Spade.
Palm Golf Co. is changing the way people see the game.
“We wanted to make golf more approachable. Less serious. It should be fun,” Dustin said.
Palm Golf started with expressive gloves that brought personality to a traditionally buttoned-up sport. Today, it’s a full lifestyle brand blending golf, fashion, and streetwear.
Palm isn’t just about looking good on the course. It’s also about doing good off of it.
The company released a St. Jude collection featuring a glove, hat, and towel, with 100% of profits going directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and is now in talks to launch a similar campaign with the American Cancer Society. That mission to give back isn’t something Dustin adopted when Palm took off. It’s something that’s always been there.
And it started back at ESU.
While studying education, Dustin built more than a résumé. He built relationships. “I still hang out with all my friends from college on a frequent basis,” he said. “We still wear ESU gear often out here.” The bonds he formed at ESU gave him a support system that carried beyond campus. The Warrior spirit shaped how he approaches leadership, branding, and community.
Even though his career veered away from the classroom, Dustin says the mindset he developed at ESU gave him the confidence to explore new possibilities and take ownership of his ideas.
“ESU gave me a foundation. It’s where I started figuring out who I was.”
Palm Golf Co. may be headquartered in Huntington Beach, but its roots are grounded in East Stroudsburg. Its vision reflects the kind of impact Warriors carry with them long after they graduate.
To learn more about Dustin’s work, visit the Palm Golf Co. website .
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