This week on Next on the Tee, I’m kicking things off with Courtney Weber, one of the stars of last year’s PGA Merchandise Show in my opnion. Courtney, works alongside our good friend Rob Strano at the Strano Golf Academy down in Destin, Florida. She took center stage last year at the PGA Show to talk about training and fitness, and she’s back on the show to share even more insights. As a Level 3 TPI-certified expert with additional certification from Golf Digest, she’ll guide us on how to improve our flexibility, build strength, and prepare our bodies to play our best golf. Her positivity comes shining through the speakers.

Then, we welcome back Champions Tour Pro Rob Labritz, one of the most positive and approachable guys in professional golf. Rob’s infectious energy and passion for the game make him a fan favorite, but last season came with challenges. After battling a back injury in the second half of the year, he narrowly missed keeping his Champions Tour card by just two spots and around $20,000. Despite the setback, Rob kept grinding, trying to make it into the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs. We’ll hear his reflections on last season, what he’s learned, and what’s next for him in 2025.

It’s an episode filled with inspiration, resilience, and expert advice—thank you for pressing play and let’s get to who’s Next on the Tee!

First up is Brandon Stooksbury, a 2-time Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year who is now excelling at Metairie Country Club in Louisiana. Brandon is a renowned short game expert and author of two must-read books, The Wedge Book: An Owner’s Manual for Your Short Game and The Putter Book: An Owner’s Manual for Your Green Game. He shares great tips and drills to help you chip, pitch, have better speed control with your putts, and improve your green reading.

We’ll round out the episode with Jason Carbone, the Head Golf Professional at Canterbury Golf Club in Ohio. Jason brings a wealth of experience from his time at legendary courses like Muirfield Village, Baltusrol, and Woodland Country Club. As a student of the great Jim McLean, Jason shares stories from his career, including working with Jack Nicklaus, competing at Firestone Country Club, and winning majors in the Northern Ohio PGA Section.

It’s an episode packed with expertise, inspiration, and actionable advice for golfers at every level!

We’re kicking off 2025 and Season 12 with a fantastic lineup on Next on the Tee! This week in Part 1, we start the new year in the best way possible—with our resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri and The Confidence Doctor, Dr. Bob Winters. Come back for Part 2 featuring 2 time Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year Brandon Stooksbury and the Head Golf Professional at Canterbury Golf Club in Beachwood, Ohio Jason Carbone.

In Part 1, TP shares his insights on the first PGA Tour event of the year in Hawaii, where Hideki Matsuyama put on a record-breaking performance, finishing at an astonishing 35 under par. With an incredible 88% greens-in-regulation and 1.56 putts per GIR, Matsuyama won in record-setting fashion shooting a PGA Tour 35 under par. Tom shares his thoughts on that plus we dive into the latest golf equipment hitting the market and discuss the one Tour player he’d love to have a crack at fixing.

Then, I welcome back The Confidence Doctor himself, Dr. Bob Winters, for our monthly deep dive into the mental side of the game. Dr. Bob takes us deep inside the mental game, to its core. Doc breaks down how our actions follow our thoughts and shares practical strategies to combat negativity and how to strengthen our mental approach.

It’s an episode packed with insight, strategy, and inspiration—so let’s get 2025 started the right way!

John is always a blast to talk to, and his stories from his playing days on Tour to his time as the Head Men’s Golf Coach at the University of North Carolina are nothing short of fantastic. We dive into the impact of the changes coming to NIL deals plus roster changes in college sports. Then we get into, all the PGA Tour’s newly approved adjustments to field sizes and the number of available Tour cards starting in 2026. I also get John’s thoughts on his brother Joe becoming an Advisor to the PGA Tour Policy Board. Several of Joe’s peers have told me he’d make a great Tour Commissioner, and while he once dismissed the idea as more hassle than it’s worth, perhaps he’s had a change of heart—I sure hope so. You can follow John on X/Twitter @audubonjohn62

To wrap up this season, I’ll be joined by my good friend Matthew Laurance for another of our always lively conversations. We touch on the same NIL and PGA Tour changes, discuss his thoughts on the TGL League, and share some incredible celebrity golf stories that are guaranteed to make you laugh—I know I did! Be sure to follow Matthew on X/Twitter @reallauro5 and stay tuned in March when his show, Backspin Golf, returns to WLXG.com, ESPN Radio in Lexington, Kentucky which you can stream online or on the WLXG app.

In this special season-ending episode of Next on the Tee, I’m joined by legendary sports documentary and movie Producer Ross Greenburg. With over 33 years at HBO Sports and countless award-winning documentaries to his name, Ross reflects on his incredible career, his passion for storytelling, and some of the most memorable sports moments in history.

We discuss:

• The state of professional boxing, from its golden days to the spectacle of modern matches like Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul.
• Behind-the-scenes insights from Miracle, the iconic film about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, and Herb Brooks’ genius for building a true team.
• The raw authenticity of Ross’s projects like When It Was A Game and Nine Innings from Ground Zero, which capture the heart of baseball and a nation.

Ross also shares his thoughts on the transformation of professional sports, the importance of preserving stories for future generations, and what drives him to keep uncovering the narratives behind the games we love. You’ll also get a hint about his upcoming project around the US Women’s Soccer Team who electrified us all by winning the 1999 World Cup.

This is an episode filled with nostalgia, insight, and inspiration – the perfect way to close out 2024 and Season 11.

Jim Gallagher Jr., shares his thoughts on all the recent chaos in the professional golf world. Jim, a member of three state Hall of Fames – Indiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi – reflects on his incredible career and reveals the secret to finding joy in the game.

Later, I round out the episode with a return visit from the legendary 1984 Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton. Scott hinted in our last conversation that he has some amazing golf stories, including playing alongside big-name celebrities – and he absolutely delivered! Known for his positivity and warmth, Scott shares these captivating stories and reminds us why he might just be the nicest person on the planet.

You won’t want to miss this engaging and uplifting episode!

First, I’m joined by Mike Malizia, a Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructor based at The Club at Admiral’s Cove in Jupiter, Florida. Known for being a haven for sports enthusiasts, Admiral’s Cove is an incredible facility—possibly one of the finest I’ve ever seen online. Mike talks about what makes the club so special and we dive into his expertise as an instructor. He shares invaluable tips on hitting straighter shots, squaring the clubface at the moment of impact, and eliminating those frustrating chunks and thin shots with our wedges.

Later in the show, I chat with Jonathan Sessa, an Army Veteran and Founder of the Warrior Golf Academy. Jonathan’s Academy is doing amazing work helping Veterans—especially those wounded in service—rediscover or learn the game of golf. Beyond that, the Academy offers a Caddie training program to help Vets find employment in golf and teaches them how to restore clubs, further enhancing their skill set.

Tune in for expert instruction, inspiring stories, and a celebration of the impact golf can have on lives.

First, I’ll be joined by Steve Shingledecker, Head Coach of the Robert Morris Men’s Golf Team. This marks the third time I’ve had the privilege of having Steve on the show. He’s doing an outstanding job building a strong program for the only Division 1 men’s golf team in the Pittsburgh area. (Yes, surprisingly, Pitt doesn’t have one!) Steve and I will discuss his young and promising team, which features standout player Chuck Tragesser, a name you might see on the PGA Tour in the future, along with a talented group of freshmen. We’ll also dive into the implications of the recent $2.78 billion settlement in the House vs. NCAA case and what it means for college athletics, both for roster spots and the player payment challenges it presents.

Later, I’ll be joined by Tom Wildenhaus, one of the most celebrated figures in the game. A former National PGA Professional of the Year and a two-time Florida Professional of the Year, Tom is also a member of the South Florida PGA Section Hall of Fame. For the past 30 years, he’s been the Director of Golf at Olde Florida Golf Club, one of the state’s premier private courses. Tom and I will discuss his approach to servant leadership, which I believe, has led those awards to finding him. We’ll also explore why Olde Florida thrives without amenities like tennis or pickleball courts or evening dining, yet still boasts an extensive waiting list to join. Could it be his leadership style…I think so.

It’s an episode packed with insight, inspiration, and a celebration of the people driving the game forward. Don’t miss this segment or Part 2 featuring Top 100 Instructor Mike Malizia and the Founder of the Warrior Golf Academy, Jonathan Sessa.

You can stay up-to-date with everything going on with the show on our site at  https://www.nextonthetee.net. You can follow me on social plus share your thoughts on Instagram and X at @ctmascaro.

In Part 2 of this week’s show, we’re diving into the holiday season with some fantastic gift ideas for the golfer who seems to have it all.

First, I’m joined by Ben Helmrath, VP of Merchandising for Hard Goods at the PGA Tour SuperStore. Ben shares insights into the booming in-home golf simulator market and their exciting partnership with Full Swing. We’ll also discuss the PGA Tour SuperStore’s role as the official retailer for the much-anticipated TGL League, spearheaded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, set to launch in January. Plus, Ben highlights their heartwarming initiative to “Give the Gift of Golf” to our military heroes.

Later, Gary DiSalvo, CEO of Popticals, returns to the show. As half of the dynamic duo behind what I consider the best sunglasses on the market, Gary talks about the innovative design of Popticals sunglasses. These lightweight, glare-reducing glasses not only help golfers read greens better but also prevent eye fatigue throughout the round. If you’re looking for the perfect gift to enhance your favorite golfer’s game, Popticals might just be it. Don’t forget to check out their website at Popticals.com while you tune in to hear Gary break down what makes these sunglasses a game-changer on and off the course.