Tree of Life

25 Jul

S11, Ep 37, Pt 1: Open Insights, Experiences, & Stories from Tom Patri & Mark Calcavecchia

published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, July 25th, 2024 – 12:02 pm

In Part 1 of Episode 37, I’m thrilled to be joined for the 100th time by Tom Patri, along with a special return visit from the 1989 Open Champion, Mark Calcavecchia.

Tom Patri and I kick things off by reflecting on last week’s Scottish Open and Robert MacIntyre’s impressive victory. We also discuss the ISCO Championship and the close call for Pierceson Coody, a rising star Tom has been touting. Tom shares his experiences playing at Royal Troon and offers a valuable putting lesson on how to get the ball rolling end over end instead of skidding for the first few feet.

Mark Calcavecchia returns to share memories from his triumph at the 1989 Open Championship, held at this year’s venue, Royal Troon. He discusses the challenges of the 123-yard 8th hole, famously known as The Postage Stamp, and recounts his long par save on the 11th hole, the slam dunk chip shot he made on the 12th that shifted his mindset, and what it felt like standing over a 7-footer on the final playoff hole with three putts to win. Mark also shares his prediction for who will be holding the Claret Jug this Sunday afternoon.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

25 Jul

S11, Ep 36, Pt 2: Self Taught +3 Handicap Jeremy Jean-Marie & All-Time Great Writer, Host, & Interviewer Damon Hack

published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, July 25th, 2024 – 10:35 am

In Part 2 of Episode 36, I am joined by Jeremy Jean-Marie, a self-taught +3 handicap, and Damon Hack, one of the most renowned writers, hosts, and interviewers in the world of golf.

Jeremy Jean-Marie started playing golf at the age of 20, and he embodies what practice and dedication can help you achieve. While it often takes many of us a decade to progress from being awful to just bad, Jeremy has become an elite player during that time. You’ll hear about his journey, his experiences in Minor League Golf tournaments, and his tips for how you can prepare for and hit better shots from tee to green.

Damon Hack is well-known for his years as a host on The Golf Channel. He has also written for Newsday, The New York Times, and Sports Illustrated. In this segment, Damon shares his recent experience interviewing players at the US Open, including thoughts on Bryson’s remarkable bunker shot on the 18th and Rory’s heartbreaking moments. We also discuss his views on the prolonged merger negotiations between the PIF and the PGA Tour, Keegan Bradley’s appointment as US Ryder Cup Captain, and Scottie’s historic run.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

24 Jul

S11, Ep 36, Pt 1: All-Army Golf Champion Jonathan Shuskey and One of the Stars of the Movie Playing Through Julie Rae

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, July 24th, 2024 – 9:34 am

In Part 1 of Episode 36, I am joined by Jonathan Shuskey, a 20-year Army veteran, three-time Fort Benning Club Champion, and 2013 All-Army Champion, as well as Julia Rae, an actress, singer, dancer, writer, and one of the stars of the movie “Playing Through.”

Jonathan Shuskey enlisted in the Army the week before 9/11. He shares his experience of sitting in the barber’s chair getting his hair shaved when the planes struck the Towers. We also discuss how his confidence secured him a spot in his first Army golf tournament, some of the excellent golf courses on military bases, his transition to playing college golf after retiring from the Army, and his excitement when Michigan won the National Championship. You can follow Jonathan on social media @j_shuskey1.

Julia Rae is not only a talented actress, singer, dancer, and writer, but she is also a Cystic Fibrosis activist and hero. Born with CF, Julia has battled this condition her entire life. She shares her story of how, late in her teens, her situation became life-threatening and how she managed to overcome it. Julia is one of the stars of the movie “Playing Through,” which tells the story of Ann Gregory, the Queen of African American women’s golf, who won hundreds of tournaments and broke the color barrier in women’s golf. Julia plays Babs Whatling, one of the main characters in the movie, delivering a performance that makes you root for her character almost as much as for Ann Gregory. Julia also hosts a wonderful podcast called “A Deeper Look,” available on most podcast platforms, where she shares her warm, genuine, and vulnerable self. You can follow Julia and her podcast on social media @itsjuliarae and @deeperlookpod.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

10 Jul

Podcast: Western Pennsylvania is experiencing a cultural, economic change

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 – 3:07 pm

Western Pennsylvania is experiencing a visual, cultural and economic change, and the Beechview neighborhood in Pittsburgh is at the heart of it.

From 2010 to 2020, Pittsburgh’s overall population saw a modest growth of less than 1%. In stark contrast, the Latino population in Pittsburgh experienced a staggering 80% increase.

Latin -American migrants from California, New York, and Florida are coming to Pennsylvania for the affordability and economic growth opportunity.

Pennsylvania’s Latino sub-economy is snowballing. It saw 18% growth from 2011 to 2021, with $36 billion in gross domestic income, representing 4.2% of the state’s gross domestic income.

According to a study from Arizona State University, the growing Latino work force is offsetting the losses from non-Latino workers in the state.

Pennsylvania’s economic growth averages 1.1% per year, while the Latino sub-economy saw averages of 6.2% growth in the same time frame.

Reporter Anna Mares and host Zac Gibson dive into her recent article, which cites the economic growth and cultural change in Western Pennsylvania in relationship to this changing demographic.

This is From the Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

06 Jul

Podcast: Potential nationwide scam hits Carrick event venue

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Saturday, July 6th, 2024 – 1:21 pm

 

A recent alleged concert booking scam has affected a venue in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood.

Audiovisual company Hearcorp owns the event venue and former church at 25 Carrick Ave.

Chief operations officer Brendan Elder recalled his conversation with Alex Bowen, who wanted to book a concert featuring orchestral renditions of Dr. Dre songs at the venue on April 20.

Bowen reached out as a representative of ARB Marketing company and said that he would like to book quickly to ensure the sale of tickets.

Elder says he reached out to Bowen and ARB multiple times to secure a deposit for the event, but never received any payment. He later received a mass email from Bowen stating that the company was to close down and file for bankruptcy.

Elder filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office after realizing he had fallen victim to a scam.

According to press secretary Brett Hambright, the office received at least five other complaints regarding the marketing company.

TribLive’s trending news reporter, Megan Swift, joins Zac Gibson to discuss the information that shows a national span of similar situations, and what Elder learned after fielding calls from the event’s ticket holders.

This is From the Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

03 Jul

S11, Ep 35, Pt 1: The Confidence Doctor, Dr. Bob Winters; the Founder of Golf Live, Keith Scioli; and our Resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024 – 4:45 pm

Dr. Bob makes his regular monthly appearance and discusses the importance of having a SOLID foundation for your game. What does SOLID stand for? He explains it as:

  • Single-minded
  • Optimistic
  • Letting go of score and expectations
  • Intentional and focused over each shot
  • Decisive and determined mindset

Dr. Bob also shares insights about a hidden gem course in Ocala, which he says may be the best in Florida.

Keith Scioli transitioned from being a Landman for Southwest Energy to creating the ultimate golf app, Golf Live. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, this app offers real-time live playing lessons with a PGA Professional, no matter where you or they are. Struggling on the range and wish you could get a live lesson right then? Now you can. Keith walks us through the app’s features, including the soon-to-be-added swing data integration, making it feel like you’re in a simulator with your coach, even if you’re just hitting into a net in your backyard.

Tom Patri is back, and this week we discuss more missed short putts on tour. At least this time, the player didn’t avoid the media and fans. Tom also explains why your handicap might be misleading if you play most of your rounds on the same course.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

02 Jul

S11, Ep 34, Pt 2: Western PA Golf Legend Bob Friend Jr., and 2x Winner on Tour David Peoples Join Me

published in category: Next on the Tee on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 – 5:15 pm

In Part 2 of Episode 34, I’m joined by Bob Friend Jr., the 1984 and 1985 Western Pennsylvania Amateur Champion and 1985 Pennsylvania State Champion, and David Peoples, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour.

Bob Friend Jr. is the son of Bob Friend, the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher who helped them win the 1960 World Series. Known among his former Tour peers as one of the all-time great grinders, Bob Jr. honed his game much like US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau, spending countless hours on the course and range. He won the 1991 Fort Wayne Open on the Korn Ferry Tour and finished 2nd in the 1998 Canadian Open. In this episode, Bob shares his insights on this year’s US Open, Rory McIlroy’s putting struggles, Bryson’s image transformation, Scottie Scheffler’s achievement of becoming the first player since Arnold Palmer in 1962 to have six wins before July 1st, and Paul Skenes’ impact on the Pirates.

David Peoples, who won twice on the PGA Tour, also joins the discussion. He expresses his surprise when Rory missed those short putts on holes 16 and 18 and shares his thoughts on Rory leaving the course without congratulating Bryson. David also reflects on his experiences playing in the 1993 and 2001 US Opens, explains why Fuzzy Zoeller was his favorite playing partner, reveals why he hates Pebble Beach, and describes what it was like seeing himself on a trading card for the first time.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

27 Jun

S11, Ep 34, Pt 1: In Part 1 of Episode 34 I’m joined by Top Instructor and Host of The Golf Kingdom TV show Rob Strano and PGA Tour Legend Bruce Devlin

published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, June 27th, 2024 – 11:34 am

In Part 1 of Episode 34 I’m joined by Top Instructor and Host of The Golf Kingdom TV show Rob Strano and PGA Tour Legend Bruce Devlin.

Rob Strano shares his reaction to the US Open and why the 5th and 15th holes were pivotal to the outcome. I also get his thoughts on LIV’s growing leverage in the merger discussions, and why even after winning 6 times so far this season, Scottie Scheffler’s accomplishments aren’t touted enough. Think about what it would be like if Tiger was winning at this rate.

Bruce Devlin won 8 times on the PGA Tour and had 5 Top 10s in the US Open. Bruce also shares his insights on this year’s tournament plus we go back to his Top 10 in the 1982 US Open after the media had written him off. We also look ahead to The Open at Royal Troon in July and look back at his win in the 1960 Australian Open as an Amateur.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 



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