Tree of Life

24 Apr

S11, Ep 25 Pt 1: Tom Patri and Larry Rinker

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 – 6:21 pm

TP and I talk about the history unfolding in front of all of us from Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda. He shares his thoughts on why in the world Victor Hovland went from winning the Tour Championship to making swing and coach changes. We also get into the unprecedented amount of money that Scheffler’s Caddie, Ted Scott is making. It’s about to be more in the last few months than Arnold Palmer made playing golf in his career.

Larry Rinker played his college golf at the University of Florida and was the medalist at the 1978 SEC Championship. He is now one of the top Instructors in our game. Larry played in a couple of Masters Tournaments and we talk about his first experience back in 1983. He played a practice round with Payne Stewart and Scott Hoch and the Par 3 Tournament with Gary Player and Gay Brewer. We get both of those stories plus what it was like playing in the final group at the 1984 Heritage Classic with Nick Faldo, when Faldo got his first PGA Tour victory. Check him out online at www.larryrinker.com.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

24 Apr

What Summer Lee’s win over Bhavini Patel in Democratic primary means for the general election

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 – 1:04 pm

In this episode, a look at the aftermath of the high stakes Pennsylvania District 12 congressional contest between Democrats, Bhavini Patel and incumbent Summer Lee.

Political reporter Ryan Deto joins Zac Gibson again to dissect the primary results and provide some insight into the profiles of these candidates. They discuss what may have decided this race and take a glimpse at what the general election contest could look like.

This is From the Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

20 Apr

S11, Ep 24 Pt 2: Talking Masters, Scottie, Aberg, Tiger, Valhalla, & Pinehurst #2 with Hal Sutton & Frank Nobilo

published in category: Next on the Tee on Saturday, April 20th, 2024 – 4:06 pm

In Part 2 of this week’s show, I’m joined by 1983 PGA Champion and 2-time Players Champion Hal Sutton and former PGA Tour Player who is now one of the all-time great Golf Analysts, Frank Nobilo.

Hal has designed a new course outside of Houston, Texas called Darmor. It is sure to be named the Top New Private Course of 2024/2025. We start off getting an update on how it’s progressing. I then get Hal’s thoughts on Scottie Scheffler’s win in The Masters and his impressive play in the extremely windy conditions in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. He also shares his thoughts on what he saw from Ludvig Aberg playing in his first major plus Tiger’s performance as well. We then look ahead to the PGA Championship at Valhalla and a look back at Hal’s win in the PGA Championship in 1983. Hal talks about having his idol, Jack Nicklaus, make a charge in the final round and what it was like having Jack waiting for him on 18 as Hal closed out that victory.

Frank Nobilo was a part of the CBS broadcast team for The Masters. We talk about why Augusta National always brings out the best in past champions. He shares his insights on the play of Sscheffler, Aberg, and Tiger. Then I get Frank’s thoughts on why golf’s ratings are down 20+% this year. We conclude by looking back at the 1994 US Open at Oakmont. Frank was in the field that year and in the press room when Arnold Palmer finished his final US Open round. Frank talks about the emotional scene of watching Mr. Palmer address the press and his fans.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

17 Apr

Season 11, Ep 24 Pt 1: Olin Browne & John Patrick

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 – 4:15 pm

In the first segment of a special “Happy Birthday to Me” episode, I’m joined by Olin Browne, the 2011 US Senior Open Champion, and John Patrick, whom I regard as the finest Golf & Talk Show Radio Host ever.

Olin Browne shares insights on why Scottie’s career trajectory resembles that of Tiger’s. Additionally, we delve into Ludvig Aberg’s apparent enjoyment during the typically tense final nine holes of The Masters on Sunday. Olin also recounts his experiences competing in the Senior PGA Championship at Valhalla in 2011, which is also the venue for this year’s PGA Championship, and the US Open at Pinehurst in 2005, the location of this year’s US Open.

In the second segment, I’m joined by the best to ever do it, John Patrick. I refer to John as the Godfather of Golf Talk Radio, because he is the gold standard. John delves into Augusta National’s recent property acquisitions surrounding the Club, speculating on their potential plans. He discusses the challenging winds that affected the tournament over Friday and Saturday, offering insights into Tiger’s future and what might need to happen for Rory to secure a victory there. Additionally, we discuss what might be causing the declining television ratings of the PGA Tour.

In Part 2, I’ll cover those same topics with 1983 PGA Champion Hal Sutton and former Tour Player and now CBS Analyst Frank Nobilo.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

17 Apr

A look at the Democratic primary between Summer Lee, Bhavini Patel

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 – 12:59 pm

Pennsylvania’s primary election day is coming up next week and will feature one of the more interesting races as Democrats will choose between incumbent Rep. Summer Lee and challenger Bhavini Patel, an Edgewood councilwoman, in the battle for the District 12 seat in the U.S. House.

TribLive reporter Ryan Deto joins digital producer Zac Gibson to lay out the primary contest and walk through a profile of these two candidates.

Deto has followed the race since last year and has been a political reporter with TribLive since 2022.

Listen to “From the Newsroom,” TribLive’s new podcast bringing you top stories straight from our newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

13 Apr

Season 11, Ep 23: Don Beebe

published in category: Next on the Tee on Saturday, April 13th, 2024 – 3:34 pm

Don was a 3rd round pick in 1989 but the first pick the Buffalo Bills had that year. He was an integral part of their 4 Super Bowl appearances in the early 90s. After a good warm-up and prayer session before the start of Super Bowl 27, he was convinced that he’d make the game-winning TD catch against the Cowboys. Well, the game was a route in the other direction. The Cowboys won 52-17 but it was a second away from the Cowboys putting another touchdown on the board when Don ran down Leon Lett who was dancing his way toward the endzone after recovering a fumble. Don swiped the ball out of Lett’s hand causing a touchback and giving the Bills the ball back. It was an innocuous play in a blowout game. But it showed Don hadn’t given up and was going to hustle until the game was over. During pregame, he had asked God to help him honor and praise Him through a game-winning touchdown. Instead, He gave him a play that has resonated with millions in a much deeper way. Hear Don tell that story and the reaction he continues to receive from people all over the world 31 years later.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

12 Apr

Season 11, Ep 22 Pt 2: Talking Masters Past & Present with Mark Calcavecchia & Rob Strano

published in category: Next on the Tee on Friday, April 12th, 2024 – 2:20 pm

In Part 2 of this week’s show, we continue The Masters conversation with a guy who played in the tournament 18 times and was currently over in Augusta, Mark Calcavecchia. Following Mark, I’m joined by Rob Strano. Rob grew up playing at the same country club as 1968 Masters Champion Bob Goalby.

Mark starts off sharing some personal stories of Augusta National like why he’s nicknamed the bunker on 10 Brenda’s Bunker, after his wife. We learn that the tradition of skipping shots across the pond on 16 during the practice rounds was started by Mark and his college teammate Ken Green. Mark and Ken used to bet about who could make all kinds of shots. When they got to 16 during a practice round in 1987, they threw a few balls down and tried to see who could get it closer. The next morning there was a letter waiting for Green in his locker from Augusta National Chairman Hord Harden saying “We don’t do that at Augusta National.” Of course, now it’s a tradition during the practice rounds. If players don’t skip one across the pond, the patrons boo them. Mark and I switch gears and talk about the Masters merchandise craze and one we don’t understand around Masters nomes. We then get into some of his playing memories like the time he shot 29 on the back 9 in 1992. In 2001 he started the final round tied with Tiger and Phil. We hear about how he got ahead of himself and let that one get away. He and his wife Brenda are great people and great follows on social media. Be sure to follow them @MarkCalc and @BrendaCalc.

Rob Strano grew up in St. Louis playing at the same country club as 1968 Masters Champion Bob Goalby. Mr. Goalby won that Masters in part thanks to Roberto DiVincenzo signing an incorrect scorecard. In the final round, Goalby birdied 13 and 14 and then eagled 15. DiVincenzo birdied 17 to take a one-stroke lead but his playing partner Tommy Aaron marked down a 4 instead of a 3. When their round was over, Goalby and DiVincenzo thought they were headed for an 18-hole playoff on Monday. But since DiVincenzo signed the card with the higher score, USGA rules state the higher score stands, so he lost by a stroke. Rob shares how Mr. Goalby dealt with how all that unfolded. I also get his insights on the topography of the course, how undulated those greens are, and who he likes to win this week.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

10 Apr

Season 11, Ep 22 Pt 1: Talking Masters Past & Present with Tom Patri & John Cook

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, April 10th, 2024 – 6:14 pm

Happy Masters Week everyone. For me, this is THE most magical week of the year. As they say, The Master is a tradition unlike any other. This week both parts of the show are dedicated to taking you inside the tournament to give you a sense of what it’s like to be on those magnificent grounds.

I kick it off with Tom Patri, who has been out there several times with his good friend, 1992 Masters Champion Fred Couples. Also joining me in Part 1 of this week’s show is John Cook. Cookie played in 15 Masters tournaments dating back to 1979. He earned his way into that Masters field with his victory in the 1978 US Amateur.

Tom Patri shares stories of being alongside Fred Couples during his run to the Green Jacket in ’92. To this day, none of us know how Fred’s tee shot on #12 didn’t roll back into Rae’s Creek. We hear what Fred’s reaction was. Tom also shares some of his other favorite Masters memories, the legends he wished could have donned a Green Jacket, and current players he’d love to see win. I also get his thoughts on Scottie Scheffler’s place in history if he were to win his second Masters.

John Cook takes us down Magnolia Lane, remembering that first drive up alongside his mentor Ken Venturi. We hear about his night in the Crows Nest and the Augusta National memorabilia he collected over the years. I also get Cookie’s thoughts on what’s driving television ratings down, and why the networks are trying to replace the great Analysts that many of us love.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 



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