Tree of Life

26 Feb

From the Newsroom: New technology, culture shifts give cold cases from latchkey-kid era new hope

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 – 12:51 pm

 

In the American latchkey era, if a child went missing, law enforcement and the local community utilized tools of the time, milk cartons, print publications and a community network, to gain and share information to help find the missing child.

Time has since afforded progressions in culture and technology that have prove invaluable as tools to track and recover missing children today. Biometrics and social media are helping to locate some of the 460,000 children reported missing each year.

TribLive reporter Jack Troy discusses how law enforcement hope these advancements will aid in solving the 40-year-long case of Cherrie Mahan, the 8-year-old who disappeared Feb. 22, 1985, from a bus stop near her home in rural Winfield.

This is “From the Newsroom.”

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

24 Feb

S12, Ep 7, Pt 2: Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructor and Golf Digest’s Best in the State of Indiana, Jeff Smith

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, February 24th, 2025 – 7:59 pm

In Part 2 of Season 12, Episode 7, I get the privilege of spending more time with Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructor and Golf Digest’s Best in the State of Indiana, Jeff Smith. You probably also know Jeff as Co-Host of the popular golf podcast Those Weekend Golf Guys alongside John Ashton.

Jeff is the Taylor Swift of Golf Instructors, sought out by thousands everywhere he goes. We start out hearing about his home course The Vintage Club in Indian Wells, California. Jeff tells us about his recent Golf School there featuring lessons from Jason Day. We also hear about his incredible day caddying for the Pro-Am sponsor at the Waste Management Open.

Jeff also delivers two valuable lessons to get you out of some very tough situations: how to hit a hybrid from a downhill lie and what to do when your ball winds up behind a tree with a low-hanging limb.

Don’t miss this insightful and entertaining conversation. Jeff Smith is an all-timer. Thank you for tuning in to Next on the Tee!

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

20 Feb

Podcast: Rise in flu cases spurs alternative treatments

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Thursday, February 20th, 2025 – 1:57 pm

 

Flu cases are spiking in Western Pennsylvania and hospitals are dealing with increased patient traffic.

Some people have tried to fight the flu by turning to alternative practices. While most homeopathic remedies are ineffective, there are some practices that can shorten your sick time, experts say.

Megan swift joins host Zac Gibson with more details.

This is ‘From the Newsroom.’

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

19 Feb

S12, Ep 7, Pt 1: Joined by John Hughes and John Mahaffey.

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 – 7:11 pm

John Hughes, is one of only 448 among approximately 30,000 PGA members to reach Master Professional Status. He has been recognized by Golf Digest as a top instructor in Florida, and The Golf Range Association as a Top 100 Growth of the GAme Instructors. During our conversation, John offers his perspective on whether investing in the latest and greatest golf equipment can enhance your game or if those funds are better spent on lessons. He also provides strategies for setting effective golf goals, discussing whether to aim for reducing stroke counts or going after milestone scores such as breaking 100, 90, or 80.

Following John, I welcome back 1970 NCAA National Champion and 1978 PGA Champion John Mahaffey. John was a great player, but he’s an even better person which I hope you get a sense of as you listen to his insights. John shares the ironic story of winning the 1978 American Optical Classic by two strokes over Dr. Gil Morgan—the only optometrist on Tour. He also weighs in on the upcoming structural changes to the PGA Tour, including reduced field sizes and fewer available Tour cards. Additionally, John names one of the most formidable competitors from the 70s and 80s—a choice that may surprise listeners. Finally, he offers a unique perspective on why former President Donald Trump might be the key to bringing together the PGA Tour and LIV Golf merger.

Tune in for these great conversations, expert insights, and much more on this week’s episode!

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

17 Feb

S12, Ep 6, Pt 2: Mastering the Greens with David Swan & the PUR Golf Putting Trainer

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, February 17th, 2025 – 11:13 am

In Part 2 of Season 12, Episode 6, I welcome David Swan in for his debut appearance on the show. David is the inventor of the PUR Golf putting trainer, a game-changing aid designed to help golfers refine their stroke and sink more putts.

Both Tom Patri and I were immediately drawn to this innovative training aid when we saw it at last year’s PGA Merchandise Show, and now, David breaks down how it works and why it’s making waves in the golf world.

If you’ve ever wished you could drain more putts, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Plus, you can check out the PUR Golf trainer for yourself at PUR.golf while you listen in!

Thanks for checking out Part 2 of the episode, it could change your putting game forever!

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

12 Feb

S12, Ep 6, Pt 1: Latest gear and help you make smart decisions before dropping big money on new clubs

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 – 5:35 pm

Golf season is just around the corner, and that means new equipment drops from all the major manufacturers! In this episode of Next on the Tee, we break down the latest gear and help you make smart decisions before dropping big money on new clubs.

Joining me first is Scott Felix, one of the Top 100 Club Fitters, to guide us through the maze of new equipment. From TaylorMade’s Qi35 woods and irons, which just earned top honors on the Golf Digest Hot List, to other big-name releases, Scott takes us beyond the marketing hype. We’ll cover:

  • When to buy new clubs, when to hold off, and when to invest in lessons instead
  • Understanding the shaft and clubhead market
  • Why the latest driver won’t magically fix your slice

Then, we shift gears to the mental side of the game with our monthly visit from Dr. Bob Winters, aka The Confidence Doctor. This month, Doc shares strategies on “finding a way to get it done” and how to remind yourself that you’re smarter than your doubts and better than your fears. His insights will be worth jotting down in your golf notebook before your next round!

It’s an episode packed with game-changing advice—don’t miss it!

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

12 Feb

Podcast: The long-awaited release of Marc Fogel from Russia

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 – 1:55 pm

 

Marc Fogel, the 63-year-old Butler native and former Oakmont teacher, was released Tuesday and is back in the United States.

Fogel, an American history teacher, spent 1,278 days in a Russian penal colony after being was arrested in Moscow on Aug. 14, 2021, for taking prescribed medical marijuana into the country where he was about to begin his tenth and final year teaching at the Anglo-American School.

He was left behind in a prisoner exchange in August during the Biden administration. He finally received “wrongfully detained” status from the U.S. government in December.

Now, a month into the second Trump administration, the White House secured Fogel’s release.

TribLive community editor Lori Falce and reporter Megan Swift spoke with host Zac Gibson about the stunning turn of events.

This is “From the Newsroom.”

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

11 Feb

S12, Ep 5: 2011 U.S. Senior Open Champion Olin Browne and 1987 US Amateur Champion Billy Mayfair

published in category: Next on the Tee on Tuesday, February 11th, 2025 – 2:28 pm

In this very special episode of Next on the Tee, 2011 U.S. Senior Open Champion Olin Browne and 1987 US Amateur Champion Billy Mayfair join the show.

Olin shares his thoughts on the PGA Tour’s controversial changes—smaller field sizes, fewer Monday qualifiers, and the dominance of signature events. Is the tour catering too much to top players at the expense of the grinders? Olin shares his perspective on how these changes might impact the next generation of Tour players.

We also discuss the financial side of the game, from $25 million purses to sponsors pulling out. With TV ratings down and fans feeling disconnected from today’s stars, what can the PGA Tour do to bring back its audience? Olin weighs in on whether accessibility and engagement changes could make a difference.

Shifting gears, we reminisce about Olin’s experiences at Oakmont, site of the 2025 U.S. Open. He reflects on his rounds there in ‘94 and ‘07, the legendary greens, and even witnessing Arnold Palmer’s farewell.

Billy Mayfair was also witness to The King’s final US Open round and talks about sticking around following his Friday round to see it. We discuss his trip to Moroccoto open up his Champion’s Tour season. Billy reflects on his legendary iron play, including a streak of six consecutive birdies on Par 3s last season—an impressive feat on today’s long courses.

Billy also gives his perspective on equipment advancements, comparing today’s clubs and balls to those from earlier eras. He recalls playing alongside icons like Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, and Trevino, sharing his favorite memories from competing against legends.

Billy also gets candid about his journey in professional golf, revealing how he turned pro without telling his parents and when he finally broke the news.

Finally, we check in on his wife, Tami, who has been a huge influence on his career—both as a caddie and in her own golf endeavors—and ask Billy how much longer he envisions competing at a high level, given that Bernhard Langer is still winning at 67!

It’s a fascinating discussion with two of golf’s true competitors—don’t miss it!

Posted in Next on the Tee

 



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