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!
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!
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.
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!
published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, February 6th, 2025 – 2:45 pm
In Part 2 of Season 12, Episode 4, I’m joined by my gumba Rob Strano, who brings us his unique perspective from the PGA Merchandise Show. As the host of The Golf Kingdom Golf Show, Rob always has his finger on the pulse of the latest golf trends, and he’s here to share the most exciting innovations he spotted at the event. He also takes us inside the Coaches Academy he hosted at Bay Hill prior to the show. We’ll also talk about his incredible recreation of Bryson DeChambeau’s famous over-the-house hole-in-one that he recreated in his in-studio simulator and his view on data vs. old school ball flight.
Then, I wrap things up with a return visit from Christopher Carter, who’s back to talk about his new book, The Zen Golfer: Cultivating Calm and Concentration on the Course. Chris will help us understand how to relax over shots, stay loose, and truly enjoy the game more. He’ll also explain why having a consistent pre-shot routine is key to better performance. If you want to improve your mental game, you’ll definitely want to hear this conversation. You can grab a copy of The Zen Golfer now on Amazon. I’m excited to have Chris back on the show!
While the Setonian’s shuttering came as a surprise to some students, university representatives and the organization’s longtime adviser said the newspaper needs to change and the journalism major needs to regain student interest.
TribLive reporter and former Editor-in-chief at Penn State’s The Daily Collegian, Megan Swift, discusses the story and looks at traditional journalism’s adaptability in today’s digital age with host Zac Gibson.
published in category: Next on the Tee on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 – 9:22 am
This week on Next on the Tee, I have a fantastic lineup of guests and insights that I can’t wait to share with you. Kicking things off is our resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri, who was my eyes and ears at the PGA Merchandise Show last week. Since I couldn’t be there this year, Tom fills us in on all the exciting new technology and innovations making waves in the industry. As the ultimate advocate for short game, short game, short game, Tom will also weigh in on an age-old debate—should you invest in a new driver or a new set of wedges? I have a feeling I know where he stands, but you’ll find out at the top of the show.
Following Tom, our good friend and former Tour pro, David Peoples, joins me. Peeps has quickly become one of my favorite guests because he brings so much energy, fun, and great stories to every conversation. Recently, he reached out to Tom for a lesson, and TP was stunned when he saw what David had in his bag. We’ll talk all about that surprise, plus get David’s take on two of the hottest topics in professional golf: the ongoing slow play issues on Tour and the reduced fields in Signature Events and set to be in place across the board for 2026. David always brings great insight and perspective, and you’ll hear why he’s become a show favorite.
It’s another can’t-miss episode packed with golf knowledge, humor, and expert analysis, so settle in with us and enjoy the show!
published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, January 30th, 2025 – 6:11 pm
In Part 2 of Season 12, Episode 3, we’re diving into Pittsburgh sports and golf history with two fantastic guests!
First up, our good friend and Pittsburgh Sports Talk Radio Host, Paul Alexander, is back on the show! It’s always an honor and a blast catching up with Paul. He is a part of the KDKA team that just won the prestigious Marconi Award for being the best News Talk radio station in the country. Having Paul as part of the team, it’s no shock that they won it. This time, we cover everything from the Steelers’ offseason moves, Mike Tomlin’s lack of leadership, and the state of Penn State football. Plus, with the U.S. Open returning to Oakmont this summer, I get Paul’s take on what to expect from one of golf’s toughest courses. I could talk to Paul all night, and you’ll understand why but we kept it to a great 40-minute conversation packed with insights and laughs.
Then, we round things out with David Moore, the Curator of Collections at Oakmont Country Club along with several other iconic Western Pennsylvania courses. David is also the co-author of the newly released book, Battling The Church Pews: The History of Golf’s Premiere Events in Western Pennsylvania.
We take a deep dive into his book, discussing some of Oakmont’s legendary tournaments, including:
🏆 The 1925 U.S. Amateur Championship won by Bobby Jones
🏆 The 1935 U.S. Open, where Oakmont member Sam Parks Jr. shocked the golf world by defeating legends like Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, and Horton Smith
🏆 Ben Hogan’s dominant 1953 U.S. Open win
🏆 The epic 1962 U.S. Open battle between Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer
David brings these historical moments to life, and his book is a must-read for golf history buffs. You can grab your copy now on Amazon!
This episode is packed with Steelers talk, golf history, and insights into Oakmont’s storied past—so settle in and enjoy the conversation!
