Tree of Life

15 Nov

S11, Ep 57, Pt 1: Tour Shake-Ups & Triumph Over Adversity: Insights from John Mascari and Scott Hamilton

published in category: Next on the Tee on Friday, November 15th, 2024 – 3:06 pm

This week on the show, I’m excited to welcome back my “long lost cousin” John Mascari. John will be sharing his thoughts on the proposed changes to the PGA Tour for 2026, which include reducing field sizes, the number of Tour cards available, and the number of Monday qualifiers, among other changes. As someone on the Board of Directors for the New Jersey PGA Section and the Director of Golf at Alpine Country Club, John has a unique perspective on how these changes could impact the game. Speaking of Alpine, there’s a rumor that a sequel to a certain movie featuring a hockey player-turned-professional golfer was recently filmed there, and John might give us a hint about that. We’ll also chat about the growing excitement for next year’s Ryder Cup. Plus, as a big Yankees fan, John’s going to have to endure a little ribbing from me—a Red Sox fan—about their recent loss in the World Series. John will join me in just a few minutes.

Following John, we have the pleasure of hearing from 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist figure skater Scott Hamilton. Scott is genuinely one of the most inspiring people I know. He’s overcome countless challenges in his life and still reached the pinnacle of his sport. We’ll talk about the obstacles he’s faced, his incredible optimism and faith, and the Hall of Fame inductions that continue to recognize his remarkable achievements. Scott’s story is one of resilience, positivity, and triumph, and I’m thrilled to share it with you all.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

11 Nov

S11, Ep 56, Pt 2: Former Steelers TE Mitch Lyons & Jenn Whaley on Family, Fairways, and Football.

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, November 11th, 2024 – 11:22 am

In Part 2 of Episode 56, I’m thrilled to welcome Jenn Whaley, who’s making her Next on the Tee debut. If her last name sounds familiar, it should—she’s the daughter of Suzy Whaley, former President of the PGA of America and now President of Golf Nation. Suzy has been a wonderful friend of the show, and she’s raised an equally wonderful daughter in Jenn. Jenn’s passion for the game and her work with Top Golf and Callaway Brands comes shining through the energy in her voice. We chat about what it was like growing up in a true golf family and the golf lessons that happened at the dinner table. Jenn also shares highlights from her remarkable college golf career at Quinnipiac in Connecticut, along with her current role leading a program aimed at getting more beginners into the game and helping them stay engaged with it.

We’ll round Part 2 with former Michigan State, Atlanta Falcons, and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Mitch Lyons. Mitch helped Michigan State achieve some fantastic victories, including a win over #1-ranked Michigan at The Big House—a story he’ll share with us. He’ll also recall the day he set the Michigan State record for catches by a tight end. We discuss his experiences playing for an incredible array of coaches, from George Perles to Jerry Glanville, June Jones, and Bill Cowher. Naturally, we spend a good portion of the conversation on his time with the Steelers, where he reflects on what it was like to play for “The Chin,” and how special it is to play for the Rooney Family versus any other organization. Mitch is also a golfer and joins us from Arizona, where he’s set to play in the Pro-Am before the Schwab Cup playoffs on the Champions Tour. He has plenty of great stories to share, and you won’t want to miss this conversation later in the show.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

08 Nov

S11, Ep 56, Pt 1: Tom Patri on PGA Tour Changes: Growth or Greed? Plus Dr. Bob Winters Helps Us Stay in the Moment

published in category: Next on the Tee on Friday, November 8th, 2024 – 11:46 am

In Part 1 of this week’s episode, we’re kicking things off with our resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri, who’s joining us for the 107th time and on the 9th anniversary of the first time he joined the show. Tom and I dive into the proposed changes for the 2025 PGA Tour season, which unfortunately don’t seem focused on growing the game at the professional level. We discuss the trickle-down effect these changes could have on top instructors like Tom and on others around the game who are dedicated to helping aspirational players. These changes risk shrinking the game at the top, giving a larger piece of the pie to fewer players. As usual, it seems to come down to more money for fewer people. You’ll hear Tom’s thoughts on this and much more.

After Tom, we’ll have our monthly visit from “The Confidence Doctor,” Dr. Bob Winters. This month, we’re focusing on the fantastic results he’s seeing with his junior players as they work toward achieving their goals. Dr. Bob also shares his insights on staying in the present moment instead of constantly projecting ahead. Plus, we discuss the importance of prioritizing enjoyment on the course, asking each other if we had fun instead of immediately asking, “What did you shoot?”

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

04 Nov

S11, Ep 55: Dan Pastorini Talks Luv Ya Blue, Oilers/Steelers Rivalry, & His Celebrity Golf Invitational Supporting the Be An Angel Organization

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, November 4th, 2024 – 3:25 pm

In this special bonus edition of the show I’m joined by former Houston Oilers Pro Bowl QB Dante Anthony Pastorini.

Dan Pastorini is not only a multi-time Hall of Fame athlete but also a Hall of Fame human being. Despite what you might see on commercials, he truly is one of the most interesting men on the planet—which you can read more about in his book, Taking Flak: My Life in the Fast Lane.

In this segment, Dan reflects on his journey with golf, sharing how he developed a passion for the game and even helped his Houston Oilers teammates get invited to the Houston Open, breaking a tradition where only Cowboys players were previously included. He recalls the thrill of teaming up with fellow Houston Sports Hall of Famer Jackie Burke to win the Pro-Am and names the players who would make up his most fun foursome.

Dan also highlights his annual Celebrity Golf Invitational, which raises funds for the inspiring organization Be An Angel (www.beanangel.org). Shifting to football, he reminisces about the fierce yet respectful rivalry between the Steelers and Oilers in the late ’70s, including memorable third showdowns in the AFC Championship Games in 1978 & ’79. He shares stories of mutual respect, like Joe Greene and John Banaczak helping him off the field after the ’79 Championship game and Joe being there to honor him at his Houston Sports Hall of Fame induction.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

30 Oct

S11, Ep 54, Pt 2: From Hollywood to the Fairway: Inside Stories with Matthew Laurance & Winning Picks with Keith Stewart

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, October 30th, 2024 – 3:12 pm

In Part 2 of Season 11, Episode 54, I welcome back good friend Matthew Laurance for another fun conversation. No matter how many times we get together, it never seems quite enough. This time, Matthew shares stories from his experience at a Major League Fantasy Camp with a team that’s an unexpected choice for a lifelong Yankees fan! We also celebrate the anniversary of some of Matthew’s most memorable acting roles, including his appearances on Beverly Hills 90210 and Eddie & the Cruisers.

Rounding out the episode, I sit down with PGA Professional Keith Stewart, founder of the golf betting handicapping site Read The Line. Combining his deep knowledge of the game with firsthand experience at tournament sites each week, Keith has become remarkably adept at picking winners, with over 30 outright wins across various tours. He shares his strategies and insights into the art of golf handicapping.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

30 Oct

S11, Ep 54, Pt 1: Tom Patri plus top Sports Psychologist and the grandson of Bobby Jones, Dr. Bob Jones IV

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, October 30th, 2024 – 3:09 pm

Tom Patri and I dive into the controversy surrounding the high cost of Ryder Cup tickets. With the PGA of America positioning the event as a “Super Bowl-level” spectacle, fans and potential volunteers are feeling the impact of sky-high prices. Tom shares his thoughts on whether the PGA’s pricing strategy is justified, especially given the New York City setting where high prices are often the norm. Drawing a comparison to Billy Joel’s famous Millennium Concert at Madison Square Garden—where the singer himself remarked on the outrageous ticket prices—they may be right, we may be crazy…

Following Tom, I’m joined by Dr. Bob Jones IV, the grandson of legendary golfer Bobby Jones and an esteemed sports psychologist. Doc brings a unique blend of spirituality and warmth that’s rare in the sports world. In a world increasingly dominated by social media negativity, he offers advice on how to maintain mental resilience on and off the course. He also discusses strategies for overcoming a single frustrating hole that can derail a round, the importance of carefully choosing who we share our goals with, and tips for staying centered amid daily distractions. Doc brings a calming, grounding presence to every conversation, making this episode a truly special experience for listeners looking to elevate not only their game but their mindset.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

24 Oct

Podcast: Survivors of Tree of Life Synagogue attack find healing through sharing stories

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Thursday, October 24th, 2024 – 10:12 am

Several people belonging to anti-hate groups and organizations came together on Monday for the Eradicate Hate Global Summit at Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Family members and survivors of the Tree of Life Synagogue attack in 2018 recounted experiences of the event and discussed the importance of telling these stories.

TribLive reporter Megan Swift joined Zac Gibson to discuss the summit, the organizations that facilitated the conversation and the intent of these stories to tackle antisemitism in America

This is From the Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

19 Oct

S11, Ep 53, Pt 2: LPGA Top 50 Instructor Debbie O’Connell & Montauk Downs Director of Instruction Keith Jarvis

published in category: Next on the Tee on Saturday, October 19th, 2024 – 7:26 pm

Debbie has a fantastic new mental game program starting on October 21st, called “Conquering Your Golf Mind.” If you want to quickly improve your mental approach, have more fun on the course, and lower your handicap, this is the course for you. To sign up, you can text the word “YES” to 727-339-0106 and use the coupon code “Conquer50” to get access to the five-day program for the unheard of price of $47. You can join in to the live sessions or each day is recorded so you can watch at your convenience.

This week Debbie and I will discuss what’s included in the program, as well as her impressive work with a student, helping them lower their handicap from 22.3 to 13.9 in a short period of time. I also get her thoughts on the Solheim Cup and whether adding U.S. and International women to the Presidents Cup could bring some excitement to the event, which could use a refresh. I always enjoy my time with Debbie. You’ll see why Golf Positive is the perfect title to what she does.

I round out this week’s show, with another good friend, Keith Jarvis. Keith spent the summer teaching at Montauk Downs Golf Course, located at the very tip of Long Island. Megan Younkman, the Regional Director of Instruction for several of the state courses including Bethpage and Montauk Downs, and a friend of the show, praised Montauk as a hidden gem, and the great work Keith is doing there. Tom Patri is also a big fan of the course. Keith will share more about what makes Montauk Downs such a special place, and he’ll provide tips on how to overcome mental barriers to breaking 80, 90, or 100 for the first time. We’ll also talk about making better contact with the ball and the best strategies to avoid those blow-up holes.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 



Podcasts