Tree of Life

12 Aug

S11, Ep 41, Pt 1: 2015 IHRA Pro Modified World Champion Dina Parise and The Confidence Doctor Dr. Bob Winters

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, August 12th, 2024 – 10:49 am

Dina Parise, who grew up on Long Island, was a competitive gymnast in the summer and a passionate ice skater in the winter, idolizing Dorothy Hamill. She turned her love for ice skating into a four-year career performing with the Ice Capades, where she even had the chance to meet her idol. In our conversation, Dina shares stories from that time, including the first time she signed an autograph, meeting her husband Andrew, a champion driver in his own right, and how she got hooked on drag racing. She also reflects on the thrill of winning her first driver’s championship and reveals why, in a movie about her life, she’d want Marisa Tomei to play her.

In this month’s discussion with Dr. Bob Winters, we delve into his pioneering work in junior golf, focusing not just on the swing but on the mental game. Dr. Winters emphasizes the importance of cultivating a positive attitude, focus, and the right mental approach. Recognizing this need decades ago, he developed a program to help young players build the mindset necessary for success. We also explore the concept of “the drive to finish,” addressing why some top players have struggled to close out tournaments recently—a challenge we’ve all faced. Doc offers insights and strategies to help us overcome that hurdle.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

07 Aug

Marking one year since the Rustic Ridge explosion

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024 – 1:50 pm

In August 2023, the Rustic Ridge neighborhood in Plum, was rocked by a catastrophic explosion that killed six people and caused extensive damage.

TribLive reporters and the Plum community have been searching for information to explain the cause of the explosion for the past year.

Listen as host Zac Gibson is joined by TribLive reporter Brian Rittmeyer to delve into the details of the event, its impact on the community and preview his piece on the anniversary of the Rustic Ridge explosion.

This is From The Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

07 Aug

S11, Ep 40, Pt 2: Wisconsin Golf HOFer Gary D’Amato & Tour Legend Guy Boros

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024 – 1:23 pm

In Part 2 of Episode 40, I’m joined by Wisconsin Golf Hall of Famer and Golf Writers Association of America member, Gary D’Amato, along with multiple-time Tour winner Guy Boros, son of World Golf Hall of Famer Julius Boros.

Gary, a member of the Golf Writers Association of America for over 40 years, has covered every Masters since 1993 and was inducted into the Wisconsin Golf Hall of Fame in 2017. While Whistling Straits and Erin Hills are well-known, Gary highlights several other hidden gem courses in Wisconsin, a state that often flies under the radar as a golf destination. He also shares stories of playing alongside some of Wisconsin’s greatest golfers, including Steve Stricker, Andy North, Jerry Kelly, and Sherri Steinhauer. Additionally, Gary recounts one of his favorite Masters moments—following Jack Nicklaus as he nearly captured his seventh Green Jacket in 1998—and discusses the book he co-wrote with Packers legend Chester Marcol on the history of the Packers-Bears rivalry.

Guy Boros grew up traveling on Tour with his father, Julius, a three-time major champion who won the 1952 and 1963 U.S. Opens and the 1968 PGA Championship. Julius held the record as the oldest major champion, winning the 1968 PGA at 48 years old, until Phil Mickelson surpassed him a few years ago at nearly 51. Guy also found significant success on Tour, particularly in Canada, where he won the Canadian Order of Merit in 1991. His first PGA Tour victory came at the 1996 Greater Vancouver Classic, which he won by a stroke over Lee Janzen. In our conversation, Guy reflects on how his game seemed to elevate whenever he crossed the border, the experience of growing up around the great players of the 60s and 70s while traveling with his father, and his victory at the Vancouver Classic. He also shares insights from playing in this year’s U.S. Senior Open at Newport Country Club and the Senior Open Championship at Carnoustie.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

05 Aug

S11, Ep 40, Pt 1: Tom Patri & John Cook Talk Player of the Year, Olympic Golf, & Money Talking Over the Game

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, August 5th, 2024 – 9:49 am

Tom and I dive into the Player of the Year debate—Scottie or Xander? We discuss whether two majors outweigh one major, The Players Championship, and six wins. We also touch on Keegan Bradley’s appointment as Ryder Cup Captain, the significance of Olympic golf, and Tom’s recent trip to Sea Island.

John Cook, who has had a remarkable career both as an amateur—winning the 1978 US Amateur and finishing runner-up to Mark O’Meara in ’79—and as a professional player and broadcaster, joins the conversation. He shares his thoughts on the topics from the first segment, especially the focus on money versus the traditional values of the Tour. John also gives his opinion on who should be named Player of the Year. We revisit his incredible victory at the 1996 FedEx St. Jude Classic, where he set a 54-hole record on the Tour, and his memories of the 1994 US Open at Oakmont. Additionally, we talk about John’s Western Pennsylvania roots through his mother, witnessing Arnold Palmer’s final US Open round, and the Cook family’s anniversary tradition at Dom & Dom.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

31 Jul

Podcast: What Project 2025 could mean for Pittsburgh

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 – 1:28 pm

 

As Vice President Kamala Harris takes to the campaign trail, she’s zeroing in on a major conservative initiative known as “Project 2025.”

This ambitious 922-page blueprint aims to reshape America with sweeping changes including restrictions on abortion access, overhauls in border and immigration policies, and significant federal spending cuts.

Found in its pages is the conservative movement’s detailed road map for a second Donald Trump presidency, one backed by the influential Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, and dozens of other conservative groups with deep ties to Republican lawmakers.

Join host Zac Gibson and political reporter Ryan Deto as they dive deep into what “Project 2025” could mean for the Pittsburgh region.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

30 Jul

S11, Ep 39, Pt 2: Catching up with former Pirates INF/OF Kurt Bevacqua and Hockey Legend Darren Pang Join Me…

published in category: Next on the Tee on Tuesday, July 30th, 2024 – 2:37 pm

Darren Pang has become a great friend of the show over the years. He is one of the all-time great hockey broadcasters, I am particularly fond of his work for the NHL Network and during the Winter Olympics. Darren is also an ambassador for Miura Golf. In this segment, Panger shares his insights on the Blackhawks draft and the thrilling Stanley Cup Finals between the Panthers and Oilers. He recounts stories from attending the 1997 Open Championship, which Justin Leonard won at Royal Troon, and his return to play the course in 2005. We also hear about his experience playing Carnoustie, the site of this year’s Senior Open, his backyard putting green that rolls at 12.5 on the stimp, and what’s in his bag these days.

Kurt Bevacqua played in the Major Leagues from 1971 to 1985 for the Indians, Royals, Pirates, Brewers, Rangers, and Padres. Known as “Dirty Kurt” for always having the dirtiest uniform on the team, he shares a story about meeting his childhood idol, Mickey Mantle, during an old-timers game at Arlington Stadium. He also discusses his complicated times playing in Pittsburgh and his wish for more regular at-bats to showcase his abilities. Kurt talks about his relationship with Willie Stargell and the impact Willie had on his career. Finally, we reflect on his 1984 season in San Diego and what would have been an MVP performance, had the Padres won the Series.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

30 Jul

S11, Ep 39, Pt 1: 1991 Open Champion Ian Baker-Finch & 1984 National Champion John Inman

published in category: Next on the Tee on Tuesday, July 30th, 2024 – 11:03 am

In part 1 of Episode 39, I am joined by two remarkable figures in the golf world: 1991 Open Champion Ian Baker-Finch and 1984 National Champion John Inman.

Finchy and John are among the most wonderful people you could meet in golf. Ian and I delve into his victory at the ’91 Open, held at Royal Birkdale. He gives us an inside look at his third round course record 64 (which Jodie Mudd broke the next day). We hear about his eagle on the 17th hole, followed by a birdie on the 18th that tied him with Mark O’Meara going into the final round. We then discuss the five birdies he made in his first seven holes on Sunday, en route to a front nine 29 which put him in control of the tournament. I asked him how he stayed focused in the moment and didn’t let himself think ahead to becoming the Champion Golfer of the Year. You’ll also hear how his family kept him grounded that week, about his friendship with Mark O’Meara, his close calls in 1984 and 1990, and how those experiences prepared him to win in ’91. Ian also shares his thoughts on this year’s Open and Xander Schauffele’s impressive win.

John Inman was so great earlier this season that I couldn’t wait to have him back on the show. We get his thoughts on Xander’s big win and discuss why he never played in The Open. We then look back at this year’s US Open, John’s T14 finish in the 1990 US Open at Medinah, his hole-in-one in the ’91 US Open at Hazeltine, and his recent trip to Cleveland to see Ralphie’s house from A Christmas Story.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

29 Jul

S11, Ep 38: Featuring Rick Reilly

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, July 29th, 2024 – 6:30 pm

In Episode 38 I get to spend time with the best Sports Writer, Author, Journalist, Screenwriter, and Speaker of this or any other time, Rick Reilly.

We delve into the absurdity of the dumbest debate in the history of presidential debates. Rick reveals how Trump claims to have won 12 Club Championships, often declaring himself the winner even when he wasn’t present. We also revisit Erik Compton’s remarkable runner-up finish in the 2014 US Open and hear about Greg Norman’s impressive driving skills during the Memorial Tournament a few years ago—though not with a golf club.

Additionally, Rick shares a hilarious story of four players each thinking they made a hole-in-one on the same hole on the same day at Lahinch. Finally, he settles the long-standing debate of who is the greatest of all time (GOAT): Jack or Tiger.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 



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