Tree of Life

02 Jul

S11, Ep 34, Pt 2: Western PA Golf Legend Bob Friend Jr., and 2x Winner on Tour David Peoples Join Me

published in category: Next on the Tee on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 – 5:15 pm

In Part 2 of Episode 34, I’m joined by Bob Friend Jr., the 1984 and 1985 Western Pennsylvania Amateur Champion and 1985 Pennsylvania State Champion, and David Peoples, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour.

Bob Friend Jr. is the son of Bob Friend, the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher who helped them win the 1960 World Series. Known among his former Tour peers as one of the all-time great grinders, Bob Jr. honed his game much like US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau, spending countless hours on the course and range. He won the 1991 Fort Wayne Open on the Korn Ferry Tour and finished 2nd in the 1998 Canadian Open. In this episode, Bob shares his insights on this year’s US Open, Rory McIlroy’s putting struggles, Bryson’s image transformation, Scottie Scheffler’s achievement of becoming the first player since Arnold Palmer in 1962 to have six wins before July 1st, and Paul Skenes’ impact on the Pirates.

David Peoples, who won twice on the PGA Tour, also joins the discussion. He expresses his surprise when Rory missed those short putts on holes 16 and 18 and shares his thoughts on Rory leaving the course without congratulating Bryson. David also reflects on his experiences playing in the 1993 and 2001 US Opens, explains why Fuzzy Zoeller was his favorite playing partner, reveals why he hates Pebble Beach, and describes what it was like seeing himself on a trading card for the first time.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

27 Jun

S11, Ep 34, Pt 1: In Part 1 of Episode 34 I’m joined by Top Instructor and Host of The Golf Kingdom TV show Rob Strano and PGA Tour Legend Bruce Devlin

published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, June 27th, 2024 – 11:34 am

In Part 1 of Episode 34 I’m joined by Top Instructor and Host of The Golf Kingdom TV show Rob Strano and PGA Tour Legend Bruce Devlin.

Rob Strano shares his reaction to the US Open and why the 5th and 15th holes were pivotal to the outcome. I also get his thoughts on LIV’s growing leverage in the merger discussions, and why even after winning 6 times so far this season, Scottie Scheffler’s accomplishments aren’t touted enough. Think about what it would be like if Tiger was winning at this rate.

Bruce Devlin won 8 times on the PGA Tour and had 5 Top 10s in the US Open. Bruce also shares his insights on this year’s tournament plus we go back to his Top 10 in the 1982 US Open after the media had written him off. We also look ahead to The Open at Royal Troon in July and look back at his win in the 1960 Australian Open as an Amateur.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

26 Jun

Dangerous currents: Safety protocols lacking for rafting and kayaking at Ohioplye

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 – 1:51 pm

Andrea Yealy was 16 when she hopped in a two-person inflatable kayak rented by a friend’s family on Sept. 16, 2000, at Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County. They paddled without a guide down a 7-mile section known as the Lower Yough.

Andrea was wearing a helmet and life jacket when she spilled out of her kayak at Dimple Rock, a notorious hazard in the river that can overturn rafts, and was swept under the water’s surface. She died.

Since her daughter’s death, Michele Yealy has turned to awareness of the dangerous of the white waters of the Youghio­gheny River at Ohiopyle.

There have been more incidental deaths along the river. Fifteen people died in the Lower Yough while rafting or kayaking between 1982 and 2022 from according to the American Whitewater database despite inquests and calls for enhanced safety protocols and more fully-guided options.

In this episode, host Zac Gibson and reporter Renatta Signorini tell the story of what happened to Andrea and her mother’s fight to be awareness to the dangers, and discuss the rough path to safety protocol changes for outfitters who offer commercial whitewater rafting trips along the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle.

This is From the Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

24 Jun

S11, Ep 33: Broadcast Legend Tim Brando, “Pittsburgh is one of my favorite cities”, Beano Cook, Scrap Iron’s Hat, and stories from his Hall of Fame career

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, June 24th, 2024 – 10:01 am

In this very special edition of “Next on the Tee,” I’m joined by broadcasting legend Tim Brando.

Tim Brando has practically done it all in the world of broadcasting. He started out calling high school football games alongside his father, Hub, in Shreveport, Louisiana. His entertainment career began at the tender age of 5 on his father’s local variety show. As his career grew, he became the Assistant Sports Director at WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge and called men’s and women’s basketball for LSU. In 1984, he joined ESPN, hosting SportsCenter and their College Football Half-Time Show. By 1996, he was with CBS Sports, calling basketball games and hosting College Football Today. He also contributed to their digital media team, broadcasting The Masters. Fox Sports came calling in 2014, and he’s been with them ever since.

Tim is also an avid golfer and a member of Southern Trace Country Club in Shreveport.

In our conversation, Tim walks us through his Hall of Fame career, touching on his partnership with Pittsburgh’s own Beano Cook and the Pirates’ pillbox hat given to him by Phil Garner. He’s an amazing man who has done so much to enhance the sports we watch, thanks to his style and expansive knowledge. You can follow him on social media @timbrando.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

22 Jun

S11, Ep 32, Pt 2: Fitness Expert Courtney Weber & Top QB Coach Cree Morris

published in category: Next on the Tee on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 – 11:14 am

Courtney Weber is a Level 3 Titleist Performance Institute and Golf Digest certified Trainer. I had the privilege of being introduced to her by Top Instructor and my gumba Rob Strano at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show. Courtney shares exercises aimed at enhancing power and explosiveness in our golf swings. She delves into Advanced Dissociation Exercises, their benefits for overall fitness, and the optimal balance between cardio, weight training, and explosive movements.

Cree Morris, a standout QB at Orange Glen High School in San Diego with his jersey recently retired, began his college career alongside Marshall Faulk at San Diego State. He recounts these experiences and offers insights into QB fundamentals, advice for NFL rookie QBs, and what made Dan Marino exceptional. We conclude with Cree discussing cherished moments on the golf course with his son and their favorite spots in San Diego.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

19 Jun

S11, Ep 33, Pt 1: Greensburg’s Bob Ross Makes Not 1 But 2 Hole-In-Ones, TP & I Break Down the US Open, 2013 Senior Open Champ Mark Wiebe & I Look Ahead to The Open

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 – 3:17 pm

In Part 1 of this week’s show, I’m joined by our Resident Director of Instruction Tom Patri and 2013 Senior Open Champion Mark Wiebe.

At the top of the show, I give a HUGE shout-out to 77-year-old Bob Ross of Greensburg, PA. Bob made not 1, but 2 hole-in-ones during his round at Mt. Oden Park Golf Course on June 3rd. His first ace came on the Par 3 4th hole. He found the bottom of the cup using a 9 iron. Then to prove to his buddies that was no fluke, he made a second ace on the Par 3 11th hole from 142 yards using a 26-degree hybrid. Huge congratulations Bob! I hope many more of your tee shots find the bottom of the cup…#sojealous…

If you have a great golf story or you witnessed one, please share it with me at chris@nextonthetee.net

Tom Patri and I break down the US Open. From Rory’s agony of defeat to the 180 degree turnaround Bryson DeChambeau has done. What a tremendous finish we all witnessed.

Mark Wiebe shares his insights on the US Open as well. We also hear the edgier side of Mark regarding some of his concerns about the game. We also look ahead to next month’s Open. The first Open Championship that Mark played in was at Royal Troon and the first Senior Open Championship he played in was there as well. He shares some great insights on the course with us…

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

19 Jun

Podcast: Penn State and the higher education divide

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 – 12:00 pm

Is there an impending higher educational divide?

Penn State announced the restructuring plan for its branch campuses this week. Two local branches, Fayette and New Kensington, will be consolidated under the Allegheny branch. This also comes with a 10% decrease in staff and faculty for all bridge campuses. Simultaneously, Penn State’s main campus, University Park, plans to expand to facilitate an increase in fall enrollment. 

TribLive higher education reporter Bill Schackner joins host Zac Gibson to discuss the situation.

This is From the Newsroom:

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

13 Jun

S11, Ep 32, Pt 2: PGA Tour SuperStore Chief Merchandise Officer Randy Peitsch & Gof Magazine Top 100 Instructor Jeff Smith

published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, June 13th, 2024 – 10:56 am

In Part 2 of Episode 32 I’m joined by PGA Tour SuperStore Chief Merchandising Office Randy Peitsch and Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructor Jeff Smith.

Randy is such a delightful, wonderful, very uplifting person. He’s the kind of guy you’d love to have in your foursome. He’s also a great family man. He shares heartwarming stories of times out on the course with his 3 sons and the memories they’ve made together. You’ll hear about the emergency 9 they got in when they pulled over for a restroom break while traveling and stumbled upon a great local muni. For my Yinzers out there, you’ll also hear about when he took one of his sons to Pittsburgh for a Penguins game. This segment is all about the impact golf has on our lives and the memories you make with family and friends out on the course. Memories that you’ll talk about for years to come. Randy also tells us about the hot items you can get Dad this year for Father’s Day.

Jeff Smith makes a return visit in segment 2. We hear about his new summer home at Pine Canyon, in Flagstaff, Arizona and its sister course Talking Rock in Prescott. Then Jeff and I talk about the evolution of the golf swing and putting stroke, going from the reverse-C finish and wristy putter stroke to ones now where we finish perpendicular to the ground on our full swing and the locked wrist putting stroke. We also talk about the benefits kids have by being well-rounded athletes versus focusing on one sport, Lexi Thompson’s retirement announcement, and taking out that decorative alignment stick from our bag and actually using it.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 



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