Tree of Life

01 May

S11, Ep 26 Pt 1: A Living Legend & The Launch Monitor We’ve Been Waiting For…

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 – 11:12 am

In Season 11 Episode 26 Part 1, I’m joined by PGA Professional Hall of Famer Bob Ford and Uneekor VP of Marketing Greg Sabella.

Bob Ford is a living legend in our game. He is perhaps the most decorated PGA Professional of all-time. You’ll find him enshrined in many Hall of Fames:

  • University of Tampa Sports Hall of Fame
  • Allegheny Kiski Valley Sports Hall of Fame
  • Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame
  • PGA Professional Hall of Fame

Last summer he was presented the William D. Richardson Award by the Golf Writers Association of America for his consistently outstanding contribution to golf. His coaching tree is also tall and wide. Bob is the most universally revered PGA Professional in the game.

I get his insights on this year’s Masters tournament, Neal Shipley’s performance, the falling television ratings, rising greens fees around the country, his Yinzer pride, the Pirates season and disdain for the Owner, his excitement over what the Steelers have done so far this offseason, and his role as the Starter at the US Open.

Greg Sabella is back with an exciting new product. We discuss Uneekor’s new EYE Mini Lite Launch Monitor. It’s the launch monitor we’ve all dreamed of having in our basement or den, and now it’s more affordable. Not only does it provide all the data we need like ball speed, launch angle, and smash factor, it also comes with Game Day Software that allows us to play online simulator golf matches with our friends anywhere in the world. There’s also a Target Practice game which is like being at Top Golf. Plus, there’s an AI Trainer to help you with your swing. The Eye Minit Lite is an unbelievable game improvement tool that will take your game to a whole new level, plus provide hours of family fun.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

27 Apr

S11, Ep 25 Pt 2: Kip Henley & Eva Rogers

published in category: Next on the Tee on Saturday, April 27th, 2024 – 11:01 am

In Part 2 of this week’s show, I’m joined by PGA Tour Caddie and in my opinion the best player in the history of the state of Tennessee Kip Henley, and one of Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America Eva Rogers.

Kip Henley has a tremendous resume. As a junior player, he won the Chattanooga City Prep Championship and the Ewing Watkins Award for being the most outstanding junior golfer in the city. In college, he was an All-Southern Conference player at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He later became a Class A Teaching Professional and taught at a few local clubs before becoming a Tour Caddie. His playing accomplishments include:

  • The Tennessee Assistant Pro Championship
  • Tennessee PGA Section Championship 4 times
  • Tennessee State Open twice
  • Tennessee Player of the Year 5 times
  • Won The Golf Channel’s Big Break II in 2004
  • He added the Tennessee Senior Open Championship in June of 2023.

He is a fantastic Caddie and has been on the bag for players like Steward Cink, Vijay Singh, Austin Cook, Brian Gay, Boo Weekly, and Grayson Murray.

Kip takes us back to last summer when he won the state Senior Open Championship doing it in honor of his mentor and a staple in Tennessee Golf Warren Huddleston, who passed away. He also shares stories from his time caddying for Brian Gay including their 10-shot victory in the 2009 Heritage Classic.

Eva Rogers was named by Golf Digest as one of the Best Young Teachers in America. She is also a certified US Kids Instructor. She teaches at one of the most historic courses in the country, Medinah Country Club just outside of Chicago. Medinah has hosted several majors including 3 US Opens, 2 PGA Championships, a US Senior Open, and the 2012 Ryder Cup. She is a bright star in our game, doing great things.

Eva shares what it’s like to call Medinah home and the great membership they have there. She was recently selected to serve on the 2024/2025 PGA Lead Team and we hear what they are working on. We also discuss how she keeps her junior players engaged and enjoying the game in a Tic Toc, immediate gratification world. She reflects on Nelly Korda’s current historic run and the call she received from Illinois House Representative Jennifer Sanalitro regarding Eva’s success in a male-dominated industry.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

24 Apr

S11, Ep 25 Pt 1: Tom Patri and Larry Rinker

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 – 6:21 pm

TP and I talk about the history unfolding in front of all of us from Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda. He shares his thoughts on why in the world Victor Hovland went from winning the Tour Championship to making swing and coach changes. We also get into the unprecedented amount of money that Scheffler’s Caddie, Ted Scott is making. It’s about to be more in the last few months than Arnold Palmer made playing golf in his career.

Larry Rinker played his college golf at the University of Florida and was the medalist at the 1978 SEC Championship. He is now one of the top Instructors in our game. Larry played in a couple of Masters Tournaments and we talk about his first experience back in 1983. He played a practice round with Payne Stewart and Scott Hoch and the Par 3 Tournament with Gary Player and Gay Brewer. We get both of those stories plus what it was like playing in the final group at the 1984 Heritage Classic with Nick Faldo, when Faldo got his first PGA Tour victory. Check him out online at www.larryrinker.com.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

24 Apr

What Summer Lee’s win over Bhavini Patel in Democratic primary means for the general election

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 – 1:04 pm

In this episode, a look at the aftermath of the high stakes Pennsylvania District 12 congressional contest between Democrats, Bhavini Patel and incumbent Summer Lee.

Political reporter Ryan Deto joins Zac Gibson again to dissect the primary results and provide some insight into the profiles of these candidates. They discuss what may have decided this race and take a glimpse at what the general election contest could look like.

This is From the Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

20 Apr

S11, Ep 24 Pt 2: Talking Masters, Scottie, Aberg, Tiger, Valhalla, & Pinehurst #2 with Hal Sutton & Frank Nobilo

published in category: Next on the Tee on Saturday, April 20th, 2024 – 4:06 pm

In Part 2 of this week’s show, I’m joined by 1983 PGA Champion and 2-time Players Champion Hal Sutton and former PGA Tour Player who is now one of the all-time great Golf Analysts, Frank Nobilo.

Hal has designed a new course outside of Houston, Texas called Darmor. It is sure to be named the Top New Private Course of 2024/2025. We start off getting an update on how it’s progressing. I then get Hal’s thoughts on Scottie Scheffler’s win in The Masters and his impressive play in the extremely windy conditions in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. He also shares his thoughts on what he saw from Ludvig Aberg playing in his first major plus Tiger’s performance as well. We then look ahead to the PGA Championship at Valhalla and a look back at Hal’s win in the PGA Championship in 1983. Hal talks about having his idol, Jack Nicklaus, make a charge in the final round and what it was like having Jack waiting for him on 18 as Hal closed out that victory.

Frank Nobilo was a part of the CBS broadcast team for The Masters. We talk about why Augusta National always brings out the best in past champions. He shares his insights on the play of Sscheffler, Aberg, and Tiger. Then I get Frank’s thoughts on why golf’s ratings are down 20+% this year. We conclude by looking back at the 1994 US Open at Oakmont. Frank was in the field that year and in the press room when Arnold Palmer finished his final US Open round. Frank talks about the emotional scene of watching Mr. Palmer address the press and his fans.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

17 Apr

Season 11, Ep 24 Pt 1: Olin Browne & John Patrick

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 – 4:15 pm

In the first segment of a special “Happy Birthday to Me” episode, I’m joined by Olin Browne, the 2011 US Senior Open Champion, and John Patrick, whom I regard as the finest Golf & Talk Show Radio Host ever.

Olin Browne shares insights on why Scottie’s career trajectory resembles that of Tiger’s. Additionally, we delve into Ludvig Aberg’s apparent enjoyment during the typically tense final nine holes of The Masters on Sunday. Olin also recounts his experiences competing in the Senior PGA Championship at Valhalla in 2011, which is also the venue for this year’s PGA Championship, and the US Open at Pinehurst in 2005, the location of this year’s US Open.

In the second segment, I’m joined by the best to ever do it, John Patrick. I refer to John as the Godfather of Golf Talk Radio, because he is the gold standard. John delves into Augusta National’s recent property acquisitions surrounding the Club, speculating on their potential plans. He discusses the challenging winds that affected the tournament over Friday and Saturday, offering insights into Tiger’s future and what might need to happen for Rory to secure a victory there. Additionally, we discuss what might be causing the declining television ratings of the PGA Tour.

In Part 2, I’ll cover those same topics with 1983 PGA Champion Hal Sutton and former Tour Player and now CBS Analyst Frank Nobilo.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

17 Apr

A look at the Democratic primary between Summer Lee, Bhavini Patel

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 – 12:59 pm

Pennsylvania’s primary election day is coming up next week and will feature one of the more interesting races as Democrats will choose between incumbent Rep. Summer Lee and challenger Bhavini Patel, an Edgewood councilwoman, in the battle for the District 12 seat in the U.S. House.

TribLive reporter Ryan Deto joins digital producer Zac Gibson to lay out the primary contest and walk through a profile of these two candidates.

Deto has followed the race since last year and has been a political reporter with TribLive since 2022.

Listen to “From the Newsroom,” TribLive’s new podcast bringing you top stories straight from our newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

13 Apr

Season 11, Ep 23: Don Beebe

published in category: Next on the Tee on Saturday, April 13th, 2024 – 3:34 pm

Don was a 3rd round pick in 1989 but the first pick the Buffalo Bills had that year. He was an integral part of their 4 Super Bowl appearances in the early 90s. After a good warm-up and prayer session before the start of Super Bowl 27, he was convinced that he’d make the game-winning TD catch against the Cowboys. Well, the game was a route in the other direction. The Cowboys won 52-17 but it was a second away from the Cowboys putting another touchdown on the board when Don ran down Leon Lett who was dancing his way toward the endzone after recovering a fumble. Don swiped the ball out of Lett’s hand causing a touchback and giving the Bills the ball back. It was an innocuous play in a blowout game. But it showed Don hadn’t given up and was going to hustle until the game was over. During pregame, he had asked God to help him honor and praise Him through a game-winning touchdown. Instead, He gave him a play that has resonated with millions in a much deeper way. Hear Don tell that story and the reaction he continues to receive from people all over the world 31 years later.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 



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