Tree of Life

30 Sep

S12, Ep44, Pt 1: Brian Klocek, Director of Golf at Totteridge Plus The Keep & the Legend that is Rees Jones

published in category: Next on the Tee on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 – 11:13 am

In this episode of Next on the Tee, we kick things off with Brian Klocek, Director of Golf at Totteridge, a course that golfers across Western Pennsylvania know and love. Brian shares the journey of his career, starting with his college days at the Golf Academy of America in Myrtle Beach, to South Hills Country Club just outside downtown Pittsburgh, and now leading operations at Totteridge in Greensburg—the hometown of recent guest Rocco Mediate. We also talk about Totteridge’s 13th hole, which KDKA TV recently highlighted as one of their “Elite 18” in Western Pennsylvania, along with Brian’s take on other favorite courses around the region.

The focus on Totteridge continues in segment two with my guest, the legendary course designer Rees Jones. Rees is one of the most influential architects in the game, with an unmatched résumé that includes seven U.S. Open sites, eight PGA Championship courses, five Ryder Cup venues—including Bethpage Black—plus Walker Cup and Presidents Cup courses. Rees takes us inside his redesign work at Bethpage Black and the incredible job he and Bill Bergin did at The McLemoreon Lookout Mountain, a world-class golf destination that features one of the best finishing holes in the game. Now their newest course, The Keep, is earning rave reviews and, in Rees’ opinion, has the potential to host a major championship one day. We also highlight a few of my other favorite Rees Jones designs, including The Country Club in Boston, Oyster Reef on Hilton Head, Southbridge in Savannah, and Falcons Fire in Orlando.

This episode is a celebration of great golf design and storytelling, featuring one of Pittsburgh’s finest in Brian Klocek and one of the true legends of the game in Rees Jones.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

30 Sep

S12, Ep43, Pt 2: Zig Fracassi on Crosby’s Penguins, Tage Thompson, Olympic Gold & NFL Surprise

published in category: Next on the Tee on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 – 11:10 am

Back with me this week is a true class act and a member of our Thursday Night Tailgate Guest Hall of Fame—Sirius/XM NFL Radio and NHL Radio host, Zig Fracassi. Zig’s reputation as one of the finest interviewers in the business is well earned, and I’ve long said it’s a mystery how he doesn’t already have millions of followers on social media. His insights into both football and hockey are second to none, and his character is even better.

In this segment, Zig and I dive into the state of the Pittsburgh Penguins, where Sidney Crosby continues to shine but Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are showing their age. We discuss whether it’s finally time to break up the Penguins’ big three and the impact of Erik Karlsson’s contract. From there, we turn to Buffalo and the rise of Tage Thompson, before looking ahead to the Winter Olympics—can the U.S. finally get past Canada, and who else could contend for gold?

Then we shift gears to the NFL, where Aaron Rodgers made headlines by signing with the Steelers and silenced some doubters with his Week 1 performance against his former team. Zig also weighs in on the Dallas Cowboys and shocks me to announcing they are no longer his favorite team. We unpack Jerry Jones’ surprising decision to move on from Micah Parsons, one of the best defensive players in the game.

If you’re not already following Zig on X @zigsportsvoice, do it because you’re missing out on great insights and a very special human being.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

24 Sep

S12, Ep43, Pt 1: Lower Scores, Smarter Swings, Fixing the FedEx Cup, & a Ryder Cup Preview with John Hughes & Rob Strano

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 – 3:44 pm

On this episode of Next on the Tee, I’m joined by two of the game’s top instructors, each bringing their own brand of expertise, innovation, and insight to help us all play better and enjoy the game more.

First, PGA Master Professional John Hughes returns for his 6th appearance. As a Master Professional, John is in the top 1.5% of all PGA Professionals. He’s also a Top 25 Instructor with Golf Tips Magazine, and the 2023 North Florida PGA Section Teacher of the Year. He shares a preview of his soon-to-be-released book, Instant Golf Improvement: The 6 Pillars to Golf Success, which offers a realistic path to better golf without overhauling your swing. John also gives us valuable tips on target acquisition, proper driver stance, handling uneven lies, improving launch angle and spin rates, sharpening our chipping technique, and eliminating costly three-putts.

Then, my gumba Rob Strano stops by. Rob is one of the most creative teachers in the game, the former host of The Golf Kingdom TV show, and his new Golf Academy is now open in Destin, Florida. Rob shares his candid thoughts on how to truly fix the FedEx Cup format, if the PGA Tour needs a playoff system at all, and what he’s most looking forward to about the Ryder Cup. Rob gives us a look at the innovative tools and training available at his new academy.

It’s an episode packed with playing lessons, fresh ideas, and insights from two of the best minds in golf instruction.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

22 Sep

S12, Ep42: The Steelers, Super Bowls, and the game of golf—Trai Essex connects them all with powerful insights

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, September 22nd, 2025 – 4:23 pm

On this bonus segment of Next on the Tee, I’m joined by 2x Super Bowl Champion Trai Essex. A third-round pick out of Northwestern, Trai spent most of his NFL career with the Steelers, helping them to three Super Bowl appearances and two championships. Now you can hear his insights alongside Charlie Batch on their show The Snap Count.

We dive deep into the current state of the Steelers—offensive line struggles, whether it’s youth or poor technique holding them back, and why the run game has failed to click despite significant draft and free-agent investments. Trai breaks down the differences he experienced under line coaches Russ Grimm, Larry Zierlein, and Sean Kugler, and what it really takes to command respect in the trenches. We also discuss defensive lapses, Mike Tomlin’s leadership, and why red-zone play calling isn’t maximizing the talent of 6’8” tight end “Mount Washington.”

Since this is a golf show, we talk about Trai’s love for the game, his round at Chicopee Woods in Georgia, when he first picked up the sport, and some of his favorite golf memories. Trai shares both his football and golf perspectives with the same candid insight that makes him a great follow on Twitter @TraiDay79 and a must-listen on The Snap Count.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

20 Sep

S12, Ep41: From The Final Broadcast to The Sports Time Traveler: Tucker Booth & Len Ferman Join Me

published in category: Next on the Tee on Saturday, September 20th, 2025 – 12:22 pm

On this episode of Next on the Tee, I’m joined by two outstanding storytellers who bring both creativity and history to the game.

First, my good friend Tucker Booth returns to the show. Tucker is a professional entertainer, writer, rapper, and host of the podcast Rappers Don’t Golf. As an author, he’s collaborated on powerful projects, including Trouble Maker with Lisa Cromwell and most recently The Final Broadcast, co-written with Michael Whelan. That book, already earning five-star reviews on Amazon, is a deeply emotional, semi-biographical story that explores resilience, friendship, and the impact of cancer. Tucker and I talk about the process of blending his voice with Mike’s, why they chose a fictionalized narrative, the powerful imagery behind the book’s most moving scenes, and what they hope readers will take away.

Then, I welcome Len Ferman for his Next on the Tee debut. Known as The Sports Time Traveler from his popular podcast, Len is also the author of Great Golf Tournaments Volume 1 and The 1973 Mets: You Gotta Believe. A lifelong researcher and storyteller, he shares fascinating golf history—from Jack Nicklaus’ brilliance at the 1975 Masters, to Joe Louis breaking barriers as the first African American to play in a PGA Tour event, to Sam Snead competing at the highest level well into his 60s. We also revisit stories about Chi Chi Rodriguez, Dave Stockton, the Big 3 of Nicklaus, Palmer, and Player, and even a time Len discovered a very important error in the New York Times about a score that Johnny Miller shot.

It’s an episode filled with passion, perspective, and powerful storytelling—one that connects the emotion of today with the history that shaped the game.

 

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

19 Sep

S12, Ep40: Steve Shingledecker’s RMU Men’s Golf Team Is On The Rise Plus 6x Hall of Famer Jim McLean Talks US Open, Ryder Cup, & Bethpage Setup

published in category: Next on the Tee on Friday, September 19th, 2025 – 9:49 am

On this bonus edition of Next on the Tee, I’m thrilled to be joined by two outstanding guests who are making a major impact on the game.

First up is legendary instructor Jim McLean, one of the most decorated teachers in golf history and a 2025 inductee into the PGA of America Hall of Fame. Jim reflects on the honor, his extraordinary playing career that included the Masters, U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, and U.S. Senior Open, and why he was an early adopted of technology like video analysis and TrackMan, to stay ahead of the curve. We talk about his student James Nicholas, who impressed at this year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont. Jim also shares lessons from his archives, the debate around “swinging left,” and what he’s most looking forward to at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage.

Then I catch up with Robert Morris Head Men’s Golf Coach Steve Shingledecker, who has transformed the Colonials into a rising contender. We revisit their best-ever Horizon League finish, the confidence it created, and standout play recently from Chuck Tragresser, who earned his first win at the Western PA Spring Stroke Play and finished runner-up at the WPGA Open. Steve also shares the hard work that the rest of his roster has put in, and why they’ve gone from being near the bottom of leaderboards to expecting to win. He also previews their fall and spring schedules—including a big opener at Pinehurst—and shares how the energy around RMU athletics has the whole campus buzzing.

Two great conversations this week filled with stories, lessons, and inspiration for players and fans alike.

 

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

15 Sep

S12, Ep39, Pt 2: Stepping Into Greatness: Matt Cahill’s Path from Junior Golf to Oakmont to Seminole

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, September 15th, 2025 – 1:21 pm

In Part 2 of Season 12, Episode 39, I’m joined by Matt Cahill, the man chosen by the legendary Bob Ford himself to succeed him as Head PGA Professional at Seminole Golf Club. When Ford retired, his short list for the role had just one name—and Club President Jimmy Dunne agreed.

Matt shares his perspective on what it’s like working for two icons of the game and answers the fun question: who’s tougher to impress—Bob Ford or Jimmy Dunne? Beyond being a world-class professional, Matt is also a terrific player. He takes us back to his junior days competing in the Junior Team Championship, the U.S. Junior Amateur, the U.S. Amateur, and even teeing it up at the PGA Championship a couple of years ago at Oak Hill.

You’ll hear some of his favorite memories from those events, the incredible fields he competed against, plus what it was like working at Shoal Creek, Oakmont, Shinnecock Hills as part of the team that hosted the 2018 U.S. Open, and now at Seminole.

Matt is so much fun. He is a great player, but he’s an even better person. It comes shining through during our conversation. I know you’re going to love that and him.

 

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

13 Sep

S12, Ep 39, Pt 1: Ryder Cup Reality Check: Keegan’s Picks, Bethpage Truths & Overcoming Doubt with Tom Patri & Dr. Bob Winters

published in category: Next on the Tee on Saturday, September 13th, 2025 – 3:07 pm

On Part 1 of this episode of Next on the Tee, we’re turning up the heat as we look ahead to one of the greatest events in all of sports—the Ryder Cup. With the Captains’ picks announced, the big question is: Did Keegan Bradley get it right? Or did he fall into the “old boys club” trap he once criticized? I dig deep into the picks, including whether Keegan should’ve made himself the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963, and how Bethpage Black might—or might not—be set up to favor the U.S. Team. Our Resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri, shares why he thinks course setup won’t matter, plus we break down the unique challenges of Patrick Cantlay’s hat size and the no-win nature of Ryder Cup captaincy.

From there, we pivot to the FedEx Cup and the so-called “season-long” chase before welcoming back Dr. Bob Winters. This month, Doc delivers the mental keys to overcoming doubt—whether you’re chasing your club championship, trying to break a scoring milestone, or facing that one hole you can’t seem to conquer. His mantra: Process over Prizes.

Be sure to come back for Part 2, I welcome Matt Cahill, the man handpicked by Bob Ford to succeed him as Head PGA Professional at Seminole Golf Club. Matt talks about the opportunity to work for both Ford and Jimmy Dunne, his impressive playing career from junior championships to US Amateur Championship, to the PGA Championship at Oak Hill, and his experiences helping Shinnecock Hills host the 2018 U.S. Open.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 



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