Tree of Life

21 Aug

S11, Ep 42, Pt 2: Former Pro Bowl QBs Gus Frerotte & Chris Miller

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, August 21st, 2024 – 10:59 am

Gus Frerotte, who hails from Ford City, just outside of Pittsburgh, kicks off the conversation by sharing his thoughts on the Steelers’ quarterback situation, particularly the dynamic of having both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Gus draws on his own experience from when he was drafted by the Commanders as a 7th round pick, the same year they selected Heath Shuler with the #3 overall pick. He offers his perspective on whether Pittsburgh’s situation can succeed. We also discuss the skyrocketing salaries of quarterbacks and wide receivers, the evolution of the game since his playing days, his memorable conversation with Matthew McConaughey, and some of his favorite Pro-Am tournaments.

Chris Miller, an Oregon Duck Hall of Famer, was a 1st round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 1987. After retiring from the NFL, he went on to serve as the Offensive Coordinator for the Houston Roughnecks in the XFL. We begin by discussing the new UFL and its potential to develop players overlooked by NFL teams. Chris shares his thoughts on the Falcons drafting Michael Penix in the 1st round after signing Kirk Cousins to a massive free-agent contract. He also provides insights on his Oregon Ducks, who are entering the college football season ranked #3. Finally, we hear about his memorable round of golf with his father at Augusta National and his participation in the annual Mike Bellotti MDA Golf Tournament.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

15 Aug

S11, Ep 42, Pt 1: Jane Crafter Talks Fox Chapel & the US Senior Women’s Open & Tom Patri shares his thoughts on Matt Kuchar & the Wyndham Championship

published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, August 15th, 2024 – 12:28 pm

This week, Tom and I kick things off by discussing the puzzling decision of Matt Kuchar to be the only player to finish the Wyndham Championship on Monday morning, despite being seven strokes off the lead. Tom also shares his thoughts on Aaron Rai’s first win, Billy Horschel’s classy gesture, and what’s been going wrong with his own short game lately.

Jane Crafter, hailing from Perth, Australia, had an exceptional amateur career, winning the 1978 New Zealand and 1980 Belgian Amateur Championships and finishing as runner-up in the 1977 Australian and 1980 Canadian Amateur Championships. We delve into those achievements, as well as her reflections on this year’s U.S. Senior Open Championship and her own Top 5 finish in that event in 2019. Jane also revisits her victory at the 1997 Austrian Open, and she shares some drills and tips that made her one of the best putters in the game.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

12 Aug

S11, Ep 41, Pt 2: LPGA Legend Jane Blalock & US Am Tour & Multi-Time Winner Chris Alderucci

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, August 12th, 2024 – 4:12 pm

Jane Blalock joins the conversation following this year’s US Women’s Senior Open at Fox Chapel in Pittsburgh. She shares her thoughts on Leta Lindley’s victory after two consecutive years as runner-up. We also discuss the upcoming BJ’s Charity Championship, where Jane and Patricia Meunier-Lebouc will defend their title, and we reflect on her landmark win at the 1972 Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle tournament, which helped shift the public’s perception of the LPGA Tour.

Chris Alderucci, who has claimed 15 victories on the US Am Tour since 2020, talks about his experiences on a tour that has become a valuable platform for amateur events across the country. He shares insights from playing on some of the top courses that have hosted these tournaments, many of which are on every golfer’s bucket list. Additionally, Chris emphasizes the importance of getting custom-fitted for clubs rather than purchasing them off the rack, highlighting how it can make a significant difference in your game.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

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

 



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