Tree of Life

14 Jul

S12, Ep30, Pt 2: Vision for Victory: Morne Botha on Golf, Innovation & JondoSport

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, July 14th, 2025 – 4:53 pm

This Week on Next on the Tee, If you’ve ever wondered whether your $10 shades are holding your game back, this is the episode for you.

I’m excited to welcome Morne Botha to the show for the first time. Morne is the CEO of JondoSport, one of the premier eyewear brands in the game today, and a PGA Professional from South Africa with a deep background in golf instruction and club management.

We’ll rewind to his early days in the game and the influence a local PGA Pro had on his journey. Morne shares stories from his time launching golf academies with South African legend Andries Oosthuzien and leading operations at Pecanwood Estate Golf & Country Club—a Jack Nicklaus-designed gem where he transformed the member experience both on and off the course.

Then, we dive into JondoSport and what makes their KRISP lenses stand out from traditional and polarized options. Morne explains how their lens technology helps players read greens better and why Jondo’s precision-engineered design offers serious golfers a competitive edge. We also talk about the challenge of launching a premium eyewear brand internationally and how Ernie Els became one of their key brand ambassadors.

Plus, we cover the stylish side of performance with designs like the “Club Champ” and “Gimme” that are turning heads and elevating vision on the course.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

14 Jul

S12, Ep30, Pt 1: Mastering Pressure: Dr. Bob Winters on Choking & Confidence + Darren Pang Talks Hockey, Olympics, Royal County Down, & His Celebrity Green

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, July 14th, 2025 – 11:37 am

On this episode of Next on the Tee:

We kick things off with one of the most respected voices in sports psychology, Dr. Bob Winters, aka the “Confidence Doctor.” Dr. Bob joins me each month to help us strengthen our mental approach to the game, and this week we dive into the topic of “choking” — what it really is, and more importantly, what it isn’t. Following Tommy Fleetwood’s tough finish at the Travelers Championship, social media lit up with talk about pressure and performance. Dr. Bob offers his expert perspective and guidance to help us stay focused when the pressure’s on. Plus, we talk about the incredible success his junior players are having — if you know a young player looking to elevate their game, Dr. Bob is the person to call.

Then I’m joined by my wonderful friend and Assistant Captain, Darren Pang. With the Stanley Cup Finals in the rearview mirror, it’s always great catching up with Panger to talk hockey and golf. We discuss what it’s going to take to dethrone the now back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers and preview next February’s Olympic hockey tournament. On the golf side, Darren shares his love for Miura clubs, why Royal County Down tops his list of favorite courses, and his memories from being at the 1997 Open at Royal Troon. He also gives us a look inside his home course Prestwick Village Golf Club in Michigan and his personal backyard putting green crafted by Celebrity Greens.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

08 Jul

S12, Ep 29, Pt 2: Swagger & Stories: Redefining Golf with Style and Legends with Sunday Swagger’s Kyle Moloo & 4x HOFer Richard Zokol

published in category: Next on the Tee on Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 – 2:51 pm

In Part 2 of Episode 29, I’m joined first by Kyle Moloo, the Chief Marketing Officer of Sunday Swagger, a bold and fast-rising brand that’s redefining golf apparel. Kyle shares how the company is shaking up the game with vibrant colors, standout designs, and exciting partnerships—including one with Guinness that caught my attention as a longtime fan. They are making golf apparel fun for the whole family.

Then, I close out the episode with a quick turnaround visit from 2-time PGA Tour winner and 4-time Hall of Famer Richard Zokol. Richard was such a hit last week, I had to bring him back to finish some incredible player stories. He shares stories of PGA Pro turned Lee Trevino bodyguard, Jim King, a practical joke he played on Jack Nicklaus, a transformative moment with Moe Norman and Clay Edwards, his interaction with Byron Nelson at the 1993 Masters, and what it was like early in his career when he didn’t feel like he belonged on Tour.

You won’t want to miss this one!

 

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

08 Jul

Anthrocon: Pittsburgh’s friendship with Furries

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 – 10:14 am

Summer events are well underway in the steel city and Anthrocon, a Pittsburgh staple, returned for a four-day event at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center last weekend.

Organizers projected a record 19,000 attendees, the highest amount since the event debuted in 1997.

Megan Swift joins Anna Mares to talk about the background of the furries journey to Pittsburgh and the Anthrocon experience.

This is ‘From the Newsroom.’

 

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

07 Jul

S12, Ep29, Pt 1: When Golf Emotions Run High: Lessons from the U.S. Open & Beyond from Tom Patri & His Mentor + Met Section HOFer John Kennedy

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, July 7th, 2025 – 11:03 am

In this episode of Next on the Tee, our resident Director of Instruction Tom Patri returns to share his take on this year’s U.S. Open and what it meant to see a guy he’s favored all season, J.J. Spaun, take home the title. We also dive into some of the more controversial moments from the tournament, including Rory McIlroy’s tee marker incident and Wyndham Clark destroying a couple of lockers. Tom weighs in on how players and the media handle tense moments and opens up about the deep respect he has for his longtime mentor, John Kennedy.

Speaking of John, he joins me next and brings with him a legacy of excellence in golf instruction and service. A past PGA Professional of the Year, multi-time Bill Strausbaugh Award winner, Patriot Award recipient, and a proud member of the Met Section Hall of Fame, John reflects on his time at Westchester Country Club, where the Learning Center now bears his name. We talk about whether it’s more difficult being the host pro for a PGA Tour event or an LPGA or Senior Major, and his answer may surprise you. John also shares his insights on next year’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills and how the wind can drastically alter the challenge, as well as his early thoughts on the upcoming Ryder Cup, which will be hosted just down the road from him at Bethpage Black.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

02 Jul

Podcast: What closing time in the South Side looks like

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 – 2:00 pm

 

Early Sunday morning, the South Side streets were host to hundreds of weekend revelers after the bars closed at 2 a.m. along East Carson Street in Pittsburgh.

A hefty police presence awaited the crowds, forming a riot line and using pepper spray to disperse them. At one point gunfire rang out. Police recovered one casing and no one was injured.

In recent weeks Pittsburgh officials, including the district’s councilman, Bob Charland, along with South Side business owners have been urging people to vacate the entertainment district quickly after last call.

TribLive reporters Justin Vellucci and Megan Trotter discuss the late night crowds and the local sentiment as this dispersal seems to be the start of a weekly summer trend.

This is “From the Newsroom.”

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

02 Jul

What It’s S12, Ep 27, Pt 2: Like to Play Oakmont—Olin Browne Looks Back Plus Pasatiempo, Old Head & Hidden Gems with Evan Schiller

published in category: Next on the Tee on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 – 10:15 am

In Part 2 of Episode 27 I’m joined by 2011 U.S. Senior Open Champion Olin Browne and one of the all-time great golf course Photographers Evan Schiller.

Olin shares memories from playing in the US Open at Oakmont in 1994 and 2007, including battling brutal heat during a sweltering second-round tee time in ’94 and the honor of playing the same day as Arnold Palmer’s final U.S. Open round. We also talk about Oakmont’s legendary rough and greens, whether a 15-handicap could even break 150, and how it ranks among the toughest courses Olin has ever played.

Then I’m joined by world-renowned golf course photographer Evan Schiller, who reflects on his experience playing in the 1986 U.S. Open at Shinnecock. We dive into Evan’s recent and upcoming travels, including his return to Ireland to shoot Old Head, his thoughts on Andrew Green’s restoration work at East Lake, and why Pasatiempo might feature the best collection of par 3s anywhere. We wrap up with a deep dive into Reynolds Lake Oconee’s Creek Club, the incredible courses at The McLemore, and the designers who’ve left the biggest impression on him. From Tour-tested insight to breathtaking golf course imagery, it’s a conversation every golf fan will love.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

26 Jun

Why are younger people behind on financial literacy?

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Thursday, June 26th, 2025 – 10:45 am

“Are you saving for retirement?”

It’s a question that gets a range of answers, especially across age groups. Some think it’s too early to start; others believe it’s never too soon.

Among millennials and Generation Z, one trend stands out: a significant gap in financial literacy.

Many young Americans lack the most basic financial knowledge, according to researchers at the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center at George Washington University.

To explore the topic, TribLive reporter Haley Daugherty spoke with financial experts, and with 21-year-old Michael Weleski, a young man who’s already spent nearly a decade earning and strategically investing his income to build a secure financial future.

Haley joins host Zac Gibson to talk about Weleski’s story, examine financial planning trends among young people, and share some practical advice for starting your own financial journey.

This is “From the Newsroom.”

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 



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