Tree of Life

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

 

12 Jun

From the Newsroom Podcast: The state of Pittsburgh’s inclines

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, June 12th, 2024 – 2:00 pm

In this episode we’re talking about a Steel City identity staple, the Pittsburgh inclines.

The Monongahela Incline and its slightly younger sibling, the Duquesne Incline, were built in the 1870s to easily and quickly transport Pittsburghers to their destinations throughout the city.

Pittsburgh was once home to 15 inclines, or funiculars, at one time, but as time passed the railways were eclipsed by the efficiency of trolley systems and later cars.

Reporter Ryan Deto joins host Zac Gibson to discuss the state of the inclines in Pittsburgh.

This is From the Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

10 Jun

S11, Ep 32, Pt 1: Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Famer Dennis Satyshur & The Confidence Doctor Dr. Bob Winters

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, June 10th, 2024 – 10:12 am

Dennis Satyshur is from Erie, Pennsylvania. He won the high school state golf championship in 1968. He went to Duke on a football scholarship and captained the football team plus lettered 3 years on the golf team. He began his career in golf working at Pinehurst. He later moved to Columbia Country Club where he worked for Bill Strausbaugh for 3 years. Several years later he won the Bill Strausbaugh Award for his commitment to mentoring others. Later on he became the first Director of Golf at Caves Valley Golf Club, one of the premier courses in the country.

Dennis shares stories from his time at Duke, the day he met Tom Kite, Jim Simons, and Andy North when they were all college players, how he stalked Kite to learn from him, and their friendship which led to Kite asking him to be an Assistant Captain on the 1997 Ryder Cup team. You’ll also hear about his years at Caves Valley, playing alongside members like Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley, and the culture he created there.

Dr. Bob Winters makes his monthly visit to the show this week. Doc addresses what to do if we have a blow-up hole like Nelly Korda did at the Women’s US Open. He also gives insights into what sets his Asian players apart from his American players.

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07 Jun

From the Newsroom Podcast: Expert insight on Trump’s hush money trial

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Friday, June 7th, 2024 – 12:52 pm

Former President Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts in his New York hush money trial on May 28, becoming the first former president to become a convicted felon.

For many observers, the focus was on Trump’s reaction, while Trump and his supporters claimed the trial was rigged.

Some legal experts focused on the American judicial system and whether it worked in this case.

Paula Reed Ward, TribLive’s federal and Allegheny courts reporter, joined host Zac Gibson to discuss the case and various experts’ view of the legal system.

This is From the Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

03 Jun

S11, Ep 31, Pt 2: Robert Morris University Men’s Golf Head Coach Steve Shingledecker Plus Former Oakmont and Nemacolin Director of Instruction Eric Johnson

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, June 3rd, 2024 – 4:45 pm

In Part 2 of Episode 31 I’m joined by two of the best Oil Creek Region athletes of all-time in their opinions Steve Shingledecker and Eric Johnson.

Steve Shingledecker serves as the Head Coach of the Men’s Golf Team at Robert Morris, hailing from Franklin, Pennsylvania. Returning to coach RMU after successful tenures as Director of Golf Operations at the Turn Club in Cranberry Township and Director of Golf at Nemacolin Woodlands, Shingledecker did a great job leading the team this year. Their impressive performance includes a 3rd place finish at the Carpetbagger Classic in Frederick, Maryland, a feat coincidentally following Steve’s last appearance on the show.

In our conversation, Steve sheds light on the Colonials’ season progression and the departure of key graduating players. Additionally, we delve into strategies for rebounding from a challenging hole and the benefits of encouraging children to explore multiple sports rather than specializing early.

Eric Johnson is a Golf Digest Top 100 Instructor. You can find him teaching each summer at Yellowstone Golf Club in Big Sky, Montana, one of the premier private courses in the country. Eric was the Director of Instruction at Oakmont for 17 years and then for a couple at Nemacolin. Eric was fresh off playing a round at Oakmont, with Pittsburgh Brewing Company Owner Cliff Forrest. We hear about the changes they’ve made at Oakmont in preparation for hosting the US Open in 2025. Eric also shares his thoughts on the PGA Championship, Tiger Woods’ play, and the exceptional features of Yellowstone Country Club.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

30 May

S11, Ep 31, Pt 1: Rising from the Depth of Depression & Suicide, The Allen Miller Story As Told by His Wife Cindy & Former NFL WR Brian Finneran Talk Falcons, Angel Hernandez, & Playing Augusta National

published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, May 30th, 2024 – 4:08 pm

In Part 1 of this week’s show, I’m joined by LPGA Elite Instructor Cindy Miller and former NFL WR Brian Finneran.

Cindy Miller was recognized as an Elite LPGA Professional & Instructor at the PGA Merchandise Show earlier this year. We hear about that honor. On the heels of the tragic news of Grayson Murray, Cindy shares the story of her husband Allen Miller who found himself in a similar dark place. Allen was a top Amateur player in the early 70s. He played on the PGA Tour from the mid-70s to early 80s. He competed in 5 Masters Tournaments. The expectations of his father always haunted him. No matter what Allen achieved it was never good enough. It led Allen into some dark places. He attempted suicide which led him and Cindy to the brink of divorce. Hear his story as told from Cindy’s perspective.

Brian Finneran was an All-American WR at Villanova. He won the Walter Payton Award for being the best player in FCS College Football in 1997. He was an undrafted free agent signed by the Seattle Seahawks. He played in the NFL from 1999 to 2010 with the Eagles and Falcons. Brian is now a Sports Talk Radio Host at 680 The Fan in Atlanta. He shares his insights on the Falcons draft and our dismay at why they picked Michael Penix with the 8th overall selection. We also discuss Angel Hernandez doing baseball a favor by retiring, plus we hear about Brian’s round of golf at Augusta National.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 



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