Next on the Tee: Where Golf Legends Live & Your Game Gets Better

On this edition of Next on the Tee my guests are: the Founder of the Professional Caddies Association and PGA Tour Caddie Hall of Famer Dennis Cone and Top 100 Instructor and the Director of Golf at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Eric Johnson.

Dennis Cone - We continued our month long celebration of the life of Arnold Palmer by hearing stories about Mr. Palmer from both Dennis and Eric. Dennis shared his memories of meeting Mr. Palmer. He also talked about Bill Marray and his brothers being inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame, the ongoing work to bring caddies back into game of golf at the local level and their Caddie for Kids program.

Eric Johnson - Eric shared several great stories about his interactions with Mr. Palmer from his time as the Director of Golf at Oakmont Country Club including Mr. Palmer's final U.S.Open appearance on June 17th 1994, which also happened to be the day of the infamous police chase with O.J. Simpson in the white bronco. Eric also shared his thoughts on the Ryder Cup particularly the matches between Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia as well as the duel between Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy.

On this episode of Next on the Tee my guests are former NHL All-Star Bernie Nicholls and legendary broadcaster Mr. Ben Wright.

Bernie Nicholls - Hear former L.A. Kings All-Star Bernie Nicholls telling stories about Craig Stadler, Fred Couples, Tiger Woods, Mike Eruzione, Michael Jordan, Dave Stockton, Dave Stockton Jr., John Daly, Johnny Bench and whole lot more.

 

Ben Wright - Mr. Wright shared his memories of Arnold Palmer including the 1960 Open Championship, how he brought the Open Championship back to prominence, and the happiest he ever saw him after winning the 1973 Spanish Open. We also talked about this year's Ryder Cup and the Concession between Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin at the 1969 Ryder Cup.

On this episode of Next on the Tee I was joined by PGA Tour Rules Official Stephen Cox and PGA Tour Champions Pro Donnie Hammond.

I met Stephenat the Tour Championship this year. When I asked him what the toughest rulinghe ever had to hand out was, he said anything involving Seve Ballesteros. Wetalked about what it was like dealing with Seve who was also his childhoodidol. We also talked about what the life of a PGA Tour Rules Official is like;there's a whole lot more to it than just riding around in a golf cart handingout rulings. He also talked about design changes being made at his home courseat TPC Sawgrass in time for next year's Players Championship and a whole lotmore.

 

Donnie Hammond and I talked at length about his memories of Arnold Palmer. Donnie lives inOrlando not far from Bay Hill. He told the story of getting his firsttournament exemption at Bay Hill in 1983 and being paired with Jack Nicklaus inthe 3rd round. In that round he was assessed a 2 stroke penalty for teeing offout of order...hear why. He also talked about the practice round he played withMr. Palmer at the 1986 Masters and his thoughts on this year's Ryder Cup.

 

We remembered Arnold Palmer this week on Next on the Tee. My guests on this episode are: the voice of golf, Peter Kessler and Champions Tour Pro and Pittsburgh native Bob Friend Jr. 

Peter Kessler - Peter was there when they launched The Golf Channel back in 1995, a venture that Arnold Palmer was the driving force behind. Peter interviewed Mr. Palmer several times and they became very good friends. He shared some of his favorite stories about Mr. Palmer including when he played with Mr. Palmer in the Bay Hill Shootout and disregarding Mr. Palmer's advice on how the play the 18th and costing them a bet with the other twosome they were playing against. Peter also shared details of the interview he did with Mr. Palmer following the death of his first wife Winnie. We also talked about the Masters, and the Ryder Cup.

Bob Friend Jr. - Bob has played on the Web.com, PGA and Champions Tours since 1990. He has 2 professional wins and 26 Top 10 finishes. He is also a member at Oakmont Country Club and played with Mr. Palmer several times after originally meeting him at age 8. Bob's father, Bob Friend Sr., was a Pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 50's and early 60's, and they are member of Oakmont Country Club, which is just down the street a bit from Mr. Palmer's club at LaTrobe. We'll hear some his favorite stories about Mr. Palmer including when he played with he and Seve Ballesteros in the 1999 Bay Hill Invitational, and a practice round at the 1994 U.S. Open at Oakmont, Mr. Palmer's final U.S. Open appearance.

Join me every Saturday at 10:00 AM as I talk with PGA & LPGA Tour pros, legends, and top instructors.

"You were the most informed interviewer I've ever encountered, not the easy things but the obscure. Good work." Paul Stankowski, PGA Tour Pro

This week on Next on the Tee with ChrisMascaro my guests are: Top 100 Instructor Tom Patri and Deanna Alfredo, food andlifestyle editor at The 19th Hole Magazine.

Tom Patri - Tom sharedhis memories of Arnold Palmer, his thoughts on the Ryder Cup, Phil Mickelson'scriticism of recent Ryder Cup captains, and tips for how to chip and puttbetter.

Deanna Alfredo -Hear Deanna talk about some of her favorite places to play golf, her outingwith Greg Norman, her experience driving up Magnolia Lane and at BerckmansPlace, plus bacon, beer and so much more.

Join Chris Mascaro every Saturday at 10:00 AM as hetalks with PGA & LPGA Tour legends, today's players, equipmentmanufacturers, media members and all those impacting the great game ofgolf on Next on the Tee. Check us out onlineat www.nextonthetee.net

 

On this episode of Next on the Tee Chris' guests are former Minnesota Vikings DE turned PGA Tour Rules Official Mark Dusbabek and PGA Professional Chris Czaja.

Mark Dusbabek - I talked with Mark about his college football playing days at the University of Minnesota, what it was like being drafted in the 4th round by the Houston Oilers and ultimately going back home to Minnesota to play for the Vikings. We also talked about what led him to become a PGA Rules Official and the toughest call he's had to make regarding a turtle picking up a ball and dragging it into the water.

Chris Czaja - Chris is Golf Channel Instructor and PGA of American Teacher of the Year for South Florida, South East Chapter of the PGA of America. I talked with Chris about what it's like going from teacher on the driving range to teaching in front of TV cameras. We also talked about his experience dealing with TV production, some of his favorite instructional tips and if he could give Tiger Woods advice during his comeback, what would it be?

On this episode of Next on the Tee with Chris Mascaro my guests are: PGA Professional and the Founder of the Salute Military Golf Association, Jim Estes and LPGA Pro and Sirius/XM PGA Channel Broadcaster Maureen Madill.

Jim Estes - I'll get an update from Jim on all the great things the Salute Military Golf Association is doing to help our wounded veterans learn or re-learn how to play golf. We'll also talk about his experience playing in the SR. PGA Championship at the French Lick Resort and the upcoming Ryder Cup.

Maureen Madill - Hear Maureen sharing stories from her playing day, in particular winning the 1979 British Ladies Amateur Championship and the British Ladies Amateur Stroke Play Championship. She also shared her experience playing on and coaching the Curtis Cup team, plus what it's like broadcasting from inside the ropes on the PGA Tour and how the American team and the PGA are over thinking the Ryder Cup.

On this episode of Next on the Tee with Chris Mascaro my guests are: Scott White, CEO of Ben Hogan Golf and LPGA Professional Cindy Miller.

Scott White - I talked with Scott about his tme with Callaway Golf, TaylorMade Adidas and how throughout his career the Ben Hogan Golf brand has kept resurfacing. He's now the President and CEO of the company and talked about their new iron sets and their online fitting process, and what's on the horizon as they revitalize the brand.

Cindy Miller - I talked with Cindy about being a part of a very successful golf family. Her husband Allen was one of the top players in the 1970s, having had 18 Top 10 finishes. He finished tied for 15th in the 1975 Masters and his opening round 68 had him in 2nd place after the 1st round. I talked with her about her 2 appearances on the Golf Channel's 'The Big Break", her experiences playing out on the LPGA Legends Tour and some tips she has to help improve our scores.