All Episodes

In Part 2 of Episode 39, I am joined by former Blackhawks goalie and current broadcast team member Darren Pang, as well as former Major League infielder/outfielder Kurt Bevacqua.
Darren Pang has become a great friend of the show over the years. He is one of the all-time great hockey broadcasters, I am particularly fond of his work for the NHL Network and during the Winter Olympics. Darren is also an ambassador for Miura Golf. In this segment, Panger shares his insights on the Blackhawks draft and the thrilling Stanley Cup Finals between the Panthers and Oilers. He recounts stories from attending the 1997 Open Championship, which Justin Leonard won at Royal Troon, and his return to play the course in 2005. We also hear about his experience playing Carnoustie, the site of this year's Senior Open, his backyard putting green that rolls at 12.5 on the stimp, and what's in his bag these days.
Kurt Bevacqua played in the Major Leagues from 1971 to 1985 for the Indians, Royals, Pirates, Brewers, Rangers, and Padres. Known as "Dirty Kurt" for always having the dirtiest uniform on the team, he shares a story about meeting his childhood idol, Mickey Mantle, during an old-timers game at Arlington Stadium. He also discusses his complicated times playing in Pittsburgh and his wish for more regular at-bats to showcase his abilities. Kurt talks about his relationship with Willie Stargell and the impact Willie had on his career. Finally, we reflect on his 1984 season in San Diego and what would have been an MVP performance, had the Padres won the Series.

In part 1 of Episode 39, I am joined by two remarkable figures in the golf world: 1991 Open Champion Ian Baker-Finch and 1984 National Champion John Inman.
Finchy and John are among the most wonderful people you could meet in golf. Ian and I delve into his victory at the '91 Open, held at Royal Birkdale. He gives us an inside look at his third round course record 64 (which Jodie Mudd broke the next day). We hear about his eagle on the 17th hole, followed by a birdie on the 18th that tied him with Mark O'Meara going into the final round. We then discuss the five birdies he made in his first seven holes on Sunday, en route to a front nine 29 which put him in control of the tournament. I asked him how he stayed focused in the moment and didn't let himself think ahead to becoming the Champion Golfer of the Year. You'll also hear how his family kept him grounded that week, about his friendship with Mark O'Meara, his close calls in 1984 and 1990, and how those experiences prepared him to win in '91. Ian also shares his thoughts on this year's Open and Xander Schauffele's impressive win.
John Inman was so great earlier this season that I couldn't wait to have him back on the show. We get his thoughts on Xander's big win and discuss why he never played in The Open. We then look back at this year's US Open, John's T14 finish in the 1990 US Open at Medinah, his hole-in-one in the '91 US Open at Hazeltine, and his recent trip to Cleveland to see Ralphie's house from A Christmas Story.

In this very special episode of the show, I get to spend time with the best Sports Writer, Author, Journalist, Screenwriter, and Speaker of this or any other time, Rick Reilly.
We delve into the absurdity of the dumbest debate in the history of presidential debates. Rick reveals how Trump claims to have won 12 Club Championships, often declaring himself the winner even when he wasn't present. We also revisit Erik Compton's remarkable runner-up finish in the 2014 US Open and hear about Greg Norman's impressive driving skills during the Memorial Tournament a few years ago—though not with a golf club.
Additionally, Rick shares a hilarious story of four players each thinking they made a hole-in-one on the same hole on the same day at Lahinch. Finally, he settles the long-standing debate of who is the greatest of all time (GOAT): Jack or Tiger.

In Part 2 of Episode 37, I am joined by former UCLA two-time All-American and Tour Pro Jay Delsing, as well as US Kids Golf Lifetime Master Teacher James Hong.
Jay kicks things off with an entertaining story about previous guest Mark Calcavecchia. He then shares his experience playing in the 1985 Open Championship at St. Andrews, where he stayed until the dramatic conclusion when Constantino Rocca holed a miracle putt from the Valley of Sin to force a playoff with John Daly, which Daly ultimately won. Jay was also in the group behind Arnold Palmer, who was playing his final Open. He witnessed "The King" wave goodbye to the patrons from the Swilken Bridge and on the 18th green. Jay also shares his pick to win this year's Open and discusses the honor he received from the St. Louis Children's Miracle Network. Jay is wonderfully positive and a joy to talk to. Be sure to check out Jay's great show, Golf with Jay Delsing, anywhere you get your podcast content.
James Hong comes highly recommended by Tom Patri and Jeff Smith. Jeff insisted, "You've got to have this guy on the show," while Tom described him as "absolutely one of the best Junior Instructors in our game." James certainly lived up to these accolades. We delve into his journey in golf, his early desire to play catcher in baseball, and how that influenced his teaching career. He explains how he sets proper expectations for his students and their parents, keeps young players engaged, and shares tips for improving our short game at home. Give James a follow on Instagram @jameshonggolf.

In Part 1 of Episode 37, I'm thrilled to be joined for the 100th time by Tom Patri, along with a special return visit from the 1989 Open Champion, Mark Calcavecchia.
Tom Patri and I kick things off by reflecting on last week's Scottish Open and Robert MacIntyre's impressive victory. We also discuss the ISCO Championship and the close call for Pierceson Coody, a rising star Tom has been touting. Tom shares his experiences playing at Royal Troon and offers a valuable putting lesson on how to get the ball rolling end over end instead of skidding for the first few feet.
Mark Calcavecchia returns to share memories from his triumph at the 1989 Open Championship, held at this year's venue, Royal Troon. He discusses the challenges of the 123-yard 8th hole, famously known as The Postage Stamp, and recounts his long par save on the 11th hole, the slam dunk chip shot he made on the 12th that shifted his mindset, and what it felt like standing over a 7-footer on the final playoff hole with three putts to win. Mark also shares his prediction for who will be holding the Claret Jug this Sunday afternoon.

In Part 2 of Episode 36, I am joined by Jeremy Jean-Marie, a self-taught +3 handicap, and Damon Hack, one of the most renowned writers, hosts, and interviewers in the world of golf.
Jeremy Jean-Marie started playing golf at the age of 20, and he embodies what practice and dedication can help you achieve. While it often takes many of us a decade to progress from being awful to just bad, Jeremy has become an elite player during that time. You'll hear about his journey, his experiences in Minor League Golf tournaments, and his tips for how you can prepare for and hit better shots from tee to green.
Damon Hack is well-known for his years as a host on The Golf Channel. He has also written for Newsday, The New York Times, and Sports Illustrated. In this segment, Damon shares his recent experience interviewing players at the US Open, including thoughts on Bryson's remarkable bunker shot on the 18th and Rory's heartbreaking moments. We also discuss his views on the prolonged merger negotiations between the PIF and the PGA Tour, Keegan Bradley's appointment as US Ryder Cup Captain, and Scottie's historic run.

In Part 1 of Episode 36, I am joined by Jonathan Shuskey, a 20-year Army veteran, three-time Fort Benning Club Champion, and 2013 All-Army Champion, as well as Julia Rae, an actress, singer, dancer, writer, and one of the stars of the movie "Playing Through."
Jonathan Shuskey enlisted in the Army the week before 9/11. He shares his experience of sitting in the barber’s chair getting his hair shaved when the planes struck the Towers. We also discuss how his confidence secured him a spot in his first Army golf tournament, some of the excellent golf courses on military bases, his transition to playing college golf after retiring from the Army, and his excitement when Michigan won the National Championship. You can follow Jonathan on social media @j_shuskey1.
Julia Rae is not only a talented actress, singer, dancer, and writer, but she is also a Cystic Fibrosis activist and hero. Born with CF, Julia has battled this condition her entire life. She shares her story of how, late in her teens, her situation became life-threatening and how she managed to overcome it. Julia is one of the stars of the movie "Playing Through," which tells the story of Ann Gregory, the Queen of African American women's golf, who won hundreds of tournaments and broke the color barrier in women’s golf. Julia plays Babs Whatling, one of the main characters in the movie, delivering a performance that makes you root for her character almost as much as for Ann Gregory. Julia also hosts a wonderful podcast called "A Deeper Look," available on most podcast platforms, where she shares her warm, genuine, and vulnerable self. You can follow Julia and her podcast on social media @itsjuliarae and @deeperlookpod.

In this episode, I'm joined by The Confidence Doctor, Dr. Bob Winters; the Founder of Golf Live, Keith Scioli; and our Resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri.
Dr. Bob makes his regular monthly appearance and discusses the importance of having a SOLID foundation for your game. What does SOLID stand for? He explains it as:
Single-minded
Optimistic
Letting go of score and expectations
Intentional and focused over each shot
Decisive and determined mindset
Dr. Bob also shares insights about a hidden gem course in Ocala, which he says may be the best in Florida.
Keith Scioli transitioned from being a Landman for Southwest Energy to creating the ultimate golf app, Golf Live. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, this app offers real-time live playing lessons with a PGA Professional, no matter where you or they are. Struggling on the range and wish you could get a live lesson right then? Now you can. Keith walks us through the app's features, including the soon-to-be-added swing data integration, making it feel like you're in a simulator with your coach, even if you're just hitting into a net in your backyard.
Tom Patri is back, and this week we discuss more missed short putts on tour. At least this time, the player didn't avoid the media and fans. Tom also explains why your handicap might be misleading if you play most of your rounds on the same course.

In Part 2 of Episode 34, I'm joined by Bob Friend Jr., the 1984 and 1985 Western Pennsylvania Amateur Champion and 1985 Pennsylvania State Champion, and David Peoples, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour.
Bob Friend Jr. is the son of Bob Friend, the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher who helped them win the 1960 World Series. Known among his former Tour peers as one of the all-time great grinders, Bob Jr. honed his game much like US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau, spending countless hours on the course and range. He won the 1991 Fort Wayne Open on the Korn Ferry Tour and finished 2nd in the 1998 Canadian Open. In this episode, Bob shares his insights on this year's US Open, Rory McIlroy's putting struggles, Bryson's image transformation, Scottie Scheffler's achievement of becoming the first player since Arnold Palmer in 1962 to have six wins before July 1st, and Paul Skenes' impact on the Pirates.
David Peoples, who won twice on the PGA Tour, also joins the discussion. He expresses his surprise when Rory missed those short putts on holes 16 and 18 and shares his thoughts on Rory leaving the course without congratulating Bryson. David also reflects on his experiences playing in the 1993 and 2001 US Opens, explains why Fuzzy Zoeller was his favorite playing partner, reveals why he hates Pebble Beach, and describes what it was like seeing himself on a trading card for the first time.

In this very special edition of "Next on the Tee," I'm joined by broadcasting legend Tim Brando.
Tim Brando has practically done it all in the world of broadcasting. He started out calling high school football games alongside his father, Hub, in Shreveport, Louisiana. His entertainment career began at the tender age of 5 on his father's local variety show. As his career grew, he became the Assistant Sports Director at WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge and called men's and women's basketball for LSU. In 1984, he joined ESPN, hosting SportsCenter and their College Football Half-Time Show. By 1996, he was with CBS Sports, calling basketball games and hosting College Football Today. He also contributed to their digital media team, broadcasting The Masters. Fox Sports came calling in 2014, and he's been with them ever since.
Tim is also an avid golfer and a member of Southern Trace Country Club in Shreveport.
In our conversation, Tim walks us through his Hall of Fame career, touching on his partnership with Pittsburgh's own Beano Cook and the Pirates' pillbox hat given to him by Phil Garner. He's an amazing man who has done so much to enhance what we watch, thanks to his style and knowledge across a wide variety of sports. You can follow him on social media @timbrando.

In Part 2 of Episode 32, I'm joined by Courtney Weber, a Level 3 TPI Certified Instructor, and Cree Morris, former San Diego State QB now a top QB Coach.
Courtney Weber is a Level 3 Titleist Performance Institute and Golf Digest certified Trainer. I had the privilege of being introduced to her by Top Instructor and my gumba Rob Strano at this year's PGA Merchandise Show. Courtney shares exercises aimed at enhancing power and explosiveness in our golf swings. She delves into Advanced Dissociation Exercises, their benefits for overall fitness, and the optimal balance between cardio, weight training, and explosive movements.
Cree Morris, a standout QB at Orange Glen High School in San Diego with his jersey recently retired, began his college career alongside Marshall Faulk at San Diego State. He recounts these experiences and offers insights into QB fundamentals, advice for NFL rookie QBs, and what made Dan Marino exceptional. We conclude with Cree discussing cherished moments on the golf course with his son and their favorite spots in San Diego.

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...

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.

In Part 1 of Episode 32, I'm joined by Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Famer & 1997 Assistant Ryder Cup Captain Dennis Satyshur and renowned Sports Psychologist Dr. Bob Winters.
Dennis Satyshur is from Erie, Pennsylvania. He won the high school state golf championship in 1968. He went to Duke on a football scholarship, captained the football team, and 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.