Golf Podcast: next on the tee

A theme on this show this week is getting reactions to the proposed merger between the PIF and PGA Tour. Eric shares his disappointment when he heard the news. We also discuss if there is a path back to the PGA Tour, not for the LIV Tour players, but for Jay Monahan. We talk about how a player like Rickie Fowler can wake up one day and lose their swing and the grind to find their way back to the winner's circle. Eric also updates us on what's going on up at one of the great private clubs in the US, Yellowstone Club in Boseman, Montana.

What a privilege to get to spend some time with one of the great people you get to meet in this life, Melissa Fitzgerald.

Melissa played Carol Fitzpatrick, CJ's assistant, on The West Wing. You've also probably seen her movies like The Truman Show and Monument Avenue or on other TV shows like Gray's Anatomy and Chasing The Hill.

Melissa and I start out talking about growing up in Philadelphia. She is the daughter of a father who was a Pennsylvania Supreme Court Judge and her mother was also politically active and volunteered in the community. They are graduates of the University of Pennsylvania. I asked Melissa what it was like for her to give the commencement speech at Chestnut Hill College. We then delved into how loyal West Wing fans are to the cast and show. She talks about the support she's gotten over the years from her West Wing cast members, and the new book that she and Mary McCormack have written about their West Wing experience called, What's Next, due out later this summer.

We then transition into the incredible work she's done following the show. We hear about how the In Excelsis Deo episode became a reality for her when she was hired as the Director of Justice for Vets, a non-profit organization focused on veterans' treatment courts. It has recently gone through a rebranding to All Rise. Her cast mates have rallied around her in her new role to help raise money and awareness for the great things this court system is doing to help our Veterans, who are dealing with substance abuse or mental health issues, get their lives back on track.

Be sure to check out the great things Melissa and All Rise are doing online at www.allrise.org plus give her a follow on Instagram or X @maffyfitz. The book will be available later his summer in August. You can pre-order on Amazon. I will try to get both Melissa and Mary McCormack to join me when the release date gets closer.

In this episode, I'm joined by one of the all-time great golf writers Ron Sirak, St. Louis Sports Hall of Famer Jay Delsing, 1978 PGA Champion & 1986 Players Champion John Mahaffey, and 1996 Texas Open Champion David Ogrin.

I get all four guys to weigh in on this week's Open Championship, their experience playing in or covering The Open, plus if there is a path back for Jay Monahan. We also discuss:

Ron Sirak shares his thoughts on the Women's US Open, the escalating purses on the PGA & LPGA Tours, his thoughts on who is the greatest of all-time on the men's side, his long-time friendship with Arnold Palmer, plus he reminds us of the greatness of Ben Hogan.

Jay Delsing and I go back to his days as a top junior golfer and what it was like making it to the quarterfinals of the US Junior Golf Tournament. We hear about his college days at UCLA playing alongside Corey Pavin, Steve Pate, and Duffy Waldorf, his greatest thrill being paired with Arnold Palmer, and his final round 61 at the 1993 FedEx St. Jude Classic.

John Mahaffey and I go back to 1975 and his T10 finish in The Open Championship and what it was like competing against Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, Trevino, Floyd, and the superstars of the 70s and 80s.

David Ogrin shares stories from his T13 finish at the 1983 US Open at Oakmont and what it's like putting on those greens. Fourteen years later, at the 1997 US Open, he finished T10 but says his brother-in-law cost him and Tom Lehman a shot at winning. We also get a lesson about stretching yourself to find what you're capable of on the course.

In this episode, I'm joined by Top Instructor Tom Patri, former Tour Players Bob Friend Jr. and John Cook, plus Whisky Run Golf Club Owner Luke Nieuwland.

Tom gets credit where credit is due for accurately picking Rickie Fowler to win the Rocket Mortgage Classic. We also talk about how to pick the right bounce for your wedges, the amazing Bernhard Langer, and how different the game is over in Scotland and Ireland.

Bob Friend Jr. talks about his father's illustrious Major League Baseball career including being the winning Pitcher in the 1956 All-Star game. I get Bob's thoughts on whether there is a path back for Jay Monahan and we hear about the renovations currently going on at Oakmont Country Club that will make it play even hard at the 2025 US Open.

John Cook gives his insights on the PIF/PGA Tour partnership and whether Jay Monahan will make it through this calendar year as CEO. I get his thoughts on Bernhard Langer's amazing career, how in the world he ever successfully putted with a Bullseye putter, and Ken Venturi's legendary stroke-saver tips.

Luke Nieuwland rounds out the show. Luke is the owner of Whisky Run Golf Club up in Ontario, Canada. It's a family-owned course featuring three 9-hole layouts. We hear about each of those, plus their stay-and-play packages, and the Birrdi golf tee sheet software that Luke and friends developed to help increase revenue, organize tee times, and make it faster and easier for players to book and pay for their rounds.

A theme on this show this week is getting reactions to the proposed merger between the PIF and PGA Tour. Brian shares his surprise when he heard the news. We also discuss if there is a path back, not for the LIV Tour players to the PGA Tour, but is there one for Jay Monahan? Brian also shares the work he's doing with several members of the Buffalo Bills. Plus, we hear about his incredible weight loss and fitness journey that has dramatically increased his clubhead speed and overall distance.