next on the tee

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.

Rob Labritz shares stories from how he got his start as a PGA Professional and dominating the local New York events. We hear about the grind through mini Tours and barely making enough money to live week to week. How he got through Champions Tour qualifying to now playing on the Champions Tour. Rob also talks about his preparation for the US Senior Open, and picking the brains of his peers.

This week on Next on the Tee, I have a fantastic lineup of guests and insights that I can't wait to share with you. Kicking things off is our resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri, who was my eyes and ears at the PGA Merchandise Show last week. Since I couldn’t be there this year, Tom fills us in on all the exciting new technology and innovations making waves in the industry. As the ultimate advocate for short game, short game, short game, Tom will also weigh in on an age-old debate—should you invest in a new driver or a new set of wedges? I have a feeling I know where he stands, but you’ll find out at the top of the show.

Following Tom, our good friend and former Tour pro, David Peoples, joins me. Peeps has quickly become one of my favorite guests because he brings so much energy, fun, and great stories to every conversation. Recently, he reached out to Tom for a lesson, and TP was stunned when he saw what David had in his bag. We’ll talk all about that surprise, plus get David’s take on two of the hottest topics in professional golf: the ongoing slow play issues on Tour and the reduced fields in Signature Events and set to be in place across the board for 2026. David always brings great insight and perspective, and you'll hear why he's become a show favorite.

It’s another can’t-miss episode packed with golf knowledge, humor, and expert analysis, so settle in with us and enjoy the show!

This week on the Next on the Tee podcast, I'm joined by 3 of the Top Instructors in the game who have become wonderful friends over the years, Rob Strano, Brian Jacobs, and Eric Johnson, PGA. New friend Greg Sabella, VP of Marketing for Uneekor, Inc., makes his Next on the Tee debut.

A theme this week is getting reactions to the proposed merger between the PIF and PGA Tour. Rob, Brian, and Eric all share their disappointment when they 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?

Rob shares a great tip for how to recover from a wayward shot into the brush with a restricted backswing and a drill to improve your putting stroke and full swing using two water bottles.

Brian 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.

Eric and I 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.

Greg Sabella tells us about their amazing simulators, ones we all wish we had in our basements, garages, or game rooms. Greg also talks about their Eye Mini launch monitors that are like the ones we see Tour pros have out on the driving range. We finish up hearing about their acquisition of Evnroll Putters and their SweetFace Technology which almost eliminates any dispersion off the putter even when you don't strike it in the center of the face.