The Inward Nine with Chandler Withington

Chandler Withington
  • 5.0 (103)
  • Golf
  • Updated Weekly

The Inward Nine is a podcast for those looking to discover the best version of themselves. On The Inward Nine we will learn from a range of people in the game of golf as we share our journeys, experiences, successes and failures, lessons learned and advice for the next generation. But we are not here just to talk about success in the workplace. We are here to talk about who we are as people and how we succeed at the game of life. Chandler Withington is a PGA Member of nearly 20 years and has worked in the game of golf for over 30 years. Chandler is the retired head golf professional from Hazeltine National Golf Club (2012 - 2021). Prior to Hazeltine, Chandler was an assistant golf professional at Merion Golf Club (PA) and Seminole Golf Club (FL). Over the last three years, Chandler has become a licensed artist for the United States Golf Association and PGA of America. Chandler's personal mission statement is to have a positive impact on the lives of those around him.

  1. Sep 4

    Ep. 78 Ryan Dailey / Operation 36

    Have any of you ever been in a position where your job might be eliminated unless you can come up with a solution? Nearly 20 years ago today's guest could see the end of his job in sight, but rather than just roll over and accept his fate, he and a friend got creative. What these two produced wasn't an overnight success. Over a stretch of time they would grow, then shrink all while constantly adapting and testing ideas. In the end, what came from it all was a reimagined way of introducing junior golfers to playing the game golf. Today's we get to learn about how this approach called Operation 36 came to be with Co Founder Ryan Dailey.   In our time together with Ryan we will discuss: The feedback loop. Whenever someone has an idea, there will be multiple rounds of trial and error, followed by feedback, followed by adjustments to the idea and then the loop begins all over again. Ryan will walk us through these stages, all the way to landing on the moon with their approach to Operation 36. Whenever a junior is introduced to the game of golf, of course we hope they fall in love with the game and play it for a lifetime. But there is a greater purpose to how Ryan and Operation 36 engage their students. Listen as Ryan shares the question he asks junior golfers to get them thinking and seeing the bigger picture. If you ever felt overwhelmed, the list of to dos is too long, too big.. it can't be done. Ryan shares his mindset and approach to when he felt this way. It's a little shift, but it can make a world of difference. Have you ever felt alone? If so, how did you feel? Did you feel comfortable or uncomfortable? Ryan will share about a year in his teenage life in a new place, one where he didn't know anyone. It was this year that would prepare Ryan for so much of life and reminds us that being alone isn't a death sentence, but rather an opportunity if we choose to see it that way. So often, whenever we ask my things are the way they are, we are told - That's just the way it is. Thankfully, Ryan didn't accept status quo. He was willing to take a conventional model and turn it upside down. Junior golfers who have come through Operation 36 have been benefiting ever since. To connect with Chandler:  Follow on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast Email: chandler@archive22.com Music Credits:  Opening: 'The Way It Is' by Bruce Hornsby Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

    Ep. 78 Ryan Dailey / Operation 36

  2. Aug 27

    Ep. 77 Paige Cribb / Candidate for PGA Secretary

    Have any of you ever had an interest or been encouraged by someone else to run for a position within your Section of the PGA? Or, perhaps it wasn't a volunteer position. Maybe it was a job that was a reach for you. Regardless, you had to put yourself out there and get people to vote for you. And how did that make you feel? Excited, anxious or all of the above? Today's guest has successfully run for Secretary of the Carolinas Section and this fall she is setting her sights on becoming the next Secretary of the PGA of America. Our guest today is Paige Cribb, who along with being a past President of the Carolinas Section has also served as the Director of Student Support at the Coastal Carolina University PGM Program. In our conversation with Paige, we will discuss: The lives of her students at Coastal Carolina. What are the hopes and dreams of the next generation? Paige will share a noticeable difference in the students of today from those of 10+ years ago so that we can better understand the obstacles these people are facing. Years ago, Paige received an invitation and encouragement to run for a seat on the Carolina's Section Board of Governors and is now running for a seat on the National Board. Listen as Paige talks about her hopes, mission and vision for the future of our  Association. There are key people associated with every Section of the PGA. Listen to whom Paige feels can be the most impactful people in improving the lives of PGA Professionals and how we all can begin to work with these people to get to where we want to go. I was fired. I got divorced. I was convicted. All these outcomes can feel like the end of the road. Paige opens up with us about a pivotal moment in her life and career and how it helped shaped a new path for her and one she is thriving in. Accountability and taking ownership. It all sounds great on paper until the time comes when we must do it ourselves. Paige and I will talk about times of failure and the most crucial moment that comes directly after it. Per usual, the game of golf shapes us in ways we don't always recognize in the moment. But later in life when we turn around and look at how far we have come, we can see it more cleary. Today's conversation is one of those moments, as Paige reflects and also looks ahead with great anticipation. To connect: Follow on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast Email: podcast@archive22.com Music Credits:  Opening: 'Coming Home' by Keith Urban Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

    Ep. 77 Paige Cribb / Candidate for PGA Secretary

  3. Aug 21

    Ep. 76 My Commencement Speech

    Have any of you ever had someone ask you for career advice? If so, what advice did you give them? I got a note from a listener a few weeks ago, asking me for some advice. I didn't want to just give the person a quick answer without giving it serious thought. Anyone can tell you not to do drugs. Rather than typing out a long email reply, I asked the listener if he would mind if I dedicated an episode to answering his question and that is what I will attempt to do in our time together today. Look, I may never get called to give a commencement speech at Harvard, but it doesn't mean I haven't learned a few lessons that I can pass along to each of you. I don't have all the answers. No one does. So, let's figure this all out together. I will do my very best to share some of my discoveries and advice that I give not just to total strangers, but to my one children. To connect with Chandler:  Follow on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast Email: podcast@archive22.com Music Credits:  Opening: 'Homegrown' by Zac Brown Band

  4. Aug 14

    Ep. 75 Kristen LaCount / General Manager at The Country Club in Brookline

    Have any of you ever felt you had life all figured out? Have you ever felt all your master plans were falling into place and then suddenly had it all fall apart, leaving you feeling hopeless? You can't see it, but my hand is up in the air, the hand of our guest is as well and perhaps so is yours. The reality is life doesn't always go as we plan it, but that doesn't mean things won't turn out better than we ever imagined. It surely has for this week's guest. She is the wonderful, hospitable and very approachable Kristen Lacount, the General Manager at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Ahead in our time with Kristen, we will discuss: What it was like to grow up as the 4th generation within her family to work at The Country Club and how her upbringing shaped her own dreams and aspirations. On chasing those dreams, her path seemed so clear. She had it all figured out until her plan vanished seemingly overnight. Listen as Kristen shares the advice she received from her father, advice which would help her discover an entirely new path. Similar to a our recent guest Jason Prendergast, Kristen had an ah ha moment with a club member. One which allowed her to begin seeing the people at the club in a new way, a way which allowed her to understand how different and unique each person is, a perspective which has served her well ever since. We will talk about the relationship between a general manager and the golf professional. Kristen will share what she believes is the foundation to a healthy relationship between these two key figure heads at any club and what each of us can do to foster this key relationship at our own clubs. Employee morale. We know its important, but how much are clubs willing to invest in it. I got to see a unique behind the scenes part of the Country Club during a recent visit. Kristen will talk about how it all came to be and why it matters so much to their everyday operation.   Finally, among the many things we talk about, we take a step off the property at Brookline to talk about how the Club is impacting their surrounding community. It is a shift in perspective, a reminder of just how fortunate so many of us truly are and how showing up for those who need help can make such a world of difference.  To follow or connect with Chandler:  Follow on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast Email: podcast@archive22.com Music Credits:  Opening: 'Some Of It' by Eric Church Interlude: Theme Song From 'Cheers' Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

    Ep. 75 Kristen LaCount / General Manager at The Country Club in Brookline

  5. Jul 31

    Ep. 74 Chris Pronger / Stanley Cup Champion / Author of 'Earned'

    Have any of you ever had someone ask you a question that you knew you should have an answer for, but when asked, you began to realize you hadn't ever given it much thought? Our guest today is known as one of the most successful hockey players to have ever pulled on a sweater – A Stanley Cup, 2 gold medals, a hart trophy as the league MVP, inducted into the hockey hall of fame and listed on the top 100 hockey players of all time list, yet his early days in the League weren't a highlight reel. Expectations were high for the #2 overall pick in the 1993 entry draft, but his performance wasn't meeting those expectations. Our guest today is Chris Pronger, one of the most feared and physical defensemen of his time, and he is here to help you understand how we turned a corner in his career and life and how you can do the same.. and it all starts with one simple question. Ahead in our conversation with Chris: We talk so often on this podcast about not playing safe. Chris will share about the unconventional path he took to the NHL. One where he was willing to bet on himself and his ability. Have you ever felt like you knew all there was to know, only to learn later you still had so much to learn? Once drafted and in the NHL, Chris was far from consistent. Listen to the two word response Chris would give to his veteran mentor, a response Chris would later learn was short sighted and indicative of why he was struggling. Rock Bottom. It is a place none of us wants to find ourselves. Chris will share about his experience with rock bottom and on the question he was asked that helped him begin to find a way out of it. Perspective. It can come quickly and when we least expect it. Chris will share about a time he found himself unconscious on the ice after taking a slap shot directly to the heart.. one that stopped beating for nearly 30 seconds. Ownership is something we must choose on a daily basis. Chris talks about a costly decision he made without consulting those around him, how we needed to own his mistake and how you can take ownership of your own actions and decisions. The road to the top of the mountain is never straight. It is full of expected turns, detours and setbacks.. but the show must always go on. To connect with Chandler:  Follow or DM on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast Email: podcast@archive22.com Music Credits:  Opening: 'The Show Must Go On' by Queen:  Interlude: 'Under Pressure' by Queen Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

    Ep. 74 Chris Pronger / Stanley Cup Champion / Author of 'Earned'

  6. Jul 24

    Ep. 73 Larry Bobka / Master Clubfitter

    Where are all my equipment heads, sickos and junkies? This episode is for all of you who love the equipment side of the game and want to better understand how we arrived at the golf club designs that we play today. Today on The Inward Nine we are fortunate to have someone who has served on the frontlines of each evolution in golf club design over the last 40 years, from persimmon wood to metal drivers, steel to graphite shafts, perimeter weighted irons, titanium faced drivers, modern forged irons and working with the best Tour players in the world, this man has simply done it all and referring to him as an expert in his field might even be an understatement. Please buckle up and strap in as we get to spend significant time with one of the best in the golf equipment and clubfitting over the last 40 years, he is the very knowledgeable yet humble Larry Bobka. In our time together with the man everyone calls LB, we will discuss: How throwing clubs in frustration accidentally unlocked Larry's curiosity about club design. After all, if Larry broke it, he needed to understand how to fix it. More on curiosity. As Larry began to teach his students and wasn't seeing them getting the results he felt they should, it sent Larry down a road of seeking other solutions. Larry will share what he discovered and how it began to shape the earliest days of club fitting. When it comes to clubfitting, Larry will remind us of what our primary job is when it comes to helping players not only play their best, but also enjoy the game the most. Ego. We all have one. Listen to the wonderful advice Larry received right before he was set to interact with Tour players for the first time. Trial and error. It is a part of any development process. From working for Wilson to Titleist, Larry and his team were constantly evolving and looking for ways to improve. We get a behind the scenes look at how Titleist hit their stride in the mid 90s and how Larry played a starring role. More than anything you take from this conversation from a master craftsman, I hope you leave with a greater appreciation of the people who came well before us and helped shape the game we play today.   To connect with Chandler:  Follow and DM on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast Email: podcast@archive22.com Music Credits:  Opening: 'Check It Out' by John Mellencamp Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

    Ep. 73 Larry Bobka / Master Clubfitter

  7. Jul 15

    Ep. 72 Mid Season Check In

    As we make the turn on the 2026 season and year, how are you all feeling? Are you feeling energized and excited about the rest of the year? Or, are you feeling tired, overwhelmed and barely hanging on?  On this episode, Chandler pauses on asking questions to guests to ask some questions to all of you.  We will discuss:  We will pause to take some personal inventory at the mid season point. Just as we count the items in our golf shop and reorder accordingly, we will look at the things we need to have on hand to live life on a daily basis.  Have you ever recevied some feedback that was hard to hear? If so, how did you respond after? Did you seek to understand it more, or did you ignore the feedback even though you felt it may have been valid?  Have you ever felt lost or without purpose or meaning? Chandler shares a few passages from the book 'The Meaning of Your Life' by Arthur Brooks.  How do you deal with boredom or moments of quiet? Are you trying to fill every waking moment of your day with stimulation? Are you allowing time to just sit with your own thoughts and ideas?  How is your current perspective and outlook? Are you living life with a sense of gratitude, or more a sense of negativity or pessimism. Chandler shares a passage from a book to help bring you back to a place of being grateful.  To connect with Chandler:  Follow or send a DM on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast Send an email to podcast@archive22.com Music Credits: Opening: 'Youve Got a Friend in Me' by Randy Newman Interlude: 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' by U2

  8. Jul 3

    Ep. 70 Jason Prendergast / Dream Driven

    Have you ever wanted to change certain things about your past or who you are? It's natural to want to go back and undo things we have done. Today on The Inward Nine we get to spend time with someone who has wrestled with all of this and what he discovered might surprise you. He is a longtime PGA member and now an author of an impactful book. Our guest today is Jason Prendergast. In our time together with Jason, we will discuss: There is an uncomfortable word, but one we all live with each day. That word is fear. Jason will help us understand how not to run from it, but rather to embrace it and to let it ride shotgun in our daily lives. Dreams. We all have them, yet we rarely let others in when talking about them. Jason will talk about how his own dreams changed and evolved over time and once he identified what they were, how he chased after them with reckless abandon. Many of us are searching for direction and meaning in our lives. Jason will talk about how looking for a very specific type of plant taught him lessons in awareness and gave him the ability to be patient and persistent when trying to see things clearly. A Family. It is a powerful thing to be a part of. Listen as Jason talks about the impact of his second family and the life lessons his second father taught him, lessons that forced Jason to slow down and to care for others. We talk so often on this podcast about making the turn and heading home. But what is home? Jason will talk about what the word means to him and how you can find a place where you belong. To connect with Chandler: Follow on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast Email: podcast@archive22.com Music Credits:  Opening: 'Dreams' by The Cranberries Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

    Ep. 70 Jason Prendergast / Dream Driven
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5
out of 5
103 Ratings

About

The Inward Nine is a podcast for those looking to discover the best version of themselves. On The Inward Nine we will learn from a range of people in the game of golf as we share our journeys, experiences, successes and failures, lessons learned and advice for the next generation. But we are not here just to talk about success in the workplace. We are here to talk about who we are as people and how we succeed at the game of life. Chandler Withington is a PGA Member of nearly 20 years and has worked in the game of golf for over 30 years. Chandler is the retired head golf professional from Hazeltine National Golf Club (2012 - 2021). Prior to Hazeltine, Chandler was an assistant golf professional at Merion Golf Club (PA) and Seminole Golf Club (FL). Over the last three years, Chandler has become a licensed artist for the United States Golf Association and PGA of America. Chandler's personal mission statement is to have a positive impact on the lives of those around him.

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