Golf Podcast: next on the tee Chris Mascaro

In Season 11 Episode 26 Part 1, I'm joined by PGA Professional Hall of Famer Bob Ford and Uneekor VP of Marketing Greg Sabella.


Bob Ford is a living legend in our game. He is perhaps the most decorated PGA Professional of all-time. Bob shares his insights on this year's Masters, Neal Shipley's performance, the falling television ratings, rising greens fees around the country, his Yinzer pride, the Pirates season, what the Steelers have done this offseason, and his role as the Starter at the US Open.


Greg Sabella is back and we discuss Uneekor's new EYE Mini Lite Launch Monitor. It's the launch monitor we've all dreamed of having in our basement or den, and now it's more affordable. Not only do we get all the data we need like ball speed, launch angle, and smash factor, but now there's Game Day Software so we can play simulator golf with our friends anywhere in the world. There's also Target Practice which is like having Top Golf in your house. Plus, there's an AI Trainer to help you with your swing. This is unbelievable and will take your game to a whole new level and provide hours of family fun.
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In Part 2 of this week's show, I'm joined by PGA Tour Caddie and in my opinion the best player in the history of the state of Tennessee Kip Henley, and one of Golf Digest's Best Young Teachers in America Eva Rogers.


Kip Henley has a tremendous resume. As a junior player, he won the Chattanooga City Prep Championship and the Ewing Watkins Award for being the most outstanding junior golfer in the city. In college, he was an All-Southern Conference player at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He later became a Class A Teaching Professional and taught at a few local clubs before becoming a Tour Caddie. His playing accomplishments include:


The Tennessee Assistant Pro ChampionshipTennessee PGA Section Championship 4 timesTennessee State Open twiceTennessee Player of the Year 5 timesWon The Golf Channel's Big Break II in 2004He added the Tennessee Senior Open Championship in June of 2023.

He is a fantastic Caddie and has been on the bag for players like Steward Cink, Vijay Singh, Austin Cook, Brian Gay, Boo Weekly, and Grayson Murray.


Kip takes us back to last summer when he won the state Senior Open Championship doing it in honor of his mentor and a staple in Tennessee Golf Warren Huddleston, who passed away. He also shares stories from his time caddying for Brian Gay including their 10-shot victory in the 2009 Heritage Classic.


Eva Rogers was named by Golf Digest as one of the Best Young Teachers in America. She is also a certified US Kids Instructor. She teaches at one of the most historic courses in the country, Medinah Country Club just outside of Chicago. Medinah has hosted several majors including 3 US Opens, 2 PGA Championships, a US Senior Open, and the 2012 Ryder Cup.


Eva shares what it like to call Medinah home and the great membership they have there. She was recently selected to serve on the 2024/2025 PGA Lead Team and we hear what they are working on. We also discuss how she keeps her junior players engaged and enjoying the game in a Tic Toc, immediate gratification world. She reflects on Nelly Korda's current historic run and the call she received from Illinois House Representative Jennifer Sanalitro regarding Eva's success in a male-dominated industry.
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In Episode 25 Part 1, I'm joined by two fantastic Instructors, Tom Patri and Larry Rinker.


TP and I talk about the history unfolding in front of all of us from Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda. He shares his thoughts on why in the world Victor Hovland went from winning the Tour Championship to making swing and coach changes. We also get into the unprecedented amount of money that Scheffler's Caddie, Ted Scott is making. It's about to be more in the last few months than Arnold Palmer made playing golf in his career.


Larry Rinker played his college golf at the University of Florida and was the medalist at the 1978 SEC Championship. He is now one of the top Instructors in our game. Larry played in a couple of Masters Tournaments and we talk about his first experience back in 1983. He played a practice round with Payne Stewart and Scott Hoch and the Par 3 Tournament with Gary Player and Gay Brewer. We get both of those stories plus what it was like playing in the final group at the 1984 Heritage Classic with Nick Faldo, when Faldo got his first PGA Tour victory. Check him out online at www.larryrinker.com.
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In Part 2 of this week's show, I'm joined by 1983 PGA Champion and 2-time Players Champion Hal Sutton and former PGA Tour Player who is now one of the all-time great Golf Analysts, Frank Nobilo.


Hal has designed a new course outside of Houston, Texas called Darmor. It is sure to be named the Top New Private Course of 2024/2025. We start off getting an update on how it's progressing. I then get Hal's thoughts on Scottie Scheffler's win in The Masters and his impressive play in the extremely windy conditions in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. He also shares his thoughts on what he saw from Ludvig Aberg playing in his first major plus Tiger's performance as well. We then look ahead to the PGA Championship at Valhalla and a look back at Hal's win in the PGA Championship in 1983. Hal talks about having his idol, Jack Nicklaus, make a charge in the final round and what it was like having Jack waiting for him on 18 as Hal closed out that victory.


Frank Nobilo was a part of the CBS broadcast team for The Masters. We talk about why Augusta National always brings out the best in past champions. He shares his insights on the play of Sscheffler, Aberg, and Tiger. Then I get Frank's thoughts on why golf's ratings are down 20+% this year. We conclude by looking back at the 1994 US Open at Oakmont. Frank was in the field that year and in the press room when Arnold Palmer finished his final US Open round. Frank talks about the emotional scene of watching Mr. Palmer address the press and his fans.
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In the first segment of a special "Happy Birthday to Me" episode, I'm joined by Olin Browne, the 2011 US Senior Open Champion, and John Patrick, whom I regard as the finest Golf & Talk Show Radio Host ever.


Olin Browne shares insights on why Scottie's career trajectory resembles that of Tiger's. Additionally, we delve into Ludvig Aberg's apparent enjoyment during the typically tense final nine holes of The Masters on Sunday. Olin also recounts his experiences competing in the Senior PGA Championship at Valhalla in 2011, which is also the venue for this year's PGA Championship, and the US Open at Pinehurst in 2005, the location of this year's US Open.


In the second segment, I'm joined by the best to ever do it, John Patrick. I refer to John as the Godfather of Golf Talk Radio, because he is the gold standard. John delves into Augusta National's recent property acquisitions surrounding the Club, speculating on their potential plans. He discusses the challenging winds that affected the tournament over Friday and Saturday, offering insights into Tiger's future and what might need to happen for Rory to secure a victory there. Additionally, we discuss what might be causing the declining television ratings of the PGA Tour.


In Part 2, I'll cover those same topics with 1983 PGA Champion Hal Sutton and former Tour Player and now CBS Analyst Frank Nobilo.



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Former Bills, Panthers, & Packers WR Don Beebe joins me in this special episode of Next on the Tee.


Don was a 3rd round pick in 1989 but the first pick the Buffalo Bills had that year. He was an integral part of their 4 Super Bowl appearances in the early 90s. After a good warm-up and prayer session before the start of Super Bowl 27, he was convinced that he'd make the game-winning TD catch against the Cowboys. Well, the game was a route in the other direction. The Cowboys won 52-17 but it was a second away from the Cowboys putting another touchdown on the board when Don ran down Leon Lett who was dancing his way toward the endzone after recovering a fumble. Don swiped the ball out of Lett's hand causing a touchback and giving the Bills the ball back. It was an innocuous play in a blowout game. But it showed Don hadn't given up and was going to hustle until the game was over. During pregame, he had asked God to help him honor and praise Him through a game-winning touchdown. Instead, He gave him a play that has resonated with millions in a much deeper way. Hear Don tell that story and the reaction he continues to receive from people all over the world 31 years later.
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