Fairway and Friends Pawdscast

Courtney Connell
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Golf
  • Updated Weekly

Vision Statement To build a community where golf stories bring people together, inspire purpose, and celebrate the relationships that make the game unforgettable. Our desire is to preserve and promote the timeless traditions, character, and human stories of golf for generations to come. Mission Statement Fairways & Friends Pawdscast exists to uncover and share authentic stories from the many faces of golf—players, teachers, caddies, architects, broadcasters, industry leaders, and everyday lovers of the game—creating conversations that inspire, educate, and connect generations through frien

  1. Sep 28

    Dale Morgan, PGA | The Keeper of the Tradition | Fairways & Friends

    The Keeper of the TraditionDale Morgan, PGA — Leadership, Legacy & a Life inGolfThis is a conversation about golf—but even more, it's aboutstewardship, relationships and legacy.Dale Morgan — The Keeper of the Tradition.Fairways & FriendsMore Than Golf. It's Connection.YouTube TitleDale Morgan, PGA | The Keeper of the Tradition | Fairways & FriendsWebsite DescriptionSome people work in the golf business.Others spend a lifetime helping carry the game forward.In this episode of Fairways & Friends, Courtney Connell sits downwith longtime PGA Professional Dale Morgan for a conversationabout a remarkable life in golf—one shaped by relationships,mentorship, leadership, tradition and service.Dale's journey has placed him at the heart of one of the game'smost storied golf communities: Austin Country Club.It is a place where the fingerprints of legendary teacher HarveyPenick remain unmistakable, and where names such as Ben Crenshawand Tom Kite are woven into the club's history. But Dale's storyisn't simply about being around great players and historic names.It's about what he learned from them—and what he has tried topass along.Throughout the conversation, Dale takes us behind the résumé andshares the people and experiences that shaped his journey as a PGAProfessional. He reflects on mentorship, developing youngprofessionals, the responsibilities that come with leadership, andwhat it means to preserve the traditions of the game whilecontinuing to move it forward.Dale's influence also extends far beyond Austin Country Club. Hisyears of service and leadership within the Southern Texas PGA andhis role as a PGA of America District 12 Director reflect a careerdevoted not simply to the golf business, but to the PGAProfessionals who serve the game every day.And in 2026, another chapter was added to that journey with Dale'sselection to the Texas Golf Hall of Fame.But as we like to do on Fairways & Friends, this conversation isn'treally about titles, awards or accomplishments.It's about the people behind them.Who opened doors for Dale Morgan?What did he learn from the people who came before him?What responsibility comes with becoming the person who now opensthose doors for someone else?And after a lifetime around this wonderful game, what does Dalehope will remain when the titles and business cards are eventuallyput away?

    Dale Morgan, PGA | The Keeper of the Tradition | Fairways & Friends

  2. Sep 22

    Mike Taylor is one of the most respected clubmakers and craftsmen in the game of golf.

    What happens when the hands behind some of golf’s greatest equipment finally get to tell their story?On this episode of Fairways & Friends, Courtney Connell sits down with master clubmaker Mike Taylor of Artisan Golf for a conversation about craftsmanship, mentorship, relationships and legacy.Mike’s remarkable journey runs through some of the most important chapters in modern golf equipment—from the Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company and the influence of legendary clubmaker Gene Sheeley, to Nike Golf’s famed Oven in Fort Worth, where Mike helped create equipment for Tiger Woods and many of the game’s greatest players.But this conversation is about much more than golf clubs.Mike shares what Gene Sheeley taught him about the craft, what it was like building equipment for players with extraordinary feel, the emotions surrounding Nike’s decision to leave the golf-equipment business, and how that ending eventually helped lead to a new beginning with Artisan Golf.We also explore the fascinating people who have crossed Mike’s path—from Tour champions to legendary athletes and entertainers—and the young golfer named Scottie Scheffler who was walking through the shop long before the rest of the world knew his name.And then we go somewhere deeper.What does a craftsman feel while watching a player win a major championship with a club his own hands helped create?Who will carry this increasingly rare craft into the next generation?And when Mike Taylor’s days at the grinding wheel eventually come to an end, what does he hope his fingerprints will have touched beyond golf clubs?From Ben Hogan and Gene Sheeley to Tiger Woods and the next generation, this is the story of knowledge passed from one set of hands to another.There are no shortcuts to craftsmanship.Mike Taylor — The Ultimate Artisan.Welcome to Fairways & Friends.More Than Golf. It’s Connection.

    Mike Taylor is one of the most respected clubmakers and craftsmen in the game of golf.

  3. Sep 14

    Stewards of the Legacy / Mike Wright & Lindy Miller Remember Ben Hogan

    Stewards of the LegacyMike Wright & Lindy Miller Remember Ben HoganThe world knew Ben Hogan.Mike Wright and Lindy Miller knew Mr. Hogan.In this special edition of Fairways & Friends, Courtney Connell travelsto historic Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, for aconversation surrounded by the photographs, clubs, memorabilia—andmemories—of one of the most important figures in the history of golf.Mike Wright and Lindy Miller didn't learn about Ben Hogan from booksor highlight reels. They knew him personally.Lindy's relationship with Mr. Hogan reaches back to his younger days,when he had the remarkable opportunity to shag practice balls for Hogan and witness, up close, the precision and discipline behind one of golf's most admired swings.Mike arrived at Shady Oaks as a young PGA Professional and developedhis own special relationship with Hogan. Over the decades thatfollowed, Mike became not only one of Shady Oaks' most respectedprofessionals, but also someone entrusted with helping preserve Hogan's history, equipment, stories and legacy.Together, Mike and Lindy take us beyond the championships, thefamous swing and the public image of “The Hawk.” They sharememories of the man they encountered at Shady Oaks—his personality,humor, standards, loyalty, practice habits, friendships and the quietermoments that rarely found their way into the history books.This conversation is also about stewardship.What responsibility comes with personally knowing a legend? How doyou preserve stories that otherwise disappear with time? And whatshould future generations understand about Ben Hogan that can't befound on a trophy, a scorecard or a Google search?Some stories belong to history.Others live in the people who were there.Mike Wright and Lindy Miller were there.Stewards of the Legacy: Mike Wright & Lindy Miller Remember BenHogan.Fairways & Friends — More Than Golf. It's Connection.

    Stewards of the Legacy / Mike Wright & Lindy Miller Remember Ben Hogan

  4. Sep 7

    Maulana Dotch — The Legacy of Mentorship

    What happens when the mentee becomes the mentor?PGA Professional Maulana Dotch shares a remarkable journey of family, opportunity, history and the people who opened doors along the way—and why she's determined to hold those doors open for the next generation.Maulana Dotch — The Legacy of MentorshipSome people find their way into the game of golf. Others help create a pathway for those coming behind them.In this episode of Fairways & Friends, PGA Professional Courtney Connell sits down with his friend Maulana Dotch, PGA, for a conversation about golf, family, opportunity, leadership—and the extraordinary power of mentorship.Maulana's golf journey began with her father, Emanuel, who introduced her to the game as a young girl. From playing on the boys' golf team at Irving High School to competing collegiately at Bethune-Cookman University, Maulana developed into an accomplished player before discovering an even larger purpose within the game.Along the way, mentors including PGA Professional Ira Molayo and PGA Hall of Fame Member Renée Powell helped encourage, challenge and inspire her.Maulana would go on to become the second Black woman to earn PGA Membership, serve as Head PGA Professional at historic Cedar Crest Golf Course in Dallas, and later make history as the first Black woman PGA Member to serve as general manager of a golf facility, leading Hermann Park Golf Course in Houston.But this conversation is about much more than historic firsts.It's about the person behind the résumé.Maulana shares the influence of her father, the people who believed in her, the responsibility that comes with opening doors for others, and what happens when the mentee eventually becomes the mentor.Her story also intersects with the remarkable history of Hermann Park Golf Course—a public golf facility whose own story includes an important chapter in the desegregation of municipal golf in Houston.Today, Maulana is using the experiences and opportunities others poured into her to invest in another generation of young people. It is a beautiful reminder that perhaps one of the greatest measures of mentorship isn't simply what we accomplish ourselves—it's what the people we encourage are able to accomplish after us.Join us for Maulana Dotch: The Legacy of Mentorship—a conversation about golf, history, leadership, friendship, gratitude and leaving the game better than you found it.Fairways & FriendsMore Than Golf. It's Connection.

    Maulana Dotch — The Legacy of Mentorship

  5. Aug 31

    The Road Less Traveled — A Conversation with Beau Welling!

    The Road Less Traveled — A Conversation with Beau Welling!https://fairwaysfriendspodcast.com/In this episode of Fairways & Friends, Courtney Connell sits down with acclaimed golf course architect Beau Welling for a conversation about the road that led him to a life designing places where people gather, compete, connect and create memories.Beau shares the experiences and relationships that helped shape his philosophy—not simply as a golf course architect, but as someone who believes thoughtful design can bring people together. His journey has taken him around the world, working alongside some of the game’s most influential people and helping create golf experiences at the highest level.But as is so often the case on Fairways & Friends, this conversation goes beyond the résumé.“The Road Less Traveled” is about curiosity, relationships, taking chances, finding your own path, and recognizing that some of life’s most meaningful destinations are reached by roads we never expected to travel.It’s a conversation about golf, design, friendship, purpose—and the journey along the way.Fairways & Friends — More Than Golf. It’s Connection.

    The Road Less Traveled — A Conversation with Beau Welling!

  6. Aug 29

    Jon Drago, The man behind the Nelson

    Today on Fairways & Friends, we have a gentleman who has enjoyed one of the great front-row seats in North Texas golf.For more than two decades, Jon Drago has served as Tournament Director of the Byron Nelson—helping guide one of the PGA TOUR’s most celebrated events through different chapters, different golf courses, and generations of the game’s greatest players.But today, we’re going beyond the ropes.I want to learn about Jon Drago the person—where his love for the game began, the people who influenced him along the way, the lessons he learned from carrying on the extraordinary legacy of Byron Nelson, and what golf has given him in return.I am grateful to have a conversation with someone who loves the game and the people who make it special.

    Jon Drago, The man behind the Nelson

  7. Aug 10

    Randy Smith / A lifetime of Lessons

    Randy Smith / A lifetime of LessonsThere are golf instructors... and then there are teachers whose influence reaches far beyond the game itself.My guest today is one of the most respected teachers in the history of the game. Randy Smith has spent a lifetime helping players discover not only better swings, but greater confidence, discipline, and purpose. From major champions to aspiring juniors, his impact has been felt across generations.Known for his humility, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to his students, Randy reminds us that great coaching is never just about technique—it's about people.It is an absolute honor to welcome one of golf's true treasures.This is Randy Smith... and this is Fairways & Friends Pawdscast.

    Randy Smith / A lifetime of Lessons

  8. Aug 10

    Rich Learner "Aren't you that Golf Guy?

    Description coming soon...

    Rich Learner "Aren't you that Golf Guy?
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About

Vision Statement To build a community where golf stories bring people together, inspire purpose, and celebrate the relationships that make the game unforgettable. Our desire is to preserve and promote the timeless traditions, character, and human stories of golf for generations to come. Mission Statement Fairways & Friends Pawdscast exists to uncover and share authentic stories from the many faces of golf—players, teachers, caddies, architects, broadcasters, industry leaders, and everyday lovers of the game—creating conversations that inspire, educate, and connect generations through frien

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