The Luckiest Golfers On Earth Podcast Ted Fenton and Michael Higgins

The Links Luckiest Golfers On Earth official website: https://luckiestgolferonearth.com/
Ted’s Fundraiser to raise awareness and funding for GBS|CIDP Research: https://p2p.onecause.com/gbs-cidp-diy...
GBS|CIDP Foundation International:https://www.gbs-cidp.org/

The Links Luckiest Golfers On Earth official website: https://luckiestgolferonearth.com/ Ted’s Fundraiser to raise awareness and funding for GBS|CIDP Research: https://p2p.onecause.com/gbs-cidp-diy... GBS|CIDP Foundation International:https://www.gbs-cidp.org/

Teddy and Higgy are thrilled to welcome to the show, Mike O’Reilly the Director of Golf Operations for Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run and he has plenty to share about these incredible golf courses during his long tenure there. 
The Kohler owned property has hosted many major golf championships throughout the years, most notably Whistling Straits was the location for The Ryder Cup in 2021! A worldwide major sporting event that Mike was blessed to have spent a great deal of time preparing for and helping execute the unforgettable event. It was an amazing spectacle that none of us will forget any time soon!  
Mike was excited to share that they’ve recently made some updates to the golf courses as well. They’ve opened up a beautiful 10-hole, par 3 golf course and a fun 18-hole putting course. Both have been enjoyed by legions of players and have really opened up the number of activities available at the golf resort to engage in.
If you’ve been looking to play the golf courses at Blackwolf Run or Whistling Straits, you better book fast. They only have a few tee times left this year and have already opened up booking for 2023. 
Throughout our conversation, Mike shares his sage advice when attempting to play the golf course for the first time and reveals what to expect when you visit the area. Mike has a shared love of the game of golf, but more importantly, he loves the community that he lives & has worked in for over 25 years!
A fascinating conversation where both Teddy & Higgy learn quite a bit more about the Koehler organization which creates even more eagerness to get out to Wisconsin to play these amazing golf courses for the first time!
Show Notes:
[01:07] Welcome Mike O’Reilly, Director of Golf at Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits. 
[02:16] Mike shares his experiences at Whistling Straits during and after The Ryder Cup. 
[04:07] How their relationship with the PGA was established and continues. 
[05:41] Has there been any talk of a U.S. Open at Whistling Straits? 
[07:25] Hear the history of Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits. 
[09:29] They recently opened a 10-hole par three course and an 18-hole putting course.
[11:23] Are they booked up this year already? 
[12:40] Is it always windy there? Seems like the recent tournament stops were pretty windy.
[14:35] Mike shares the must-dos you have to participate in when you visit the area and resort. 
[16:50] Do they have a caddy program at their courses? 
[21:12] Over a 1000 bunkers on the course?
[22:42] Has Mike ever played a round without hitting a bunker? 
[24:58] What advice does Mike have for navigating the courses? 
[27:13] Does Teddy have a chance to reach when playing the tips? 
[30:48] Mike shares some of his favorite experiences while working at the courses. 
[33:03] Listen as Mike retells his history with the course.
[35:32] Ted and Higgy are looking forward to playing these courses. 
The Links
Luckiest Golfer On Earth official website: https://luckiestgolferonearth.com/
Ted’s Fundraiser to raise awareness and funding for GBS|CIDP Research: https://p2p.onecause.com/gbs-cidp-diy/ted-fenton

Pebble Beach Golf Links is the #1 golf course in America that anyone can make a tee time at to play. This iconic public golf course is listed as a top ten golf course in America on nearly every publication’s list, and that is no accident. Pebble Beach is one of the most legendary golf courses on the planet! Listen in as Teddy and Higgy chat with Eric Lippert, the Head PGA Professional at Pebble Beach, who has worked for this incredible organization for nearly 20 years!
Eric started at Del Monte GC (where he held the course record of 60 for a number of years) and has spent time at all four golf courses at Pebble Beach. He has had a unique view to some of the most iconic tournament play in recent years and he has the stories to prove it. 
One of the things he’s most proud of during his tenure at Pebble Beach is the care and attention the staff delivers to each and every player, who gets the chance to play this incredible golf course. This is a bucket list golf course for nearly every golfer out there, and Eric’s staff are determined to make sure that all players & guests have an amazing experience!
Teddy, Higgy, and Eric talk about the unpredictable nature of Pacific Coast weather, how the course has fared over the years, the legendary golf tournaments & memorable shots that have taken place at Pebble Beach, and most critically, they ask Eric to share his advice for anyone playing the course for the first time. 
It is truly an experience to visit & play Pebble Beach and it’s one that Teddy has been dreaming about for years. He can’t wait to tee off & check it off his bucket list! (Higgy too if he’s able to make it in January 2023!) 
Listen in to the amazing stories Eric shares about his experiences as the Head PGA Professional at Pebble Beach!  This was an amazing conversation, and one that you won’t want to miss!
Show Notes
[01:09] Do you know any golfers who have a course bucket list that doesn’t include Pebble Beach Golf Links? 
[02:13] Welcome Eric Lippert, the Head PGA Professional at Pebble Beach Golf Links. 
[02:51] How do you get a tee time to play Pebble Beach and how far out do you need to plan? 
[04:29] Is there a better chance to play if you’re a single player walking up to the pro shop with no reservation? 
[06:28] Eric confirms the number of tournaments they’ve hosted through the years. 
[09:53] They breakdown various amazing shots that have happened in tournament play at the golf course. 
[11:26] Learn about Eric’s long history at Pebble Beach and his career. 
[12:33] He even held the course record for a while there. 
[16:04] How many courses are part of Pebble Beach? 
[21:20] The people who work at Pebble Beach take pride in the fact that it’s a national treasure. 
[23:06] Eric shares how he felt when he got the call to become the Head PGA Professional at Pebble Beach.
[26:17] The real role of a PGA Professional. 
[29:08] How have the oceanside holes fared over time with erosion? 
[30:46] Are they the longest hosting course for the PGA tour? 
[34:11] When do they start setting up for their PGA Tour events? 
[37:18] What advice does Eric give to first-time players at Pebble Beach? 
[40:31] How long does the average round take? 
[41:54] Eric shares his favorite time of the day to play the course. 
[43:28] Are there any memorable stories that stick out for Eric from his time working at the course?
[45:58] Plus a few more unique moments. 
[49:22] Ted and Higgy ask some rapid fire questions of Eric. 
[52:57] They say their farewells. 
The Links
Luckiest Golfer On Earth official website: https://luckiestgolferonearth.com/
Ted’s Fundraiser to raise awareness and funding for GBS|CIDP Research: https://p2p.onecause.com/gbs-cidp-diy/ted-fenton
GBS|CIDP: https://www.gbs-cidp.org/

Teddy and Higgy are absolutely ecstatic to be able to share the conversation they had with Brendan Walsh, Director of Golf & Head PGA Professional for The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts! The Country Club will be hosting the fast approaching 2022 US Open! TCC is the oldest country club in the United States and one of the five founding golf clubs that started the United States Golf Association. 
The history of The Country Club is awe inspiring. When you walk onto the grounds, you can literally feel the history & almost see the legends of the game as you walk along the fairways, knowing that this hallowed ground & country club was instrumental in the development of golf as we know it in the U.S. and all throughout the entire world. It’s truly a magical feeling. 
In fact, some of the most important moments for the game of golf in the U.S. have happened at TCC. They hosted the historical 1913 U.S. Open, which was won by a local 20 year old amateur player named Francis Ouimet, who lived across the street & worked as a caddy at TCC! He beat golfing legends Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in an 18 hole playoff to win the 1913 US Open! His remarkable win sparked the golfing boom in the U.S. & changed the game forever.
Each of the three U.S. Opens hosted at The Country Club have resulted in a tie at the end of regulation play & required an 18 hole playoff to determine the winner. Legions of golf fans are excited to see if this tradition holds true for the 2022 US Open.
Despite being deep in preparations for the upcoming 2022 US Open, Brendan was able to find some time to share with us the history of TCC, his background in the game of golf, and why he’s so passionate about mentorship in both the game of golf & in the business of golf. 
This was a truly one-of-a-kind conversation for an amazing and historical golf course. If you’re as interested in the history of the game as Teddy and Higgy are, you won’t want to miss out on the details shared about this amazing golf course, from an absolute gentleman & great steward of the game of golf, Mr. Brendan Walsh!
Show Notes:
[01:20] Teddy and Higgy are super excited to be chatting with Brendan Walsh, Director of Golf at The Country Club.
[03:32] Higgy shares that The Country Club is preparing to host the 2022 U.S. Open. 
[05:58] Brendan provides a brief history of the club. 
[08:57] This is going to be the 17th U.S. PGA championship that they’ve hosted. 
[11:22] Every one of the Opens they’ve hosted has resulted in a playoff round to determine the winner. 
[14:05] They’ve hosted a record six national Amateurs. 
[17:04] It’s amazing that the membership at The Country Club is so open with their course. 
[18:11] How does the course change for championships?
[22:12] Learn more about how they incorporate holes in different championships. 
[25:07] Do they have member events that play the same tees? 
[27:32] Did he feel the pressure to perform with the ‘99 Ryder Cup in his second season at The Country Club. 
[28:56] Brendan shares who his mentors in the game have been. 
[33:30] One of the events they didn’t mention was the 2008 New England PGA Championships. 
[34:53] What did his father do in order to support 15 kids. 
[36:22] Did they have a golfing family? 
[37:25] Does he have a favorite golf course outside of his home club?
[38:53] One story that he’ll never forget during his time at The Country Club.
[41:36] Brendan’s advice for someone who’s never played the course.
[44:49] Some behind the scenes information about preparing for the 2022 US Open. 
[48:07] Listen as Brendan answers some rapidfire questions. 
[51:55] Last words from Brendan. 
The Links
Luckiest Golfer On Earth official website: https://luckiestgolferonearth.com/
Ted’s Fundraiser to raise awareness and funding for GBS|CIDP Research: https://p2p.onecause.com/gbs-cidp-diy/ted-fenton
GBS|CIDP Foundation: https://www.gbs-cidp.org/

Oak Tree National’s Head PGA Professional Jon Sandell drops in to talk about this legendary golf course, its rich history, and its very long list of PGA Tour players who call it their home course! Through two renovations and countless tour events over the last 15 years, Jon has seen Oak Tree National evolve into a much beloved golf course that holds the attention of many past, present, & future PGA Tour Professionals.
As of the time of this recording, Oak Tree National is undergoing a massive renovation but it is slated to be ready to go by September 2022. The question has to be asked, will the renovations affect the difficulty of the course at all? 
Oak Tree National is one of the hardest golf courses in the country. It has the 3rd highest rating in the country at 79.5 & the slope is maxed out at 155! In fact, the renovations are set to return the course to its original design and likely increase the difficulty. 
Per Jon, the course is tough but fair. His best advice for first timers is to not take the course personally. Know that you have to be truly on your game and if you’re not, the course can take its toll on players sometimes.
Listen in to hear all about the rich history at Oak Tree National and why it’s such a special place to Jon and so many PGA Tour players!
Show Notes
[01:52] Welcome Jon Sandell, the Head PGA Professional at Oak Tree National. 
[02:40] Learn about the renovations happening at Oak Tree National.
[04:20] This is the second renovation they’ve gone through in the 15 years that Jon has been there. 
[06:00] Oak Tree National is one of the hardest courses in the nation. Learn more. 
[07:59] What was the purpose behind the difficulty level of the course? 
[10:26] They do a special event just for members each year in October.
[12:54] Hear a list of the PGA tour players that have come out of Oak Tree National. 
[15:25] Jon shares details about the pro scratch they each year. 
[17:49] Learn about the dramatic pro tour finishes the course has seen. 
[19:59] After playing the course in the 1984 US Amateur, Scott Verplank decided to stay.
[21:02] The pros who live on property are key to keeping the club growing. 
[24:38] Jon’s advice for first timers on the course. 
[26:49] Magic happened when Jon extended an invitation to Teddy to play the course. 
[28:58] What does the caddy program look like at Oak Tree National? 
[29:58] How far are they from Tulsa and Southern Hills?
[32:11] Hear one of the routes that Teddy planned at the beginning of this process. 
[34:59] One of Jon’s most special moments of his time at Oak Tree National. 
[38:05] Jon answers several rapid fire questions about golf. 
[41:16] Teddy and Higgy recap their conversation with Jon Sandell. 
 
The Links
Luckiest Golfer On Earth official website: https://luckiestgolferonearth.com/
Ted’s Fundraiser to raise awareness and funding for GBS|CIDP Research: https://p2p.onecause.com/gbs-cidp-diy/ted-fenton
https://www.gbs-cidp.org/