This episode features Ken Hamel who has been the pro at three different NH courses and is currently the head pro at Stonebridge in Goffstown. I have known Ken for quite some time and as you will hear, he has a deep passion for the game and loves coaching and getting people to love golf. We talk about his early years in golf, his transition from being a plumber to a PGA Professional and his plans for retirement after this season.  Thank you to my home course, The Oaks, for sponsoring the podcast.  The course has been open for 7 weeks and is getting greener by the day and the greens ar ..read more

This episode features Pat Pelletier. Pat grew up in Lebanon, NH and started playing as a kid and quickly got the bug for competitive golf, playing in junior tournaments. He played on a high school team that seems like was stacked with a bunch of players. I talk with Pat about his collegiate career at the University of Rhode Island, his decision to turn pro and eventually regaining his amateur status. We also discuss some of his big wins and why the state am title is the one he really wants. I am excited to announce that my home course, The Oaks, is sponsoring the podcast this year. Thank you t ..read more

We kickoff Season 3 with John Clark, superintendent at Rochester Country Club. John has spent his entire career at Rochester. We talk about the scope of responsibilities in being a superintendent, how the work has changed over the years, why he likes the fall season, the value of tree thinning, and how research and innovation is changing the job. John loves his work, loves to learn, and takes great pride in what he and his team do. Thanks for listening and enjoy the conversation! (Song is Good Vibe by Ketsa is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 ..read more

We wrap up this year with Scott Hacker. Scott played successfully on some mini tours and for the past dozen years or so has been a golf instructor. This is a longer episode. Part 1 covers his early years in golf and his progression into professional golf. Part 2 covers the mental approach to golf. As we head into the off season in New Hampshire, I thought it might be helpful to get some insights from Scott on how we can improve our mental game as we plan for next season. Thanks for listening and enjoy the show. Song is Good Vibe by Ketsa is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 ..read more

This episode features Paul Tessier who has been the head pro at Bald Peak for 31 years. I got the pleasure of playing Bald Peak this fall for the first time and meeting Paul - I knew right away I wanted him on the podcast. We talk about his journey from growing up in Niagara Falls to joining the plumbers and steamfitters union to interning at some nice courses in Florida. Paul also shares the story about the midnight phone call that helped secure the job at Bald Peak. We talk about the course and what makes this Donald Ross track so special. Thanks for listening and enjoy the show.  Song ..read more

This episode features Laura Shanahan Rowe who has had a remarkable career as an amateur and a professional. She is the long-time golf instructor at the Sagamore Golf Center. We discuss her late start in golf but how quickly she got the bug and how fast she started competing and winning. Laura talks about her 2 NH state am titles and winning the 2001 USGA Mid Am. We also discuss her 326 yard long drive. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoy my conversation with Laura.  Song is Good Vibe by Ketsa is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 ..read more

Fresh off a decisive win at the NH Mid-Am last week, I talk with Rob Henley. We talk about his win at Rochester CC and we discuss his strong finishes in some other big tournaments this summer. We talk about his time playing golf for Coach Parker at Dartmouth, what's in the bag, why hole 12 at Lake Sunapee is so hard and how hot dogs have become part of Rob's brand.  Following my talk with Rob, I share some thoughts about my experience playing in the Mid-Am and how it felt to make a 10. Golf is hard.  Thanks for listening and sharing the show with your friends.  Song is Good Vibe ..read more

Story time! This was a fun one. This episode features Rich Parker who has a decorated golf career as a player and as a coach. He competed in the 1990 US Open and the 2010 US Senior Open and won numerous tournaments throughout New England, including three NH Opens. Since 2005, he has been the coach of the Dartmouth men's golf team. Rich is a great storyteller and shares many great tales of his golfing life. Thanks for listening! Song is Good Vibe by Ketsa is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 ..read more

This episode wraps up the summer Neighboring State Project where I talk to some of the top golfers in VT and ME. I speak with Hailey Katona who recently captured the Vermont state am title. Hailey grew up in Canada and started playing and competing at a young age. We talk about some of her big wins in Canada, her collegiate career and her golf plans once she graduates.  Hailey was candid about the nerves she felt during the state am and how she manage her nerves. I really appreciated what she shared.  Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoy my conversation with Hailey. Song is Good ..read more

The Neighboring State Project continues. This episode features Erin Holmes who just captured her first Maine state am title.  We talk about her mindset going into the tournament and for the final round when she had a big lead. I talked with Erin about her early years in golf and her time playing golf at Bucknell.  She talks about what is in her bag and why she went back to her high school putter. Erin was a lot of fun to talk with and I hope you enjoy the conversation. Song is Good Vibe by Ketsa is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 ..read more