The Fried Egg Golf Podcast

Yolk with Doak 22: Designed Randomness and the Maha Project

<p>In the latest edition of the Yolk with Doak, Tom discusses the principles behind his Confidential Guide series, the value of randomness in design, and a unique new project of his near Napa Valley.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

School of Golf Architecture: Collaboration with Andy Staples

<p>In this edition of our audio introduction to golf course design, Garrett speaks with architect Andy Staples (<a href="https://twitter.com/buildsmartrgolf">@buildsmartrgolf</a>) about collaboration on construction projects. They discuss how Andy works with owners, contractors, and shapers; what “design-build” means and how people often misunderstand it; and whether architects get too much credit. For more on these topics, check out the <a href="https://thefriedegg.com/school-of-golf-architecture-part-4-collaboration/">post for this episode on The Fried Egg website</a>.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Superintendent Series: Steve Cook on Medinah and Major Championships

<p>Steve Cook, the Director of Grounds at Medinah Country Club, joins the podcast. Andy and Steve talk about his long career, including his time in France and his experience prepping courses for major championships. They also discuss Steve’s management style, which has helped produce a number of up-and-coming leaders in the turf industry today.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

John Bodenhamer on USGA Championship Setup

<p>John Bodenhamer, the USGA's Senior Managing Director of Championships, joins Andy Johnson on the podcast. The two talk about John's golf background and his time on some of the great early 80s BYU teams before diving into championship setup. The discussion finishes with a conversation about 2020's USGA championships and how they will go about filling the fields without qualifying.  </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Stephen Proctor on the History of Challenge Matches

<p>As an appetizer for the upcoming Tiger-Phil (plus Manning and Brady) match, Andy and Garrett speak with golf historian Stephen Proctor about the history of challenge matches. They discuss the importance of rowdy, big-money matches to early golf culture in Scotland, the eventual ascendancy of stroke play as the dominant competitive format, and the ways that today's televised matches might recapture some of the magic of the past. Stephen is the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Monarch-Green-Morris-Pioneer-Modern/dp/1909715751/"><em>Monarch of the Green</em></a>, a biography of Young Tom Morris.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Nathaniel Crosby

2019 and '21 Walker Cup captain Nathaniel Crosby joins the podcast to talk about last week’s match at Seminole, his days on the European Tour, and next year's Walker Cup.<p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Yolk with Doak 21: Linksland, Mike Strantz, and Environmentalism

<p>This episode of the Yolk with Doak features the final part of the conversation Andy and Tom had this past January in Traverse City, Michigan. They discuss a variety of topics, including the challenges of building on linskland, Mike Strantz, Woking Golf Club, stymies, and how golf might mesh with environmentalism.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Seminole Golf Club with Bill Coore and Zac Blair

<p>On Sunday, May 17, four of the best golfers in the world will take on one of the best courses in the world. Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, and Matthew Wolff are set to play in TaylorMade Driving Relief, a televised charity skins match at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida. The rarely publicized Seminole is known as one of Donald Ross's most subtle and brilliant designs. To understand the course better, Andy talks to architect Bill Coore, who along with Ben Crenshaw restored Seminole in 2017, and PGA Tour pro Zac Blair, who has played the course several times in the annual Seminole Pro-Member.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Brian Schneider

<p>Renaissance Golf Senior Associate Brian Schneider joins Andy to talk golf course architecture. The discussion starts with Brian’s work at North Jersey CC, a Walter Travis design, and ranges from Llanarch CC's above-ground features to Augusta National to Langford &amp; Moreau’s bold shaping. Follow Brian on Twitter (@bschneider126) and Instagram (bschneidergolf).</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Superintendent Series: Rich Shilling on Jeffersonville and Public Golf

<p>Rich Shilling, superintendent of Jeffersonville Golf Course, joins the podcast. Andy and Rich discuss Jeffersonville’s improvement during his time there and the unique challenges of upgrading a course while continuing to allow public play. They also talk about his future plans and how the municipality approaches budgeting for renovations.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

School of Golf Architecture: Tie-Ins with Riley Johns

<p>In the third installment of our serialized introduction to golf course design, we explore how architects and shapers make courses feel at home in their surroundings. Specifically, we discuss tie-ins, the features that connect the manmade landforms of a golf hole to the preexisting surroundings. To learn more about this subtle art, Garrett speaks with Riley Johns (<a href="https://twitter.com/RileyJohnsGolf">@RileyJohnsGolf</a>), one of the architects behind the Winter Park Nine and the new short course at Forest Dunes. After listening to the episode, check out the <a href="https://thefriedegg.com/school-of-golf-architecture-part-3-tie-ins/">accompanying post on The Fried Egg website</a>.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Christina Kim

<p>LPGA player Christina Kim joins the program this week. She discusses the importance of individuality, the Ladies European Tour vs. the LPGA, her quick rise as a junior player, her favorite courses around the world, and much more!</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Joel Dahmen

<p>PGA Tour player Joel Dahmen takes time out of his Arizona quarantine to join Andy Johnson this week. The two talk about Mario Kart, qualifying for the U.S. Open after a trip to the bar, playing with big-name players, and just what he is doing during all this time off.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Yolk with Doak 20: Sedge Valley, Drivable Par 4s, and the State of Restoration

<p>Tom Doak returns to discuss a variety of topics with Andy, including topographical maps, green books, drivable par 4s, and the evolution of restoration projects in recent times. Tom also gives a quick update on his work at his new project at Sand Valley and answers some listener questions.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

School of Golf Architecture: Linksland with George Waters

<p>The second part of our serialized introduction to course design profiles the first and most influential golf architect: the linksland. Coastal dunescapes gave the sport its first fields of play as well as its founding ethos. To learn more about how terrain has shaped the game, Garrett talks to George Waters (<a href="https://twitter.com/gwatersgolf">@gwatersgolf</a>), the Manager of Green Section Education for the USGA and the author of the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sand-Golf-Terrain-Shapes-Game/dp/1939621038">Sand and Golf</a>. Make sure to check out <a href="https://thefriedegg.com/school-of-golf-architecture-part-2-linksland/">the accompanying post on The Fried Egg website</a>; there you will find additional resources on the topic and outtakes from the interview with George.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Superintendent Series: Josh Lewis on Bandon Dunes, Pasatiempo, and Chambers Bay

<p>Josh Lewis, superintendent at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club, joins Andy for the latest installment of our Superintendent Series, brought to you by the Toro Company. They talk about the impact COVID-19 has had on the turf industry before digging into Josh’s early days at Coos Bay, Bandon Dunes, Pasatiempo, and Chambers Bay. Follow Josh on Twitter @theturfyoda.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Geoff Shackelford on Covid-19 and Golf

<p>Geoff Shackelford joins Andy to discuss the whirlwind of coronavirus news and the likely short- and long-term impacts of the pandemic on golf.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Fried Egg Stories: Making TPC Sawgrass

<p>In this installment of our audio documentary series, we go back to a time when the PGA Tour operated out of a four-bedroom home in Ponte Vedra Beach. Not far from that home was a flat expanse of swampy jungle. We tell the story of how commissioner Deane Beman and architect Pete Dye turned that land into a new kind of golf venue—and how the pros reacted when they competed on it for the first time. This episode features interviews with Beman, U.S. Open and Players champion Jerry Pate, architect Tom Doak, TPC Sawgrass project manager Vernon Kelly, and journalists Adam Schupak and Sean Martin. It includes music from Assaf Ayalon, Avi Goldfinger, Maya Johanna, Ian Post, and Swirling Ship, and Kevin McLeod.</p> <p>Sean Martin, “<a href="https://www.pgatour.com/news/2017/05/05/1982-players-championship-jerry-pate-deane-beman.html">Leap of faith: Behind the Stadium Course’s wild debut at the 1982 Players Championship</a>”</p> <p>Adam Schupak, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Deane-Beman-Golfs-Driving-Force/dp/0615458793/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=golf%27s+driving+force&amp;qid=1584059495&amp;s=books&amp;sr=1-1">Golf’s Driving Force</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Michael Keiser, Jr.

<p>Michael Keiser, Jr., the Managing Partner at Dream Golf, joins the podcast. The Keiser family and Dream Golf have been behind some of today's premier resorts, including Bandon, Sand Valley, and Cabot. Michael and Andy discuss working outside of golf, the failed Bandon Muni project, collaborating with some of today's greatest golf course architects, pushing the boundaries of an industry, and more. </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

School of Golf Architecture: Place with Blake Conant

<p>Welcome to School of Golf Architecture, The Fried Egg’s serialized introduction to golf course design. In this first installment, Garrett digs into the notion of place. He speaks with architect and builder Blake Conant about “place-based design” and the various ways in which a golf course can cultivate a strong sense of place. Toward the end of the discussion, Blake leads Garrett to a realization about the importance of building and preserving unique places in the modern world.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Nick Mackay on the Business Side of Professional Golf

<p>Current Georgia State University assistant golf coach Nick Mackay joins Andy to talk about his years as a golf agent. The two discuss what Nick looks for in young players and the intricacies of the business side of professional golf, from sponsorship deals to costs of trying to "make it." The pair finish with a discussion of Patrick Reed's antics and the Premier Golf League. </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Superintendent Series: Roger Null on His Life in Golf

<p>Renowned golf course superintendent and architect Roger Null joins Andy for the latest installment in our Superintendent Series, brought to you by The Toro Company. Roger has nearly a half century of experience in the golf business, serving as a superintendent at Cedar Rapids CC and Old Warson CC, a design consultant at many courses in the Midwest, and even a general manager at Boone Valley GC. He is also an accomplished amateur player, with three GCSAA National Championships to his name (though Andy suspects the actual number is higher). Roger and Andy talk about how Roger got his start as a greenskeeper, what has changed in course maintenance in the past few decades, the difficulty of growing grass in St. Louis, how his work as an architect influenced his approach as a superintendent, and many other topics.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Yolk with Doak 19: Pete Dye and Bandon vs. Scotland

<p>Our series with golf architect Tom Doak continues with another segment of Andy and Tom’s recent conversation in Traverse City, Michigan. They begin with a series of listener questions, covering topics like green-to-tee transitions, golf culture in Africa, the pros and cons of Bandon Dunes and Scotland as golf destinations, Tom’s ongoing links project in Ireland, his growing interesting in the business side of golf development, and the importance of not pretending every new thing is the best thing ever. A discussion of common misinterpretations of well-known golf architects leads to an extended reflection on Pete Dye. They talk about how Tom would split 10 rounds at Dye-designed courses, the Dye family’s willingness to share knowledge and help Tom jump-start his career, and Pete Dye’s influential insistence on studying a variety of far-flung courses.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Golf Fitness with Barrett Stover

<p>Revolution Sports Performance Founder Barrett Stover joins Andy to discuss golf fitness. The two talk about the common misconceptions and easy ways golfers can stay more active and improve their golf games. </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Mike DeVries on Designing Affordable Golf and Learning from Maxwell and MacKenzie

<p>For the first time since Episode 46, golf course architect Mike DeVries joins Andy on the podcast. DeVries was introduced to the game at Crystal Downs Golf Club in Michigan, and he worked for Tom Doak and Tom Fazio before starting his own design business. His best-known work is Cape Wickham Links on King Island in Tasmania, but he has also built several excellent, affordable public courses in his home state of Michigan. Mike and Andy discuss two of his accessible designs in the Grand Rapids area, Diamond Springs and The Mines, before speaking more broadly about the dual influences of Perry Maxwell and Alister MacKenzie, the joys of walking, and the challenges of routing courses on severe sites, such as the one where Mike’s stunning Greywalls course sits.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Fried Egg Stories: Tiger’s Pro Debut

<p>The latest edition of our audio documentary series focuses on Tiger Woods’s first tournament as a professional, the 1996 Greater Milwaukee Open. But this isn’t a story about what happened on the course. Instead, we dig into the action in the press room, in front of the cameras, and during commercial breaks. It was in those spaces that the public image of Tiger, the myth of him as a professional golfer, began to be invented. And not everything went smoothly at first. This episode features interviews with two-time U.S. Open champion Curtis Strange, Wieden+Kennedy ad man Jim Riswold, GMO tournament director Tom Strong, and journalists Jaime Diaz and Gary D’Amato. It includes music from Tristan Barton, Sebastian Borromeo, D Fine Us, Kevin Graham, Kloyd, Ian Post, and Kevin McLeod. Check out our sponsor, Visit Milwaukee, at <a href="http://visitmilwaukee.org/golf">visitmilwaukee.org/golf</a>.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Superintendent Series: Edric Funk and Matthew Wharton on the Turfgrass Industry

<p>At the GCSAA Golf Industry Show in Orlando, Andy recorded a live episode with The Toro Company’s Edric Funk (@EdricFunk) and Carolina Golf Club superintendent Matthew Wharton (@CGCGreenkeeper). The trio discussed the process behind innovation, the role of #TurfTwitter, the future of labor in the turfgrass industry, and the advent of robotics and automation in greenkeeping. Big thanks to our sponsor Toro for making the Superintendent Series possible</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Geoff Shackelford on the Distance Insights Report and the Premier Golf League

<p>Lately, the biggest news in the golf world has revolved around topics that Golf Channel contributor Geoff Shackelford knows better than anyone. So Andy met up Geoff to get his thoughts on the bombshell USGA/R&amp;A Distance Insights report, which represents a major shift in the governing bodies' rhetoric about golf's distance problem. They also discuss the emergence of the Premier Golf League as a potential disruptor in professional golf. Geoff broke this story two weeks ago on his blog <a href="http://geoffshackelford.com/">geoffshackelford.com</a> and continues to report on fresh revelations about the proposed world tour.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Yolk with Doak 18: Templates, His Routing Book, and Modern Green Speeds

<p>The Yolk with Doak, our series with golf architect Tom Doak, returns with Andy visiting Tom in Traverse City, Michigan, and sitting down for a wide-ranging conversation. In this first installment, they field a variety of reader questions. Among other things, they talk about how Tom uses (or resists over-using) template concepts in his work, how his book project on routing has led him to reassess some of his past courses, whether we should look to state golf associations as potential champions of affordable and interesting courses, and how modern green speeds have changed the way we design greens and play the game.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Brad Faxon

<p>During his long playing career, Brad Faxon won eight PGA Tour events, participated in two Ryder Cups, and became known as one of the best putters in golf history. Currently he serves as an analyst for Fox Sports’ USGA telecasts and a putting consultant to tour pros. Brad joined Andy at the PGA Show to discuss the art of the interview, the mental and emotional dimensions of golf, the importance of good architecture at tournament courses, and Brad’s memories of growing up in Rhode Island and learning about Golden Age design.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>