The Back of the Range

Our guest this week is Trent Phillips from the University of Georgia.  After picking up his first collegiate win at the Ka'anapali Classic in Hawaii, we had a chance to talk about his All-American freshman season that led to his SEC Freshman of the Year award. We spoke about his decision head to Athens from his hometown of Inman, South Carolina and what it is like to play golf again with his...

Our guest this week is Skip Berkmeyer from St. Louis, Missouri.  He's played in over 30 USGA Championships.  He's a three-time Missouri Amateur Champ with plenty of ideas, opinions, and tips about amateur golf.  Great stories and insight from one of the living legends in Missouri Golf. Skip Berkmeyer - Faiways and Greens Radio Show on 550AM St. Louis   Subscribe to The Back of...

Our guest this week is Sahith Theegala from Pepperdine University.  The redshirt senior is looking to lead the Waves to the National Championship in his final season of collegiate golf.  We spoke about his success in USGA events, his approach to the game, and one of his favorite shots....the shank! Links Sahith Theegala - Pepperdine Golf   Pepp Talk - Pepperdine Athletics...

Our guest this week is Spider Miller from Bloomington, Indiana.  How does a beer man from Indiana end up winning two U.S. Mid-Amateurs and captaining the U.S. Walker Cup team?  You'll find out in this special episode here at The Back of the Range! Links Spider Miller's Closing Speech at the 2015 Walker Cup Spider Miller - "This is My Team"- USGA Article Subscribe to The Back of the Range...

Our guest this week Dan McCarthy who just wrapped up a very successful season on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2019.  Before capturing the 2019 Savannah Golf Championship last year, Dan put together one of the greatest seasons in Mackenzie Tour history in 2016. We spoke about that year and his remarkable professional career. Links Dan McCarthy - Korn Ferry Tour Player Profile Minor League Golf Tour...

Our guest this week is the All-American Senior from Baylor University, Cooper Dossey.  After capturing the individual title at the 2019 Illini Invitational to go along with the team title, we discussed what led him to Baylor, the team dynamic that has led to his success, and perhaps his greatest achievement as a college athlete....it's not what you think!   Links Cooper Dossey - Baylor G...

Will Zalatoris joins us this week at The Back of the Range Golf Podcast direct from the Albertson's Boise Open during the KornFerry Tour Finals.  We chat about his experience this year on tour and also his fond memories from the 2017 Walker Cup.  Will went 3-1 in his matches as the U.S. defeated GB&I by the score of 19-7.   Links Will Zalatoris - Twitter Will Zalatoris - KornFer...

Our guest this week is the Men's Golf Coach from Stanford University, Conrad Ray.  We spoke about his unconventional path to coaching after winning a national championship as a player at Stanford and competing on the Kornferry Tour.  Our conversation hit on many interesting topics:  recruitment of players, the evolution of his coaching style, and yes....he even shared a funny story...

Our guest this week is the victorious 2019 U.S. Walker Cup Captain, Nathaniel Crosby.  This episode was recorded  before  the matches took place, so it is an interesting conversation with the man that the USGA chose to lead this team to victory at Hoylake.  We discussed his experience on the Walker Cup team in 1983, the practice sessions at Pinehurst, and some personal stories...

THE ROAD TO HOYLAKE presented by AmateurGolf.com Our eighth episode in this series takes us down The Road to Hoylake as we catch up with the two young men that squared off in the U.S. Amateur final at Pinehurst.  Andy Ogletree was victorious over John Augenstein in the end, but both have made it to Hoylake as members of the U.S. Walker Cup team. We were fortunate enough to grab them both for...

Our guest this week is Jay Sigel.  The only man to win the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur in the same year.  Jay played on NINE consecutive U.S. Walker Cup teams and holds the record for most victories, points won, and matches played.  One of the greatest amateur careers in history joins us for great stories about his Masters appearances and life around the game.    Lin...

THE ROAD TO HOYLAKE presented by AmateurGolf.com Our seventh episode takes us down The Road to Hoylake as we catch up with two of the top-ranked amateurs in the world.  Brandon Wu has had an amazing summer.  Lead Stanford to the National Championship.  Played in the U.S. and British Open Championship.  Played in the Pan-Am Games in Peru for the United States.  Is Walker Cu...

THE ROAD TO HOYLAKE presented by AmateurGolf.com Our sixth episode takes us down The Road to Hoylake as we catch up junior standouts Ricky Castillo and Akshay Bhatia.  Ricky just completed a fantastic run at the Western Amateur and is looking to keep the momentum going at the U.S. Amateur.  Akshay, the #1 ranked junior in the world, has already been selected to the U.S. Team and will loo...

THE ROAD TO HOYLAKE presented by AmateurGolf.com Our fifth episode takes us down The Road to Hoylake as we catch up Pierceson Coody from Texas and Isaiah Salinda from Stanford.  While Pierceson is looking to retun to Texas to make another run at the National Championship, Isaiah ended his collegiate career in style by capturing the National Championship.  Both are looking for a strong sh...

THE ROAD TO HOYLAKE presented by AmateurGolf.com Our fourth episode takes us down The Road to Hoylake as we catch up Quade Cummins from Oklahoma and John Pak from Florida State.  Both helped their case for their spot on the team by reaching the match play portion of the Western Amateur last week.  As always, we catch up with Julie Williams from AmateurGolf.com for some additional insight...

THE ROAD TO HOYLAKE presented by AmateurGolf.com Our third episode takes us down The Road to Hoylake as we catch up Austin Eckroat from Oklahoma State University and Steven Fisk from Georgia Southern.  Austin will return to OSU next season as the anchor of the team after the departure of Matthew Wolff and Viktor Hovland and will look to bring another National Championship to Stillwater like h...

THE ROAD TO HOYLAKE presented by AmateurGolf.com Our second episode takes us down The Road to Hoylake as we catch up with two players that just wrapped up dominant collegiate careers at Texas A&M and Duke University.  Chandler Phillips recorded a school record 7 victories during his career at Texas A&M and Alex has set multiple school records at Duke in addition to winning back-to-bac...

THE ROAD TO HOYLAKE presented by AmateurGolf.com Our first episode takes us down The Road to Hoylake as we catch up with a couple guys from California looking to make the U.S. Walker Cup Team: Stewart Hagestad, 2016 U.S. Mid-Am Champion, and the 2019 California State Amateur Champion, William Mouw.   We also catch up with Julie Williams from AmateurGolf.com for some additional insight.&n...

THE ROAD TO HOYLAKE presented by AmateurGolf.com   This preview episode introduces this special series to our listeners and welcomes Managing Editor of AmateurGolf.com, Julie Williams, to The Back of the Range Golf Podcast.  We discuss the upcoming guests that will make up the U.S. Walker Cup team and discuss the recently named members of the team:  Cole Hammer, Akshay Bhatia, and S...

Our guest this week is the 1981 U.S. Mid-Amateur Champion, jim Holtgrieve.  Jim played on three U.S. Walker Cup teams and was the captain of the 2011 and 2013 teams.  An incredble conversation about life as an amateur, his thoughts on the amateur game, and fond memories from the Walker Cup.  Jim is an incredible player, person, and ambassador for golf.   Links   Jim Holtgr...

Our guest this week is Haley Moore!   After the Arizona Wildcats barely snuck into the Match Play portion of the 2018 National Championship as the 8th seed, they ran through match play and defeated Alabama with Haley making the clincher on the 18th hole.  We spoke about the Augusta National Women's Amateur, her career at Arizona, and her early success as a professional on the Cactus...

Our guest this week is the founder of AmateurGolf.com, Pete Wlodkowski.  AmateurGolf.com provides the world's most comprehensive golf tournament database, articles about the nation's best amateurs, and tournaments that you can enter to test your game on some of the best courses in the world, like Bandon Dunes.   Pete discusses the state of the game and shares some great stories abou...

Our guest this week is Kris Ventura.  Born in Mexico.  Moved to Norway.  Three-Time All-American and member of the 2018 National Champion Oklahoma State Cowboys.  We learn about his incredible adventure to the pro ranks that was derailed last year due to a fluke illness.  He's climbing his way up the rankings on the Korn Ferry Tour and just won the 2019 Utah Championship t...

Our guest this week is Alexa Hammer from Boynton Beach, Florida.  When it came time for Alexa to pick a college to attend....well, she did something a little differently.  She left home for THE HOME.  THe Home of golf that is....St. Andrews, Scotland.  She played for the university's golf team and her home course....was The Old Course.  Alexa shared some great stories abou...

Our guest this week is Mike Finster from St. Petersburg, Florida.  After playing collegiately at Northwestern, Mike came back home to Florida and regained his amateur status and has qualified for FOUR consecutive U.S. Senior Open Championships.  He's a bomber off the tee and a super guy that can tell a story like no other.  One of the nicest guys out there!   Links   Gaspa...