Golfing in the Garden State

The DROP Podcast

Sports EN ↓ 324 episodes

Golfing in the Garden State, like you’ve never heard it. Hosted by Mike Puorro, this podcast dives deep into New Jersey’s golf scene with 2 episodes every week. From honest course breakdowns and real clubhouse stories to in-depth conversations with head professionals, rising amateurs, touring pros, and the people shaping golf across the state, this is where New Jersey golf lives. Public tracks, private clubs, hidden gems, and everything in between - if it matters to NJ golf, it’s covered here. Subscribe, rate, and tap in before your next round. And yes - DROP stands for Driver off the Parkway.

Author

Golfing in the Garden State

Category

Sports

Podcast website

open.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

Ryder Cup 2025: Keegan’s Picks Are In - But Should He Have Picked Himself? 02.09.2025

Should Keegan Bradley have picked himself for the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup Team USA roster? The captain of Team USA just dropped his six selections and we’re breaking down everything. From the automatic qualifiers to the surprise picks (and snubs), we dig into form, loyalty, and strategy: who earned it, who didn’t, and what this roster means for America’s shot at reclaiming the Cup. As always, we bring...

Inside GOLFZON Range by Leadbetter with Ian Gillule 28.08.2025

This week on The DROP Podcast, we’re joined by Ian Gillule, General Manager of GOLFZON Range by Leadbetter at Little Ferry, to explore how this state-of-the-art facility is redefining golf practice and player development in New Jersey. Ian gives us an exclusive look into how GOLFZON's cutting-edge technology, paired with the Leadbetter Academy’s proven instruction methods, is creating an unmat...

Crystal Springs Resort | NJ’s Ultimate Golf Getaway 26.08.2025

Looking for New Jersey’s ultimate golf getaway? This week on The DROP Podcast, we’re spotlighting Crystal Springs Resort, home to six award-winning courses, including the iconic Ballyowen Golf Club and Crystal Springs Golf Club. Nestled in Sussex County’s scenic hills, Crystal Springs delivers a full golf destination experience - with championship-caliber layouts, the luxury of Grand Cascades Lodg...

Inside NJ Golf Championships with Brad Bardon 21.08.2025

Ever wonder what goes into building New Jersey’s biggest amateur golf events? This week on The DROP Podcast, we’re joined by Brad Bardon, Director of Championships for NJ Golf, who takes us behind the scenes of organizing the Garden State’s most prestigious tournaments. From course selections to event logistics, Brad shares insights that most fans never get to see. We also dive into how NJ Golf is...

Ryan’s Epic Ireland Golf Trip: Carne, County Sligo, St. Patrick’s & More 19.08.2025

This week on The DROP Podcast, Ryan takes us across the pond for an unforgettable 2025 Ireland golf trip. From the dramatic dunes of Hackett Links and Wild Atlantic Dunes at Carne Golf Links to the historic County Sligo, the breathtaking Narin & Portnoo, and modern masterpieces like St. Patrick’s Links and Sandy Hills, Ryan relives every round with insider detail and a Garden State golfer’s pe...

Drue Nicholas Goes Back-to-Back: Philly Amateur & Open Champion 14.08.2025

Drue Nicholas had a dream - and then he lived it. Just hours after graduating from Drexel University with a degree in finance, the Galloway National Golf Club standout claimed the 125th BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. After missing match play in his previous two appearances, Nicholas stormed through qualifying and match play, defeating Patrick Isztwan in the final. A...

Shore Gate Golf Club | Carved from Pines, Built for Precision 12.08.2025

This Tuesday Show features our full course spotlight on Shore Gate Golf Club, a South Jersey standout just minutes from the beach and miles away from ordinary. Routinely ranked among New Jersey’s top 20 public tracks, Shore Gate offers 18 holes of pure, tree-lined isolation - and a challenge built for players who love precision golf. Whether you’re sizing up that 648-yard beast of a par-5 or attac...

Barnes Blake’s Comeback at Essex County: 2025 NJ Amateur Champ Heads to U.S. Amateur 07.08.2025

Barnes Blake of Baltusrol Golf Club captured the 2025 New Jersey Amateur Championship in dramatic fashion at the prestigious Essex County Country Club, carving out a defining moment in Garden State golf. Entering the final day six shots back, the Westfield native surged up the leaderboard with back-to-back rounds of 68 and 67 - featuring a pivotal eagle on the short par-4 14th in the final round....

Weequahic Re-Opens + MGA’s Tee Off Together Program 05.08.2025

New Jersey’s oldest public golf course is back! This week on The DROP Podcast, we’re live from the re-opening of Weequahic Golf Course, breaking down its legacy, fresh updates, and why this course remains a must-play for Garden State golfers. Mike also shares his in-depth review of Francis Byrne Golf Course, spotlighting its pristine conditions, timeless design, and making a bold call every golfer...

David Killin & the Revival of Great Gorge Golf Club 31.07.2025

David Killin, General Manager of Great Gorge Golf Club, is leading the charge to restore one of New Jersey’s most iconic golf destinations. Originally opened in 1970 as the exclusive course for the Great Gorge Playboy Club & Resort, this George Fazio-designed, 27-hole layout is steeped in history and prestige. Under Killin’s leadership, the club has embraced its legacy while modernizing course...

Top Tracks in Myrtle Beach + NJ Open Championship Recap 29.07.2025

We’re breaking down Myrtle Beach’s top public courses on this week’s episode of The DROP Podcast! Mike is back from a jam-packed golf run down South and shares the highlights - his Top 3 public tracks, the story behind “Alligator Alley” at the legendary Dunes Golf & Beach Club, and how the full trip stacked up. Want ratings for each course? Mike’s inviting listeners to DM him directly for the...

From Playboy Prestige to Public Gem | Great Gorge’s 27-Hole Comeback Story 28.07.2025

Step inside one of New Jersey’s most iconic - and unexpected - golf stories. Originally opened in 1970 by Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, Great Gorge Golf Club was the luxurious golf and entertainment hub for the Great Gorge Playboy Club. From celebrity guests like Sinatra and Avalon to the infamous Playboy Key, this was golf with glamor. The resort may have closed, but the golf course lives on - and...

Reviving Tradition: Joseph DiVincenzo’s Bold Vision for Essex County Golf 24.07.2025

Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo has reshaped public golf in New Jersey, with Francis Byrne Golf Course as the crown jewel of a revitalized system. But the buzz right now? The re-opening of Weequahic Golf Course - New Jersey’s oldest public track - now featuring upgraded fairways, a refreshed clubhouse, and deeper ties to Newark’s golf legacy. From major renovations at Hendricks Field to expa...

Scheffler Dominates The Open, Gotterup Breaks Out & NJ Open Week Begins 22.07.2025

Scottie Scheffler adds another chapter to his legendary season, capturing the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush with a performance that solidifies his place atop the game. We break down how he conquered the brutal links and brought home the Claret Jug. Plus, Chris Gotterup made a statement with a strong finish, closing out a breakout two-week stretch that’s putting New Jersey golf firmly in...

Inside Hamilton Farm with Drew Jordan + 105th NJ Open Championship Preview 17.07.2025

This week on The DROP Podcast , we sit down with Drew Jordan, Director of Golf at the iconic Hamilton Farm Golf Club. Drew shares exclusive insight into managing one of New Jersey’s most prestigious private clubs - diving into the culture, player development, and championship-level conditioning that make Hamilton Farm a pillar of Golfing in the Garden State . Whether you're a club member or ju...

Gotterup’s Glory & Bayonne Golf Club Bliss – Golfing in the Garden State on Full Display 15.07.2025

Chris Gotterup, New Jersey’s own rising star, has officially arrived - securing a clutch victory at the Genesis Scottish Open by taking down none other than Rory McIlroy in dramatic fashion. In this week’s episode of The DROP Podcast, we break down the tournament highlights, the pivotal moments that defined Gotterup’s win, and why this breakthrough matters so much for Golfing in the Garden State....

John Havay: 2025 NJ Mid-Am Champ Returns to Morris County 10.07.2025

Relive the drama of the 2025 NJ Mid-Amateur Championship as John Havay conquers Morris County GC in blazing heat and fierce competition. In this episode of The DROP Podcast, we break down how John outlasted four grueling matches - including a 19-hole semifinal - to clinch his first individual NJ Golf major. It’s more than a win - it’s a homecoming. Havay returns to the same course where he debuted...

NJ Course Recap & Ratings: Somerset Hills CC & Galloping Hill GC 08.07.2025

This week on The DROP Podcast, we tee up two of New Jersey’s most talked-about tracks: the timeless Somerset Hills Country Club and the ever-accessible Galloping Hill Golf Course. Hear why Somerset’s classic Tillinghast design continues to impress, what Ryan rated it, and which unexpected details stood out during the round. Then it’s on to Galloping Hill often called “The People’s Golf Course” whe...

Galloping Hill GC | Full Review of The People’s Country Club 07.07.2025

Located in Union County, NJ, Galloping Hill Golf Course — affectionately known as The People’s Country Club — is one of the Garden State’s most heavily played and accessible public tracks. We spent the day on property and are bringing you a full tee-to-green review. From clubhouse hospitality to fairway conditions, pace of play, and value for your dollar, we break down everything you need to know...

Championship Ready: Don McCabe & the 124th NJ Golf Amateur Preview at Essex County CC 03.07.2025

With the 124th NJ Golf Amateur on deck, we sit down with Essex County Country Club’s new Head Golf Professional, Don McCabe, fresh off his tenure at Baltimore Country Club to talk about returning home, leading New Jersey’s oldest golf institution, and prepping for the state’s premier amateur championship. We also take you inside the Essex County CC layout, offering a full course preview for player...

Essex County CC + Max Greyserman’s Rocket Classic Heartbreak 01.07.2025

A legendary NJ course meets championship pressure and heartbreak on the PGA TOUR. We’re spotlighting Essex County Country Club - New Jersey’s oldest and one of its most revered tracks - as it gears up to host the 124th NJ Golf Amateur Championship. With a stunning Gil Hanse restoration, ECCC blends historical pedigree with modern challenges, offering a true test for the state’s top amateurs. We al...

Inside Golf Digest's Top 25 Courses in New Jersey with Stephen Hennessey 26.06.2025

Go behind the scenes on this episode of The DROP Podcast as we sit down with Stephen Hennessey, Managing Editor of Golf Digest and the final voice on New Jersey’s 2025 Top 25 Courses. He shares how the rankings took shape, rater feedback, behind-closed-doors debates, and the standards that defined the elite. Expect deep insights, hot takes, and passionate discussion, why some courses soared, which...

Inside Baltusrol’s Upper Course Reopening – A Day to Remember 24.06.2025

A day we’ll never forget. When we launched The DROP Podcast, being invited to Media Day at Baltusrol Golf Club for the reopening of its iconic Upper Course wasn’t on our bingo card, but there we were, walking fairways where legends played and soaking in the moment alongside voices from Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine, LINKS Magazine, and the Metropolitan Golf Association. We toured the historic clubhou...

Danny Harcourt: NJ Golf’s Rising Star and Happy Gilmore 2 Insider at Fiddler’s Elbow CC 19.06.2025

From junior golf into college dominance and now Director of Instruction at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club, Danny Harcourt shares his inspiring journey. He opens up about landing one of NJ’s top golf roles and hosting the filming of Happy Gilmore 2 right on property with full membership support. If you love Garden State golf, want insider stories from NJ’s top courses, or are curious how Hollywood an...

US Open Carnage at Oakmont and MGA Public Links at Hominy Hill 17.06.2025

Oakmont delivered absolute carnage at the US Open, living up to its reputation as one of golf’s most brutal tests. We break down the high scores, big names who couldn’t survive, and how the setup humbled even the world’s best. If you love major championship chaos, you’re in the right place. Plus, we recap Matt Lowe’s dominant MGA Public Links win at Hominy Hill with back-to-back 67s, highlight str...

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