The Inward Nine with Chandler Withington

How did things change for a ski instructor who decided to suddenly turn into the driveway at one of golf's most prestigous clubs? What actions did he take from that sudden turn which would redirect the trajectory of his life?  Today we learn about the journey of the 2025 PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year, Scott Paris, the Director of Golf at Plainfield Country Club in New Jersey.  In ou...

How does someone who grew up in Western Pennsylvania hitting crab apples with an old set of clubs someday become the PGA of America's Merchandiser of the Year for Private Facilities?  Today, we learn about the journey of James Ondo, the Director of Golf at Apawamis Club in Rye, New York.  In our time together with James we will discuss: What happens when you reach the top of the mountain and disco...

How did a young man who grew up drawing basketball plays while in church or coaching one on one football plays for his brothers in their front yard while growing up become the PGA of America's Teacher of the Year?  Today, we get to learn about the journey of Jason Baile, the Director of Instruction at Jupiter Hills Club in Florida.  In our time together with Jason we will discuss:  How Jason has e...

Have you ever wondered how the most successful people in the golf industry got to where they are today? On The Inward Nine, we tell the stories of people who have made an impact on the game of golf through their service and careers.  Today, we get to spend time with the 2025 PGA of America Bill Strausbaugh Award recipient, Jason Epstein, the Director of Golf at Congressional Country Club in Potama...

As we wrap up the series on the interview process, Chandler shares a few final thoughts to prepare you for the road ahead. 

Are you someone who has been struggling with the interview process? Do you feel overwhelmed at times by the entire process and unsure of how to improve?  Today, we get to spend time with someone who has been helping hundreds of people prepare for interviews, including myself. He is the person who prepared me to land my dream job 13 years ago.  In our time with Tm Dougherty, we will discuss:  The i...

Are you someone who has been struggling with the interview process? Do you feel overwhelmed at times by the entire process and unsure of how to improve?  Today we get to spend time with someone who has broken through the interview process and landed his dream job 11 years ago. We are joined by the Head Men's Golf Coach at the University of Florida, J.C. Deacon In our time with J.C. we will discuss...

Are you someone who has been struggling with the interview process for a managerial postion? Do you feel overwhelmed at times by the entire process and unsure of how to improve?  Today we get to spend time with someone who has been a part of these processes for the last 10+ years. We are joined by Tom Wallace of the search firm, Koplin, Kuebler and Wallace.  Tom's experience and insight, not just...

Now that we have our resumes updated and our cover letters are well written, what is next?  On this episode we will discuss the importance of building a fan club (support group) to be in our corner throughout the job search process. A fan club will not only write letters of recommendation or make endorsement calls on our behalf, but they will also be looking and listening out for job opportunities...

If opportunity knocked at your door tomorrow, would you be ready? If you only had a short window of time to submit your resume, could you do it, or would you be panicking?  Having your resume up to date and ready to go is important. It's not just important merely for the checkpoint of submitting your resume, but more so because your resume is a gateway to landing an interview for the job. If your...

What do you think of when you hear the word forgiveness? Do you find it hard to forgive others when you have been wronged? Has it been hard for you to accept forgiveness from others when they extend it to you? Or, do you find it hard to even just forgive yourself? Have you done something in your life that you feel is so unforgivable that you can't escape the guilt and shame you are feeling?   On t...

How do you define the word success?  What is it in your own life you are chasing after?  Have you stopped to consider how it will make you feel once you achieve it? Have you ever achieved the thing you set out to achieve and then felt unfulfilled? We are talking about these questions and much more on this episode.  On this episode: I will share my own perspective on the question of – what is succe...

Have you ever found yourself trying to be someone that you aren't? Have you ever wanted to be more comfortable just being...you?  Today we get to spend time with someone who is very comfortable in his own shoes and will help you understand how to feel the same way. He is Jason Ballard, the Director of Golf at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.  In our time with Jason we will discuss: Ho...

Have you ever heard someone use the phrase, "I just felt so connected with that person"?  Have you ever felt connected or disconnected with someone? Have you ever felt there was more you could be doing to be building stronger connections with the people around you?  Today we jump into talking about the science of connecting with others and why connection is so important to our success both in our...

Have you ever been too afraid to chase the dreams and visions you have for your life? Have you ever felt paralyzed and can't find the courage to even take the first step toward fulfilling your dream?  Today we are joined by New York times Best Selling Author, Mark Batterson.  In our time together with Mark, we will discuss:  How to 'kiss the wave' and say goodbye to your yesterdays so you can embr...

Have you ever let your identity or self worth get tied up in your golf score? Have you ever listened to too many voices directing you on what to do next?  Today we get to spend time with Joanna Coe, a Teaching Professional at Merion Golf Club. In our time together, we will dicuss: Joanna's transition from playing professional to teaching professional The struggle in not letting your golf score def...

In this episode, Chandler shares the inspiration behind why he named this podcast 'The Inward Nine'.  No notes or clues - you will have to listen to find out!  To connect more with Chandler: You can visit his Instagram (@chandlerwithington) or Linked In Send him an email: podcast@archive22.com Shop his hand drawn artwork at the Archive 22 website - www.archive22.com Music Credits: Opening: 'What M...

If you are over the age of 40, do you remember where you were on June 17, 1994? On course golf commentator and analyst Mark Rolfing joins The Inward Nine to relive the events of one of the most chaotic days in all of sports through his perspective. On this day, Mark was at Oakmont Country Club covering the 2nd round of the 94th U.S. Open. Elsewhere across the country: The New York Rangers were pre...

Have you ever wondered how some of the most successful people in the golf industry got to where they are today?  How exactly did a young man who grew up in central Maine and didn't begin playing golf until the age of 13 end up replacing one of the most recognizable club pro's at Oakmont Country Club?  Today we get to learn about the journey of Oakmont's Head Professional, Devin Gee.  In our time t...

On this episode, we begin our ascent towards the 125th United States Open at Oakmont Country Club by spending time with the golf professional who was its guardian for 37 years from 1979 to 2016, Bob Ford.  The list of accolades Bob has accomplished over his illustrious career could fill a book. Simply put, he is known as one of the best to ever hold the position of head golf professional.  In this...

Have you ever attended a major championship and stopped to wonder how everything was built? Who are the people who plan, coordinate, build and execute these events?  Today we get to spend time with Brandon Haney, Director of Championship Operations for the PGA of America, who will take up behind the curtain and into the inner workings of a major championship.  In our time with Brandon we will lear...

Have you ever felt hopeless? Have you ever felt like there was nothing worth living for?  Today on The Inward Nine we get to learn the story of Colton Hensley, a veteran who returned home and was dealing with not only physical pain, but the emotional pain of losing close friends in combat and struggling with the shame of feeling there was more he could have done to prevent the outcome. Thankfully,...

Have you ever stopped to consider what your life might look like had you not been introduced to the game of golf? Everyone who plays this game has had a moment of introduction. But, how do we introduce the game to those who don't know anyone who plays? Today we are spending time with Kyra Cox, someone who has been impacted by the charitable arm of the PGA, a program launched in 2017 known as REACH...

Have you ever wondered how some of the most successful people in the golf industry got to where they are today? If so, you have found the right podcast.  In this episode with Keith Stewart from Read the Line we will cover: How paying attention to detail can set you apart.  How what you read can improve your ability to become a captivating storyteller.  How the 'no's' you receive in life will lead...

Have you ever wondered how some of the most successful people in the golf industry got their start or reached the levels they have? If so, you are listening to the right podcast. Today we get to spend time with golf architect Tyler Rae, who has been shaping the courses we play on for over 20 years. In our time together, Tyler will touch upon: The approach he used to get noticed by famed golf archi...