The Back of the Range - Episodes Archive

Rusty Strawn - 2022 U.S. Senior Amateur Champion

September 26th, 2022 | 1 hr 1 min

georgia state golf association, golf, golf podcast, rusty strawn, senior amateur, strawn insurance, usga

My guest on this episode is Rusty Strawn, the 2022 U.S. Senior Amateur Champion. Rusty has been on an incredible run this past summer playing non-stop and racking up impressive finishes, with the win at the U.S. Senior Amateur being the highlight. We spoke about his start, what has led to his longevity, and how he prioritized family over golf early....which has led to a greater appreciation of what he is able to do in life and on the golf course.

Neal Shipley - Pennsylvania Champ heads to Buckeye Nation

September 22nd, 2022 | 49 mins 10 secs

amateur golf, college golf, golf, neal shipley, ohio state university

Neal captured the West Penn Open and the Penn State Am titles this summer and we spoke a lot about his start in the game and also the transfer process that led him to the Buckeyes. I know that the transfer portal is a hot topic in collegiate athletics.....so thought that Neal would be the perfect person to break it all down for everyone here at The Back of the Range.

Episode 273: James Piot - From U.S. Amateur Champ to LIV GOLF Rookie

September 14th, 2022 | 59 mins 32 secs

amateur golf, college golf, james piot, liv golf, michgan state, u.s. amateur, usga

My guest on this episode is James Piot. After capturing the 2021 U.S. Amateur at Oakmont, James returned to Michigan State for one final season of collegiate. After his Masters and U.S. Open appearances, he started his professional career by starting the upstart LIV GOLF tour. We spoke candidly about the decision to join LIV and his experiences in his first months as a professional golfer.

Kevin Shea and Mike Policano - Ridgewood's Championship Co-Chairs of the U.S. Amateur

September 5th, 2022 | 51 mins 35 secs

amateur golf, college golf, curtis cup, florida state golf association, latanna stone, lsu women's golf, merion, usga

My guests on this episode served as The Ridgewood Country Club's Championship Co-Chairs for the 122nd U.S. Amateur. Kevin Shea and Mike Policano led a team of incredible people at Ridgewood that made the week of the U.S. Amateur so enjoyable for everyone on property. Some fun stories from behind-the-scenes at Ridgewood!

Maxwell Moldovan - Ohio State's All-American

August 29th, 2022 | 57 mins 33 secs

amateur golf, college golf, maxwell moldovan, ohio state university, usga

My guest on this episode is Maxwell Moldovan from The Ohio State University Men's Golf Team. Coming off an All-American season and a U.S. Open appearance this summer at The Country Club, it could be another magical year for Max as he eyes a National Championship run for the Buckeyes.

Dylan Meyer - 2016 Western Amateur Champion

August 3rd, 2022 | 1 hr 5 mins

amateur golf, college golf, dylan meyer, golf, illinois, pga tour, western amateur, western golf association

My guest on this episode is the 2016 Western Amateur Champion, Dylan Meyer. The former All-American from the University of Illinois spoke about his journey as a professional, but we also looked back on his stellar amateur and collegiate career and what brought him success at Knollwood in 2016. Fantastic conversation with one of the best amateurs to ever come out of the University of Illinois.

Drew Cohen - The Man on the Bag for Michael Thorbjornsen

July 27th, 2022 | 43 mins 36 secs

bones mckay, caddying, drew cohen, img, michael thorbjornsen, pga tour, stanford, usga, wellesley, western amateur

My guest on this episode is Drew Cohen, the man on the bag for one of the best amateurs in the world....Michael Thorbjornsen.

Tyler Johnson - Chattanooga Choo Choo Invitational Champion

July 21st, 2022 | 48 mins 5 secs

amateur golf, chattanooga choo choo invitational, college golf, elite amateur series, golf, tennessee golf, tyler johnson

My guest on this episode is the defending Chattanooga Choo Choo Invitational Champion, Tyler Johnson. When the tournament is held at Council Fire Golf Club next week, you won't find anyone that has had more success there than Tyler. Last summer, he won the Tennessee State Amateur AND the Choo Choo on that course and set some records along the way.

Marissa Wenzler - 2021 Women's Western Amateur Champion

July 18th, 2022 | 53 mins 48 secs

amateur golf, college golf, golda borst, golf, jensen castle, kentucky, marissa wenzler, u.s. women's amateur, usga, wildcats, women's western amateur

My guest on this episode is the defending Women's Western Amateur Champion, Marissa Wenzler. We spoke about her run at Park Ridge last year and her incredible performance at the U.S. Women's Amateur at Westchester where she advanced to match play through a playoff and eventually defeated the #1 seed, Rachel Kuehn. Great chat with one of the bright stars from the University of Kentucky's women's golf team.

Sarah Lebrun Ingram - U.S. Curtis Cup Captain

July 6th, 2022 | 44 mins 57 secs

amateur golf, brenda corrie kuehn, curtis cup, emilia migliaccio, golf, merion, rose zhang, sarah lebrun ingram, usga

My guest on this episode is Sarah Lebrun Ingram, the victorious captain of the U.S. Curtis Cup team. We spoke about her start in the game, her success as a career amateur, and what it was like leading players like Rose Zhang and Emilia Migliaccio to victory in Wales and also at Merion in convincing fashion.

Dylan Menante - Back to Back at the Northeast Amateur

June 27th, 2022 | 50 mins 55 secs

amateur golf, college golf, dylan menante, elite amateur series, footjoy, north carolina golf, northeast amateur, palmer cup, titleist, wannamoisett

My guest on this episode is Dylan Menante. We caught up the day after his dominant and record-breaking performance at Wannamoisett Country Club as he defending his title at the Northeast Amateur. Dylan shot 62-64-64-67 and won by NINE shots. We chatted about his start in the game in California, the national championship run at Pepperdine, and what lies ahead for him at North Carolina.

Misha Golod - Ukrainian Junior Golf Champion

June 16th, 2022 | 42 mins 33 secs

amateur golf, david leadbetter, fsga, global golf post, jim nugent, junior golf, misha golod, ukraine golf federation, western golf association

My guest on this episode is Misha Golod. The four-time Ukrainian Junior Champion is now training full-time at the Leadbetter Academy in Orlando, Florida after his story was told by Golf Digest in March 2022. David Leadbetter and Jim Nugent from Global Golf Post spearheaded the effort to change Misha's life and he is making the most of this opportunity. Fantastic young man that everyone can root for as he starts his journey here in the United States.

Gus Barchers - 2022 Dogwood Invitational Preview

June 7th, 2022 | 46 mins 32 secs

amateur golf, bobby jones, dogwood invitational, druid hills, golf, gus barchers

My guest on this episode is Gus Barchers, the director of golf at Druid Hills Golf Club which is the host of The Dogwood Invitational. We spoke about Gus' start in the game as well as the history of The Dogwood Invitational. Perfect episode to provide you with some insight into the Dogwood!

Jean-Paul Hebert - Texas Longhorns Assistant Men's Golf Coach

June 6th, 2022 | 1 hr 21 mins

amateur golf, cole hammer, college golf, grayhawk, jean-paul hebert, ncaa golf, pierceson coody, texas longhorns

My guest on this final episode of the 2021-2022 college golf season is the assistant coach for the National Champion Texas Longhorns, Jean-Paul Hebert. We spoke about his start in the game, especially when the guest's father and uncle are major champions. JP had an incredible upbringing in the game surrounded by some of the greatest legends of Texas golf. Demaret, Burke, Harmon.....imagine having those guys as the elders of your club! Well, that's what it was like for Jean-Paul. We chatted a bit about his experience playing at Texas in the 90s and then we transitioned into a discussion surrounding the team that won the National Championship this year at Grayhawk.

Zack Byers - Gardner-Webb's Big South Conference Champion

May 31st, 2022 | 39 mins 4 secs

amateur golf, big south conference, college golf, gardner-webb, grayhawk, ncaa golf, zack byers

My guest on this episode is Zack Byers. He is the first golfer in the history of Gardner-Webb University to make it to the National Championship. Phenomenal story and achievement by this year's Big South Conference Champion!

Parker Gillam - Wake Forest's Senior Standout

May 30th, 2022 | 39 mins 23 secs

acc golf, amateur golf, college golf, demon deacons, ncaa golf, parker gillam, pga tour, wake forest

My guest on this episode is Parker Gillam from Wake Forest Men's Golf. The "old guy" on the team was an integral part of the Wake squad that captured the first ACC conference title for the Demon Deacons since 1989. Parker and the team now head to the desert looking for more hardware to bring home to Winston-Salem, North Carolina.