The Back of the Range
Weekly interviews from prominent amateurs, coaches, and personalities from the game of golf!
Displaying items 1-10 of 275 in total of The Back of the Range with the tag "amateur golf".
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Mike Sposa - 2026 U.S. Senior Amateur Champion
October 2nd, 2026 | 1 hr 13 mins
USGA, amateur golf, callaway golf, mike sposa, pga tour, senior amateur golf, tennessee golf, walker cup
Mike Sposa’s U.S. Senior Amateur win is only part of the story. The real surprise is how a former pro who spent years grinding on tour found himself energized by amateur golf again, from the pressure of match play to the joy of competing without the weight of a paycheck. Ben and Mike unpack what changes—and what doesn’t—when a lifelong tournament golfer steps back into elite amateur competition. Mike shares what he’s learned about preparing faster, handling nerves differently, and using better self-talk under pressure. He also explains why the mental side matters more now than ever, and why the game can feel freer when it stops being a job.You’ll also hear about the whirlwind after Baltimore, when a championship celebration turned into a sprint to JFK and a next-morning arrival in Ireland for the Walker Cup at Lahinch. Mike revisits the 1991 Walker Cup, the star power of Phil Mickelson and David Duval, the wild atmosphere at Portmarnock, and what it means to be part of a Walker Cup society that lasts a lifetime.Ben and Mike also break down how junior golf has changed from both sides of the equation. Mike, now Senior Manager of Junior Development and Developmental Tours at Callaway, explains what he looks for in elite juniors, how technology like TrackMan and GC Quad is reshaping training, why speed has become nonnegotiable, and where today’s players still need more touch, creativity, and wind game. He also pulls back the curtain on what parents and players often misunderstand about equipment, brand relationships, and what companies actually look for beyond rankings and scorecards.Mike is the reigning U.S. Senior Amateur champion and a former PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour player who won in Boise in 1998. He now leads Callaway’s junior development efforts, working at the intersection of equipment, player growth, and elite amateur golf.
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Josh Hill - Walker Cup Legend
September 9th, 2026 | 51 mins 15 secs
USGA, amateur golf, gb&i, josh hill, lahinch, r&a, tennessee, walker cup
GB&I’s Walker Cup win at Lahinch wasn’t just a trophy—it was a masterclass in team chemistry, preparation, and handling the biggest amateur stage in golf. Josh Hill stops by The Back of the Range to relive the wild celebration and the moments that turned a week in Ireland into the best night of his life. Beneath the laughter is a deeper story: how a player who felt he underachieved at Tennessee used setbacks, injuries, and hard-earned lessons to become a key part of a championship team.
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Fifa Laopakdee - Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion
April 8th, 2026 | 30 mins 30 secs
amateur golf, asia-pacific amateur, college golf, fifa laopakdee, golf podcast, the masters
My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Fifa Laopakdee, the reigning Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion. Fifa tees it up this week at The Masters before heading back to Arizona State University to help the Sun Devils make a deep postseason run in college golf.
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Ethan Fang - British Amateur Champion
April 8th, 2026 | 32 mins 4 secs
Augusta National, amateur champion, amateur golf, college golf, ethan fang, golf podcast, masters, oklahoma state
My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Ethan Fang, the reigning British Amateur Champion. We spoke about his experience representing the United States at the 2025 Walker Cup and what lies ahead for him as he looks to compete in The Masters. Ethan will look to lead the Oklahoma State Cowboys to Omni La Costa for another national title run next month.
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Scott Turner - 2025 Gasparilla Invitational Champion
February 14th, 2026 | 29 mins 46 secs
amateur golf, gasparilla invitational, golf podcast, mid-am golf, minor league golf tour, scott turner
My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Scott Turner, the champion of the 2025 Gasparilla Invitational. Scott has been one of the most prolific mid-amateurs in the state of Florida and is also the owner/operator of the Minor League Golf Tour.
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Lisa Strom - The Ohio State University Women's Golf Coach
January 26th, 2026 | 41 mins 44 secs
amateur golf, college golf, golf podcast, lisa strom, ohio state women's golf, therese hession
My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Lisa Strom, head coach of The Ohio State University Women's Golf Team. We spoke about her success as a Buckeye and we preview the Therese Hession Regional Challenge at Palos Verdes.
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William Sides - 2026 Jones Cup Invitational Champion
January 16th, 2026 | 35 mins 11 secs
amateur golf, golf podcast, jones cup invitational, ocean forest golf club, pga tour, sea island, smu, wagr, william sides
My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is William Sides, the 2026 Jones Cup Invitational Champion. We spoke about the breakout week at Ocean Forest as well as what lies ahead for him and the SMU Mustangs as he enters the final stretch of his collegiate career.
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Matt Vogt - Mid-Am Qualifies for U.S. Open
December 26th, 2025 | 1 hr 15 mins
USGA, amateur golf, ben adelberg, butler university, competitive golf journey., cranberry township, dentistry, gasparilla invitational, golf career balance, golf qualifier, jones cup, matt vogt, mental toughness, mid-amateur golf, oakmont country club, pressure in sports, reinstated amateurs, the back of the range, u.s. open 2025, wine valley golf club
The guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Matt Vogt, a dentist and accomplished mid-amateur golfer who earned one of the most memorable stories in 2025: qualifying for and competing in the U.S. Open at Oakmont. The conversation covers Vogt’s journey from a modest upbringing in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, to his college golf days at Butler University, and his later-life resurgence into competitive amateur golf. He recounts his U.S. Open Qualifying experience, the emotional significance of his late father during that run, and the whirlwind aftermath of suddenly finding himself part of golf’s biggest stage. Vogt offers candid reflections on balancing a demanding professional career in dentistry with elite-level amateur competition, sharing how he relies on supportive colleagues and flexible scheduling to make it work. He opens up about nerves, lessons learned, and the surreal experience of teeing off at Oakmont in front of thousands—a moment where adrenaline met disbelief. The discussion also touches on broader themes in amateur golf: the evolution of college recruiting, the rising standard of competition, the mid-amateur “fraternity,” and the ongoing debate about reinstated former professionals competing in mid-am events. The conversation ends lightheartedly, with banter about future tournaments like the Gasparilla Invitational and the Jones Cup, showing Vogt’s grounded personality and enthusiasm for competing with his peers.
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Cohen Trolio - Ole Miss Men's Golf
December 13th, 2025 | 39 mins 12 secs
Positivity, amateur golf, cohen trolio, college golf, father-son relationship, golf career, golf instruction, golf tournaments, ole miss, professional golf
In this engaging conversation, Cohen Trolio reflects on his journey through college golf, discussing the influence of his family, particularly his father, who is a renowned golf instructor. He shares insights into the dynamics of their relationship, the transition from LSU to Ole Miss, and the importance of maintaining a positive outlook despite challenges. Trolio emphasizes the value of amateur golf experiences and the role of teamwork and coaching in his development. As he prepares for a professional career, he expresses excitement and readiness for the next chapter in his golfing journey.
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Hudson Weibel - University of Houston Men's Golf
December 7th, 2025 | 32 mins 13 secs
amateur golf, bahamas invitational, competitive mindset, golf advice, golf coaching, hudson weibel, junior golf, keywords college golf, pga tour, transfer portal
My guest on this episode is Hudson Weibel, from the University of Houston. We discussed his journey through junior golf, the decision to transfer from Oklahoma to Houston, and the importance of finding the right environment for growth. Hudson shares insights on the transfer portal, the role of coaching, and the mindset needed to succeed in competitive golf. He also offers valuable advice for junior golfers and reflects on his goals as he approaches the professional ranks.