The Back of the Range
Weekly interviews from prominent amateurs, coaches, and personalities from the game of golf!
Displaying items 1-10 of 104 in total of The Back of the Range with the tag "pga tour".
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Blake Smart - University of Memphis Men's Golf Coach
October 15th, 2026 | 52 mins 28 secs
blake smart, college golf, golf podcast, memphis men's golf, pga tour, quail valley collegiate, the back of the range
Blake Smart, head coach of the University of Memphis, joins The Back of the Range to discuss the long road to building a successful college golf program. From Bucee’s-fueled van trips and early-career sacrifices to a breakthrough season, Smart shares the lessons that shaped his coaching philosophy. He reflects on his time at Berry College, Kennesaw State, and Oklahoma, explaining why hard work, trust, and finding the right fit matter in recruiting and player development. Smart also discusses navigating NIL, building team culture with an international roster, and the emotional journey to Memphis’s first NCAA Championship appearance under his leadership. Plus, hear why the Quail Valley Collegiate victory felt meaningful—and what the Tigers learned at Nationals as they look ahead.
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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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Brendan von Doehren - Executive Director, PGA Tour U
August 27th, 2026 | 39 mins 36 secs
brendan von doehren, college golf, golf podcast, pga tour, pga tour u, the back of the range
In this episode of The Back of the Range, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of college golf with Brendan von Doehren, the Executive Director of PGA Tour U. Brendan shares valuable insights on the new initiatives shaping the future of golf, particularly for young, emerging talent.
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Tommy Morrison - Texas Men's Golf
February 28th, 2026 | 51 mins 2 secs
college golf, golf podcast, pga tour, texas golf, tommy morrison, walker cup
My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Tommy Morrison. We spoke about his experience representing the United States at the 2025 Walker Cup and what lies ahead for him as he looks towards the start of his professional career after college. Tommy is part of the Texas Longhorn Men's Golf Program that will be looking to compete for a National Championship at Omni La Costa later this spring.
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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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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.
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Kaleb Wilson - West Virginia Men's Golf
December 3rd, 2025 | 43 mins 39 secs
college golf, golf podcast, kaleb wilson, pga tour, trans-mississippi amateur, west virginia golf
My guest on this episode is Kaleb Wilson from West Virginia Men's Golf. Kaleb led the Mountaineers to three team wins this fall and will look to make one final run in his senior season in Morgantown. We also spoke about the 2-3-3 at the Trans-Miss this summer.
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Billy Hurley III - Folds of Honor Collegiate Preview
September 5th, 2025 | 47 mins 52 secs
amateur golf, billy hurley, college golf, folds of honor collegiate, golf, golf podcast, naval academy, pga tour
Our guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is PGA Tour Winner, Billy Hurley III. He is the first member of the military to win on the PGA Tour and he joins the conversation at The Back of the Range to discuss his work with Folds of Honor.
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Mason Grower - Monroe Invitational Tournament Chairman
July 13th, 2025 | 21 mins 32 secs
amateur golf, butterfield bermuda championship, happy gilmore 2, mason grower, monroe golf club, monroe invitational, pga tour
My guest on this episode is Mason Grower, Tournament Chairman of The Monroe Invitational. The Back of the Range will be at the Monroe Invitational for the first time in 2025.
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Gray Albright - 2025 Jones Cup Invitational Champion
January 17th, 2025 | 26 mins 24 secs
amateur golf, college golf, golf podcast, gray albright, jones cup invitational, ocean forest golf club, pga tour, walker cup
My guest on this episode is Gray Albright, the 2025 Jones Cup Invitational Champion. We spoke about his sudden-death win in the dark at Ocean Forest Golf Club and what lies ahead for the Florida State standout heading into his final spring of college golf.