TalkinGolf

TalkinGolf History Episode 101 dives into the rich history of the events that transpired before Bobby Jones purchased the land that Augusta National sits on today. We are joined by golf historian, Greg Lamb who shares the property's unique history - from the Native Americans who lived on the land, to the land owners who tried to make a business out of it, to the public golf resort that nealry happened here, to a retired golfer looking to design his first golf course.

Its been 5 years in the making...our 100th Episode! Today we dive into the History and Restoration of Belleair CC, which happens to be my home club. Belleair has not only a fascinating golf history, but has just been restored to one of the best Donald Ross' courses in the United States. Our panel for this show includes: Myself, Connor T. Lewis, the Founder of the Society of Golf Historians Vaughn Halyard, the MC for this show, my producer and Board Member of the Society of Golf Historians Hal Bodley, former President of Belleair CC, Chairman of the Restoration Committee and the author of Belleair's 125th Anniversary Book Jason Straka of Fry-Straka Design, who was the masterful architect who helped reno-restore Belleair's West Course in 2022.

Only one episode from our 100th show! And #99 is a doozy! Vaughn Halyard and I welcome the President of the Donald Ross Society, Brad Becken to talk about his new book, "The Golf Course Architecture of Donald Ross" which is now available for purchase at www.ClassicsofGolf.com. I promise there is something for everyone on this show- I learned a lot and I hope you do too! We filmed and recorded this show on location at Belleair Country Club.

In Episode 98, golf historian Dave Moore joins the show to share the tragic story of US Amateur Champion, Eben Beyer who conquered the game of golf but was struck down in his youth by radium poisoning. It goes down in golf history as one of golf's saddest stories.

What better way to kick off season 5 of the TalkinGolf History Podcast than with an unplanned podcast with my dear friend Vaughn Halyard. We had just concluded our round on the newly restored Belleair CC and Vaughn wanted to to go public with his thoughts. What follows is a funny podcast where Vaughn and I talk about Donald Ross' Belleair CC, our travels across the country sharing golf history through storytelling and where this podcast should go in 2023.

This episode concludes our three part series on the History of AW Tillinghast. We kick off Part 3 with golf historian, author and Tillinghast expert, Phil Young as we enter into the Great Depression, Tillinghast's bankruptcy and his much maligned work with the PGA of America. We end with a high note as I ask Phil: "What three courses would one have to play to best understand the genius of AW Tillinghast?" His answer may surprise you. This is the last episode of Season 4 - thank you for listening!

Golf Historian, author and AW Tillinghast expert, Phil Young joins us on the show for Part 2 of the History of AW Tillinghast. In this episode we dive into some of Tilly's most famous designs, as we ponder the question of Tilly's genius and whether it was divine genius - ie... did he just inherently understand strategic golf design or did his architecture evolve? Stick around for the end of the show where Phil riffs on 6 of Tilly's great designs.

This is Part 1 of a series of podcasts dedicated to the History of AW Tillinghast. In our first installment we dive into Tilly's early years, his golf career, we explore a theory that he might have been bi-polar and end this first show his break out golf design that helped catapult his career. We are joined by Tillinghast historian and author, Phil Young.

In our second episode of "A Golf Historian's Scavenger Hunt we explore the course that changed golf in America and the ruins of America's Home of Golf, then we dive into the most famous golf match perhaps in golf history and then end with the location of a match that may have determined where golf was born! A great show made even better by the music that matches the eras: Story #1: Scott Joplin playing Pineapple Rag in 1908 Story #2: Theme song to the movie, Caddyshack, "I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins Story #3: John Helmich Roman's, "Drottingholmsmusiken" written in 1744

Ralph Guldahl for a period of 4 to 5 years was the greatest golfer on the planet - even outshining his more famous peers Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson. Today on the podcast, with an assist from Warren Rogan, host of Sports Forgotten Heroes and his guest, Dr Tony Parker we share the story of the forgotten great...Ralph Guldahl. If you like this story and just love sports, Warren Rogan's show, Sports Forgotten Heroes may be the show for you. Check it out and thank me later.

For episode #91 we welcome back golf course architect, Rob Collins to share the story of his latest creation, Landmand. You are about to get an insiders glimpse into how every hole at Landmand took shape. This pod will be a classic - and I truly believe Landmand will become a legend. A special thanks to my production partner: Story Lounge Film Company.

On Episode 90 we interview half of the dynamic duo that make up King Collins Golf Design, Rob Collins. On this two part podcast we dive into Rob's personal golf history, the incredible history behind King Collins' first design, Sweetens Cove and finally a teaser of Episode #91 the birth of Landmand. This podcast was made with Story Lounge Film Company.

Golf Historian and author, Stephen Proctor joins us again to recount his sabbatical to play the Old Tom Morris Trail in Scotland. Proctor played 18 courses that Old Tom Morris designed or renovated and he joins the podcast to share his insights into the design mind of Old Tom Morris and the trip of a lifetime.

John Barba of MyGolfSpy joins us for the exciting conclusion of the Rise & Demise of MacGregor Golf. The company has started its death spiral, but there is a ray of hope on the horizon. How does a golf course design deal help bring an end to MacGregor? Listen to find out...

Once again we are joined by John Barba of MyGolfSpy fame to help us tell the amazing story of MacGregor Golf - a company that had the opportunity to be the greatest golf equipment company of all-time and yet met with the demise of so many other great companies that showed promise. This show will be aired in two parts.

The final half of my interview with St Andrews Golf Historian, Roger McStravick as we complete our two hour walk through the cobblestone streets of St Andrews.

We welcome back St Andrews Golf Historian, Roger McStravick to TalkinGolf History to give our listeners a walking tour of the Auld Grey Toon that will be hosting the 150th playing of the Open Championship. A very special thanks to Monty Python and the Holy Grail for adding some much needed humor to the podcast.

I had planned an amazing podcast from the archives of the US Open and the era of the Great Transition, but unfortunately I just didnt have the time to deliver the story the way it needed to be told. Instead, for the first time in show history, I am re-airing a show from our first season: The Champion Who Lost His Lind - the amazing and tragic story of two time US Open Champion, Johnny McDermott. This was the first ever storyline podcast in golf podcast history and while the production quality is not what I deliver four years later - I promise you the story is not one to skip over.

This is the story of how the PGA of America's Caucasian Clause came to be and how it was banished in 1961, and how three men fought back against professional sports only racist bylaw. This podcast tells the stories of triumph and misery which take place from 1896 to 1962. A special thanks to our musicians Matty Cupelli - "Touch" Music Fellows - "Dream" MRTN - "Searching" MRTN - "Fragile" Three amazing artists and four amazing songs which help us tell this story.

A fabulous interview with the man St Andrews' Golf Historian, Roger McStravick once called, "the Bernard Darwin of our times," My friend, golf historian and author, Stephen Proctor joins the show to talk about his new book, "The Long and Golden Afternoon," how the book connects his previous book, "Monarch of the Green" and in the process he shares his own golf history and a preview of his upcoming sabbatical walking in the footsteps of Old Tom Morris.

I am joined by authors, historians and golf course architecture enthusiasts, Mike Cirba and Dr. Joseph Bausch to discuss the amazing history and the future restoration of Philadelphia’s first public golf course, Cobbs Creek.

TalkinGolf History proudly presents Episode #80: The Champion Without a Major, which tells the story of Sam Byrd - a man who once won a World Series with Babe Ruth, a man Bobby Jones once called the "greatest driver of the golf ball he ever saw" and the only man to ever play in both the World Series and the Masters. If that isnt good enough for you - listen in and hear the amazing story of how Babe Ruth contributed to modern day golf instruction!!! An amazing episode with returning guest, John Fischer.

The first and hopefully not the last of a series we call, "A Golf Historian's Scavenger Hunt," where your host Connor T. Lewis will discuss historical artifacts from all over the world - share their story and how hard it would be for you to view that item. This episode will take you to Chicago Golf Club, Oakmont CC and Seminole Golf Club for a show that we think will be unlike any other. Come for the history and stay for the great stories. An insiders look into strange artifacts and how they shaped the game of golf. A special thanks to the artists who were so kind to allow the show to use their music: Oak Studios presents "I Just Want Quiet" Harry Lightfoot presents "Return Triumphant" Johnny Easton presents "Purpose"

Another great episode from our series on the birth and death of great golf companies. We welcome back John Barba of MyGolfSpy to the show to tell the unbelievable story of Penfold Golf - the company that wouldn't die...until it did. If you are a fan of James Bond, you may remember that James Bond played a Penfold Hearts Golf Ball.

After a year in the works the TalkinGolf History Podcast is proud to release, "A Golf Historian's Guide to Pinehurst" an in depth and intimate look at Pinehurst through the eyes of one of its historians. Pinehurst is called America's Home of Golf - listen in and learn how it earned that moniker. A special thanks to our guest, Chris Buie, the Pinehurst Resort and the Tufts Archives for hosting us. If you have the opportunity please consider donating to the Tufts Archives.

How is it possible that we are starting SEASON 4??? A wonderful interview with the wonderful man, Al Geiberger, the first man in the history of golf to break golf's version of the 4 minute mile...breaking 60! We dive into how Mr. Geiberger entered the game, his early amateur days, his stories from the tour which include Ben Hogan and Sam Snead, his PGA Championship, his Players Championship and of course a run down of his 59 and how he kept himself in the zone. We would like to take a moment to thank La Quinta Country Club for allowing us to record our interview in their boardroom. Also very special thanks to artist Jim Fitzpatrick for allowing TalkinGolf History to use his painting of Mr. 59!

This is the first of many episodes that will be titled, "The Rise and Demise of," these episodes will cover the birth, the rise and the demise of some of the most influential golf manufacturers in history. We are joined by MyGolfSpy's own John Barba who did the wonderful research on Spalding Golf. Don't sleep on this episode if you aren't a gear head...this episode dives into how Spalding grew golf in America!!!

The conclusion of our two part podcast on the Legacy of Willie Park Senior. This episode includes the stories of Open Champions Mungo and Willie park Junior as well as the history of the only 9 hole golf course to host an Open Championship, Musselburgh Links. A special thanks to my new friend, Mungo Park. Make sure to look out for Mungo's new book in 2022 on the history of Musselburgh Links and the Park Family. I would like to thank my 10 year old daughter, Charlotte for closing out the show today.

The Voice of Inverness is an oral retelling of the great history of the Inverness Club, a club that has hosted US Opens, PGA Championships and this very week, the Solheim Cup. We are joined by Inverness Club historian, Michael McCullough who was kind enough to host me at the club and sit down for this fantastic interview. Some stories you may have heard - some I would all but guarantee you have not - this podcast is a bit longer than our average, but its so delicious I couldn't figure out where to make the cut, so you get it all!!! Our cover art for this episode is the oil painting recently completed my reknown artist Graeme Baxter.

TalkinGolf History welcomes the Great Grandson of our first major championship winner to the show to discuss his Great Grandfather's Legacy - the first Open Championship winner, 4 time Open Champion, brother to an Open Champion and son to a two-time Open Champion. The Park Legacy is not spoken with the same reverance we give to his counterpart who lived in St Andrews. On our show, Mungo Park and I discuss why the voices of the Park's have been muted by time along with the golfing history of the Honourable Town known as Musselburgh.

In Part 2 of the Legacy of Tom Morris we start with the phenom of Young Tom Morris. We then weave through the lives of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris with our historians Roger McStravick and Stephen Proctor as we help tell this wonderful tale of two of the greatest golfers that ever lived. Not to be missed: Old Tom Morris' golf design work His gift to Green Keepers The Greatness of Young Tom Morris and... Perhaps two stories about these legends that you might not have known.

TalkinGolf History presents The Legacy of Tom Morris Part 1. This is a two part podcast. Part 1 dives into the history of Old Tom Morris, his relationship with Allan Robertson, his rivalry with Willie Park and the Birth of the Open Championship. We are joined by two golf historians, Roger McStravick of St Andrews an expert on the life of Old Tom Morris and Stephen Proctor who is an expert on the life of Young Tom Morris; together for the first time they discuss the History and Legacy of Tom Morris. In part 2 we will dive into the lives of both Old and Young Tom Morris.

Episode #69 is a fascinating show on one of golf's most mysterious debates - Did Ben Hogan win 5 US Opens and not 4? The story hinges on the designiation of the 1942 Hale America National Open, which was held in place of the canceled 1942 US Open. Some have fought for decades to declare this event a US Open while others have scoffed at the idea. Author Peter May recently published a new book, "The Open Question: Ben Hogan and Golf's Most Enduring Controversey" joins us on the show to argue the case for Ben Hogan winning his 5th US Open. Its a great interview which ends with my thoughts on the controversy.

On Episode #68 we are joined by Hall of Famer, Two Time Major Champion, Ryder Cup Hero and Captain...Tony Jacklin! This is Part 1 of a series of podcasts with Tony Jacklin. In part 1 we dive into his early days playing the game, how he rose to the professional ranks and his major championship success and even failures. In the next installment we will dive into the Ryder Cup. Not to be missed: His stories of Ben Hogan, Peter Thomson and Bobby Locke. Mr. Jacklin is now a master woodworker who specializes in Marquetry. To view and even purchase his work please visit the link below: https://tonyjacklinmarquetry.co.uk

Our latest episode of Golf From the Fringe: The Birth and Death of Golf In America: The Story of Harleston Green, is the true story of how the game of golf came to America in the mid-1700s. This story takes place over a 60 year period from 1739 to 1799 and tells the story of America's first golfers, first golf course and first golf club and how they semmingly, like the colony of Roanoke, disappeared in the middle of the night. I can't tell you how proud of how this show came together - in my book its an instant classic. Correction: During the podcast I state thaf the first known golfer in America was William Blacklock of Charleston (1739). As it turns out a set or golf clubs and golf balls were noted in the effects of Governor William Burnet on October 13, 1729 (a full decade earlier). Soundtrack: "The Rise" by MRTN "Touch" by Mattia Cupelli "Forgotten" by Whitesand "Hidden Past" by Kevin MacLeod

The History of the Hyannisport Club in its own way is the history of golf in America. Founded in 1897, it has the unique history of having three of American Golf's Founding Fathers on its roster of archiects: John Reid, Alexander Findlay and Donald Ross. It was the golf retreat of President John F Kennedy & has been called the Hardest Short Course in America. Our podcast ends with golf course architect Ron Forse and the Hyannisport Club's superintendent talking about its restoration and its hidden design pearls.

Episode #65 is an episode of Warren Rogan's "Sports Forgotten Heroes." Warren, myself and George Petro discuss the life and career of Craig Wood, who prior to winning the first two majors of 1941 was best known for being the Grand Slam Runner-Up Champion. A special thanks to Warren Rogan for allowing me to co-release this podcast with Sports Forgotten Heroes. If you love sports and love history, do yourself a favor and make Sports Forgotten Heroes a favorite in your podcast play list.

TalkinGolf History is proud to announce a new series, "Antiquities of the Game," where we explore relics from golf's past and use them to tell the history of the game of golf. This episode includes Jock Hutchinson's 1921 Open Championship Gold Medal and YOUNG TOM MORRIS' PUTTER that he used to win 4 Open Championships in a row. This pivotal moment changed the course of golf history, gave birth to the first ever Gold Medal, the Claret Jug and the Open Rota. I am joined on the show by Golf Historian and author of "Monarch of the Green: Young Tom Morris: Pioneer of Modern Golf," the fabulous Stephen Proctor.

TalkinGolf History proudly presents "The Gathering" A golf summit at the Home of America Golf, which brought together the minds behind Golf Club Atlas, the Donald Ross Society, Kyle Franz Golf Design, Story Lounge Film Company and the Society of Golf Historians. Warning: Two of our microphones experienced issues so you may experience moments of static to increase the audio output.

Episode #61 is the 4th installment of my sitdown interview with Masters Announcer, Ben Wright. In the previous installments Mr. Wright shared some amazing stories with us including- his friendship with Ben Hogan, how he helped put the Beatles on tv for the first time, when Jack Nicklaus shed a tear from a fellow player, how Ben felt that he had jinxed a player at the Masters, how he punched out another player and many many stories that have never previously been shared. On this installment Ben shares a few more stories and adds a bit of color to the stories he has shared before. It was an absolute pleasure to sit down with broadcasting legend, Ben Wright - I sincerely hope you have enjoyed our time together.

Episode #61 kicks off #MastersMarch for the TalkinGolf History Podcast. Five podcasts in 5 weeks, in our countdown to the 2021 Masters with stories you won't hear anywhere else. What better way to kick off this series than with a story that has nothing to do with golf - or atleast the first 15 minutes of our show has nothing to do with golf. If you are a Beatles Fan listen in for this unknown backstory of how the Beatles made their first tv appearance ever! I hope you Beatles fanatics listen past the first 15 minutes, but if not, you can skip to my outgoing message and a little more color to the story. For the golf fans there is plenty of meat for you as well including how Ben Wright may have cost a friend a major championship, CBS's illegal calcutta and Ben's favorite moments from the Masters.

On this episode of the TalkinGolf History Podcast we dive into the profound history of Herbert Warren Wind. Few sports writers in history hold a candle to the great Herbert Warren WInd, and we golfers should cherish the fact that he was on our side. If you think you know a lot about the man that the USGA named its highest honor in literature after, think again - his contributions to the game will echo in golf's history. Our guests for today's show are Bradley Klein and Stephen Proctor.

Ann Gregory won over 300 golf tournaments, she broke the USGA women's color barrier and for 65 years her story has been lost to the masses. Today on our show we are joined by Junior Curator of the USGA Golf Museum, Kylie Garabed who helps shine a light on the amazing career of Ann Gregory, Golf's Unheralded Pioneer. On a personal note: The original purpose of this podcast was to share stories with you that you might not hear anywhere else. Ann Gregory passed away in 1990 without the accolades she should have been afforded, let us honor her in death like she should have been honored in life - as a champion, a pioneer and as she might have wished, a golfer.

Golf From The Fringe presents "The Golf Club Without a Course." The TalkinGolf History introduced the first ever storyline podcast in 2018, when it introduced the Golf From the Fringe series - after a year off, our latest show captures the unique story of the history of the Pittsburgh Golf Club - which includes a runaway bride, a billionaire, the US President, Queen Victoria, the battle between private and public golf, the formation of the Western PA Golf Association, the creation of Oakmont, Fox Chapel and the Pittsburgh Field Club -----all in 26 minutes of run time. The soundtrack alone makes this podcast worth listening to, as it follows 60 years of popular music through the duration of our story's timeline. Sountrack includes: Kevin MacLeod's "Wizardtorium" Wizardtorium Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b... Nabucco Va Pensiero circa 1840 Johann Strauss II, "Roses From A Southern Waltz" perfomed by the Philadelphia Orchestra circa 1880 Charles B. Ward, "The Band Played On" circa 1895 Scott Joplin, "Original Rags" circa 1899 Elizabeth Lennox, In the Gloaming" circa 1910 Kevin MacLeod, "Atlantean Twilight" "Atlantean Twilight" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

History is all about stories and on this episode we get right to the chase in a game I call "Name Assocition." I simply say a name to Ben Wright and then stand back and wait to hear a wonderful story - an often a story I had never heard before. Stories on Seve, Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen, Ken Venturi, Byron Nelson, Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, Dan Jenkins, Peter Allis, Sean Connery, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Ben Hogan, and Jack Nicklaus. Some of these stories will make you laugh...others may shock you. A note to parents: adult language is present in this podcast.

The TalkinGolf History podcast finishes its second season with legendary writer and broadcaster, Ben Wright who spent three decades in the towers of Augusta National broadcasting the Masters. Mr. Wright joins us for a series of podcasts kicking off with "My Friend, Ben Hogan" where he talks about his special friendship with Ben Hogan and how he saw every single shot Ben Hogan hit to claim the 1953 Open Championship at Carnoustie. What was it like to see Hogan at his very best? A story about Jack Nicklaus crying at the Open. Ben Wright hitting irons while being watched by Ben Hogan. This is a must listen to episode...and the good news...there are at least 2 more interviews with Ben Wright coming!!!

The Golf Course Architecture Magician of the Midwest had the marvelous ability to shape the land in such a way that it would appear that it had to be Nature's work - it has been said that you wont find 18 better greens in the world, than you will find at the Maxwell Masterpiece - Prairie Dunes County Club. Prairie Dunes, much like Perry Maxwell somehow sits under the radar- both the club and the man were gamechangers for golf design in America, built upon the traditions of the old Scottish game. Download and listen to this ode to Perry Maxwell - the genius of the shadows- perhaps the only man to have completed design work at Pine Valley, Augusta National and Cypress Point.

We welcome back to the podcast Jeff Martin, golf researcher and founder of Thinking About Golf. After to listening to Episode #3, Jeff decided to do some research - little did he know that his research would encompass hundreds of hours to get to the very root of the questions; When did the The Augusta National Invitational become the Masters? When did the Masters become a Major Championship? And the search for the lost apostrophe... Listen in and learn more about what is usually the first major of the year and in 2020 will be the last major of the year.

On this episode of TalkinGolf History, the gentlemen from Evalu18 dive into the second nine of Augusta National and how it has evolved since its inception. We end this show discussing what if anything we might recommend in terms of restoring ANGC.

On this episode of TalkinGolf History we are joined by Jasper Miner and Joe McDonnell of Evalu18 to discuss the evolution of Dr. Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones' masterpiece, Augusta National Golf Club. In part one we dive into the first 9 holes and how they have evolved over the past 87 years. In Episode 53 we will discuss the final 9 holes at Augusta National. If you enjoy the podcast please make sure to rate the show!!!