The Upstate Golf Guys Podcast

This week on the podcast, Anthony RGB and Florida Mike are back with a full-blown Masters Special—and we kick things off with the big news surrounding Tiger Woods. With Tiger officially out and not playing in this year’s The Masters Tournament, we talk about what that means for the field, the storylines, and the overall vibe at Augusta. From there, we dive into one of the best traditions in golf—the Champions Dinner. We break down some of our favorite menus from the past 10 years, from classic southern spreads to some unique picks from international winners. Then we flip it on ourselves… what would OUR Champions Dinner look like if we slipped on that Green Jacket? Let’s just say, things got interesting. Then it’s time to get competitive. We each drafted our own Masters teams across 8 different categories—building out squads of contenders, sleepers, and wild cards. There’s a lot of pride (and trash talk) on the line here, because the loser is buying the winner a free round of golf this summer. Stakes are HIGH. We also throw out a great question to wrap things up: What’s your price tag to play Augusta National? What’s the absolute most you’d pay for that once-in-a-lifetime round? As always, big shoutout to our sponsor Hudson Valley Indoor Golf—go check them out and get your game dialed in. And don’t forget—the Golfweek Amateur Tour season is right around the corner, kicking off in just two weeks. Huge things are coming this year with Evan Silkworth, owner of HVI Golf, stepping in as the new Upstate director. If you’ve ever wanted to compete, now’s the time—go sign up and be part of it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Upstate Golf Guys Podcast, we sit down with one of the most well-traveled instructors in the game—Chris Howard- @Chowardgolf Chris dives into how his journey began and what led him to building a career running golf schools all over the world. With experience teaching in 29 countries and over 800 schools, he’s truly seen just about every type of golf swing you can imagine—and he shares what all golfers, no matter the level, tend to get wrong. We get into his coaching philosophy, how he approaches teaching both everyday players and high-level golfers, and most importantly—he gives out some simple at-home drills that anyone can start using right away to improve their game. We also talk about what’s ahead for Chris, including his upcoming schedule and a big stop right here in Upstate New York. If you’re serious about improving your game, this is a great opportunity to learn from someone with a global perspective on golf instruction. Chris will be in the area this June—so make sure to check it out and grab a spot at one of his schools. You can find more information and sign up here:https://www.chowardgolf.com Don’t miss this one—tons of value packed into this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We had a really fun and special episode on the Upstate Golf Guys Podcast joined by standout junior golfer Bailey Baio and her dad Scott Baio, yes that Scott Baio from Happy Days and Charles in Charge. Scott Baio may be the name everyone recognizes, but he wasn’t the star of today’s podcast — today’s star was Bailey. A standout junior golfer making a name for herself, Bailey is putting in the work, chasing big goals, and showing exactly what the next generation of the game looks like. We got into Bailey’s golf journey, what first got her into the game, and how her dad made sure it was always about having fun, including the tradition of getting a cookie after every round. Now her dad is right there with her every step of the way, caddying for her and supporting her through the journey, which makes the story even more special. Bailey is taking things to the next level, committed to Providence College to play Division 1 golf, with her sights set on one day playing on the LPGA Tour. The father daughter dynamic in this episode is awesome. Great banter, real moments, and a genuine love for the game that comes through the whole time. RGB joined me as always and brought some great questions to the table too. Make sure to tune in for this one, it’s a good one. Shoutout to our sponsor Hudson Valley Indoor Golfhvigolf.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Upstate Golf Guys Podcast, we recap our trip down to Virginia to compete in a two-day major at Kingsmill Resort on the River and Plantation Courses as part of the Golfweek Amateur Tour. Let’s just say… the golf didn’t exactly go the way we planned. 😅 But the trip itself was an absolute blast. I was joined by Champ Flight player Kevin DuMicich, who broke down his rounds and some of the struggles he battled through during the tournament. Even with a few bumps in the road, Kevin still managed to walk away with a huge skin worth nearly $400, proving that one clutch hole can make the whole weekend worth it. We also talked about Anthony’s rollercoaster of a tournament. Saturday felt solid and competitive—holding his own and right in the mix. But Sunday… well… let’s just say it felt like he had never swung a golf club before. Anyone who plays tournament golf knows those days can show up when you least expect them. We also had Jonni Callaway along for the trip, and he had an absolute blast. While the tournament golf kept us busy, Jonni’s highlight of the weekend might not have been on the big course—it was dominating the mini golf course at the condo. Safe to say he was lights out with the putter that night. 🏌️‍♂️ Even though the scores weren’t exactly what we hoped for, the experience at Kingsmill was incredible—great courses, great competition, and another awesome golf trip in the books. Now we’re fired up and ready for the Upstate New York season to start. If you’ve ever thought about playing competitive amateur golf, now is the time—sign up for the Golfweek Amateur Tour. The schedule this year is stacked and you won’t want to miss it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Upstate Golf Guys Podcast is back and this one was a heater 🔥 RGB and I were joined by golf content creator and founder of Feel Golf, Lyle — and let’s just say… the man is building something different. Yeah, the hats are absolute fire. The Feel Golf drops have been turning heads, and the brand is growing fast. But what Lyle is building goes way deeper than apparel. He’s using his platform to bring awareness to men’s mental health — something that doesn’t get talked about enough in the golf space (or anywhere, really). His honesty, his journey, and his purpose behind the content are what truly separate him. On this episode we dive into: His growth as a content creator and brand owner The vision behind Feel Golf How he’s trying to grow the game in a completely different way His experience at the PGA Show and some of the creators he connected with And his golf game… because let’s not forget — the guy is a legit plus handicap. Lyle can flat out stripe it. He’s traveled all over the world playing some of the best courses out there and even shared a few of his favorites with us. When someone who’s seen that much golf talks architecture and vibes, you listen. And then of course… we wrapped it up the only way we know how — with the spitfire questions. Rapid, chaotic, and always a good time. The biggest moment? Lyle dropped some news about a brand new series he’s launching in the next few weeks. He says it’s going to be BIG. Different than what anyone else is doing right now. If you know Lyle, you know he’s not chasing trends — he’s trying to shift culture. We appreciate Lyle hopping on with us and we’re rooting for him as he continues building Feel Golf and pushing the game forward. Be sure to follow Lyle and Feel Golf on all social platforms @feelgolf so you don’t miss what’s coming next. Huge shoutout to our sponsors: ⛳ 88 Links Golf ⛳ Hudson Valley Indoor Golf We appreciate the support from businesses that continue to back the golf community up here in the Upstate. Another great episode in the books. Let’s keep growing the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re joined by Brandon Boisfontaine — Louisiana golf content creator, course and food reviewer, and all-around grinder in the golf space. Brandon’s not just doing it for the clicks either… he’s a neighbor and good friend of Uncle P (Paulie), and we dive into how that relationship started and how it’s helped shape his journey in content creation. We talk Louisiana golf, from course conditions to must-hit food spots, and Brandon breaks down why he’s absolutely dialed in with his blue dot putter (yes, we went there). He also shares details on his new venture with the Under Armour Junior Tour in Louisiana, helping grow the game at the grassroots level. With LIV Golf coming to Brandon’s home course, we get his take on what that means for the area, the course, and the buzz around Louisiana golf. Brandon also opens up about the real grind of content creation — the consistency, the behind-the-scenes work, and what it actually takes to keep pushing when the algorithm isn’t always your friend. And of course… we wrap it up with our classic spitfire questions, because it wouldn’t be our show without putting the guest on the hot seat. Golf, food, content, and real talk — this one’s a fun ride. Don’t miss it. ⛳🔥 Make sure to follow Brandon on all social platforms: @bboisf_golf ⛳📲 Big shoutout to our sponsors who help keep the mics hot and the golf talk rolling ⛳🔥88 Links Golf — dialing in your fit from the ground up with golf shoes, polos, hats, ball markers, and more. Clean gear, legit quality, built for golfers who actually play. And Hudson Valley Indoor Golf — your go-to indoor golf simulator experience in the Capital Region. Whether it’s winter grind season, league night, or just ripping balls with the boys, this is the spot. Go support the sponsors — because they support the show. 💪🏌️‍♂️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we were joined by Ricky Reilly, one of the top adaptive golfers in the country and currently ranked second nationally in the short stature division. Ricky is a name you’re going to keep hearing, especially when it comes to competitive adaptive golf. He regularly competes against Chaz, with the two always battling back and forth, and Chaz was most recently seen competing in the Internet Invitational. We got into Ricky’s journey growing up with dwarfism and what it was like navigating sports at a young age. Before golf took over, Ricky was a true athlete, with hockey being his go-to sport. That competitive mindset never left. Ricky puts the work in, living on a golf course and playing seven days a week, constantly grinding to elevate his game. As a fellow Upstate NYer, kind of, coming out of Syracuse, New York, Ricky talked about the pressure that comes with competitive golf, the mental side of tournament play, and some of the rules he would like to see changed in the game. It was an honest conversation that shed light on adaptive golf, competition, and what it takes to perform at a high level. Huge shoutout to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Hudson Valley Indoor Golf, your go-to indoor golf experience in the Capital Region. Visit hvigolf.com. And 88 Links Golf for premium golf gear including shoes, polos, hats, ball markers, and more. Visit 88linksgolf.com and use code UPSTATE20 at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With RGB and Anthony snowed in and grounded for the foreseeable future, the fellas kick things off talking college golf championships and break down the Miami Hurricanes season, which came this close to glory — tough one for RGB. From there, the conversation rolls right into the hot-button topic everyone’s got an opinion on: NIL. Is it good for college sports? Bad? Somewhere in between? The boys give their honest takes and debate what it means for athletes, schools, and the future of the game. We wrap things up on a high note spotlighting Florida Mike’s first Golfweek event down in Florida, where he didn’t just show up — he took home some cash 💰 Big start, big vibes. Huge shoutout to our sponsors for always backing the show: 🏌️ 88 Links Golf — dialing in your style from shoes to polos, hats, ball markers, and everything in between. ⛳ Hudson Valley Indoor Golf — your go-to indoor golf simulators in the Capital Region, keeping the swing sharp even when winter won’t quit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we were thrilled to be joined by Matt and Mike, the mastermind creators behind Line Lion, a next-level putting aid that’s changing the way golfers train their short game. Whether you’re struggling with pushes or pulls and can't hit the ball square the line lion is for you! It will build that much needed confidence on the greens... Line Lion is engineered for golfers who live for precision. Built from tour-grade materials and designed for use on turf, grass, or even your carpet at home, Line Lion provides instant visual feedback on your face angle, stroke path, and ball roll — all without needing any apps or tech gear. Setup takes under 30 seconds and gives you real-time correction cues so you train smarter, not harder. Matt and Mike dive deep into their development story, the design philosophy that makes Line Lion unique, and why they believe that precision starts with honest feedback. We talk about how it helps eliminate guesswork, builds muscle memory, and trains golfers to attack the line with confidence. ➡️ Listen in if you’ve ever wanted to: Reduce 3-putts and start striking the ball more consistently Build confidence at all distances Practice anywhere — from the green to your living room Understand the real science behind putting feedback and alignment Plus — this episode gets real when we hit the Spitfire Questions, and we learned something unexpected that surprised even us: this was the first time we had a guest on who has actually played Augusta! 😲 Tune in to hear the full story and the amazing insight he shared from that experience. 📌 Check out Line Lion here: https://line-lion.com/ A huge shoutout to our sponsors: 88 Links Golf — your partner in all things golf gear and instruction Hudson Valley Indoor Golf — stay sharp year-round with premium indoor training facilities Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to the podcast! Today’s episode is a special one because we’re spotlighting golf that goes way beyond the scorecard. I’m joined by Shawn Hulbert, one of the organizers behind an Indoor Golf Charity Tournament benefiting Patriot Hills of New York, an incredible organization supporting our nation’s veterans.This event is happening January 16th at Rotterdam Golf Lounge, and it’s loaded — competitive indoor golf, food and drinks, raffles, a 50/50, and even a $2,500 hole-in-one challenge. Whether you’re a golfer looking to compete or someone who just wants to support a great cause, this is an event you’ll want to be part of.Shawn breaks down how the tournament came together, where the money goes, and how you can sign up, donate, or get involved, even if you’re not swinging a club. So stick around, spread the word, and let’s help make a real impact through the game we all love.Let’s get into it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re fired up to welcome Steven Durand to the podcast! Steven is a PGA Golf Coach and one of the most respected instructors in the game today. He was named Regional Coach of the Year in 2023–2024 and followed that up by earning 2025 Coach of the Year, a true testament to the impact he’s making both on and off the course. But Steven’s story goes way beyond golf. Before coaching, he was a professional dancer, even spending time as a backup dancer for Vanilla Ice. That background in movement, balance, and rhythm plays a huge role in how he teaches the golf swing today. Oh—and if that wasn’t enough, he’s also a pretty legit skateboarder, bringing a unique edge and creativity to everything he does. Tune in as we dive into Steven’s incredible journey, how dance and skating shaped his coaching philosophy, and what separates great instructors from the rest. 🔥 Big shoutout to our sponsors for making this episode possible:88 Links Golf 88Links Golf USE CODE "UPSTATE" AT CHECKOUT and Hudson Valley Indoor Golf — Make your tee time now at HOME | Hudson Valley Golf go support the brands that support the show! This is one episode you don’t want to miss. 🎙️⛳ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode was a fun one as we sat down with Gipper Finau, brother of PGA Tour star Tony Finau, for a wide-ranging conversation that hits on golf, family, grit, and what’s next. Gipper shared some great stories from back in the day, including how walking down a path he probably shouldn’t have been on is actually what led to his introduction to the game of golf. We talked about the journey since then and how golf became a powerful force in his life. We also dove into the incredible work being done through the Gipper Finau Foundation, the impact it’s having, and what Gipper sees for the future. On top of that, Gipper teased future plans involving Pro Mastery Classes for content creators, aimed at helping others grow, build, and succeed in the golf content space. The guys also chopped it up about Lombardi Putters — why they’re so good, why they’re affordable, and why they’ve become a favorite. Gipper even shared some stories about time spent with Uncle Paulie down in New Orleans and how that relationship came together. Of course, we couldn’t have Gipper on without talking about Tony’s success on the PGA Tour, including the wild moment at Augusta when Tony made an ace during the Par 3 Contest, dislocated his ankle, popped it back into place, and then went out leading after Day One. Unreal. And don’t skip the spitfire questions at the end — including the big one: 👉 Who talks more smack… Tony or Gipper? You’ll have to tune in to find out. Check out everything Gipper has going on here: 👉 https://gipperfinau.com/?v=966cb237d600 Huge shoutout to our sponsors for making the show possible: ⛳ 88 Links Golf — use promo code UPSTATE20 at checkout ⛳ Hudson Valley Indoor Golf — book your time at hvigolf.com Hit play, enjoy the stories, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking back on some of our best golf moments from the 2025 season. From unforgettable rounds to big milestones on and off the course, we reflected on what made this year special and why golf continues to bring the best stories with it. We also showed love to some of our favorite guests who joined us on the podcast over the past year — incredible golfers, creators, and personalities who brought insight, laughs, and real conversations to the mic. If you’ve been riding with us all year, this episode is a reminder of just how stacked the guest list has been. To kick off the New Year, we got into golf New Year’s resolutions — what we’re working on, what we’re leaving behind, and how we’re attacking the upcoming season with fresh motivation. Goals, mindset, improvement, and plenty of banter along the way. Huge shoutout to our sponsors who continue to support the podcast: 88 Links — your go-to for golf gear, apparel, and accessories, specializing in shoes while also carrying hats, polos, gloves, and ball markers. Hudson Valley Indoor Golf — elite indoor golf experience with cutting-edge simulator technology, access to over 150,000 courses, and a massive putting green to dial in your short game. New year, same love for the game. Tune in and kick off 2026 with us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode we’re joined by Jared Lott, father of junior golfer Brantley Lott, who you might remember from his appearance on the podcast a few months back. Jared hopped on to talk all things junior golf, especially for families and players who love competitive golf and are looking for the right tours to get involved with. We broke down two of the best junior tours to join right now. First up was iGen Junior Golf, with their opening event set at Sea Trail Resort. Tons of giveaways, two days of awesome golf, and a great competitive environment for junior players. If you’re looking to get your junior involved, this is one you don’t want to miss — check them out at igenjuniorchampionships.com. We also talked about the Southern Showcase Tour, another excellent option for juniors getting into competitive golf and looking to grow their game in the right environment. You can learn more about that tour at southernshowcasejuniorgolf.com. Of course, we couldn’t help ourselves and got into a little Tiger Woods talk — will we ever see him truly back competing again? And we wrapped things up by finding out whether Jared ever actually gets time to golf himself between raising a junior golfer and everything else life throws at you. Huge shoutout to our awesome sponsors 88 Links Golf and Hudson Valley Indoor Golf for continuing to support the show. Be sure to check them out and support the brands that support the pod. Another great conversation packed with junior golf insight — tune in and enjoy! ⛳ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of the Upstate Golf Guys Podcast is loaded from top to bottom with tournament news, competitive fire, and big things coming for the upcoming season. We were joined by Golfweek Amateur Tour Director Evan Silkworth, along with Assistant Director Mike Winters, to break down what events are officially set in stone and what players across the region have to look forward to this year. From confirmed stops like Swan Colony Country Club and Shaker Ridge, to the overall vision for the season, Evan and Mike give a behind-the-scenes look at how the Golfweek Amateur Tour continues to grow and deliver a true competitive experience for golfers of all skill levels. The Upstate Golf Guys plan on doing weekly segments bringing the highlights from Golfweek events to the podcast week to week. We also brought in Jeremy Hays and Josh Parlapiano, two finalists from the Upstate Golf Guys Indoor Invitation, to recap an intense indoor showdown. Both guys battled their way through the field, with Jeremy ultimately taking home the cheddar and claiming bragging rights. They break down the pressure, the format, and what it meant to compete in one of the most competitive indoor events we’ve hosted. Huge shoutout to our sponsors who make all of this possible — 88 Links, your go-to for premium golf gear, shoes, apparel, and accessories, and Hudson Valley Indoor Golf, the home for year-round competition, elite practice, and top-tier indoor golf experiences. If you’re into competitive golf, local tournaments, and what’s next for the Upstate golf scene, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. 🎙️⛳ SIGN UP NOW AT Golfweek Amateur Tour Please subscribe to the Upstate Golf Guys on You Tube for all the video versions of the podcast and golf content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Upstate Golf Guys Podcast, we’re joined by Andrew Austen, also known as your favorite one-armed golfer. Andrew was most recently featured in the Internet Invitational put on by Barstool Sports and Bob Does Sports, and he didn’t just show up — he made a serious run and delivered some truly epic golf content along the way. We dive deep into Andrew’s journey in adaptive golf, the unforgettable moment he got the call from Frankie at Barstool, and how everything went from zero to real fast. From landing at Big Cedar Lodge to seeing the Good Good boys and Paige Spiranac in person, Andrew talks about the exact moment it hit him — this was real. We got into each round and what it was like playing with the Duke where he walked away with some cheddar! Andrew also played with one of the winners at one point, Brad Dalke! Plus, you won’t want to miss the hilarious Andrew Santino mix-up when the Andrews arrived at Big Cedar, an all-time story that had us rolling. We can’t thank Andrew enough for taking time out of his busy schedule to come chop it up with The Upstate Golf Guys. His story, mindset, and love for the game are straight-up inspiring. Check out Andrew on Instagram at Jimmythekiiid and follow his journey! https://www.instagram.com/jimmythekiiid?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Huge shoutout to our sponsors: 88 Links Golf 88Links Golf Hudson Valley Indoor Golf HOME | Hudson Valley Golf This is an episode you don’t want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We went live on the pod to draft teams for our upcoming event at Hudson Valley Indoor Golf, and it got competitive fast. We straight copy-catted the full Internet Invitational format, bringing that same high-stakes, made-for-content energy to the Upstate golf scene. The format is simple but ruthless: round one is 27 holes where only the winning team advances, eventually narrowing the field down to a final six, with $1,200 on the line for the last two standing. Tune in as Captain John Cole (Team Blue) and Captain Kevin Dumacich (Team Red) break down who they picked, the matchups, and the strategy behind every move. Huge shoutout to our sponsor HVI Golf for making it all possible. Check them out at HVIGolf.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices