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I caught up with legendary looper Kip Henley on Monday afternoon who was still on cloud nine after the RSM Classic at Sea Island. Kip had been bouncing around the past three years because his former boss Brian Gay had been injured and he was recommended to Cook by a mutual friend. They started working together for the Web.com Tour Finals.
Kip reflects on the past few months and talks about Austin's game and personality, along with their player-caddie relationship. And of course, he also shares insights on how impressed he is with Austin's composure and maturity. I mean, this kid sounds like an all-around solid individual, not to mention really solid golfer.
Find out the funny nickname that Kip keeps wanting to call Austin.
Congrats and thanks again for the time. We'll have to do it again at Kapalua -- with more time when I'm prepared with my podcast gear and not in the doctor's office's waiting room with crappy reception, no less.
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On Tuesday I popped by Paramount CC, where I am super fortunate to be an unofficial honorary member (I have no idea what that really means, but I have no complaints), in Rockland County, NY, about an hour from my apartment in the city, to work on my short game and putting because it's not like I didn't do enough of that between 1995 and 2005! No, it's cold and I was hoping for another Indian Summer, but I have a feeling we're in for a rough winter.
Anyway, one of the major reasons I love Paramount -- not just because it's a fun and challenging course kept in immaculate conditions -- is the people.
I always love hanging out and catching up with two of my favorite people Steve Scott, the head pro (and yes, it is *the* dude that almost beat Tiger Woods in the 1996 U.S. Amateur at Pumpkin Ridge), and Brian Chapin, superintendent and all-around awesome human. I mean, SO MUCH that I drove (with pseudo-blurry vision post-PRK surgery) out to see them and record the pod in person, and we rocked out and had a GOLF POD PARTY! As you'd imagine, it was off the heezy.
Steve provided astute insight and advice on folding sweaters and Brian shared revolutionary tips on maintaining cart path edges.
Enjoy!
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We're back! And I managed to be a bit more coherent this time and only went on a few rambling tangents (as in, I didn't faint earlier in the day--progress)! Patrick Koenig and I talk about the first stop at National Golf Links of America (NGLA) in our mini MacRaynor golf trip in October.
I was fortunate enough to be adopted by longtime reader and friend who is an NGLA member in the very, very early days of WUP. I've had the chance to play NGLA more than any other course in the past seven years, so I pretend it's my home track. I mean, I know it better than any other golf course at this point in my life. #blessed
Patrick and I discuss the genius design that C.B. Macdonald, the godfather of American golf architecture, plotted on his ideal piece of land in Southampton (Long Island), New York. Macdonald used the strategic design features from the most famous holes that he saw and studied on the other side of the pond to construct his masterpiece.
NGLA opened in 1909 and it's one of those rare places that sits still in time and remains relevant in the genius of its strategic design, taking into account the elements. I know I'm not alone when I say that if I could only play one course for the rest of my life, it would be NGLA -- it's not even a competition.
More pictures and details in the write-up at WeiUnderPar.com.
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Welcome to the first part of a very special series of episodes with friend of the pod and regular guest Patrick Koenig, who chatted with me about his solo and buddies trips to Ireland and Scotland this summer. When we recorded the pod, I mentioned he needed to come out to the NYC area and I claimed I could arrange tee times at Fishers Island, National Golf Links of America and Shinnecock.
Well, I lied and failed. I was only successful with NGLA (October 10) and Fishers Island (October 11), but we did get a bonus nine holes into the mix at Hay Harbor, the "other," arguably the more exclusive club on FI, so we were told. Well, I'm not sure if Patrick has forgiven me yet, but hopefully he will soon.
In part 1 of 2 (maybe 3?) of this podcast episode, Koenig and I chat about playing Fishers Island, which is like the Holy Grail for golf architecture geeks, especially MacRaynor fanatics, like myself and Koenig. If there's a C.B. Macdonald or Seth Raynor (Macdonald's protege and co-architect on several projects) course, then I definitely want to play it and there's a 99% chance I'll love the experience and it'll instantly become a favorite.
Fishers Island is considered Raynor's greatest masterpiece -- and it was also his final project. Unfortunately he passed away just before the course was completed. With Fishers, Raynor had a plot of land along the imperfect coastline of the island that only stretches seven miles long. He used his ingenuity to carve out some of his finest renditions of template holes, along with his several of his own creation, to produce a quixotic magnum opus. It's hard to describe the magical experience of playing Fishers, a challenging yet fun test that requires imagination, skill and strategy. The green complexes are intricate, demanding and brilliant, and Raynor doesn't leave much room for error on approach shots.
It was my second trip to Fishers Island and it was just as special as the first -- if not more memorable since I was in such a daze that I feel like I blacked out. Koenig and I rave talk about the incredible experience and the "shabby genteel" (or gentile), spirit of the island. It's a throwback to another time and I've been to many similar type of places in New England, but Fishers in a league of its own.
While some of the "oldest" and most affluent families own homes that have been passed down throughout many generations and spend their summers on Fishers, you wouldn't know it because any overt displays of wealth are frowned upon (i.e. no golden toilets, gaudy marble fountains or waterfalls, etc.). That's what's I love about it -- it's not pretentious and you don't feel like you're walking on eggshells, like other exclusive clubs of similar pedigree; rather it's an incredibly welcoming and special place. Bottom line: It is simply a national treasure that must be preserved and guarded at all costs!
Koenig and I discuss the little details and intricacies of the design and routing of all 18 holes, and emphasize our favorites. You would be hard-pressed to find a better stretch of holes than nos. 3-12 at Fishers.
Check out the photos that we have posted on our websites and social media accounts. Koenig brought his drone and snapped some mind-blowing photos that have probably been circulated and forwarded to just about everyone on the island, along with golf architecture enthusiasts on the East Coast.
Oh, if you're not already following Patrick on Instagram, what is wrong with you??
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*Blogs
weiunderpar.com
pjkoenig.com
*Instagram:
@stephaniemwei
@pjkoenig
*Twitter:
@stephaniewei
@patrickjkoenig
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We're back! And yes, it's been a while -- from holiday in idyllic Gozo (with poor WiFi and bad cell service, which was bliss after the initial shock that lasted like 5-6 days of not being able to access all the information about the horrible stuff happening all over the world) to a wedding in Seattle, along with some other business TBD.
In this episode, I chat with self-described journeyman and Latin American Tour pro Paul Apyan, who has also become a good friend and someone I speak with regularly about (gasp!) politics. I first "met" shortly after he and a friend started the Twitter account @LifeontheMiniTours (formerly known as "Mini Tour Problems") five or six years ago.
Paul provides great insight into tour life as experienced by the majority of professional golfers. I'd call it "how the other half lives," but that's not entirely accurate because it's more like "how the other 99% of tour pros live."
Mini Tour life is the opposite of glamorous and there are no private jets, nor wheelbarrows with millions of dollars at the end of the season, but hopefully, there will be some day soon. Instead, Paul has a very busy fall/winter ahead of him between the multiple stages of Web.com Tour Q-school, and a couple more events left on the Latin American Tour schedule to play. #chasingthedream
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Following the third round at the Northern Trust Open, I caught up with Tim Kawakami, the Editor-in-Chief of The Athletic Bay Area, while he was en route to cover the big fight — yes, that one: Mayweather vs. McGregor.
Prior to joining The Athletic this summer, Tim was a columnist at the San Jose Mercury News for 17 years. He’s one of the most prominent — if not the foremost — voices when it comes to coverage and insight into the Golden State Warriors and San Francisco 49ers.
Tim and I talked about his new gig at The Athletic, which just launched at the start of August. He also provided his insider knowledge on all things Steph Curry, including his impressive performance at the Web.com Tour event. We chatted about Colin Kaepernick's journey that eventually led to his silent protest and the ensuing (and ongoing) controversy -- which was recently detailed in a guest column for The Athletic by Kaepernick's friend.
Tim also describes the drastic and distinct cultures in the NBA vs. the NFL.
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PGA Tour pro Andres Gonzales is one of my oldest and dearest friends. We met when we were 15 through our swing coach (Joe Thiel) back in our junior golf days. We practiced and played a lot together, and Andres often caddied for me at qualifiers for USGA events, among other tournaments.
He was the only guy friend in high school that my parents were cool with letting me have (platonic) sleepovers with. (Strict Asian immigrant parents!)
We reminisced and took a walk down memory lane with funny and random stories from our youth on and off the golf course -- mostly about Andres embarrassing me when I used to be super shy. Like when he pulled this stunt.
Andres' wife Kristin, whom I've also known since we were 15/16-years-old, makes a couple of cameos, along with their two lovely daughters Tova and Marit.
Tune in for lots of laughs and stories. I'm a sentimental person, so I love that there a few things that don't change -- perhaps they evolve, but the foundation, so to speak, remains the same.
Note: *This was recorded the week of the Barracuda Championship.*
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I caught up with Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee on Saturday morning ahead of the third round of the PGA Championship. We discussed the changes to Quail Hollow, the impact of the weather on the course conditions and what we've seen so far from Kevin Kisner, Hideki Matsuyama, Jason Day, and other notables in the field. Brandel gave his expert analysis on the top contenders and big names and what to watch for this afternoon.
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Welcome to the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club! There's so much to share and discuss, but you'll have to listen to the podcast to hear about the changes to the golf course, which plays hosts to a regular PGA Tour event, and the overwhelming negative reaction to the tweaks from the players. I caught up with Mike Small, the head coach of the men’s golf team at the University of Illinois, which has become an NCAA powerhouse under his leadership. He's also won two Web.com Tour events, played on the PGA Tour, competed in multiple majors, won the PGA Professional Championship three times -- just to name a few of his accolades and achievements in the game. Coach Small is obviously a man of many talents and I'm not sure how he manages to do it all, but it's very impressive.
Then, in the second half of the episode, I caught up with Kevin Na to talk Justin Bieber, Quail Hollow, and the ongoing discussion about championship golf courses becoming longer -- heavily favoring the "bomb-and-gouge" style of play -- and how it's negatively impacting shot-making and skill. Shane Lowry and Thomas Pieters, who played for Coach Small at Illinois, make a cameo at the end when Na and I are discussing shorts vs. pants. If you can't hear Pieters at the very end, he says, "I shave (my legs) every morning," while flexing his calves. Had to be there, but it was funny. See the video.
Picks for the week? Go with the long hitters -- obviously, Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, Hideki Matsuyama, and you can't count out Jordan Spieth as he tries to complete the career grand slam. Other dark horses to watch for: J.B. Holmes, Tony Finau, Kevin Chappell, Justin Rose, Luke List.
For more of my updates and reports throughout the day, follow me on Twitter and Instagram (specifically my Insta-story). Don't forget to Like us on Facebook!
Cheers!
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I caught up a few weeks ago with Golf Digest social media coordinator, pro golfer and part-time comedian Hally Leadbetter. We talked about her recent move to NYC, her journey from junior golfer to pro golf to media, good/bad "golf parents", managing (lowering) expectations when she plays now, taking a stand-up comedy class, and her recent buddies' trip in Scotland. Basically, get-to-know Hally (she's awesome and a woman of many talents).
This is part of an ongoing series on golf in Ireland/Scotland, or for the love of links golf.
Previous episodes and recommended listening:
*Geoff Shackelford
*Patrick Koenig
Thanks to Visit Scotland, I'm very well-versed on planning buddies trips, so hit me up if you have any questions. I mean, I've played more golf in the U.K. in the last four years than I have in America!
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Stephanie Wei is joined by friend of the pod Craig Connelly, who loops for Martin Kaymer, the morning after Jordan Spieth's dramatic, incredible and mind-blowing victory at the Open at Royal Birkdale.
They talk Kaymer and Craig's finish (T37), the Open draw, conditions, the craziness/ruling on the 13th hole that led to a phenomenal bogey for Spieth, and then his subsequent run to close out the impressive win, along with Matt Kuchar's runner-up finish, Branden Grace's record-setting 62, and Haotong Li's final-round 63 to place a career-best third at a major.
It's a must-listen with Wee Man contributing his witty and expert insight into what was a week to remember at Royal Birkdale.
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Stephanie Wei spoke with golf photographer/social media extraordinaire Patrick Koenig about his solo trip to play golf in Ireland -- he drove around the country and played 13 courses in eight days! -- and his buddies trip in Scotland.
We recorded this interview the day after the Irish Open when I was sitting in a rental car parking lot at the Belfast airport and Patrick was driving to a business meeting (he has a full-time non-golf job) in Colorado. All things considered I think it turned out well.
We chatted about the incredible courses I had the chance to play in Northern Ireland during the Irish Open -- Royal Portrush GC, Royal County Down and Castlerock.
Here's the list of courses Patrick played on his Ireland trip:
Portmarnock The Island Royal County Down Ardglass Golf Club Royal Portrush Lahinch Doonbeg Tralee Golf Club. Dooks Waterville Ballybunion Cork Golf Club Old HeadThen, he hopped on a plane to join some friends to play *more* links golf in Scotland. His itinerary included the following (I need to double-check this list with him):
North Berwick Elie The Old Course Kingsbarns Crail Carnoustie Cruden BayThis episode is definitely a must-listen for lovers of links golf and for those thinking of planning their own trip to Ireland and/or Scotland. Enjoy!
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Stephanie Wei chats with Golf Channel on-course announcer Jerry Foltz, who is on the ground at Royal Birkdale, about The Open, links golf, rules snafus, along with other random stories.
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Stephanie Wei catches up with Andrew "Beef" Johnston (and his agent Shaun Reddin) on Saturday evening following the third round of the Scottish Open over drinks and dinner at the restaurant at their hotel in Ayrshire, about 15 miles down the road from Dundonald Links.
Now this type of thing doesn't happen every week (or ever)--it's not exactly "normal" for an agent to agree to a last-minute podcast recording before the final round of a tournament, especially when the player is on the first page of the leaderboard! But Beef and Shaun aren't your average tour player and agent, respectively, and that's why we love them-- they're just ordinary blokes.
Stephanie arrived at the restaurant while Beef and Shaun were having a few beers and betting on ponies. And because Beef is Beef, every other minute, fans approached him for a picture and a chat.
They chat about, well, a variety of topics, including Beef's emergence as a cult hero and fan favorite at last year's Open Championship at Royal Troon (which is only a few miles from Dundonald Links), practice rounds, pairings, the European Tour vs. the PGA Tour, cool yet unexpected experiences in the past year, social media and music. Beef also shares several fun(ny) stories and fields some questions from Golf Twitter/Beef Nation.
Enjoy!
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Golf's renaissance man Geoff Shackelford, who is a senior writer at Golfweek, contributor for Golf Channel and pioneer in the game's multimedia presence with his eponymous blog, is also at the Scottish Open at Dundonald Links. I tricked him into talking with me for 50 minutes (instead of the agreed upon 30 minutes) Friday afternoon. We discussed the first episode of the second season of Malcolm Gladwell's podcast Revisionist History, which is basically an essay on why he hates golf, the perception and culture of the game in the United Kingdom vs. the United States, links golf in Scotland, architecture, and more.
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The U.S. Women's Open is taking place this week at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, which President Donald Trump has dubbed the "Summer White House." It's impossible not to address the fact that the women's national championship is being held at a venue that bears the President's name. While the players and USGA are all saying they aren't there to discuss "politics," it's not per se about "politics." It's more about Trump's long history of demeaning and bullying women with sexist and disparaging comments, and even bragging about sexual assault.
As if the championship and the competitors need more of a distraction from the actual golf, Trump plans to be on-site at the tournament over the weekend, according to an FAA notice. Of course he will. There was never a chance he could stay away and not grab the limelight and take it away from the golfers that he claims to support and champion. If he truly cared about women's golf, then he would stay away and let the week be about the best female golfers in the world and let their clubs do the talking instead of causing further ruckus by making a YUGE scene if/when he shows up.
Former LPGA pro and major champion Karen Stupples, who is now a Golf Channel broadcaster, joined me to discuss the impossible position that the ladies have been put in, the "controversy", and the potential distraction that will ensue if/when Trump goes through with his plan to attend the U.S. Women's Open over the weekend.
For more on this topic, read Stephanie's column, which includes links to the stories discussed in this episode.
Follow Stephanie on Twitter: @stephaniewei -- and Instagram: @stephanieMwei
Follow Karen Stupples on Twitter: @KStupples
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We're in Northern Ireland this week, covering the Irish Open at Portstewart. I caught up with friend of the blog/pod Robert Rock to talk about his forgettable season, his swing experiment that went wrong, putting and whatever else came up. He describes the work he's putting in on his putting stroke at the end of the segment, so I stopped recording to take a video (which you can find posted at weiunderpar.com). I also spoke with former European Tour player and Sky Sports analyst Andrew Coltart to preview the event and get his expert insight on the golf course.
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Stephanie Wei and Nikki B chat with 2010 U.S. Amateur Champion and European Tour pro Peter Uihlein. We caught up with Pete while he was actually at home in Jupiter, Florida, where he lives with his girlfriend Chelsea and his dog Bagger. Pete talks with us about his first trip internationally as a pro in India, playing the Challenge Tour and European Tour, and his plans to compete in the Web.com Tour playoffs to try and earn his PGA Tour card for next season.
Time stamps for segments:
6:50: Why he decided to play the Challenge Tour
11:00: Traveling the world and his favorite places
18:00: The Wonderful Mind of fellow European Tour player and friend Eddie Pepperell
24:00: 2017 U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka -- the two used to be roommates and both played on the European Tour at the same time.
26:00: Erin Hills & the difference in conditions between the 2011 U.S. Amateur and 2017 U.S. Open
28:00: The conditions and set up of the course
31:00: Why courses should be firmer and faster, instead of longer
42:00: Winning the U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay in 2010
46:00: The biggest differences between the PGA Tour and European Tour
57:00: His entourage or "team"
1.00.00: His girlfriend Chelsea Gates
1:01:30: His dog's Instagram account
1:03:50: Closest friends on the European Tour
1:04:50: Rising stars in Europe who are still relative unknowns to Americans
1:06:30: Golf courses on his bucket list
1:08:25: Plans to try and earn his PGA Tour card
1:10:20: His upcoming schedule
1:13.00: Fan with Titleist Tattoos who are big fans of Pete and his dad Wally Uihlein (CEO of Acushnet, Titleist's parent company)
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Stephanie Wei is joined by award-winning golf journalist Adam Schupak and Corporate Communications Director of Travelers Michael Whitmer, who covered golf for the Boston Globe until last year. The trio wrap-up the final round of the Travelers Championship, which ended with what was most definitely the shot of the year by Jordan Spieth, not to mention an awesome celebration with his caddie Michael Greller.
Spieth completed a wire-to-wire victory in his first start at the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands. Spieth held off Daniel Berger in the first playoff hole. After his drive hit a tree and bounced into the fairway, Spieth's approach landed in the front-right bunker, and he holed out for birdie to hoist the trophy. It doesn't get much more thrilling or better than that!
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Nikki and I talk about the thrilling action on moving day at the U.S. Open at Erin Hills. We know the leaderboard isn't filled with a bunch of "big" names, but we are loving the "nice guys" that are in contention heading into Sunday's final round. Chances are we'll crown another first-time major champion at the end of play. Take your pick -- they're all good storylines.
The outright 54-hole leader Brian Harman is the ultimate underdog and longtime readers know what a sucker I am for long shots. Harman is 12-under, but Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka and Tommy Fleetwood are just one shot behind, with Rickie Fowler in solo fifth.
Yes, these scores aren't typical of a "U.S. Open, but even the USGA can't control the torrential overnight downpours that have created super soft conditions at Erin Hills this week. Good news is the storms have all occurred over night, so in a way, we've been incredibly lucky that there have been no delays. Fingers crossed we finish tomorrow and there's no p-word. We're looking forward to a thrilling Sunday!
P.S. We might throw in another podcast tonight as we may be chatting with a player in the field. We'll see. We have an exciting line-up of guests for next week, though. Stay tuned!
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