Chasin' Birdies

By Jonathan Pepe & Ryan BashourSports Music Golf Music Interviews

Chasin' Birdies episodes

May 12, 2022Roundtable Discussion with Ryan Shazier
Former Pittsburgh Steeler and Ohio State Buckeye Ryan Shazier joins us on this week’s episode of Chasin’ Birdies. An extremely humble and grateful person, Ryan opens up about his early rise to the NFL before it tragically ended in 2017. This hasn’t stopped Ryan from being determined to keep chasin’ birdies in life and that is exactly what he’s doing. Tune in..we cover so much in this episode!
This week on Chasin’ Birdies we head back over to the football world with former Pittsburgh Steeler Ryan Shazier joining us on the show. As sports fans, it’s likely you know about Ryan and the career ending injury he suffered in 2017. What’s unlikely, though, is that you probably don’t know how determined of a human being Ryan is.
We open up the episode and dive right into football talk. Ryan explains how he chose Ohio State University over LSU and other colleges. The kid had offers from every major school you could think of. We turn the page and jump into his early career in the NFL playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
We discuss the injury that ended his playing career back in 2017. This was a major life changing event and hearing the determination and perspective from Ryan is humbling to say the least. Being able to walk again is truly a miracle and that’s exactly what he did.
Naturally, he still loves football and will take his son to games but doesn’t allow his son “booing” anyone. Although he’s not an avid golfer, Ryan has played golf and can appreciate the game. We tie this into life because for Ryan, he is chasin’ birdies in life. He discusses his post-NFL career as an Entrepreneur. He is greatly involved with his foundation and talking to people who have suffered an injury similar to his. Hats off to you, Ryan!
We end the episode with our standard Tap-In segment where Ryan is required to answer 4 questions in a timely fashion. This episode does not disappoint! Gratitude is everything! We hope you enjoy this one as much as we do…and please, feel free to share!
Key Links:
Visit hbgolf.com for great golf apparel now repped by Chasin’ Birdies.
Stay tuned for more info on winning custom headcovers from WinstonCollection.com
Our Tap-in segment is sponsored by Bettinardi Golf
Filmed at Nemacolin Resort.
This episode is presented by LinksBrewing

-----Follow Chasin’ Birdies on Instagram @chasin_birdies.
Chasin’ Birdies is hosted by Ryan Bashour and Jonathan Pepe and is proudly recorded in West Virginia. Produced by Simpler Media.
1 hr 9 min
April 28, 2022Still Roccin' - Rocco Mediate
6x PGA Tour winner Rocco Mediate joins us on this episode of Chasin’ Birdies. At 59 years young, there’s still plenty of gas left in his tank. We talk about his start on tour in 1986, the 2008 US Open, and what he’s doing now on the Champions Tour. This episode will keep you listening and wanting more!
Although there were bigger moment’s in Rocco’s career (like beating Tiger Woods or winning 6x on tour), arguably the most notable weekend of his career happened during the 2008 US Open. Against who? Yep, Tiger Woods. We sit down with Rocco and talk golf in this episode of Chasin’ Birdies.
The episode opens up with Rocco, while smoking a nice cigar, explaining the process for Tour eligibility in 1986. A collegiate golfer, he knew he had what it took to make it professionally as a golfer…or did he? He explains his early career and what it was like playing against greats like Arnold Palmer and Greg Norman.
We fast forward a bit to 2008 and ask Rocco what he was thinking when he had to play in a playoff for the title against Tiger Woods on a Monday. His response is gold. After talking a bit about that certain day in 2008, we navigate over to his golf world now and what he does off the course when he’s not studying his lie angles or degrees of bounce.
We end the show with our standard Tap-In segment where Rocco is asked 4-5 questions that demand his quick reply. For golfers, this episode will keep your attention from start to finish. Share this episode and let people know that Rocco is still roccin’...
Key Links:
Visit hbgolf.com for great golf apparel now repped by Chasin’ Birdies.
Stay tuned for more info on winning custom headcovers from WinstonCollection.com
Our Tap-in segment is sponsored by Bettinardi Golf
Filmed at Nemacolin Resort.
This episode is presented by LinksBrewing

-----Follow Chasin’ Birdies on Instagram @chasin_birdies.Chasin’ Birdies is hosted by Ryan Bashour and Jonathan Pepe and is proudly recorded in West Virginia. Produced by Simpler Media.
1 hr 1 min
April 14, 2022THE Marcus Allen - Golf x Life Talk
Former NFL running back Marcus Allen joins us on this episode of Chasin’ Birdies. Question: What hasn’t he won? Heisman, NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, and much more. Marcus knows how to chase birdies on the course and OFF the course. Give this episode a listen and hear all about his addiction to golf from one of the best to ever play in the NFL!
We get back into the NFL world with former running back and now golf addict, Marcus Allen. Marcus has many accolades behind him with his illustrious NFL career. Now, in his later years, he can’t stop being the MVP of his golfing group. And that, people, means Most Valuable Putter.We open up the episode and talk a little football with Marcus. We touch on his NFL career and how the college football scene has changed from then to now. We touch briefly on the NIL situation and how that affects college sports.
We flip the script from football and dive right into golf. Marcus briefs us on his Charity Golf Outing that he has been putting on for years. After listening to this interview, it seems as if there isn’t a course that Marcus hasn’t played. It’s apparent, with his slow and intentful demeanor, that he loves the game of golf.We wrap up the show with our standard tap-in segment which is sponsored by Bettinardi Golf. Pepe asks Marcus some questions that demand his quick witted reply. It’s not every day you get to talk to someone like Marcus so we are thankful for him coming on the show. Hope you enjoy the episode!
Key Links:
Visit hbgolf.com for great golf apparel now repped by Chasin’ Birdies.
Stay tuned for more info on winning custom headcovers from WinstonCollection.com
Our Tap-in segment is sponsored by Bettinardi Golf
Filmed at Nemacolin Resort.
This episode is presented by LinksBrewing

-----Follow Chasin’ Birdies on Instagram @chasin_birdies.Chasin’ Birdies is hosted by Ryan Bashour and Jonathan Pepe and is proudly recorded in West Virginia. Produced by Simpler Media.
42 min
March 31, 2022A 'Shoe'-In For More Distance - Bob Winskowicz
Chasin’ Birdies is more than what you do on the golf course. We like to hear what people are doing off the course, too. Today’s episode features Bob Winskowicz, the founder of SQAIRZ golf shoes. You may have seen SQAIRZ endorsed by Sir Nick Faldo or worn by Sepp Straka on the PGA TOUR. Regardless, the story of how SQAIRZ was born is fascinating, and by wearing these shoes, you may just gain some extra yardage off the tee.
Hey, y’all! Want more distance? Try a pair of SQAIRZ! We all want more distance off the tee, or in general, but have you ever equated greater distance to the type of shoes you wear? We haven’t either until we interviewed Bob Winskowicz, the founder of SQAIRZ.
We open up the interview and ask Bob how he figured out shoes can equate to more distance? Bob explains the logic behind his findings after a random business meeting led him to the driving range in his squared-toe dress shoes. He noticed his balls were flying further. What he did next is chasin’ birdies on a new level..Bob explains the science behind his findings and how he successfully launched the shoe company, SQAIRZ. With a partnership in place with Sir Nick Faldo, SQAIRZ was in position to take off. We ask Bob how he goes about getting Tour players to wear his shoes. He simply finds up and coming players to wear and bets on them in a big way. Prime example is Sepp Straka, winner of the 2022 Honda Classic.
We turn the table and ask Bob some personal questions like what he does in his spare time and what’s in store for the future of SQAIRZ. Hearing an innovative entrepreneur talk is always interesting. If nothing else, this interview is extremely interesting and could help you find a few extra yards!
We end the episode with our standard tap-in segment where we ask Bob 4 questions that demand his quick witted response. Be sure to check out SQAIRZ on-line and thank you for listening to another fantastic episode! We hope you enjoy it.
Key Links:
Visit hbgolf.com for great golf apparel now repped by Chasin’ Birdies.
Stay tuned for more info on winning custom headcovers from WinstonCollection.com
Our Tap-in segment is sponsored by Bettinardi Golf
Filmed at Nemacolin Resort.
This episode is presented by LinksBrewing

-----Follow Chasin’ Birdies on Instagram @chasin_birdies.Chasin’ Birdies is hosted by Ryan Bashour and Jonathan Pepe and is proudly recorded in West Virginia. Produced by Simpler Media.
40 min
March 17, 202254 Hole Cut - Brian Urlacher
This week on Chasin’ Birdies we head over to the NFL world and catch up with Hall-Of-Famer Brian Urlacher. The former Chicago Bears Linebacker joins us to talk a little football and talk a lot of golf. Filled with humor and great stories, your attention will be kept intact. We are willing to bet you’ll love this episode as much as we do. Download now and get ready to give your ears some love!
People! NFL Hall-of-Famer Brian Urlacher is on Chasin’ Birdies. We were delighted to have the time carved out for us to talk about life and golf with Mr. 54 and let us tell you, this episode won’t disappoint.
We open up the show and catch up with Brian on his life post-football. He explains his love for living in AZ and being able to ride his mountain bike…everywhere. He hints at his slight obsession with Dr. Pepper so this helps keep the calories burnin’.
Pepe goes on to explain that he and Brian have one thing in common: Sh*tting. The two banter about their personal issues and how they have to tackle the issue before a golf tournament or before an NFL game. This talk immediately adds an element of humor to this episode.
We turn the tables and talk golf. It’s clear that Brian has a slight addiction to golf which is why we needed to hear it from him on Chasin’ Birdies. He’s a single digit handicapper and never turns down a chance to play a round with his friends.
We end the interview with our standard tap-in segment which leaves us all laughing. We can’t help but love this episode and we rank it up there as one of our best. What do you think? Make sure you like and subscribe! Keep Chasin’!
Key Links:
Visit hbgolf.com for great golf apparel now repped by Chasin’ Birdies.
Stay tuned for more info on winning custom headcovers from WinstonCollection.com
Visit Links Brewing for our Chasin’ Birdies Blonde and a proud sponsor of our show.
Our Tap-in segment is sponsored by Bettinardi Golf
Proud partners with Nemacolin Resort.

-----
Follow Chasin’ Birdies on Instagram @chasin_birdies.
Chasin’ Birdies is hosted by Ryan Bashour and Jonathan Pepe and is proudly recorded in West Virginia. Produced by Simpler Media.
50 min
March 03, 2022Pepe x BASH - 'Banter' Year
Hello, world. We survived the first year of Podcasting. We bring the start of Season 2 to your ears with an entertaining banter sesh to express gratitude, talk some shit, and give an outlook for the year ahead. Short but sweet, this episode will bring you up to speed on where we are with Chasin’ Birdies, a look back on past episodes, and some funny moments between the two of us. Check it out!
Almost one year ago to the day, we dropped our first episode of Chasin’ Birdies with our good friend Vince Trocheck. We are kickin’ off season two with a banter session with just Pepe and Bash doing the talkin’. We can’t wait to bring you more content over this next season.

The episode opens up with us talking about our golf clubs (ha!). The Bettinardi putter is in the bag for Bash and it is HOT! Pepe explains his new PING irons and why he won’t use the 4 or 5 iron..too hard to hit, eh?

We turn the episode to a little talk about our boy Brandon Katzeff and how he’s been dealing with his new putting green and his practice sessions with fellow neighbor and friend, Michael George. All love here, boys. State of the Union address ensues for Chasin’ Birdies as we discuss the evolution and development of our new website.

We’re always paying homage to our sponsors so thank you ALL. We can’t wait to have the Chasin’ Birdies Blonde Ale in your hands and crushin’ on the course. Beer talk continues as we make our picks for the API happening this week and talk about our favorite moments of Chasin’ Birdies to date.

The episode ends with our standard Tap-In Segment where Pepe asks Bash some questions and vice versa. It’s been a BANTER year…and we can’t thank you enough. Keep Chasin’!

Key Links:
Visit hbgolf.com for great golf apparel now repped by Chasin’ Birdies.
Stay tuned for more info on winning custom headcovers from WinstonCollection.com
Visit Links Brewing for our Chasin’ Birdies Blonde and a proud sponsor of our show.
Our Tap-in segment is sponsored by Bettinardi Golf
Proud partners with Nemacolin Resort.

-----

Follow Chasin’ Birdies on Instagram @chasin_birdies.

Chasin’ Birdies is hosted by Ryan Bashour and Jonathan Pepe and is proudly recorded in West Virginia. Produced by Simpler Media.
28 min
February 17, 2022Beers Down, Putts Up - Jeff Becker, Links Brewing Founder
Chasin’ Birdies is proud to bring you this interview with Links Brewing founder Jeff Becker. Links Brewing, based in Pittsburgh, PA, is a brewery that focuses on golf themed beers. Links Brewing has created the in-house beer for Oakmont CC and now they are responsible for the creation of our Chasin’ Birdies Blonde Ale. Jeff not only chases birdies on the course but in life, too. Peep this episode and crack a cold one! Chip it n’ sip it!
When you think of golf and hangin’ with your buddies, what’s one drink that is your go to on the course? We know transfusions are popular among us professional Member-Guesters. We also know the High Noons can be crushed with ease while lining up your 4th bogey putt of the day. But what about a crushable beer?
Jeff Becker, founder of Links Brewing based in Pittsburgh, joins us to discuss the creation of his beer business and the new beer they’re dropping: Chasin’ Birdies Blonde Ale. We open up the episode and discuss the start of Links Brewing and how Jeff was able to tie his passion for golf into creating beer.We discuss the 1903 Ale which is the in-house beer at Oakmont CC. We turn the tables a bit and talk about golf and the experiences we’ve had on the course. While recording this, we ourselves were crushin’ some cold ones. Thirsty yet?JP and Bash banter mid episode and some laughs ensue. We ask Jeff his current handicap, which is an 11, and he still struggles to put a consistent round together. That sounds familiar!We end the episode with our standard Tap-In segment by Bettinardi Golf. Great episode with a great local business doing big things. Now that’s chasin’ birdies…Check this episode out, share it, and crush some chasin’ birdies blonde ales this summer!Key Links:
Visit hbgolf.com for great golf apparel now repped by Chasin’ Birdies.
Stay tuned for more info on winning custom headcovers from WinstonCollection.com
Our Tap-in segment is sponsored by Bettinardi Golf
Proud partners with Nemacolin Resort.
Visit Links Brewing for the Chasin’ Birdies Blonde Ale.

-----Follow Chasin’ Birdies on Instagram @chasin_birdies.Chasin’ Birdies is hosted by Ryan Bashour and Jonathan Pepe and is proudly recorded in West Virginia. Produced by Simpler Media.
45 min
February 03, 2022Talkin' Golf x Chasin' Birdies - Mr. Colt Knost
Colt Knost, co-host of Golf’s Subpar podcast and CBS on-course commentator, joins us today on Chasin’ Birdies. We talk golf..a lot of golf. We cover his prolific USGA win streak in 2007 and how turning away from golf professionally has led him to chasin’ birdies off the course. If you like golf and are a fan of good stories, this episode is right up your alley. Tune in!
Colt Knost is well known in the golf world. Whether it’s because he played on Tour or co-hosts one of the most well known golf podcasts, Subpar, if you’re into golf, you know of Colt. We are excited to have Colt on this episode of Chasin’ Birdies.We open up the show talking about his collegiate career at SMU. In 2007, Colt won the US Amatuer, US Amatuer Public Links, and won the Walker Cup. Only two others have accomplished this feat before. We talk about golf and the current day requirements it takes to be a competitive Tour player.
Colt reveals some good stories from his days on Tour and why he gracefully walked away from the game professionally in 2020. His connections, though, led him to a deal with Sirius XM which he parlayed into the podcast world with the Subpar podcast. Colt elaborates on this venture and is still very enthusiastic about it to this day.As we continue through the show, we cover topics such as gambling on the course, Member-Guest tournaments, and much more. We also hear a great story about a Tour player injuring himself in the shower.We end the show with our standard tap-in segment where we ask Colt some questions that demand his quick response. Tell your friends about this episode..it’s a good one!Key Links:
Visit hbgolf.com for great golf apparel now repped by Chasin’ Birdies.
Stay tuned for more info on winning custom headcovers from WinstonCollection.com
Our Tap-in segment is sponsored by Bettinardi Golf
Proud partners with Nemacolin Resort.

-----Follow Chasin’ Birdies on Instagram @chasin_birdies.Chasin’ Birdies is hosted by Ryan Bashour and Jonathan Pepe and is proudly recorded in West Virginia. Produced by Simpler Media.
55 min
January 20, 2022Stephen Malbon - Golf, Swag, Vision
Other than your golf swing, the second most important aspect about golf is how you look. That’s no problem for Stephen Malbon, founder of Malbon Golf, a golf clothing/lifestyle company. Stephen has used his past relationships to help he and his wife, Erica, build the brand into what it’s become today. With trendy looks and unique partnerships, Malbon has positioned itself as one of the better known golf apparel companies in existence. Check out this interview with Stephen Malbon as he discusses his journey in life and how he keeps striving to grow and challenge himself both on and off the course.
We are happy to have Mr. Stephen Malbon on today’s episode of Chasin’ Birdies. Founder of Malbon Golf, his vision and execution has landed him in a top spot within the golf apparel world. If you haven’t yet, check out Malbon Golf right now!

As we open up the interview, we learn that Stephen is actually on the golf course chasin’ birdies while doing this interview. We ask Stephen some basic questions about his upbringing and how he got into the clothing industry. His love for golf started at a young age while growing up on a hog farm in Virginia Beach.
We ask Stephen where his inspiration for his company has come from and how he used his past interests in art and sculpting to land himself a role as an Art Director at age 20. While he was learning a lot on the job, he launched a publication called Frank151 pre-internet which was a physical magazine that worked with thousands of artists. All of this bundled together helped him launch Malbon Golf.

We turn the tables and ask how he stays on par with his ever evolving ideas. Using social media such as Instagram keeps the pressure on with respect to what he needs to do, what he should do, and how that turns into creating more work. He likens owning or starting a business to being madly in love with a person who others may say isn’t a ‘fit’ for you. After Stephen strikes a 4-iron down the center of the fairway, we continue talking about golf, business, and other activities that he enjoys. It’s apparent his relationship with his son, Remington.
We end the show with our standard Tap-In Segment where we ask Stephen a few questions that demand his quick witted response. This interview with Stephen was not only fun but very informative. Keep chasin’ your dreams out there, people. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Chasin’ Birdies!

Key Links:
Visit hbgolf.com for great golf apparel now repped by Chasin’ Birdies.
Stay tuned for more info on winning custom headcovers from WinstonCollection.com
Our Tap-in segment is sponsored by Bettinardi Golf
Proud partners with Nemacolin Resort.

-----
Follow Chasin’ Birdies on Instagram @chasin_birdies.
Chasin’ Birdies is hosted by Ryan Bashour and Jonathan Pepe and is proudly recorded in West Virginia. Produced by Simpler Media.
36 min
January 06, 2022Somewhere On A (Greenside) Beach - Josh Mirenda
Josh Mirenda, a ‘hit’ songwriter/artist hailing from Nashville, joins Chasin’ Birdies for this fun filled interview about his life, his career, and his love for golf. Mirenda co-wrote hits for Jason Aldean and Dierks Bentley, the latter propelling “Somewhere On A Beach” to an instant hit status. He’s turned his attention to himself and his music career with his new single, “Til The Neons Gone”, while still finding time to hit the course and throw back a few cold ones. Be sure to tune in and hear another excellent episode with Josh, Pepe, and Bash on Chasin’ Birdies.
Chasin’ Birdies is proud to bring another episode to YOU with a country music star/golfer/good human, Josh Mirenda. The episode was filmed at Nemacolin Resort and was recorded IMMEDIATELY after the three of us pegged it up. A few drinks were enjoyed by all.We open up the show braggin’ on Josh and his three (3) number 1 hit songs he wrote with the most well known one being “Somewhere On A Beach” (cut by Dierks Bentley). He tells a little about writing that song, how it became a number 1 hit and how it has changed his life..literally.The boys had a wild night in the cigar bar the night before so we relish in the memories of good cigars and fine red wine. We transition over to some golf talk and how Josh got into golf. He took what his Grandfather said to heart and said “hell with it, lets golf”. So with that, he is hooked. All walks of life can come together on the golf course. Take that to heart!Josh is also an Entrepreneur. Aside from music, he has a stake in a Tequila company called “Black Sheep Tequila”. If you haven’t had it, you should.After talking about golf..and music, we end the show with our standard Tap-In Segment. We ask Josh some good questions and end the show with a bang..another cut of an artist singing. Be sure to check out Josh Mirenda on all social handles and peep his new single, Til The Neons Gone. As always, thank you for listening. We appreciate the love.
Key Links:
Visit hbgolf.com for great golf apparel now repped by Chasin’ Birdies.
Stay tuned for more info on winning custom headcovers from WinstonCollection.com
Our Tap-in segment is sponsored by Bettinardi Golf
Filmed at Nemacolin Resort.

-----Follow Chasin’ Birdies on Instagram @chasin_birdies.Chasin’ Birdies is hosted by Ryan Bashour and Jonathan Pepe and is proudly recorded in West Virginia. Produced by Simpler Media.
49 min

About Chasin' Birdies

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Booking a tee time with top athletes from the NHL, NFL, or with headlining musicians from the country music scene isn't easy. But we can give you the next best thing!