Contra Costa Confidential

Hosts JD McCormick and Brett Thomas close out season one with tales from a summer on the road. Brett recounts his second Truckee bear encounter (this one raided the fridge), JD shares highlights from a Bandon Dunes trip, and they debate skins game handicap strokes and rank Bandon's courses. General Manager Ryan Ott joins to talk about the course's post-aerification recovery, superintendent Derek's drier, more playable conditions, El Niño prep, and progress on the new learning center with its simulator bays and fitting cart. Plus: Play for Pink's $100K goal, a busy October lineup, Op 36 love, and a playoff baseball tangent. And the season two challenge: getting producer Aaron to break 90 from the 3/4 tees within a year!

Club champion Gary Wilkerson joins host JD McCormick to break down holes 6, 7, and 8—Contra Costa's notorious "Oh Shit" corner. Learn pro tips and strategy for a tough par-5, demanding tee shots, and a long par-3: when to lay up, how to play front vs. back pins, generating clubhead speed with your hips, and match-play mindset for club championships and horse races. Real on-course tips from a scratch player to help lower your scores.

It's not often you get to sit down with one set of brothers as guests, nevermind two! In this special episode, hosts JD McCormick and Brett Taylor sit down with long-time CCCC members, Dan and Jake O'Malley and Tim and Rick Sanchez to hear their stories of growing up, how they made their way to the Club and some of their fondest memories. The real fun begins when the brothers face off in a golf-related round of Family Feud! Bonus at the end, a quick Club Bocce League update from producer and occasional guest host, Aaron Strout.

The crew is back from a brief hiatus with special guest Gary Wilkerson—men's club leader, member-guest committee member, and the club champion who finally dethroned longtime rival Troy. Gary recaps his nerve-wracking final-hole victory, shares how he landed at the club during COVID, and breaks down the value-adds he brought to this year's member-guest: a record $34K Calcutta, on-course sponsors, hats, and that beloved cocktail station on five. The guys recap the Diablo Valley Classic (DVC) then dive headfirst into the new buddy-pal knockout bracket, drafting a hole-by-hole, team-by-team prediction battle complete with upsets, Cinderella runs, and trash talk—plus a pitch for a full March Madness–style selection show.

JD and Brett bring the heat (or should we say fire?) with an all-star lineup featuring Pete Schuman, Greens Committee Chair and secret Aquaman; John Bevin, the man turning cart-cleaning into a life lesson; and everyone's favorite server, Audrey Butler, who's trading Contra Costa for coral reefs at the University of Hawaii. Along the way: a bear raids Brett's Bronco in Tahoe, Mrs. McCormick asks a winemaker about his hair, and Aaron Strout rolls in for a quick bocce update. The course is playing the best it has in 30 years. Don't miss this one. It's fire. (Not on fire. Fire.)

In this week's episode, JD and Brett sit down with Carl Campos — architect, club legend, and self-described late bloomer. During the conversation, Carl shares his journey from segregated El Paso to Cal Poly to Contra Costa. From watching future NBA stars integrate Texas basketball to discovering golf after years in the gym, Carl's stories are as big as his handshake.

This episode covers a lot of ground. We start with board member, John Sala and The General recounting the story of their cart catching on fire and burning to the ground while playing in Las Vegas. Then host JD McCormick and our producer, Aaron Strout, sit down with Gordon Keyden of The Royal and Ancient (R&A) course in Scotland to talk about the birthplace of golf, The Old Course and differences between the game in the UK and the US. Finally, JD and Brett Thomas walk down memory lane with CCCC legend, Luis Escobar, one of the mainstays of the Club's dining room.

This episode is a fun one. You'll hear part one of a long and fascinating conversation with one of the club's most beloved members, The General. Next come stories from someone you always love to see out on the course, Aury (pronounced "Audi"). And finally, you'll also hear from our producer, Aaron. He talks about how he got started with podcasting back in 2006 and surprises JD and Brett with a few of his famous guests including the keyboardist for the Rolling Stones, Chuck Leavell.

In Episode 5 of Contra Costa Confidential, Masters Week excitement sets the tone as the hosts welcome back “The General,” Peter Cross, for candid stories about golf, club culture, integrity, playlists, and course improvements. The conversation continues with board member and wine executive Amy Roscha, who explores the connection between golf, wine, and community, shares tasting insights, and highlights upcoming club events—blending laughs, leadership, and lifestyle at Contra Costa Country Club.

This episode is a fun one. You'll hear part one of a long and fascinating conversation with one of the club's most beloved members, The General. Next come stories from someone you always love to see out on the course, Aury (pronounced "Audi"). And finally, you'll also hear from our producer, Aaron. He talks about how he got started with podcasting back in 2006 and surprises JD and Brett with a few of his famous guests.