Welcome to a special edition of Locally on the Links, broadcasting live from the clubhouse of the iconic Cascades Course at The Omni Homestead Resort!

In this episode, host Rich Roth sits down with Mark Fry (Director of Golf at The Omni Homestead) and special guest Johnny Hall to celebrate the 5th annual fundraiser for the Virginia Highlands Youth Golf Academy (VHYGA). They are also

Together, they dive into:
⛳ Golfing for a Purpose: How the local community and key supporters raised over $50,000 to provide scholarships and free lessons for local youth.
🌲 The Legendary Cascades Course: A look back at playing one of Virginia’s top-rated courses and honoring the memory of course legends.
🏆 Upcoming Events: Details on the Omni Generation Cup on September 13th and how you can get involved.
🗣️ Course Strategy & Highlights: Player recaps, format breakdowns, and how to conquer the famous par-5 12th hole.

🔗 Learn more or get involved: Visit vhyga.org or call the Homestead Pro Shop at 540-839-7739. Subscribe for weekly golf tips, course spotlights, and local stories!

Are you spending too much time over your ball or missing out on extra yards? On this episode of Locally on the Links, host Rich Roth sits down with Tracy Newman, Director of Golf at Poplar Grove Golf Club in Amherst, Virginia.

Together, they break down practical ways to improve your game and lower your score, including:

The 22-Second Rule: What Ryan Fox’s Open Championship win teaches us about pace of play and pre-shot routines.

Ready Golf Essentials: How shaving time off your setup relaxes your body and leads to better swings.

Custom Club Fitting: Why the right shaft matters more than the club brand, and how Callaway top fitter Colton King helps golfers optimize their setups.

What’s New at Poplar Grove: Course upgrades, scenic course improvements, and details on the upcoming benefit tournament.

Whether you're playing Virginia’s #7 public course or your home track, tune in for expert insights that will help you play faster, shoot better, and enjoy the game more.

In this episode of Locally on the Links, host Rich Roth is joined in the studio by Marty Chandler, Director of Golf at London Downs. The guys recap the wild finish at the Open Championship, breaking down Ryan Fox’s incredible fast-paced play down the stretch and the razor-thin margins that separated him from Cam Young.

Plus, they dive into the hot-button issue of pace of play, sharing the official London Downs policy on keeping tee times moving and offering quick, practical tips on how you can speed up your round without hurting your scorecard. Finally, they look ahead to the upcoming FedEx Cup Playoffs—debating the current format, whether the average fan is fully invested, and how the PGA Tour might try to borrow a page out of the NFL’s playbook to make the postseason truly matter.

What We Cover:

• **** British Open recap: Ryan Fox's victory and dealing with pressure.

• **** Cam Young vs. Ryan Fox: The anatomy of the 18th hole bunker.

• **** Rage baiting pace of play: How fast should a round of golf actually take?

• **** Practical tips to beat slow play (without rushing your shots).

• **** Do the FedEx Cup Playoffs actually work? Comparing golf to the NFL.

• **** Upcoming events, fitting days, and charity tournaments at London Downs.

Find out more about upcoming tournaments or book your next tee time at LondonDowns.com.

#Golf #GolfPodcast #PGATour #FedExCup #TheOpen #BritishOpen #GolfLife #Golfing #GolfCourse #GolfTips #PaceOfPlay #SlowPlay #GolfPlayoffs #RyanFox #CameronYoung #BunkerShots #GolfStrategy #LocallyOnTheLinks #LondonDowns #LondonDownsGolf #VirginiaGolf

Welcome back to another edition of Locally on the Links with your host, Rich Roth! This week, Rich is joined in the studio by Tracy Newman, the Director of Golf at Poplar Grove.

The guys dive deep into the fourth and final major of the year: The Open Championship. From the unique early-morning magic of links golf to why Bryson DeChambeau's driving distance might completely overpower the dry fescue this weekend, we break down the leaderboard and discuss the immense pressure facing the field. Plus, Tracy shares his candid thoughts on the LIV Golf Tour's format and why it might be dulling the competitive edge of its top players.

⛳ In the Second Half: Are you tired of wrecking your scorecard in the sand? Tracy drops an incredible, counterintuitive masterclass on escaping deep bunkers. Learn the exact adjustments you need to make to your stance, clubface, and mind to ensure you get it out on the first try.

Finally, we get an exclusive look at the massive upgrades happening at Poplar Grove—recently ranked the 7th best public course in Virginia by Golf Digest! Learn about their new Young Professional memberships and how you can register a team for the upcoming Davis Benefit Tournament on August 8th.

🔗 Connect with Poplar Grove:

• Website: poplargrovegolf.com

• Tee Times & Tournament Registration: 434-946-9933

#GolfPodcast #TheOpenChampionship #OpenChampionship #BritishOpen #GolfTips #BunkerShot #GolfInstruction #BrysonDeChambeau #LIVGolf #PGATour #PoplarGrove #VirginiaGolf #GolfLife #HowToPlayGolf #LocallyOnTheLinks

How does a golf course without sand bunkers actually play? In this episode of Locally on the Links, host Rich Roth sits down with Faber Jamerson, the General Manager of Falling River Country Club in Appomattox, VA. They dive into the surprising player feedback from the club's groundbreaking "no-bunker" layout—specifically, why removing sand hazards has lowered scores for high-handicap golfers but made life incredibly tough for the long hitters.

Faber also breaks down his master class guide to practicing your short game efficiently, shares the mental swing thoughts that keep you out of trouble and reveals some of the cheekiest "mind games" you can play on your buddies during match play. Finally, they look ahead to the windy, unpredictable conditions awaiting the pros across the pond at Royal Birkdale for the Open Championship.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why natural slopes can be tougher than sand bunkers for low-handicap players.

• How to structure an amateur practice routine focusing on the "scoring clubs".

• Faber's "dollar bill" swing trick for escaping the sand with ease.

• How to handle negative swing thoughts (and why telling yourself "don't hit it in the water" is a trap).

• Underhand mental tricks for match play, like keeping your opponent from putting early on.

• Why weather and the luck of the draw will decide the Open Championship.

Want to test out the bunker-free course for yourself? Call the Falling River Country Club golf shop at (434) 352-7037!

#LocallyOnTheLinks #FaberJamerson #RichRoth #BunkerFreeGolf #GolfPracticeTips #OpenChampionshipPreview #GolfPodcast #GolfAppomattox #VirginiaGolf #GolfMentalGame #MatchPlay

In this episode of Locally on the Links, host Rich Roth sits down with Mark Fry, the Director of Golf at the historic Omni Homestead Resort. Escape the brutal summer humidity as they dive into the tournament that has everyone talking: the upcoming Virginia Highlands Youth Golf Academy (VHYGA) fundraiser at The Cascades—Virginia’s #1 ranked course for over 82 years.

Mark breaks down exactly why amateurs struggle on the green, sharing an exclusive putting lesson inspired by golf legend Dave Stockton. Learn how to "stop trying to make putts," fix your alignment and master his signature "Ladder Drill" to drop your scores instantly. Finally, the guys analyze the latest drama on the PGA Tour, from Wyndham Clark’s historic US Open win and Scottie Scheffler’s unparalleled consistency to the ongoing chatter surrounding Phil Mickelson.

⛳ Support Youth Golf:

Play the legendary Cascades course on Tuesday, August 4th, at a heavily discounted, tax-deductible rate! Register your foursome or become a sponsor today at vhyga.org.

Episode Timecodes:

• 00:00 - Intro: Beating the Summer Heat at The Omni Homestead

• 01:30 - Play Virginia's #1 Course: The VHYGA Charity Tournament (August 4th)

• 03:15 - Foursome Details, Callaway Swag & Format Breakdown

• 05:45 - The 40% Rule: Why You're Practicing Your Putting Wrong

• 07:30 - Master the Putting "Ladder Drill" to Eliminate Three-Putts

• 09:40 - Stop Trying to Make Putts: Dave Stockton's Putting Secret

• 11:50 - Pro Golf Analysis: Wyndham Clark & Navigating Rowdy US Open Crowds

• 13:45 - Scottie Scheffler’s Consistency & British Open Outlook

• 15:10 - The Phil Mickelson Controversies

• 16:00 - Buddy Golf Packages & The Generation Cup at The Homestead

#GolfPodcast #PuttingTips #GolfInstruction #OmniHomestead #TheCascades #PGA #USOpen #WyndhamClark #ScottieScheffler #YouthGolf #VHYGA #GolfDrills #LocallyOnTheLinks

In this episode of Locally on the Links, host Rich Roth catches up with Geoff Redgrave, the Director of Golf at Wintergreen Resort. They dive deep into the recent U.S. Open at the beautiful, linksy Shinnecock Hills, talking about Wyndham Clark’s major victory, how the USGA handled the course layout, and the evolving (and sometimes rowdy) dynamics between fans and players on the PGA Tour.

Plus, Geoff shares some incredibly exciting news about a major, multi-year renovation project starting at Devil’s Knob golf course, gives a brilliant, easy-to-understand tip to instantly improve your iron play, and details how you can beat the summer heat with Wintergreen’s unlimited stay-and-play golf packages.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Shinnecock Hills Review: Why letting nature dictate the course setup was a win for the USGA.

• Golf Etiquette Debate: Player outbursts, crowd behavior on Long Island and the USGA's strict new stance on penalties.

• Devil’s Knob Renovation: A sneak peek into the 3-year bunker and irrigation overhaul designed to make the mountain course more playable.

• Pro Golf Tip: How practicing "punch shots" will fix your downswing and help you compress your irons.

Connect with our guest: Learn more about Wintergreen Resort, book a tee time at Stoney Creek or Devil's Knob, or grab the Unlimited Golf package at WintergreenResort.com.

• 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome

• 00:25 - U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills: Course Layout and Conditions

• 01:15 - Did the USGA Get the Course Setup Right?

• 02:30 - Tour Etiquette: Rowdy Fans and Penalizing Player Outbursts

• 04:10 - Player Dynamics: Wyndham Clark’s Mental Game

• 04:45 - Mid-Show Break

• 05:00 - Wintergreen Resort Overview: Stoney Creek vs. Devil's Knob

• 05:30 - Inside the Major 3-Year Renovation at Devil’s Knob

• 06:45 - How Flat-Bottom Bunkers Will Improve Playability

• 07:45 - Pro Golf Tip: Down vs. Forward in Your Iron Swing

• 08:45 - The Secret to Hitting Crisp Punch Shots & Good Divots

• 09:30 - Escape the Heat: Wintergreen’s Unlimited Golf Packages

• 10:15 - Wrap-up and Outro

#GolfPodcast #USOpen #ShinnecockHills #WintergreenResort #GolfTips #PGA #GolfSwing #DevilsKnob #GolfInstruction #GolfLife #WyndhamClark #VirginiaGolf #StayAndPlay #LocallyOnTheLinks

In this special edition of Locally on the Links, guest host Marty Chandler (Director of Golf at London Downs Golf Club) sits down with golf rules expert and former Executive Director of the Middle Atlantic PGA, Jon Guhl.

As Jon heads up to the iconic Shinnecock Hills for the US Open, he and Marty break down everything you need to know before the first tee time. From the unique, shifting wind architecture designed by William Flynn to the USGA's modified, wider fairway strategy, find out how the course will test the world's best. Plus, hear their under-the-radar players to watch (including Auburn standout Jackson Koivun) and their official, documented tournament winner picks!

🏆 The Expert Picks:

• Jon Guhl’s Pick: Scottie Scheffler

• Marty Chandler’s Pick: Matthew Fitzpatrick

Timestamps

• [00:00] Intro & Jon Guhl's 30+ year history with the MAPGA.

• [02:00] Players to watch: Tommy Fleetwood & Auburn amateur phenom Jackson Koivan.

• [04:40] Deep dive into Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele's US Open records.

• [06:30] Shinnecock course conditions, William Flynn architecture, and the brutal reality of the wind.

• [08:50] Did the USGA learn from 2018? Fairway width adjustments.

• [11:00] Official Tournament Picks: Scottie Scheffler vs. Matthew Fitzpatrick.

• [14:00] Jon's golf road trip to Baltusrol and wrap-up.

#LocallyOnTheLinks #USOpen #ShinnecockHills #GolfPodcast #PGA #MAPGA #JonGuhl #MartyChandler #LondonDowns #GolfRules #ScottieScheffler #MattFitzpatrick #JacksonKoivun #TommyFleetwood #GolfLife #USGA #GolfCourseArchitecture #WilliamFlynn

Are you struggling to line up your putts, or just looking for the ultimate Virginia mountain golf getaway this summer?

In this episode of Locally on the Links, host Rich Roth catches up via telephone with Geoff Redgrave, the Director of Golf at Wintergreen Resort. Geoff gives us an exclusive look at the peak-season course conditions down at Stoney Creek and shares what’s in store for the upcoming summer renovations at Devil’s Knob.

If you're trying to save money on the course, Geoff breaks down Wintergreen's incredible "FORE" Pack deal and an exclusive lodging discount perfect for a Father's Day gift. Then, we dive into a heavy gear discussion on the psychology and mechanics of switching putters when your alignment feels completely broken. Finally, we wrap up with a preview of the upcoming U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills and who is favored to win.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• 00:00 – Central Virginia course conditions: Bermuda, Zoysia, and mountain golf prep.

• 02:30 – How to get the Wintergreen "FORE" Pack deal & 20% off lodging.

• 04:45 – The Optics of Putting: Right-eye dominance and non-linear alignment fixes.

• 07:15 – Putter Fittings vs. Buying Off the Rack: Finding your modern zero-torque match.

• 10:00 – Major Championship Recap & U.S. Open Predictions for Shinnecock Hills.

Book your next round or secure your Father's Day deal at: www.WintergreenResort.com

#GolfPodcast #GolfTips #PutterFitting #USOpen #GolfDeals #ShortGameTips #GolfGear #VirginiaGolf #WintergreenResort #CentralVAGolf #BlueRidgeMountains #StoneyCreekGolf #DevilsKnob #LocallyOnTheLinks

Warm weather has finally arrived at London Downs! This week on Locally on the Links, host Rich Roth sits down with Director of Golf Marty Chandler to break down the latest in local conditions and major golf headlines.

In this episode, we cover:

• Bermuda & The Rain: How the recent 3-inch deluge and upcoming warm nights are setting up the course—plus, how local players are handling the early summer humidity.

• The Aaron Rai Effect: Marty reacts to the shocking PGA Championship winner, his "one-track" 3-wood strategy, and the viral debate on iron covers (including a look into London Downs' lost-and-found!).

• Local Boy Makes Good: An update on Forest, VA native Zach Bauchou’s spectacular T6 finish on the PGA Tour, his hunt for a permanent tour card, and his chances at making the Memorial Tournament.

• The Hidden Costs of the PGA Tour: Breaking down why it costs a touring pro upwards of $50,000 a week just to stay on the road.

• Golf Tip of the Week: Marty gives a masterclass on pitching over obstacles like bunkers and creeks when you have zero green to work with. Learn why you need to open the face before you grip the club.

Upcoming Events at London Downs:

• 🗓️ June 17th: Titleist Fitting Day (Appointments required!).

• 🗓️ June 21st: Callaway Demo Day.

0:00 - Weather Update & Preparing London Downs for Summer

1:32 - PGA Tour News: Aaron Rai’s Win & The Iron Cover Debate

3:45 - Local Legend Zach Bauchou’s Career-Best PGA Tour Finish

5:10 - How Much Does It Really Cost to Travel on the PGA Tour?

6:40 - London Downs Demo Days: Titleist & Callaway Fitting Dates

7:50 - Golf Tip: How to Pitch Over Hazards (Bunkers & Creeks)

9:15 - Outro & Contact Info

#LocallyOnTheLinks #LondonDowns #PGAClubPro #PGAPro #GolfTips #ShortGame #ShortGameTips #ZachBauchou #AaronRai #GolfInstruction #GolfLife #CentralVAGolf #LynchburgVA #TitleistGolf #CallawayGolf