Mid-Am Crisis: A Golf Discussion

There's something about the Oregon coast that seems to inspire hand crafted golf accessories. The area also produces wonderful people who love the game. People just like Akbar Chisti.

Among the many brands that call the region home, Chisti's company, Seamus Golf, continues to stand out. Their tartan headcovers and forged ball markers are easily recognizable on courses across the country. The Seamus success story is rooted in the history of golf in Oregon as well as the state's recent ascension to the forefront of the American golfing conscience. It's no coincidence that as Bandon Dunes resort has grown in popularity so has Seamus Golf. Its a story that founder Akbar Chisti is proud to tell. 

Chisti joins me on this episode of Mid-Am Crisis to discuss how Seamus Golf has flourished in an era that gave rise to the internet golfer. We talked about how social media tools like Instagram and Twitter have helped fuel a new generation of golf enthusiasts who love products and brands like his. Chisti shares some stories about golf's history in Oregon, how Bandon Dunes helped inspire his company, and why so many golf accessory brands are flourishing in the Portland area. 

I've known Chisti for a few years and this conversation confirmed all the reasons why I enjoy talking golf with him. While I've yet to make my golfing pilgrimage to the Oregon coast, his passionate descriptions on the area and its courses make me want to leave today. For now, I'll just have to keep using my Seamus gear and pretending I'm at Bandon Dunes. Maybe we will change that soon.

To learn more about Seamus Golf and their beautiful products please visit https://www.seamusgolf.com/

Thanks as always for listening to Mid-Am Crisis. The show is brought to you by my friends at Imagine Golf – the #1 app for the mental game. Download Imagine Golf today and start your journey to an improved way of thinking on and off the course. https://www.imaginegolf.com/

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @JayRevell and find more or my work at https://jayrevell.com/

You can order my new book, Swing, Walk, Repeat at https://www.back9press.com/swing-walk-repeat

You can also subscribe to my newsletter at www.midamcrisis.com

If you enjoy the show, I would love for you to leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Cheers,

-J

Mid-Am Crisis is a production of Revell Media, LLC

Spencer Hadelman has made a name for himself marketing some of golf’s most desirable destinations. His company, Advantage Marketing, has helped the likes of Bandon Dunes, Sand Valley, and other bucket list locations attract travelers from around the globe. Hadelman’s love for golf and creative sales strategies doesn’t end there. Last year he founded an upstart direct to consumer golf product brand called Talon Golf that’s making it easier than ever for players to find great gloves and other gear at low prices. 

In this episode of Mid-Am Crisis, Hadelman joins me to talk golf marketing, product development, and why he thinks the current golf boom may stick around longer than most might think. We also dove into what it has been like for him to build a successful marketing company and how the game has led him to some incredible friendships with professional athletes and other well known personas who love the game.

For more information on Advantage Marketing and their work in the golf industry please visit https://www.advantagemrkt.com/

To check out the great golf products Spencer is developing go to https://talongolfco.com/

Thanks as always for listening to Mid-Am Crisis. The show is brought to you by my friends at Imagine Golf – the #1 app for the mental game. Download Imagine Golf today and start your journey to an improved way of thinking on and off the course. https://www.imaginegolf.com/

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @JayRevell and find more or my work at https://jayrevell.com/

You can pre-order my new book, Swing, Walk, Repeat at https://www.back9press.com/swing-walk-repeat

You can also subscribe to my newsletter at www.midamcrisis.com

If you enjoy the show, I would love for you to leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Cheers,

-J

Mid-Am Crisis is a production of Revell Media, LLC

Rob Collins fires me up. His brand of golf course architecture is a bold, thrilling, and stimulating from start to finish. I could use the same adjectives to describe my conversations with him over the years I've known him. Much like in his golf designs, Collins does not hold back. I consider myself fortunate to know him and to have listened to him talk about his passion for building golf courses on numerous occasions. I am thrilled to finally record one of those here on Mid-Am Crisis. 

Collins is best known for his breakout work at Sweetens Cove Golf Club and the incredible story of how that nine hole course in rural Tennessee has captivated the golfing world. However, he is much more than just a one-hit wonder. Collins and his partner Tad King have entered into what seems like a new phase of their design career - one which the phone won't stop ringing. In the last two years they've brought their talents to new course designs in New York, Memphis, West Texas, and Nebraska. Collins tells me there is much more still to come. 

During our discussion, Collins shares with me the details of his latest projects and why he believes their firm is among the best in the world at golf design today. His confidence in his work shines through in this conversation and it makes me want to hop in a car or on a plane and go chase down each hole of his I've yet to see. Based on early reviews from his newest courses that trip would be a worthwhile investment of my time.

 

I'm thrilled to have Rob Collins on the show this week and am excited to share our discussion on golf design. He's one of golf's good guys and I believe that over time he will become one of the most heralded designers of this era. If you ever meet him or play his courses you'll certainly see why. 

You can follow Rob's work on Twitter and Instagram at @kingcollinsgolf

Thanks as always for listening to Mid-Am Crisis. The show is brought to you by my friends at Imagine Golf – the #1 app for the mental game. Download Imagine Golf today and start your journey to an improved way of thinking on and off the course. https://www.imaginegolf.com/

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @JayRevell and find more or my work at https://jayrevell.com/

You can pre-order my new book, Swing, Walk, Repeat at https://www.back9press.com/swing-walk-repeat

You can also subscribe to my newsletter at www.midamcrisis.com

If you enjoy the show, I would love for you to leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Cheers,

-J

Mid-Am Crisis is a production of Revell Media, LLC

There have been a lot of upstart golf businesses that have launched during the game's most recent boom. One of the most fascinating ventures is a new publishing company called Back Nine Press. Based out of Chicago, the company is on a mission to publish books about golf that they believe the game deserves. According to founder Jim Sitar, Back Nine Press is seeking to publish great stories that define golf today, personal reflections on the meaning of the game, and compelling writing about the people who are forging the future of golf.

Back Nine Press hit the ground running this Summer with the launch of their first book, The Secret Home of Golf - the official history of Sweetens Cove Golf Club by author Jim Hartsell. Their follow up effort is none other than my new book Swing, Walk, Repeat! This week on Mid-Am Crisis, Back Nine Press founder Jim Sitar joins me on the show to discuss his new publishing company, what the business has been like so far, and of course the process of publishing my new book which is now available for pre-order. 

Getting to know Jim Sitar has been a great pleasure and I've loved every minute of working with him on my new book. Swing, Walk, Repeat is a collection of over 230 love letters to golf that I wrote during the height of the COVID19 pandemic in 2020. In many ways these mini-essays are like my golf manifesto. I'm thrilled to have the work complete and to share it with the world soon. Having the chance to reflect on that journey with Jim Sitar on the show was a lot of fun too. 

You can follow Back Nine Press on Instagram and Twitter at @backninepress 

You can pre-order my new book, Swing, Walk, Repeat at https://www.back9press.com/swing-walk-repeat

Thanks as always for listening to Mid-Am Crisis. The show is brought to you by my friends at Imagine Golf – the #1 app for the mental game. Download Imagine Golf today and start your journey to an improved way of thinking on and off the course. https://www.imaginegolf.com/

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @JayRevell and find more or my work at https://jayrevell.com/

You can also subscribe to my newsletter at www.midamcrisis.com

If you enjoy the show, I would love for you to leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Cheers,

-J

Mid-Am Crisis is a production of Revell Media, LLC

The one aspect of Zac Blair's personality that has always stood out most to me is his ambition. He wants to be one of the best golfers in the world but he also is on a mission to create memorable golf experiences for those who share his love for the game. I first witnessed those traits while attending Blair's annual event, The Ringer, at Sweetens Cove Golf Club in 2018. Over the course of three days, I saw firsthand the drive that powers Blair as a PGA Tour player and entrepreneur. It was palpable and impressive.

Blair declared then that he was on a journey to create a unique golf club in his home state of Utah - The Buck Club. While he continues to sell fun golf themed merchandise under The Buck Club brand, those plans are currently on hold. However, a new vision for a modern golf club is now being built by Blair and other founders outside of Aiken, South Carolina. That club is being called The Tree Farm.

Blair joins me on Mid-Am Crisis to discuss the state of the Tree Farm project. We also talked about his pending return to the tour after a year long medical leave for shoulder surgery. 

During our discussion, Blair shared his excitement to have construction under way at The Tree Farm, what it's like working with Tom Doak on the routing, and how the club's design will help drive its golf culture. He touched on his creative process for The Buck Club merchandise, why he loves golden age architecture, and much more. 

I'm thrilled that Blair and his partners are now under construction at The Tree Farm and hope to get up that way soon and see the work myself. When the project is complete it will undoubtedly be a testament to Blair's love for the game and of course that ambition I first saw some years ago. Most people wouldn't be able to pull it all off but Blair won't be deterred. What a great thing to root for.

Thanks as always for listening to Mid-Am Crisis. The show is brought to you by my friends at Imagine Golf – the #1 app for the mental game. Download Imagine Golf today and start your journey to an improved way of thinking on and off the course. https://www.imaginegolf.com/

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @JayRevell and find more or my work at https://jayrevell.com/

You can also subscribe to my newsletter at www.midamcrisis.com

If you enjoy the show, I would love for you to leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Cheers,

-J

Mid-Am Crisis is a production of Revell Media, LLC

Jim Hartsell loves golf. It's why he writes about the game and the moving places he's played it. An architect by trade, Hartsell has spent a great deal of his life chasing golf experiences that stir the soul. Much of his writing has been inspired by two decades worth of travel to Scotland. Hartsell has become an authority on the less heralded yet delightfully thrilling courses that give many small Scottish towns their identity. It's because of his understanding of those destinations that he developed such an appreciation for a nine hole golf course in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. 

Sweetens Cove Golf Club has taken on a mythical stature in American golf. Known as "the little course that could" its story is one the symbolizes the very best aspects of the American dream. When Hartsell first discovered the course, very few people knew anything about it. It reminded him of the places he had discovered in Scotland. 

Since then, Sweetens Cove has seen great success and become the darling of golf writers across America. However, it is Hartsell who has been quietly chronicling the unique history of the course and now that story is the basis for his first book. In "The Secret Home of Golf", Hartsell has created the official history of Sweetens Cove complete with first hand accounts of how the course came to be. 

Sweetens Cove holds a special place in the hearts of many golfers including myself. It was there that I became inspired to start writing about golf and I've met many incredible people while playing the course. Including one morning when I met Hartsell in the parking lot before the first Ringer event hosted by Zac Blair. We've both come a long way since that fateful morning and I'm so happy to see his book come out to rave reviews.

Hartsell joins me for a discussion about "The Secret Home of Golf" and how the book came to be. He also recounted his recent month long trip to Scotland and all the places that he's now eager to write about. We explored some of our theories about the game as well and I was reminded again just why Hartsell is one of the best voices in golf today.

"The Secret Home of Golf" is available for purchase by Back Nine Press at https://www.back9press.com/

Also, be sure to follow Jim Hartsell on Twitter at @JimHHartsell so you don't miss his next adventure.

Thanks as always for listening to Mid-Am Crisis. The show is brought to you by my friends at Imagine Golf – the #1 app for the mental game. Download Imagine Golf today and start your journey to an improved way of thinking on and off the course. https://www.imaginegolf.com/

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @JayRevell and find more or my work at https://jayrevell.com/

You can also subscribe to my newsletter at www.midamcrisis.com

If you enjoy the show, I would love for you to leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Cheers,

-J

Mid-Am Crisis is a production of Revell Media, LLC

Steve Melnyk was one of the voices of golf television during my childhood. I can remember hearing his calls for ABC Sports during the years my uncle was on tour and our whole family tuned in to every broadcast. That same voice was also present for a number of iconic calls at the Masters during Melnyk's long run with CBS. He called the Larry Mize chip in in 1987 as well as two of Nick Faldo's playoff wins in Amen Corner among endless other memorable swings there. 

While many remember Melnyk from his broadcast days, it was his stunning amateur career that truly kickstarted his life in golf. Melnyk is on a short list of golfers who have won both the U.S. Amateur and British Amateur championships. Capturing those titles at the venerable courses at Oakmont and Carnoustie makes that feat even more impressive. With the U.S. Amateur returning to Oakmont this week, I thought it would be a good time to give Melnyk a ring and have a chat. 

I have come to know Melnyk through his son Dalton who like his dad, is a fantastic golfer and great person. Dalton and I were hoping to be at Oakmont this week as I had caddied for him in his attempt to qualify of the U.S. Amateur. He came close, but instead of a trip to the Amateur he just got my bad jokes for two days. It was a great experience and I'm glad it glad it led to this conversation with his dad. 

In my discussion with Steve Melnyk we touched on his win in 1969 at Oakmont, other highlights from his amateur career, and of course the many years he was behind the microphone for CBS and ABC. We also dove into his days playing at the University of Florida, his friendship with Steve Spurrier, and what Melnyks golf life is like today. I think you'll enjoy listening and I'm hopeful to have Melnyk back on the show for more someday.

If you get the itch to hear some of Melnyk's great calls from golf, go check out the Master's Youtube channel. You won't regret it!

Thanks as always for listening to Mid-Am Crisis. The show is brought to you by my friends at Imagine Golf – the #1 app for the mental game. Download Imagine Golf today and start your journey to an improved way of thinking on and off the course. https://www.imaginegolf.com/

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @JayRevell and find more or my work at https://jayrevell.com/

You can also subscribe to my newsletter at www.midamcrisis.com

If you enjoy the show, I would love for you to leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Cheers,

-J

Mid-Am Crisis is a production of Revell Media, LLC

Sean Martin is one of the best golf writers in the business. I'm proud to call him a friend. As the Senior Editor for PGATOUR.com he was given the chance to travel to Tokyo for the pandemic affected Olympics. He's there to cover the Men's medal tournament at Kasumigaseki Country Club outside of Tokyo and was kind enough to join me for a chat about those festivities. We talked shortly after he wrapped up his second round coverage of the Men's event. 

In our discussion, "Smartin", as he is affectionately known throughout the golf Twitter world, shares his insights from the ground in Tokyo and paints the picture of how things are going at the Olympic golf tournament. We talked about his travel experience, what Tokyo is like during the games, and of course we dove into a whole slew of his best takes on the golf being played there. 

With his Olympic coverage appearance on the show, Smartin becomes the first ever repeat guest on Mid-Am Crisis. A rare and high honor for even a golf writer of his distinction. 

Be sure to follow Sean Martin on Twitter at @PGATOURSmartin to get the latest on the event and to catch his coverage of the medal race. 

Thanks as always for listening to Mid-Am Crisis. The show is brought to you by my friends at Imagine Golf – the #1 app for the mental game. Download Imagine Golf today and start your journey to an improved way of thinking on and off the course. https://www.imaginegolf.com/

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @JayRevell and find more or my work at https://jayrevell.com/

You can also subscribe to my newsletter at https://midamcrisis.substack.com/

If you enjoy the show, I would love for you to leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Cheers,

-J

Mid-Am Crisis is a production of Revell Media, LLC

Lee Wybranski's artwork has become synonymous with golf's major championships. That's because he has devised a way to capture the spirit of golf's most unique championship courses no matter where those events are being played. Based on his paintings, his vivid event posters are always a hot item in the merchandise tent. As each new major nears, there is an eager anticipation amongst golf fans to see what Wybranski will share next. 

Beyond working with golf's biggest events, Wybranski also is an artist and designer for hire to many of the best golf clubs and courses in America. With a range of clients that include elite private clubs, stunning resort courses, and yes even municipal facilities, Wybranski has brought new life to numerous brands across the golf world. 

Wybranksi produces his art from his studio and home in Flagstaff, Arizona, but his golfing roots trace back to his home town of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Considering the many classic courses there, that golf crazed city that still inspires him today. During our conversation, Wybranksi paints a picture of how he developed his career as a golf artist and what his creative process is like today. He connects the dots from his upbringing in Philly to how we brings the spirit of a golf course alive with his paintbrush. I can't over emphasize how much I enjoyed hearing how his widely recognized artworks come to be.

In our discussion, Wybranski and I talked about the current state of the game of golf, how the rise of course architecture enthusiasts has helped his business, and what the current golf boom may yield for those working in the game over the coming years. We had a wonderful chat that touched on many aspects of our shared love for the game. As a fan of his, it's one thing to have his art hanging on my wall, but getting to know the artist himself is a gratifying experience. Like most golf fans, I'll be excited to see what scenes Lee Wybranski paints next. 

To learn more about Lee Wybranksi and his work(be sure to check out his online store) please visit https://www.leewybranski.com/

Thanks as always for listening to Mid-Am Crisis. The show is brought to you by my friends at Imagine Golf – the #1 app for the mental game. Download Imagine Golf today and start your journey to an improved way of thinking on and off the course. https://www.imaginegolf.com/

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @JayRevell and find more or my work at https://jayrevell.com/

You can also subscribe to my newsletter at https://midamcrisis.substack.com/

If you enjoy the show, I would love for you to leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Cheers,

-J

Mid-Am Crisis is a production of Revell Media, LLC

Ben Curtis is widely regarded as one of the biggest underdog major winners in golf history. His victory at the 2003 Open Championship at Royal St George's was one of the most improbable golf feats of that era. On his way to claiming the Claret Jug, Curtis outlasted names like Thomas Bjorn, Vijay Singh, Tiger Woods, Davis Love III and Nick Faldo. Not bad for the 396th ranked player in the world at the time. The fact that Curtis had never played links golf before that week makes that achievement even more startling. 

In winning the Open, Curtis joined Francis Ouimet as the only players to win a major in their first attempt. While many golf fans remember the difficulty of the course and stumbles made from others at the top of the leaderboard, Curtis' win was also an incredibly impressive performance. His final round 69 included six birdies and was one of the best scores recorded that day. He finished the tournament as the only player under par and was hailed as Cinderella story by media outlets around the world. 

Despite not being a household name, Curtis' win at the Open did lead to a lucrative playing career. He went on to record four victories on the PGA Tour and was part of the winning U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2008. He continued to compete on the tour until 2017 when he retired from competitive golf. Today, he is focused on his golf academy that serves elite junior players and spending time with his family. 

Curtis joins me on Mid-Am Crisis for an depth discussion about his most famous win. He recalls what it was like to hoist the Claret Jug, the tense moments of that final round, and how the win propelled his golf career. He also shares how he's now putting his love for golf to work in different ways. 

Although he won't be playing at the Open's return to Royal St George's this week, Curtis will certainly be watching from home. While he may not be walking those fabled links in person, it's hard to imagine he doesn't return there in his memories each day. I certainly enjoyed revisiting them with him on the show and I think you will too.

To learn more about the Ben Curtis Golf Academy please visit https://bencurtisgolfacademy.com/

Thanks as always for listening to Mid-Am Crisis. The show is brought to you by my friends at Imagine Golf – the #1 app for the mental game. Download Imagine Golf today and start your journey to an improved way of thinking on and off the course. https://www.imaginegolf.com/

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @JayRevell and find more or my work at https://jayrevell.com/

You can also subscribe to my newsletter at https://midamcrisis.substack.com/

If you enjoy the show, I would love for you to leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Cheers,

-J

Mid-Am Crisis is a production of Revell Media, LLC