Birmingham native Gordon Sargent joins The Cart Barn Podcast to walk through his journey from junior golf and Mountain Brook High School to Vanderbilt, Augusta National, and now full PGA TOUR status. Gordon shares insights on college golf, NIL, Augusta nerves, elite ball-speed, mentorship, and what life is really like transitioning from a team environment to professional golf.

In this episode, Gregg Dewalt and Chris Lemley sit down with Gordon Sargent, one of the most exciting young talents in golf and a proud product of Alabama golf.

Topics include:

• Growing up at Birmingham Country Club and Shoal Creek
• The legendary Mountain Brook High School golf teams
• Choosing Vanderbilt and navigating elite college golf
• Winning the NCAA Individual Championship
• Playing Augusta National and staying in the Crow’s Nest
• NIL, equipment loyalty, and working with Titleist & Nike
• PGA TOUR University Accelerated and earning full TOUR status
• Adjusting to life on TOUR without teammates
• Elite distance, ball speed, and course management
• Staying grounded, giving back, and keeping Birmingham as home

This is a thoughtful, honest conversation with a player who understands both the grind and the privilege of the journey.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to The Cart Barn Podcast for more stories from the world of golf.

Joe Gibbs is a Birmingham native and the co-founder of the Golf Channel, built alongside Arnold Palmer at a time when a 24-hour golf network seemed impossible.

In this episode of The Cart Barn, Joe walks us through the real story behind the Golf Channel — from a friendship formed at Shoal Creek, to high-stakes meetings, investor skepticism, and the long road to profitability.

This conversation goes beyond golf media. It’s a story about vision, risk, leadership, and believing in an idea long before anyone else does.

Joe Gibbs shares the inside story of how the Golf Channel was created — from its Alabama roots to its global impact — and the leadership lessons learned along the way.

As the year comes to a close, Chris Lemley and Gregg Dewalt share a short New Year’s Eve reflection built around moments from conversations that truly resonated in 2025.

This episode isn’t a “best of.” It’s a curated collection of clips that sparked discussion, reflection, and connection — moments about process, perspective, resilience, and the human side of golf.

No commentary between clips. Just the conversations themselves.

Thank you for being part of The Cart Barn journey. We’ll see you in the new year.

This Christmas Eve episode of The Cart Barn Podcast is a little different.

Instead of an interview, Chris Lemley and Gregg Dewalt take time to reflect on the conversations from the past year that truly stayed with them — stories of resilience, reinvention, mentorship, history, and the people behind the scenes who make the game of golf what it is.

From powerful discussions with guests like Will Wilcox and Linda Jeffery, to insights from elite teachers such as Mark Blackburn and Wayne Flint, to unforgettable behind-the-scenes moments at the Regions Tradition and East Lake, this episode highlights the human side of golf and the community that surrounds it.

This is not a “best of” episode — it’s a thoughtful conversation about what mattered, what surprised us, and why these stories deserve to be remembered.

Wherever you’re listening this Christmas Eve — traveling, winding down, or enjoying a quiet moment — thank you for being part of The Cart Barn journey.

🎄 Merry Christmas from Chris and Gregg.

PGA Tour Champions Schwab Cup Champion Stewart Cink returns to The Cart Barn for a deep, candid conversation on longevity, focus, and what it really takes to win at the highest level—at any age.

Stewart breaks down:

• Why he publicly declared “winning the Schwab Cup” as a goal—and stuck to it
• His distraction accountability system (yes, with money on the line)
• The 16-ball warm-up routine he uses to eliminate swing thoughts during competition
• How Champions Tour golf compares to the PGA Tour
• Playing against Tiger Woods—and the shot that still blows his mind
• Equipment insights, Bermuda grass realities, and wedge management
• Family, faith, and how becoming a grandfather has reshaped his off-weeks

This episode is packed with lessons for golfers, competitors, business leaders, and anyone chasing sustained excellence.

🎙️ Hosted by Chris Lemley & Gregg Dewalt
⛳ Recorded for The Cart Barn Podcast

stewart cink podcast
 schwab cup champion
 pga tour champions interview
 stewart cink mental game
 golf focus and distractions
 16 ball warm up golf
 bermuda grass golf tips
 champions tour vs pga tour
 the cart barn podcast

Michaela Morard returns to The Cart Barn with a candid breakdown of her first full year as a professional golfer. She shares what she learned competing on both the Epson and Annika Tours, the mental shift required to make cuts, the story behind her 6-under comeback win, and the unexpected food poisoning that derailed Q-School and led to hip surgery. Michaela talks about rebuilding her game, preparing for a 2025 return, and how faith, friendships, and family support carried her through the season.

Topics Covered:

• Adjusting to life as a professional golfer
• Her first professional win — coming from behind with a 6-under final round 
• How cut-line pressure changes your strategy
• Playing both the Annika and Epson Tours
• What she learned about preparation, practice rounds, and course management
• The stress of scheduling, travel, and last-minute alternates
• Her powerful tee-ball numbers — ranked 7th in driving distance at 264 yards 
• Hip labrum injury, Q-School food poisoning, and immediate surgery
• Recovery timeline: putting now, wedge play soon, full swings by spring
• Why she joined the Annika players board
• How Bible studies, player friendships, and her parents kept her grounded
• Her goals for the 2025 season and returning as defending champion in April

Listen and follow The Cart Barn for more: stories, players, and the people shaping golf in Alabama.

A remarkable conversation with golf executive Bob Barrett, covering Augusta National, Shoal Creek, the RTJ Trail, Honors Golf, Troon, and more than five decades of inside stories from the people who shaped modern golf.

This week, we welcome Bob Barrett, one of the most influential behind-the-scenes operators in modern golf. Bob’s 52-year journey includes Augusta National, Shoal Creek, the Robert Trent Jones Trail, Honors Golf, and his current role with Troon.

Inside this episode:
 • How an Augusta kid became ANGC’s first assistant pro
 • Playing with Clifford Roberts, Nicklaus, Weiskopf & more
 • Running merchandising & operations during Masters week
 • Managing Shoal Creek during major championships
 • Navigating the 1990 Shoal Creek controversy
 • Building the RTJ Golf Trail from the ground up
 • Running the Tiger Woods Skins Game at Rancho La Quinta
 • Founding Honors Golf and merging into Troon
 • Industry outlook: simulators, growth of junior & women’s golf, private club boom
 • Why golf is healthier today than ever

A true masterclass in golf history, leadership, and club operations.

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Summary In this episode, David Mills shares the rich history and craftsmanship behind TP Mills putters, discussing the evolution of golf putters, the impact of technology, and personal anecdotes from his family's legacy in the golf industry. He emphasizes the importance of quality and innovation in staying relevant in a competitive market while reflecting on his father's dedication to the craft. Takeaways David Mills' father started making putters out of necessity and passion. The craftsmanship involved in making putters is a blend of art and science. TP Mills putters were among the first to introduce a black putter design. David Mills emphasizes the importance of stability in putter design. The evolution of golf putters has been influenced by technological advancements. Personal stories highlight the relationships built through the golf community. David Mills continues to innovate while honoring his father's legacy. Quality craftsmanship is key to staying relevant in the golf industry. David Mills has made putters for notable players like Phil Mickelson. The future of TP Mills involves exploring new ideas and designs.

Keywords TP Mills, golf putters, craftsmanship, golf industry, innovation, David Mills, golf history, putter design, golf technology, personal stories
Titles The Legacy of TP Mills: A Journey Through Golf History Craftsmanship and Innovation: The Art of Golf Putters Sound bites "He charged players for the putters." "He made a putter for Phil Mickelson." "He had to charge for the clubs."

Chapters 

00:00 – Welcome to The Cart Barn
 02:23 – The Legacy of TP Mills Putters
 03:32 – Introducing Guest: David Mills
 04:08 – How TP Mills Began
 10:37 – Craftsmanship Meets Innovation
 15:59 – The Spalding Partnership & OEM Work
 21:44 – Notable Players Using TP Mills
 29:57 – David’s Journey into the Family Business
 31:17 – Why Stability Matters in Putter Design
 35:09 – Understanding Zero-Torque Putters
 39:28 – The Science of Weight Distribution
 42:55 – Honoring Craftsmanship & Legacy
 46:15 – How Putter Technology Has Evolved
 49:17 – Staying Relevant in a Competitive Market
 53:53 – How to Explore TP Mills Putters Today
 54:57 – Closing Thoughts
 55:00 – End

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Cart Barn Podcast 02:23 The Legacy of TP Mills Putters 03:32 Teasing the Guest: David Mills 04:08 The Origins of TP Mills Putters 10:37 Craftsmanship and Innovation in Golf 15:59 The Relationship with Spalding and OEM Process 21:44 Notable Players and Their Success with TP Mills 29:57 David Mills: Following in His Father's Footsteps 31:17 The Science of Putter Stability 35:09 Understanding Zero Torque Putters 39:28 The Importance of Weight Distribution 42:55 Craftsmanship and Legacy in Putter Design 46:15 The Evolution of Putter Technology 49:17 Staying Relevant in a Competitive Market 53:53 Introduction to TP Mills Putters 54:57 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes 55:00 Cart Barn.m4a

Episode 65 – Inside the Mind of a World-Class Coach with Mark Blackburn

This week, Chris and Gregg sit down with Mark Blackburn, one of the most respected coaches in modern golf and founder of the Blackburn Golf Academy at Greystone. Mark shares stories from his early mentorship under Alex Sloan, how the Golf Machine shaped his methodology, and what he’s learned from decades of coaching elite players.

Whether you're a golf junkie or just love great stories, this episode delivers.

Keywords

Mark Blackburn, golf coaching, Blackburn Academy, Alabama golf, teaching philosophy, tour players, coaching techniques, golf instruction, family life, coaching team

Summary

In this episode, Mark Blackburn shares his journey from England to becoming a prominent golf coach in Alabama. He discusses his teaching philosophy, the importance of communication in coaching, and the challenges of working with tour players. Mark also highlights the significance of family support in his career and the development of his coaching team at the Blackburn Academy.

Takeaways

Mark Blackburn emphasizes the importance of adapting coaching styles to individual players.
He believes in a holistic approach to coaching that considers both technical skills and mental resilience.
Mark's journey from England to Alabama showcases his passion for golf and teaching.
He values the role of family support in achieving professional success.
Mark's coaching philosophy is centered around helping players find their unique swing.
He has built a strong coaching team at the Blackburn Academy to support various skill levels.
Mark's experiences with tour players highlight the unique challenges they face in their careers.
He stresses the importance of communication and understanding in the coaching process.
Mark's dedication to continuous learning and improvement is evident in his approach to coaching.
He believes that success in golf is a combination of hard work, strategy, and adaptability. 

Titles

The Journey of Mark Blackburn: From England to Alabama
Coaching Philosophy: The Art of Golf Instruction

Sound bites

"I'm very proud to be from Alabama."
"I love an underdog. I love a challenge."
"I try and treat them all like my kids."

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Stuart Sink's Victory
02:09 Insights from Coach Mark Blackburn

Brad Nelson’s lifelong love for golf took him from the fairways of Florence Country Club to the grounds crew at East Lake Golf Club during the PGA Tour Championship. In this episode, Chris and Gregg sit down with Brad to hear how his passion for turf, hard work, and a simple email turned into a once-in-a-lifetime experience. He shares stories from inside the ropes — raking bunkers for Rory, early-morning grind, and the culture that makes East Lake one of golf’s most respected venues.

📜 Transistor Show Notes (Full Description)

Brad Nelson grew up around the game of golf in Florence, Alabama — from junior days at Florence Country Club to becoming a self-taught lawn care pro. But when he sent an email to East Lake Golf Club ahead of the Tour Championship, he never imagined it would lead to a life-changing week on the course where legends compete.

In this episode:

• Brad’s early golf days in Florence and his love for turf management
• How persistence and passion got him a spot on East Lake’s agronomy team
• The behind-the-scenes detail of preparing for the PGA Tour Championship
• What he learned about bunkers, greens, and perfection at the game’s highest level
• Why the East Lake culture stands out — and how it inspired him back home

🎙️ Hosted by Chris Lemley & Gregg Dewalt
 📍 Recorded in Alabama — celebrating the people, places, and stories that make golf special here.