The DROP Podcast

Jack Nicklaus won here. Tiger Woods won here. Now Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course provides the setting for an early morning round with Dad and a return to a course with decades of PGA Tour history. The DROP recaps the change of plans that led to Magnolia and the standout challenge of Grumpy’s Gauntlet, four redesigned holes where water, doglegs and demanding greens give the Disney-inspired names some teeth. Across the country, the Pro’s trip to Bandon Dunes brings another set of golf stories to the conversation. Two coasts, two different experiences and plenty to discuss about the golf and the time spent away.

Stump the Pro returns with Guess the Course and Guess the Hole, alongside a countdown of five favorite Disney World rides. The show also covers the World Wide Technology Championship, Max Greyserman’s pursuit of full PGA Tour status for 2027 and PGA Tour Q-School results for Cole Ekert, Jose Ramirez, and Dawson Jones. Dean Greyserman’s third-round 62 at DP World Tour Q-School adds another highlight, with his update recorded after Sunday’s play as the Final Stage continues in Spain. Weekly picks turn to the Austin Championship as the FedExCup Fall enters its final two events.

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What does a golf professional mean to the people who play at his club? Forest Hill Field Club Head Golf Professional Mike Sargenti joins The DROP to share his path into the profession, the mentors who shaped him and the membership he serves in Bloomfield, New Jersey. The conversation explores Forest Hill’s A.W. Tillinghast course, including the decisions behind its uphill par-3 finish, and Sargenti’s approach to helping members play better and enjoy the game. His work with PGA HOPE adds another dimension: welcoming veterans to golf and helping create a place for them to learn and connect.

Sargenti discusses his involvement with PGA HOPE at Forest Hill and the experiences that have stayed with him through the program. He also revisits competitive rounds at Navesink, Morris County and Knickerbocker, where his 2026 results included first-place individual finishes, and explains how he makes room for his own golf alongside teaching and running the operation. The conversation closes with favorite holes, New Jersey courses and the person he would most like to share one more round with.

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What earns Galloway National a place among New Jersey’s top 10 private golf courses? The DROP recaps a fall round at the Tom Fazio design that Golf Digest ranks No. 9 in the state. Pure greens, firm fairways and pine-lined holes meet exposed sand, tidal marsh and views toward Atlantic City. The conversation explores how the course plays, the Pine Valley and Pinehurst comparisons behind its beginnings and the par-3 17th that stood out as the course’s signature hole. With brilliant fall foliage framing the round, Galloway makes a compelling case for more attention alongside New Jersey’s best-known private clubs.

Stump the Pro returns with Guess the Logo and an NJPGA history challenge, followed by the Pro’s recap of a Pro-Member at Philadelphia Cricket Club. The show also covers Max Greyserman’s T11 finish at the VidantaWorld Mexico Open and his pursuit of a 2027 PGA Tour card, plus Dean Greyserman’s closing 62 in Spain to reach DP World Tour Q-School Final Stage. There’s a broader update on familiar names advancing through PGA Tour Q-School, those whose runs ended and those teeing it up next. With the weekly picks standings tied again, attention turns to the World Wide Technology Championship.

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Four nines offer plenty of choices. What makes each one worth playing? Montclair Golf Club Head Golf Professional Charlie Maizel joins The DROP to discuss the course, the membership and the path that brought him to one of New Jersey’s historic clubs. He shares how he got started in golf, the lessons he carried from Siwanoy and what drew him to Montclair. The conversation explores the personalities of its four nines, the decisions that challenge first-time visitors and how he helps members when their practice isn’t translating into better rounds.

Charlie also reflects on hosting the 2026 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, his responsibilities during championship preparations and the moments that stayed with him. He discusses keeping his own competitive game sharp alongside the demands of the job, including how he approaches limited practice time and what competing brings to his teaching. The Rapid Fire Final 5 puts his Montclair preferences to the test before closing with a more personal question: what has golf given him that he values most?

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Andy Staples’ renovation gave Mike even more to love about Arcola Country Club, a private club in Paramus, New Jersey. With roots in H.H. Barker’s 1909 design and contributions from Walter Travis, Arcola now gives Mike even more to appreciate, especially through the closing stretch of 16-18. The completely redesigned Par 4, 16th was his favorite, setting up a finish that stayed with him long after the round. Paul Dotti and the grounds team delivered some of the best conditions Mike has seen all season, with greens he puts among the fastest and truest he has played in New Jersey.

For The DROP’s first four-person Course Feature conversation, Mike sits down with architect Andy Staples, Head Golf Professional Grant Sturgeon and Director of Club Operations Paul Dotti to discuss the renovation and the teamwork behind it. The New York City skyline views from the clubhouse were memorable, but so was the pride members took in their golf course. Hearing from the people who helped bring the changes together added another dimension to the day: an appreciation for how much thought and care went into improving a course Mike already loved. 

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Golfers in South Jersey wanted to play on Sundays so badly, they helped create their own town. The DROP recaps a round at Tavistock Country Club and explores the story behind one of New Jersey’s most unusual golf communities. The conversation covers Alexander Findlay’s design, how highway construction reshaped the course and architect Jaeger Kovich’s master plan to preserve its character while accommodating the modern game. There’s also a closer look at the standout stretch of holes 12–14 and a demanding finishing hole that wasn’t always the 18th. Then the Pro shares his experience taking on Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course from the tips.

Guess the Course, Guess the Hole and Guess the Logo return with a challenge: can anyone stump the Pro after last week’s perfect logo round? The show also covers Max Greyserman’s withdrawal from Bermuda with a back injury, the Butterfield Bermuda Championship and weekly picks for the VidantaWorld Mexico Open. In From the Grandstand, Dunning’s Instagram account asks, “What is your favorite piece from Dunning?” The answer puts the Marcellus Jacquard Quarter Zip in the spotlight. Bring your course knowledge, compare your guesses and tell us which Dunning piece gets your vote.

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What does it take to lead a golf club with a Donald Ross course and generations of history? Mark DeLaura, Director of Golf at Crestmont Country Club in West Orange, joins The DROP to discuss the career and relationships that brought him there. Mike asks about his 15 years at Montammy, becoming a head professional at Basking Ridge and finding his place at Crestmont. The conversation also explores the club’s membership and the recent restoration work, including the challenge of preserving Ross’s design while accommodating modern green speeds.

DeLaura’s commitment to veterans adds another dimension to his life in golf. After hosting a 100-hole marathon at Crestmont in 2025, he joined Brian Mackey and Nick Bova for 24 hours of golf at Hamilton Farm over Memorial Day weekend in 2026. Together, the three completed 600 holes. Mike asks how they prepared, what playing through the night demanded and which people and moments gave the challenge its meaning, along with how listeners can support Golf Fore Veterans.

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Spring Brook Country Club in Morristown, New Jersey, gives golfers something they rarely encounter: three consecutive Par 3s around the same pond. Known as The Gauntlet, the 9th, 10th and 11th surround Armstrong Pond, with the clubhouse overlooking a stretch Mike won’t ever forget. Originally designed by Walter Travis and opened for play in 1922, this private course delivers plenty beyond its signature trio, including the demanding but thoroughly enjoyable 13th and 14th holes. Outstanding tees, fairways and greens made the fall visit even better, with superintendent Joe Scioscia and his maintenance team deserving credit for the presentation throughout the property.

Mike sits down with Head Golf Professional Tony Santillo to talk about Spring Brook and the experience that makes it special. The clubhouse improvements by Donnelly Construction add another reason to stop and take in the view, but the membership, welcoming atmosphere and hospitality made just as strong an impression. From the golf to the time spent around the club, Spring Brook gave Mike reasons to enjoy every part of the day. The Gauntlet might be what golfers recognize first, but the complete experience is what stayed with him. 

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Will Francis A. Byrne keep the top spot over Ballyowen? After ranking South and Central Jersey, Mike completes the regional series with his five best public golf courses in North Jersey, with Chris weighing in on the selections. The countdown covers public-access golf across Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren counties, weighing design, conditions, greens and the overall round. From classic template holes to mountain views and links-style golf, Mike explains what separates his choices, which holes make the strongest impression and why some excellent courses land among the honorable mentions. Hear the order, then tell us which selection or omission you would change.

Mike and Chris also debate what a fair path back to the PGA Tour should look like for LIV players, including the questions surrounding Jon Rahm’s future and European Ryder Cup eligibility. They preview the Butterfield Bermuda Championship and Max Greyserman’s pursuit of full PGA Tour status for 2027, with their weekly picks tied heading into the event. Then the conversation turns to a different kind of golf wish list: which closed course would you bring back for one more round?

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A birdie on the final hole gave Jamie Slonis the 2026 New Jersey Senior Amateur title at Suneagles Golf Club, one shot ahead of longtime friend and four-ball partner Tom Gramigna. Jamie joins The DROP to revisit the comeback, the closing hole and the wait as Tom played behind him with a chance to tie. Mike asks what Jamie knew about the leaderboard, how he approached the finish and what winning his first individual NJ Golf championship meant after years of competing.

The conversation also explores the friendship behind Jamie and Tom’s back-to-back New Jersey Senior Four-Ball titles, along with Jamie’s journey from an alternate spot to match play at the 2026 U.S. Senior Amateur. His earlier wins provide context for a broader discussion of competitive longevity: how he keeps tournament golf in his life, makes the most of limited practice time and continues finding reasons to put his game to the test.

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