Ina Kim-Schaad arrives fresh off one of the most dramatic finishes in USGA history - a 23-hole marathon at Monterey Peninsula that ended with an 18-foot birdie to capture the 2025 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. The win not only made her a two-time Mid-Am champion, but cemented her place among the elite, becoming just the sixth player ever to claim multiple titles. From setting a women’s course record en route to winning the 2024 New York State Women’s Amateur, to earning the 2024 MGA Women’s Player of the Year honors, to representing the MGA in her fifth Carey Cup appearance, her last two seasons have been a showcase of resilience, poise, and world-class competitive instincts.

In this episode, Ina opens up about the mental discipline that carried her through the longest final in championship history, how turning 40 reshaped her approach to competition, and why diving deeper into the mental side of the game transformed both her joy and her performance. As a Fearless Golf Certified Mental Skills Instructor, she brings rare insight into how elite players think under pressure, reset after setbacks, and unlock competitive confidence. Whether you’re a devoted Met Area golfer or simply love stories of grit at the game’s highest amateur levels, this conversation delivers everything: strategy, vulnerability, and the mindset behind a champion who keeps finding new ways to elevate her game.

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This week on The DROP Podcast, we dive into one of our most anticipated conversations of the year: our Top 10 Public Courses Played in New Jersey for 2025. Ryan brings his personal rankings, Mike brings his own, and together we break down the Garden State’s best public tracks based on layout, conditioning, value, and overall “must-play” energy. From hidden gems to established favorites, we reveal what surprised us, what lived up to the hype, and which courses absolutely belong on your 2025 tee sheet. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a public-track loyalist, or a golfer searching for your next challenge, this episode maps out the definitive New Jersey golf lineup heading into the new year.

To close the show, we roll through a fresh batch of quick hitters, including a recap of The Skins Game and a new round of Fast Facts, featuring our Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shop the DROP deals and a big thank-you to everyone supporting the podcast this season. We also check in on PGA Tour Q-School as the Second Stage begins December 2nd with Ryan McCormick, David Pastore, Jack Simon, Ethan Ng, and Melan Dhaubhadel all competing to advance toward the Final Stage. Tune in for rankings, reactions, and the ultimate guide to Golfing in the Garden State.

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This week on The DROP Podcast, we welcome New Jersey native Chris Powers, Senior Writer for Golf Digest and co-host of The Loop podcast. From his early days caddying at Rockaway River Country Club to becoming one of the most-read voices in modern golf media, Chris brings a rare blend of humor, honesty, and sharp storytelling to the sport. His journey from Denville fairways to the national spotlight has made him one of the most relatable and refreshing personalities covering the game today. Whether he’s breaking down PGA Tour drama, exploring club culture, or crafting his viral “Stupid Golf Problems” series, Chris connects with golfers who love the game and love laughing at it.

In this episode, we dive into Chris’s rise through Golf Digest - from Assistant Editor to Staff Writer to Senior Writer - and how more than a decade as a caddie shaped his reporting style and perspective. We unpack his most popular stories, his process for building features, the role of humor in golf journalism, and what he enjoys most about covering both New Jersey golf culture and the chaos of the broader golf world. If you're curious about sports media, golf storytelling, or the creative process behind the game’s biggest voices, this episode delivers insight, personality, and plenty of Jersey energy.

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Winter is officially closing in on the Garden State, which means it’s prime time to lock in your next golf escape and The DROP Podcast has your winter golf trip strategy covered. This episode breaks down why planning early pays off for Jersey golfers chasing warm-weather fairways. From no-budget bucket-list adventures to value-packed destinations, we dive into the top golf travel hotspots: Myrtle Beach, Streamsong, Pinehurst, Sand Valley, Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, Scottsdale, and Big Cedar Lodge. Whether you’re a snowbird heading south or simply trying to ditch frost delays, we map out the courses, logistics, and insider picks you need to book the perfect winter golf getaway.

We close with a rapid-fire roundup of the latest in golf and Garden State storylines - Mike’s Philly Marathon Weekend recap, a look at the RSM Classic featuring John Pak’s impressive T7 finish, and congratulations to Max Greyserman for securing a spot inside AON’s Next 10. Plus, we preview everything you need to know about PGA Tour Q-School as the second stage begins December 2-5 and final stage runs December 11-14. 

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Christina Parsells brings elite credentials and undeniable presence to this week’s episode as we highlight one of New Jersey’s most accomplished and influential female golfers. A proud member of Somerset Hills Country Club, Christina is a 6x USGA participant - most recently competing in the 2025 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship - and the 2024 New Jersey Women’s Mid-Am Champion, a milestone that firmly establishes her among the Garden State’s premier Mid-Am players. We dive into her path, the preparation behind her consistency, and how competing on national stages has shaped her confidence, mindset, and approach to women’s golf in New Jersey.

Beyond her competitive success, Christina’s influence continues to rise as she steps into governance as a member of the NJ Golf Board of Trustees, bringing a fresh, player-driven perspective to the future of golf in the state. We explore what her leadership means for advancing women’s golf, how she balances competition with service, and why her passion for the game continues to elevate the community around her. Insightful, empowering, and full of Garden State pride, this episode shines a light on a rising force whose impact on New Jersey golf is only beginning.

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A huge thank you to Mirza and the Dormie Network team for hosting at Hidden Creek Golf Club - a day that perfectly captured the soul of South Jersey golf. Hidden in Egg Harbor Township just minutes from Atlantic City, this Coore & Crenshaw masterpiece stretches across 750 acres of pure Pine Barrens terrain, offering one of the most immersive walking experiences in New Jersey golf. Since joining the Dormie Network in 2019, Hidden Creek has risen among the state’s best private courses, celebrated for its minimalist design, strategic width, and peaceful atmosphere. From its iconic “Where’s the Creek?” lore to unforgettable holes like 9, 11, and 15, this episode breaks down exactly why Hidden Creek stands tall as a must-experience gem for anyone passionate about NJ golf.

We then shift from course architecture to tour action, recapping the Butterfield Bermuda Championship and spotlighting John Pak’s T46 finish. With the RSM Classic on deck - Pak’s final start of the season - the pressure is on before his upcoming PGA TOUR Q-School run. Add in a shoutout to Brian Mackey as he steps into a new career chapter, and this week delivers a full slate of Garden State-driven storylines, momentum, and must-follow golf.

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Rory Asselta - the 2025 NJ Boys Golfer of the Year - joins the show after a freshman season that rewrote New Jersey golf history. Representing St. Joseph (Mont.), Rory captured the Garden State Cup, the FDU Invitational, and the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions, where he fired a jaw-dropping 64 to seal both team and individual titles. He then took his game national, shooting 65-66-69 to win the PGA High School Golf National Invitational at Pinehurst at -16, earning WAGR’s 2025 New Jersey Player of the Year honors. We dive into his mindset, preparation, and what drives one of the country’s top young golfers as he balances school, team golf, and national attention - all before sophomore year.

The episode also explores the wider Garden State scene - the junior programs shaping the next wave, tournament momentum across the state, and how New Jersey keeps producing elite-level amateurs ready for college and beyond. Whether you’re a coach, competitor, or golf-obsessed fan, this is a front-row seat to a rising star redefining what’s possible in high-school golf.

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Our day at Hollywood Golf Club reminded us why we love this game. From the first tee to the final walk up 18, every step showcased pure golf excellence. Originally crafted by Walter Travis and masterfully restored by Tom Doak, Hollywood stands as a tribute to Golden Age architecture - where sculpted bunkers, coastal winds, and beautifully contoured greens create a timeless test. Ranked 5th in New Jersey by GolfWeek, 7th in New Jersey by Golf Digest, the course delivers challenge and charm at every turn, from the punishing false front on Hole 4 to the iconic “Heinz 57” at 12, and the demanding 247-yard Par 3, 17th. Hollywood isn’t just one of NJ’s best - it’s a masterclass in strategy and design.

We also break down big headlines across the Garden State, including Metedeconk National Golf Club being awarded the 2029 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball - a huge spotlight for NJ golf. There’s fresh news on our merch and website rollout, plus a look at the PGA Tour: Max Greyserman finishes 62nd, John Pak posts a T17 at the Worldwide Technology Championship, and he's back in the field for this week’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship. It’s a sharp, high-energy episode full of local flavor.

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Bill Hook, Head Golf Professional at Knickerbocker Country Club and last year’s 2024 NJPGA Golf Professional of the Year, joins the show as he finishes his 15th season at one of New Jersey’s most historic Donald Ross clubs. The latest in a 70-year lineage of respected head professionals, Bill has helped guide Knickerbocker through a major restoration that modernized the course while protecting its classic Ross/Strong identity. He breaks down what that process taught him about leadership, member culture, and what it actually takes to run a top-level golf operation in 2025 and how his years under Dave Reasoner at Ridgewood CC shaped the standard he still carries.

We dig into how the role of Head Golf Professional has evolved, why mentorship still matters, and the difference between running the shop and building a golf culture. From staff management to member expectations to the unseen pressure of being “the face of the club,” this is the side of the profession most golfers never get to hear about and the reason Bill earned the highest professional honor in the state.

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Trump National Bedminster’s Old Course leads the show this week as Ryan breaks down his full round - including what it’s like walking into a mansion-style clubhouse that feels more presidential estate than golf facility, easily one of the most over-the-top clubhouses in the country. On the course, he goes deep on the famous closing stretch: the demanding Par 5, 15th with its deceptive fairway width, tight layup window, and massive green that punishes anything missed right .. followed by the signature Par 3, 16th, a mid-iron over water directly beneath the clubhouse balcony, bigger green than it looks, subtle right-to-left tilt, and a shot that decides rounds instantly. If you’ve ever wanted the real inside look at Bedminster - not headlines, the golf - this is the one to tap play on.

The rest of the episode moves fast: our brand-new website officially launches today (www.GolfingInTheGardenState.com), Mike heads to Disney’s Magnolia Course this Friday followed by a sit-down with their PR & Marketing team, plus quick hitters from around the pro golf world - Worldwide Technology Championship, Max and John in the field, PGA Tour Q-School stage dates, and DP World Tour qualifying updates on David Pastore and Will Celiberti. Big week. Bigger episodes coming.

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