The Golf Insiders

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game or listen in the Orlando area on FM 96.9 Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. to hear The Golf Insiders live. Add The Golf Insiders podcast to your iPhone as an app. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. 

Holly G along with co host Kevin Sternett, assistant pro at Golden Bear Club at Keene's Point, and Will Perry, creative director at EVVUS and social media ace for The Golf Insiders, are in the studio wrapping up the 2016 Men's Olympic Golf Competition.  The trio discuss Justin Rose winning the Gold, Henrik Stenson Silver and Matt Kuchar took the Bronze medal. Holly and the guys also talk about the success of this Olympics and what that might mean for the future of golf in the Olympics.

Holly talks about her recent trip to the Las Vegas Fall PGA Show and some of the products and equipment she saw there and tested on Demo Day.

Holly tells listeners that The Golf United Charity Scramble for Pulse Orlando event Friday, Aug. 26, 2016 is sold out but there are still ways that listeners can help out or participate. Please visit the web site golfunited.org. 

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, chats with Holly about The Golf Channel's coverage has had on the men and continues with the Women at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Todd pointed out that the golf media did not know what to expect going into the Olympics. He said the medal podium had two major champions and an American. He thinks that it has been a huge success for the game of golf. 

Todd and Kevin talk about the energy at the Olympics and the unification of countries through sports. Todd personally feels an uplifting for being in Rio. Holly and Todd talk about Day 1 at the Olympics for the women. Ariya Jutanugarn, Inbee Park, Lydia Ko, Lexi Thompson and many others atop the leaderboard.

Sean Foley, Golf Instructor and Swing Coach for Justin Rose and many other top professional golfers as well as a Golf Digest Top 50 instructor, joins the crew talking about Rose's success at the Olympics. Sean talks about how Rose is very observant and feeds off of the environment he is in and felt it would be good for Justin to go to Rio without some coaches ... hoping that it would enable him to clear his mind and it paid off. 

Sean talks about how coaching is more than just clubs and winning or losing, but helping the player deal with mental side of golf and life. Sean talks about how the biggest competitor in life is our self. "It's funny that in a way we become more intellectual, we become more 'dumb'." Referring to the misunderstanding of thought and where it comes from for all of us. "We tell our self a story (about some event) and then we manifest it and we live it." Foley feels that we dwell too much on the past and it shackles us from moving forward.

In the final segment of the show, Holly talks about Gene Sauers' first major win on the Champions Tour that happened this past weekend in Ohio. Steve Eubanks, Global Golf Post, was at the event. He talks to Holly about the women players competing in the Olympics. Gary Gilchrist is Ariya Jutanugarn's coach who Steve had a chance to speak with Gary and feels that Ariya is successful again because she just needed a confidence boost that Gary's coaching has provided. Holly and Steve talk about some of the other players competing at the Olympics. 

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game or listen in the Orlando area on FM 96.9 Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. to hear The Golf Insiders live. Add The Golf Insiders podcast to your iPhone as an app. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. 

Holly G along with Will Perry, creative director at EVVUS and social media guru for The Golf Insiders, are in the studio on the night before the men's Olympic Golf competition is to begin. 

Holly talks about Jim Furyk's record final round of 58 at the Traveler's Championship which was won by Russell Knox. 

Holly G reminds listeners about the upcoming Golf United Charity Scramble for Pulse Orlando event Aug. 26, 2016 at Grand Cypress Golf Course. Please visit golfunited.org to find out how you can help or participate.

Aly N. Benitez, JD, MBA, Founder/Board President of Pulse Orlando, talks to Holly for a few minutes about the Pulse tragedy and how people are coping with the horrific event. Also about how Pulse of Orlando is helping offset the expenses that victims have incurred since the shootings and how people can help.

After the break, Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in from Rio to talk about the Olympics. He thinks some of the issues that have been in the news leading up to the Olympics have been overplayed. So many players are thrilled to be competing and living the Olympic experience. Bob wrote a story about Padraig Harrington who was part of the delegation that went to Switzerland in 2005 to lobby for golf and is excited to actually be a part of. 

Bob says that some of the countries like Venezuela don't have the amount of Olympic participants that the United States does. But this can help grow the game around the world. Only about 20,000 golfers in Brazil which is about how many play in Orlando alone. Holly asks Bob about the Gil Hanse golf course in Rio. From Bob's perspective he feels that Gil did a really nice job with the land that he has available and has received a lot of compliments from the players. 

Todd Lewis, the Golf Channel, calls in from Rio to talk to Holly about Golf Channel's coverage. Vibrant sense of community at the Olympics and really didn't know what to expect and what to expect. All the issues like the Zika virus and security issues have not been a problem. Watching other Olympians like Michael Phelps win his 20th and 21st gold medals and the history that is being made in Rio.

Todd spoke with Henrik Stenson in Rio and asked him after all that he accomplished in the game of golf, what winning a gold medal would mean to Sweden? Henrik said that winning a Bronze medal would mean so much to Sweden, probably more than him winning a major championship.

Todd talks about the fact that golf is not as big in the Netherlands, or Rio and other countries/places around the world as it is in other countries. He feels that is where golf can grow from being an Olympic event. 

Jeff Babineau, Golfweek, calls in to talk about the American team at the Olympics. Patrick Reed, Rickie Fowler and others. Jeff mentions a Golfweek story that talks about Padraig Harrington's feelings that some of these players are going to regret not participating in. Holly also mentions that the John Deere Classic as well as the U.S. Senior Open Championship. Will picks Patrick Reed as the best overall USA player, Henrik Stenson to win gold and Zach Johnson to win the John Deere. Holly likes Sergio Garcia for the gold and Rickie Fowler as the best USA player to finish in Rio. She takes Steve Stricker at the John Deere and Colin Montgomerie at the U.S. Senior Open.

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game or listen in the Orlando area on FM 96.9 Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. to hear The Golf Insiders live. Add The Golf Insiders podcast to your iPhone as an app. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. 

Holly G along with co host Kevin Sternett, assistant pro at Golden Bear Club at Keene's Point, and Will Perry, creative director at EVVUS and social media ace for The Golf Insiders, are in the studio with wrap up of the PGA Championship won by Jimmy Walker. Kevin and Holly talk about how the weather affected the final major. 

The trio discuss the Women's British Championship won by Ariya Jutanugarn and the talented young players on the LPGA Tour.  Stephan Jaeger opened with a record 58 and went on to win by posting a score of 30-under-par 250 to win the Web.com Tour's Ellie Mae Classic.

A reminder to listeners that The Golf United Charity Scramble for Pulse Orlando event is Aug. 26, 2016, Please visit golfunited.org to find out how you can help or participate.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in to talk about the breaking news that Nike is pulling out of the equipment side of the business. Bob wonders if it is tied directly to Tiger's absence from the Tour. Bob said he believes Rory McIlroy has around 3 years left on his contract and Tiger re-upped his deal with Nike recently as well.

Holly and Bob discuss Walker's win at the PGA Championship. Because of the inclement weather, Walker and others had to play 36 holes on Sunday and the scoring was still low. Walker had to hold off Jason Day's late charge. Bob says that it is hard to believe that it is August and the majors are all finished for the year. Holly talks with Bob about how well the grounds team worked on the course to get the tournament done on Sunday. Some golf purists may feel that playing preferred lie, or lift, clean and place doesn't have a place in the majors, but Bob said that it is in the rule books.

This week is the Traveler's Championship with defending Bubba Watson, playing alongside two of his Olympic teammates.

Damon Hack, co-host of the Golf Channel's Morning Drive, calls in from the Travelers to talk about the state of the golf industry with Nike's announcement of leaving the equipment side. Damon feels that golf has gone from a high in sales 15 years ago to the low that it's experiencing now. Kevin asks Damon about Tiger's effect on the business. Maybe Nike knows something about Tiger that others do not? 

Holly talks with Damon about the story he is writing about the Olympics and Matt Kuchar's discovery about the format. In Matt's defense he wasn't one of the 4 representing the USA until Jordan Spieth and others pulled out. The Golf Channel will be covering the Olympics along with NBC.

In the final segment of the show Steve Eubanks, Global Golf Post, talks with Holly G and the gang about the Women's British Open and some of the women who are competing in the Olympics. Steve talks about Ariya Jutanugarn's win and how far she is come over the past year or so not only with her game but socially.

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game or listen in the Orlando area on FM 96.9 Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. to hear The Golf Insiders live. Add The Golf Insiders podcast to your iPhone as an app. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. 

Holly G along with co host Kevin Sternett, assistant pro at Golden Bear Club at Keene's Point, and Will Perry, creative director at EVVUS and social media ace for The Golf Insiders, are in the studio on the eve of the PGA Championship. 

Holly mentions The Golf United Charity Scramble for Pulse Orlando event Aug 26, 2016, Visit the web site golfunited.org to find out how you can help or participate.

Bob Harig, ESPN.com, calls in from Baltusrol to talk to listeners about the 4th major that this year ends in July. Bob said it has been since 1968 that the majors have ended this early. Hasn't been a long time between Stenson's win at the Open Championship until now. 

Bob talks about the tough course and the hot weather that is ahead for the players on a short notice.

Holly said she thinks it favors Phil Mickelson and his game. Bob said that Phil hasn't had a lot of time to mull over the second place in Scotland after playing so well.

Holly and Bob talk about Rory McIlroy and other top golfer's chances to hoist the Wanamaker Trophy. Bob picks McIlroy to win.

Mike Kern, Philadelphia Daily News, is the next guest who calls in from Baltusrol to talk about the PGA Championship. Dustin Johnson, Rory, Jason Day, and Phil are all playing well and could win.  But it's an old time course and has seen a lot of action over the years. Had some big names win there.

Holly asks Mike about the Par 4s. Mike said he doesn't believe that any of the Par 4s are "driveable". 

Mike feels that DJ will be in the mix, Rory, but would love to see Sergio Garcia win a major sometime.

Jeff Babineau, Golfweek, calls in to talk about the 4th major of the season already. Jeff talks about Jason Day's press conference and other press conferences. Day is not feeling well. Some of the golfers seem inpatient.

Some PGA Club professionals are also competing this week such as Matt Dobyns, Rod Perry right alongside the PGA Tour pros.

Holly talks with Jeff about Jhonattan Vegas' win at the RBC Championship and qualifying for the PGA Championship. Also Henrik Stenson's win at the British Open and being able to go back to his native Sweden for a short time to enjoy it. Listeners can visit Golfweek.com and can check out all the coverage of the PGA Championship as well as the Women's Open Championship across the pond.

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, joins the show from Baltusrol and talks about Phil Mickelson and the world class field at a very challenging course. Mentally they have to come ready to go. 

Kevin asks about Henrik Stenson and how he is doing after his first major win. Todd feels that his win there will open the floodgates for Henrik. When he plays well, wins come in bunches. He won in June on the European Tour and follows that win up with the Open Championship win.

Todd says that experience and having control of your emotions is key for players to be successful on the Tours.

Holly asks Todd about Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia being two of the best players without a major championship. You get double Ryder Cup points at this event and Lee can get a big boost there.  You have to look at guys who are playing well right now. Todd feels the top 3 at this time are DJ, Henrik and Sergio.

Long time sports writer and bestselling author Steve Eubanks, Global Golf Post, calls in to wrap up the show talking about USA's win at the UL International and the Women's British Open Championship. 

Steve feels that Gerina Piller has a good chance to win this week's major even though she hasn't won. He said that Gerina has figured out her putting stroke and that was what was holding her back.

Holly asks Steve about the PGA Championship. He feels that oddly enough that Phil Mickelson might be the favorite to win. 

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game or listen in the Orlando area on FM 96.9 Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. to hear The Golf Insiders live. Add The Golf Insiders podcast to your iPhone as an app. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. 

Holly G along with co host Kevin Sternett, assistant pro at Golden Bear Club at Keene's Point are in the studio for a complete wrap up of Henrik Stenson's win at the 145th Open Championship as well as other golf stories from the past week as well as a look ahead to next week's action across the Tours.

Sunday's final round with Stenson pitted against Phil Mickelson was one for the ages. Stenson carded an 8-under 63 to tie Johnnie Miller's lowest final round score by a major champion. His 20-under 264 was the lowest 72-hole score ever in a major championship. Phil shot a final round 65 and finished with a 267.

Mike Kern, Philadelphia Daily News, calls in to talk with Holly G and Kevin about the Open Championship. Mike said that it was the second time in four years that someone shot 20-under-par in a major. Mike mentions that Phil started the championship just missing out on a record 62 after his ball lipped out on the 18th hole and then shoots a bogey-free round Sunday but still loses by two strokes.

Holly talks about the slump Stenson was in for a couple of years and how he has come back. Mike mentions that Tiger went through two different slumps during his career and was able to come back and play at a high level. Jordan Spieth is in a little bit of a slump and so is McIlroy. Mike said that's what makes Tiger's feat of a 10-year stretch playing at such an unbelievable level so phenomenal. 

Long time sports writer and bestselling author Steve Eubanks, currently with Global Golf Post, calls in from the UL International Crown in Chicago to share his thoughts about the Open Championship.  Steve talks with Holly about LPGA Tour and Lydia Ko's fourth win of the season at the Marathon Classic in Ohio.

Kevin, Steve and Holly talk about the team competitions on the LPGA Tour. The teams in the UL Crown is based on the World Rankings of the four team members. Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson are the #1 and #2 players in the world will not be competing in the competition with not many other players for their country ranked high enough to qualify a team for the country.

Holly talks with Steve about the quick turnaround in the PGA Tour schedule and playing the PGA Championship a month early because of the Olympics. 

In the final segment of the show, Holly welcomes Steve Trattner, one of the partners at Knuth Golf, to the show to talk about the company's award-winning High Heat Driver, 3-wood and hybrid have taken the golf industry by storm, with their lower and deeper center of gravity, perfectly situated for the amateur golf swing. Central Floridians can get a chance to check out the High Heat July 26, 28-29  from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at The Villages and also at the Timacuan Country Club in Lake Mary on July 27 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. 

The Golf United Charity Scramble for Pulse Orlando web site is live. Visit golfunited.org to find out how you can help.