The Inward Nine with Chandler Withington

Have any of you ever felt anxious before speaking in front of an audience? Have you ever wondered how your voice sounds to others when you are speaking from a stage or into a microphone? Today we get to spend time with someone who has not only been using his voice to teach the game of golf, but also to cover the game as a member of the media. Our guest today wears many hats, from general manger and master PGA Professional to instructor, MC, TV and radio personality, entrepreneur, musician, husband and father and in a few weeks he will be recognized as the 2026 PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year. He is the General Manager at Ballys Golf Links at Ferrys Point and Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio Host, the master of variety, Brian Crowell.

In our conversation with Brian we will discuss:

The word variety and why the word might be a better replacement for the term work life balance. We will unpack the many elements of Brian's life which allows him to remain energized and to avoid burnout.

Being discovered. Years ago Brian was auditioning for his current roles in television and radio, only he didn't know it at the time. Listen as Brian shares how the door to a 2nd career in media opened to him.

Taking a step backward to move forward is something few are willing to do, but it is exactly Brian had to do to begin his career in golf. Brian will talk about how he came to realize a life in golf is what would be most fulfilling to him.

How to use your voice. The same as we work on our golf swing or our short games, Brian has had to learn how to develop the use of his voice and cadence. He will share how you can learn to be more comfortable speaking in front of people.

And finally, Brian will share how it came to be that he and his son would launch a line of bourbon… a venture that was always lying right under the surface just waiting to be discovered.

To connect with Chandler:

Follow or send a DM on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast.com

Email: [email protected]

Music Credits:

Opening: 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' by Elton John

Interlude: 'Phone Robot' by Bimbo Summit

Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector

Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

For those of us who work in the golf industry and at a golf course, have you ever stopped to truly consider what product we are selling to our customers? Today's guest knows what he is giving to his customers and it is much more than just hitting a white ball around in a field of grass. Today we get to spend time with the 2026 PGA of America Bill Strausbaugh award winner and Director of Golf at The Golf Club of Purchase in New York, he is very passionate and driven Carl Alexander.

In our time together with Carl we will discuss:

Being either a settler or an explorer, a giver or a taker and how Carl's parents conditioned him for a life of adventure, but also a life focused on giving back to others.

Getting to the top will never be a straight ascent. There will be setbacks, failures or moments we can't understand. Carl will share what he has learned about how to handle the doors that don't open to us.

There is a perception of what the life of a golf professional is like and then there is of course the reality. Carl takes us behind the curtain to talk about the unseen challenges and also rewards of being a PGA golf professional.

People are naturally drawn to others who they find to be interesting. When it comes to being around successful and wealthy people, Carl talks to us about how to be prepared for these conversations, and how to be interesting to others, which matters because we can only talk about the weather for so long.

Time management is an area of life few ever master. Listen as Carl shares about the time management realization he had and how is has freed up so many areas of his life ever since.

And finally, it has taken 86 episodes for a guest to use a certain word when handing down advice to the next generation. Carl doesn't just encourage his own staff to grow in a certain area. He also takes them out into the world to practice the art of seeing and understanding other people. stick around to the very end of the episode as you will want to hear about this unique approach.

To connect with Chandler:

Follow on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast

Email: [email protected]

Music Credits:

Opening: 'Who Are You' by The Who

Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector

Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

Do you a vision for where your own mission will take you? Are you determined to reach your final destination? Are you willing to put in the work and do everything it takes to get there?

Today we get to spend time with the man who has been on a mission and leading the charge for the last 22 years at one of the top clubs in the great state of Texas and who is also this years National Merchandiser of the Year for Private Facilities. Ahead, we get to unpack the many layers of the Director of Golf at Whispering Pines Golf Club. Our guest today is the charismatic and multi talented Chris Rowe.

Ahead in our conversation with Chris, we will discuss:

The word vision, and how Chris feels a vision can help guide your steps each day, until the day comes when you receive the call that makes vision become reality.

Chris doesn't like the word merchandising. Listen as Chris replaces the word and shares his philosophy on what he feels merchandising really is.

Thinking outside the box to get his customers attention has been the name of the game for Chris and his staff. We will unpack the many unconventional sales and promotions Chris and his team have used over the years to continually engage their customers.

Merchandising is just one hat a golf professional can wear. Chris wears countless others. We will dive into what those hats are and how they all paint the complete picture of a golf professional.

There will inevitably come a point in your life and your career when you must take a risk and shoot your shot. Chris has been taking these risks from an early age. Listen as he shares how he has been able to get the attention of those around him by going on offense and not waiting to be discovered. It is the ability to take a chance that has landed Chris on the big stage, and I'm not just talking about Whispering Pines of the the upcoming Awards Show.

Finally, we will discuss the words imposter syndrome. The feeling that we aren't ready for an opportunity is a feeling many of us will encounter in our careers. Chris will share the advice he gave to one of his most valued employees when they felt this way.

For over three decades Chris Rowe has been a man on a mission. Today we get to learn all about his mission and how his breakthrough moments can help you discover your own.

To connect with Chandler:

Follow or DM on Instagram @ theinwardninepodcast

Email: [email protected]

Music Credits:

Opening: 'Man on a Mission' by Van Halen

Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector

Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

If I asked you to list your strengths and weaknesses, could you do it? We can't be good at everything of course, but do we really know what we are good at and what we are not?

Our guest today knows her strengths and has been utilizing them at one of the south's up and coming golf clubs. Last week, we got to hear from the founder of Old Barnwell, Nick Schreiber, who helped us understand how the club came to be. This week, we will spend time with one of his first and most important hires to deliver its mission. Our guest today is their Director of Golf, Kitty Nicastro.

In our time together with Kitty we will discuss:

Her path to Old Barnwell, which didn't include any formal interviews. Kitty is living and breathing proof that we are interviewing for our dream jobs each day. Kitty will talk about how doors began to open through her network, eventually leading her to Aiken, South Carolina.

Establishing a culture and a feeling comes through the people you hire. Kitty will talk about some of her team members and how she found them.

When it comes to finding people. Building a caddie program at any new club is a big undertaking. Kitty will share on the unique approach the club took to find young caddies, a program which has come to thrive and produce a growing number of Evans Scholars.

There is more than just finding people. It is seeing who they are and what is going on in their lives and understanding how we can help. Kitty shares about one of Old Barnwell's recent Evans Scholar recipients and how her time as a caddie has changed the trajectory of ther life.

Most women in the golf industry pursue paths in becoming an instructor, merchandiser or club manager. Kitty will talk about the personality trait she feels not only got her to the top in becoming a director of golf, but one that makes others want to be around her.

Kitty Nicastro is a long way from her home in Wisconsin, a reminder that the winds of change and direction in our lives will eventually blow. When they do, we may well wake up one day and realize we aren't in Kansas anymore.

Have you ever felt like your life has hit a dead end? Perhaps the mountain you have been climbing has gotten too steep, but you also don't want to call it quits and head back down? Our guest today has been there. The great news is there is a way forward, but it usually doesn't come without accepting help from those who care about you.

By now, many have heard about the wonderful new golf course in Aiken, South Carolina known as Old Barnwell. But you may not know the story of how it all came to be or of the life of the person behind its origin and mission. Today we get to spend time with the founder of Old Barnwell, Nick Schreiber.

Ahead in our discussion with Nick, we will discuss:

The word failure. What it really means, how we can accept, learn and grow from it.

Our pride. It usually stands in the way of moving forward. From the time we learned to talk, our mindset is I can do it on my own. Nick shares with us a powerful moment when he had to swallow his pride and accept a helping hand.

Patience. We tend to think about how this word relates to us having to wait on something or someone, but rarely do we stop to consider how patient others are being with us. Nick will talk about the impact of receiving grace, forgiveness and patience from those closest to him.

Recovery. Whenever we turn a corner in our lives there will stand the inevitable question – ok, what now? Listen as Nick talks about the early vision and mission for what eventually became Old Barnwell.

There is a feeling each of us get whenever we visit a golf club. Nick shares about the feeling he hopes people experience when they visit Old Barnwell and on how he began finding the right people to help him accomplish that feeling.

Freedom. It tends to be a word we take for granted at times or don't experience in our own lives at times. There are voices inside our heads at times, lies we tell ourselves and others. Listen as Nick shares where he feels true personal freedom comes from.

To connect with Chandler:

Instagram @ theinwardninepodcast

Email: [email protected]

Music Credits:

Opening: 'Rocket' by Smashing Pumpkins

Interlude: 'Today' by Smashing Pumpkins

Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector

Closing: 'I Won't Give Up' by Jason Mraz

Have any of you looked well into the future and when you saw the picture of what your life might look like, you didn't like what you saw? Ahead on today's episode, we get to spend time with someone who felt that way and immediately began to plot a new course, one rooted in the inspiration he felt from a gift he received as a child. He has been using his words to take us all on a ride ever since. Today we are spending time with golf journalist and founder of his own newsletter, Normal Sport. He is the very witty and well spoken Kyle Porter.

Ahead in this conversation with Kyle, we will discuss:

The meaning of the word normalcy, and how Kyle began to see just how un normal the sport of golf is, leading to his unique perspective and writing style.

There is a danger is making your work or chasing success your idol. Kyle will unpack for us why he sees his writing as what he does, but not who he is.

When it comes to work, is there a way we can bring meaning to the lives of those around us through it? Kyle shares with us his personal mission statement and how he using his work to help him accomplish it.

Life is fragile. We hear people say this all the time, but very few of us ever experience how true it really is. Kyle will share with us about the days following a painful loss and the statement someone made which cemented his own view of the world.

Kyle is one of the best and most insightful writers on the Ryder Cup I know. I decided to play the role of genie and I gave Kyle 3 wishes for the future of our favorite event. Spoiler alert, I sincerely hope all his wishes come true in the days ahead.

There is a great big world out there. Sometimes we just want to fly high up in the sky, look down and see it all. But first, we have to learn to fly.

To connect with Chandler:

Follow on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast.com

Email: [email protected]

Music Credits:

Opening: 'Learning to Fly' by Tom Petty

Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector

Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

Have any of you ever been in a position where your job might be eliminated unless you can come up with a solution? Nearly 20 years ago today's guest could see the end of his job in sight, but rather than just roll over and accept his fate, he and a friend got creative. What these two produced wasn't an overnight success. Over a stretch of time they would grow, then shrink all while constantly adapting and testing ideas. In the end, what came from it all was a reimagined way of introducing junior golfers to playing the game golf. Today's we get to learn about how this approach called Operation 36 came to be with Co Founder Ryan Dailey.

In our time together with Ryan we will discuss:

The feedback loop. Whenever someone has an idea, there will be multiple rounds of trial and error, followed by feedback, followed by adjustments to the idea and then the loop begins all over again. Ryan will walk us through these stages, all the way to landing on the moon with their approach to Operation 36.

Whenever a junior is introduced to the game of golf, of course we hope they fall in love with the game and play it for a lifetime. But there is a greater purpose to how Ryan and Operation 36 engage their students. Listen as Ryan shares the question he asks junior golfers to get them thinking and seeing the bigger picture.

If you ever felt overwhelmed, the list of to dos is too long, too big.. it can't be done. Ryan shares his mindset and approach to when he felt this way. It's a little shift, but it can make a world of difference.

Have you ever felt alone? If so, how did you feel? Did you feel comfortable or uncomfortable? Ryan will share about a year in his teenage life in a new place, one where he didn't know anyone. It was this year that would prepare Ryan for so much of life and reminds us that being alone isn't a death sentence, but rather an opportunity if we choose to see it that way.

So often, whenever we ask my things are the way they are, we are told - That's just the way it is. Thankfully, Ryan didn't accept status quo. He was willing to take a conventional model and turn it upside down. Junior golfers who have come through Operation 36 have been benefiting ever since.

To connect with Chandler:

Follow on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast

Email: [email protected]

Music Credits:

Opening: 'The Way It Is' by Bruce Hornsby

Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector

Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

Have any of you ever had an interest or been encouraged by someone else to run for a position within your Section of the PGA? Or, perhaps it wasn't a volunteer position. Maybe it was a job that was a reach for you. Regardless, you had to put yourself out there and get people to vote for you. And how did that make you feel? Excited, anxious or all of the above?

Today's guest has successfully run for Secretary of the Carolinas Section and this fall she is setting her sights on becoming the next Secretary of the PGA of America. Our guest today is Paige Cribb, who along with being a past President of the Carolinas Section has also served as the Director of Student Support at the Coastal Carolina University PGM Program.

In our conversation with Paige, we will discuss:

The lives of her students at Coastal Carolina. What are the hopes and dreams of the next generation? Paige will share a noticeable difference in the students of today from those of 10+ years ago so that we can better understand the obstacles these people are facing.

Years ago, Paige received an invitation and encouragement to run for a seat on the Carolina's Section Board of Governors and is now running for a seat on the National Board. Listen as Paige talks about her hopes, mission and vision for the future of our Association.

There are key people associated with every Section of the PGA. Listen to whom Paige feels can be the most impactful people in improving the lives of PGA Professionals and how we all can begin to work with these people to get to where we want to go.

I was fired. I got divorced. I was convicted. All these outcomes can feel like the end of the road. Paige opens up with us about a pivotal moment in her life and career and how it helped shaped a new path for her and one she is thriving in.

Accountability and taking ownership. It all sounds great on paper until the time comes when we must do it ourselves. Paige and I will talk about times of failure and the most crucial moment that comes directly after it.

Per usual, the game of golf shapes us in ways we don't always recognize in the moment. But later in life when we turn around and look at how far we have come, we can see it more cleary. Today's conversation is one of those moments, as Paige reflects and also looks ahead with great anticipation.

To connect:

Follow on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast

Email: [email protected]

Music Credits:

Opening: 'Coming Home' by Keith Urban

Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector

Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

Have any of you ever had someone ask you for career advice? If so, what advice did you give them? I got a note from a listener a few weeks ago, asking me for some advice. I didn't want to just give the person a quick answer without giving it serious thought. Anyone can tell you not to do drugs. Rather than typing out a long email reply, I asked the listener if he would mind if I dedicated an episode to answering his question and that is what I will attempt to do in our time together today.

Look, I may never get called to give a commencement speech at Harvard, but it doesn't mean I haven't learned a few lessons that I can pass along to each of you. I don't have all the answers. No one does. So, let's figure this all out together. I will do my very best to share some of my discoveries and advice that I give not just to total strangers, but to my one children.

To connect with Chandler:

Follow on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast

Email: [email protected]

Music Credits:

Opening: 'Homegrown' by Zac Brown Band

Have any of you ever felt you had life all figured out? Have you ever felt all your master plans were falling into place and then suddenly had it all fall apart, leaving you feeling hopeless? You can't see it, but my hand is up in the air, the hand of our guest is as well and perhaps so is yours. The reality is life doesn't always go as we plan it, but that doesn't mean things won't turn out better than we ever imagined. It surely has for this week's guest. She is the wonderful, hospitable and very approachable Kristen Lacount, the General Manager at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Ahead in our time with Kristen, we will discuss:

What it was like to grow up as the 4th generation within her family to work at The Country Club and how her upbringing shaped her own dreams and aspirations.

On chasing those dreams, her path seemed so clear. She had it all figured out until her plan vanished seemingly overnight. Listen as Kristen shares the advice she received from her father, advice which would help her discover an entirely new path.

Similar to a our recent guest Jason Prendergast, Kristen had an ah ha moment with a club member. One which allowed her to begin seeing the people at the club in a new way, a way which allowed her to understand how different and unique each person is, a perspective which has served her well ever since.

We will talk about the relationship between a general manager and the golf professional. Kristen will share what she believes is the foundation to a healthy relationship between these two key figure heads at any club and what each of us can do to foster this key relationship at our own clubs.

Employee morale. We know its important, but how much are clubs willing to invest in it. I got to see a unique behind the scenes part of the Country Club during a recent visit. Kristen will talk about how it all came to be and why it matters so much to their everyday operation.

Finally, among the many things we talk about, we take a step off the property at Brookline to talk about how the Club is impacting their surrounding community. It is a shift in perspective, a reminder of just how fortunate so many of us truly are and how showing up for those who need help can make such a world of difference.

To follow or connect with Chandler:

Follow on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast

Email: [email protected]

Music Credits:

Opening: 'Some Of It' by Eric Church

Interlude: Theme Song From 'Cheers'

Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector

Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector