With the Open Championship returning to Royal Liverpool, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to reshare the amazing history of John Ball, Junior. Ball was the first amateur in history to win a professional major and he was the most prolific winner of the Amateur Majors in golf history. This is the story of Hoylake's original hero - the man that helped bring the Open to Royal Liverpool - the golfer who became the first Englishman to win the Open. The underrated, John Ball, Junior.
Jun 24, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Season 5Ep. 105
Episode #104 welcomes back the USGA, with USGA Golf Historian, Katie Boyce who joins the show to discuss the History of LACC, the history of golf in Los Angeles and the USGA in California. We hope you enjoy this wonderful pre-US Open podcast!
Jun 04, 2023•49 min•Season 5Ep. 104
In episode #103 we kickoff where we left off in episode #102 - we make the turn to discuss Andrew Green's transformational restoration of Oak Hill's back nine and mix in some history you might not get anywhere else.
May 07, 2023•55 min•Season 5Ep. 103
We are joined by renowned golf course architect, Andrew Green to discuss the history and restoration of the Donald Ross classic, Oak Hill's East Course which will be the host of the 2023 PGA Championship. On this podcast we dive into the front nine - how they changed over the years, how Andrew and his team restored them and then we sprinkle in a little bit of history behind each golf hole for measure.
Apr 25, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 102
TalkinGolf History Episode 101 dives into the rich history of the events that transpired before Bobby Jones purchased the land that Augusta National sits on today. We are joined by golf historian, Greg Lamb who shares the property's unique history - from the Native Americans who lived on the land, to the land owners who tried to make a business out of it, to the public golf resort that nealry happened here, to a retired golfer looking to design his first golf course.
Apr 01, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 5Ep. 101
Its been 5 years in the making...our 100th Episode! Today we dive into the History and Restoration of Belleair CC, which happens to be my home club. Belleair has not only a fascinating golf history, but has just been restored to one of the best Donald Ross' courses in the United States. Our panel for this show includes: Myself, Connor T. Lewis, the Founder of the Society of Golf Historians Vaughn Halyard, the MC for this show, my producer and Board Member of the Society of Golf Historians Hal Bo...
Feb 27, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 5Ep. 100
Only one episode from our 100th show! And #99 is a doozy! Vaughn Halyard and I welcome the President of the Donald Ross Society, Brad Becken to talk about his new book, "The Golf Course Architecture of Donald Ross" which is now available for purchase at www.ClassicsofGolf.com. I promise there is something for everyone on this show- I learned a lot and I hope you do too! We filmed and recorded this show on location at Belleair Country Club.
Feb 06, 2023•58 min•Season 5Ep. 99
In Episode 98, golf historian Dave Moore joins the show to share the tragic story of US Amateur Champion, Eben Beyer who conquered the game of golf but was struck down in his youth by radium poisoning. It goes down in golf history as one of golf's saddest stories.
Jan 18, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 5Ep. 98
What better way to kick off season 5 of the TalkinGolf History Podcast than with an unplanned podcast with my dear friend Vaughn Halyard. We had just concluded our round on the newly restored Belleair CC and Vaughn wanted to to go public with his thoughts. What follows is a funny podcast where Vaughn and I talk about Donald Ross' Belleair CC, our travels across the country sharing golf history through storytelling and where this podcast should go in 2023.
Jan 06, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 5Ep. 97
This episode concludes our three part series on the History of AW Tillinghast. We kick off Part 3 with golf historian, author and Tillinghast expert, Phil Young as we enter into the Great Depression, Tillinghast's bankruptcy and his much maligned work with the PGA of America. We end with a high note as I ask Phil: "What three courses would one have to play to best understand the genius of AW Tillinghast?" His answer may surprise you. This is the last episode of Season 4 - thank you for listening...
Dec 22, 2022•49 min•Season 4Ep. 96
Golf Historian, author and AW Tillinghast expert, Phil Young joins us on the show for Part 2 of the History of AW Tillinghast. In this episode we dive into some of Tilly's most famous designs, as we ponder the question of Tilly's genius and whether it was divine genius - ie... did he just inherently understand strategic golf design or did his architecture evolve? Stick around for the end of the show where Phil riffs on 6 of Tilly's great designs.
Dec 07, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 95
This is Part 1 of a series of podcasts dedicated to the History of AW Tillinghast. In our first installment we dive into Tilly's early years, his golf career, we explore a theory that he might have been bi-polar and end this first show his break out golf design that helped catapult his career. We are joined by Tillinghast historian and author, Phil Young.
Nov 21, 2022•54 min•Season 4Ep. 94
In our second episode of "A Golf Historian's Scavenger Hunt we explore the course that changed golf in America and the ruins of America's Home of Golf, then we dive into the most famous golf match perhaps in golf history and then end with the location of a match that may have determined where golf was born! A great show made even better by the music that matches the eras: Story #1: Scott Joplin playing Pineapple Rag in 1908 Story #2: Theme song to the movie, Caddyshack, "I'm Alright" by Kenny Lo...
Oct 31, 2022•14 min•Season 4Ep. 93
Ralph Guldahl for a period of 4 to 5 years was the greatest golfer on the planet - even outshining his more famous peers Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson. Today on the podcast, with an assist from Warren Rogan, host of Sports Forgotten Heroes and his guest, Dr Tony Parker we share the story of the forgotten great...Ralph Guldahl. If you like this story and just love sports, Warren Rogan's show, Sports Forgotten Heroes may be the show for you. Check it out and thank me later.
Oct 17, 2022•57 min•Season 4Ep. 92
For episode #91 we welcome back golf course architect, Rob Collins to share the story of his latest creation, Landmand. You are about to get an insiders glimpse into how every hole at Landmand took shape. This pod will be a classic - and I truly believe Landmand will become a legend. A special thanks to my production partner: Story Lounge Film Company.
Sep 26, 2022•1 hr 27 min•Season 4Ep. 91
On Episode 90 we interview half of the dynamic duo that make up King Collins Golf Design, Rob Collins. On this two part podcast we dive into Rob's personal golf history, the incredible history behind King Collins' first design, Sweetens Cove and finally a teaser of Episode #91 the birth of Landmand. This podcast was made with Story Lounge Film Company.
Sep 14, 2022•57 min•Season 4Ep. 90
Golf Historian and author, Stephen Proctor joins us again to recount his sabbatical to play the Old Tom Morris Trail in Scotland. Proctor played 18 courses that Old Tom Morris designed or renovated and he joins the podcast to share his insights into the design mind of Old Tom Morris and the trip of a lifetime.
Aug 29, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Season 4Ep. 89
John Barba of MyGolfSpy joins us for the exciting conclusion of the Rise & Demise of MacGregor Golf. The company has started its death spiral, but there is a ray of hope on the horizon. How does a golf course design deal help bring an end to MacGregor? Listen to find out...
Aug 10, 2022•56 min•Season 4Ep. 88
Once again we are joined by John Barba of MyGolfSpy fame to help us tell the amazing story of MacGregor Golf - a company that had the opportunity to be the greatest golf equipment company of all-time and yet met with the demise of so many other great companies that showed promise. This show will be aired in two parts.
Jul 30, 2022•45 min•Season 4Ep. 87
The final half of my interview with St Andrews Golf Historian, Roger McStravick as we complete our two hour walk through the cobblestone streets of St Andrews.
Jul 11, 2022•58 min•Season 4Ep. 86
We welcome back St Andrews Golf Historian, Roger McStravick to TalkinGolf History to give our listeners a walking tour of the Auld Grey Toon that will be hosting the 150th playing of the Open Championship. A very special thanks to Monty Python and the Holy Grail for adding some much needed humor to the podcast.
Jun 27, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 85
I had planned an amazing podcast from the archives of the US Open and the era of the Great Transition, but unfortunately I just didnt have the time to deliver the story the way it needed to be told. Instead, for the first time in show history, I am re-airing a show from our first season: The Champion Who Lost His Lind - the amazing and tragic story of two time US Open Champion, Johnny McDermott. This was the first ever storyline podcast in golf podcast history and while the production quality is...
Jun 14, 2022•44 min•Season 4Ep. 84
This is the story of how the PGA of America's Caucasian Clause came to be and how it was banished in 1961, and how three men fought back against professional sports only racist bylaw. This podcast tells the stories of triumph and misery which take place from 1896 to 1962. A special thanks to our musicians Matty Cupelli - "Touch" Music Fellows - "Dream" MRTN - "Searching" MRTN - "Fragile" Three amazing artists and four amazing songs which help us tell this story.
May 16, 2022•27 min•Season 4Ep. 83
A fabulous interview with the man St Andrews' Golf Historian, Roger McStravick once called, "the Bernard Darwin of our times," My friend, golf historian and author, Stephen Proctor joins the show to talk about his new book, "The Long and Golden Afternoon," how the book connects his previous book, "Monarch of the Green" and in the process he shares his own golf history and a preview of his upcoming sabbatical walking in the footsteps of Old Tom Morris.
May 09, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Season 4Ep. 82
I am joined by authors, historians and golf course architecture enthusiasts, Mike Cirba and Dr. Joseph Bausch to discuss the amazing history and the future restoration of Philadelphia’s first public golf course, Cobbs Creek.
Apr 21, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Season 4Ep. 81
TalkinGolf History proudly presents Episode #80: The Champion Without a Major, which tells the story of Sam Byrd - a man who once won a World Series with Babe Ruth, a man Bobby Jones once called the "greatest driver of the golf ball he ever saw" and the only man to ever play in both the World Series and the Masters. If that isnt good enough for you - listen in and hear the amazing story of how Babe Ruth contributed to modern day golf instruction!!! An amazing episode with returning guest, John F...
Mar 31, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 80
The first and hopefully not the last of a series we call, "A Golf Historian's Scavenger Hunt," where your host Connor T. Lewis will discuss historical artifacts from all over the world - share their story and how hard it would be for you to view that item. This episode will take you to Chicago Golf Club, Oakmont CC and Seminole Golf Club for a show that we think will be unlike any other. Come for the history and stay for the great stories. An insiders look into strange artifacts and how they sha...
Mar 12, 2022•19 min•Season 4Ep. 79
Another great episode from our series on the birth and death of great golf companies. We welcome back John Barba of MyGolfSpy to the show to tell the unbelievable story of Penfold Golf - the company that wouldn't die...until it did. If you are a fan of James Bond, you may remember that James Bond played a Penfold Hearts Golf Ball.
Feb 28, 2022•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 78
After a year in the works the TalkinGolf History Podcast is proud to release, "A Golf Historian's Guide to Pinehurst" an in depth and intimate look at Pinehurst through the eyes of one of its historians. Pinehurst is called America's Home of Golf - listen in and learn how it earned that moniker. A special thanks to our guest, Chris Buie, the Pinehurst Resort and the Tufts Archives for hosting us. If you have the opportunity please consider donating to the Tufts Archives.
Jan 24, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Season 4Ep. 77
How is it possible that we are starting SEASON 4??? A wonderful interview with the wonderful man, Al Geiberger, the first man in the history of golf to break golf's version of the 4 minute mile...breaking 60! We dive into how Mr. Geiberger entered the game, his early amateur days, his stories from the tour which include Ben Hogan and Sam Snead, his PGA Championship, his Players Championship and of course a run down of his 59 and how he kept himself in the zone. We would like to take a moment to ...
Jan 09, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Season 4Ep. 76
