Michael Collins: Golf’s Newest Media Star
Comic to caddie to covering golf for radio, TV, and online, Michael Collins is the game’s newest media star Sam MacNaughton, the agent for Rickie Fowler among others, has been known to greet Michael Collins with a friendly, “What’s up, Dream?” It’s an abbreviation of the nickname he coined for Collins—“The American Dream”—a one-of-a-kind character […]
George Gankas: Challenging the Myths of Golf Instruction
The driving range at Westlake Golf Course outside Los Angeles isn’t where you’d expect to find golf’s hottest swing instructor. Artificial-turf mats and striped range balls greet golfers, not plush grass and Pro V1s. Numbered signs serve as targets and golfers come dressed in everything from jeans and sneakers to swimsuits and flip-flops. Tucking your […]
Characters: Justin Ray – The Answer Man
As Adam Hadwin picked apart Colonial Country Club—hitting its first 13 fairways in regulation during the second round of the 2015 Crowne Plaza Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas—Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee wondered when was the last time anyone had hit every fairway and every green on the course known as “Hogan’s Alley.” But Chamblee […]
Wilma Erskine: The Woman that Brought the Open Back to Portrush
Wilma Erskine, Secretary at Royal Portrush for the past 35 years, helped the club go from run-down to Open Championship ready At the PGA Merchandise Show in January, Sam Baker smiled from his booth as Wilma Erskine posed for photos nearby with a replica of the Claret Jug. Baker, who founded Haversham & Baker Golfing […]
Mr. Pro-Am: Barry Hyde
It was only fitting that at the Wyndham Championship last August—which marked his 300th PGA Tour/Champions Tour pro-am—Barry Hyde’s team won. His first pro-am was with another colorful character, Ken Green, and along the way he’s won with the likes of Vijay Singh, Gene Littler, and, the latest, Hudson Swafford. Hyde, 53, is known for […]
Characters: Golf Telecast Spotter Greg Parker
Greg Parker has walked more final rounds in the final group at PGA Tour events than Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Ernie Els combined. You may have noticed Parker in the background on your TV screen with his shock of blond hair, shades, and a look more suited to surfing. Who is this golf-junkie mainstay […]
Q&A with Mark King on Honma Golf, TaylorMade’s Shortcomings, and More
Through relentless innovation and unrelenting product launches, Mark King guided TaylorMade-adidasGolf to more than 50 percent market share in the metalwoods category and $1.7 billion in annual sales in 2013. It was a remarkable run, but one that ultimately couldn’t last as customers grew confused by the rapid driver launches and left the market flooded […]
Ed Errasti on the Secret to Longevity
98-Year-Old Hole Shot
