Sports Innerview with Ann Liguori

Ann visits with Nicholas Callaway, co-editor and co-publisher of 'The Unconquerable Game: Ely Callaway on the Game of Golf, Business, and Life,' about Nicholas' Dad, Ely, the Founder of Callaway Golf, how the Big Bertha driver revolutionized the golf biz, and business wisdom from Ely, who ran several companies before founding Callaway Golf in his 60's.  

Ann visits with Links Magazine Editor George Peper about the LINKS Top 100 golf courses in the world, as voted on by course atchitects; Nathan Grube, Tournament Dir., Travelers Championship; and Hal Sutton, winner of 14 PGA Tour titles, the 1983 PGA Championship and 2 time Player Championship winner, about a variety of topics including if he feels if money is ruining pro men's golf. 

Ann visits with Links Magazine Editor George Peper about the LINKS Top 100 golf courses in the world, as voted on by course atchitects; Nathan Grube, Tournament Dir., Travelers Championship; and Hal Sutton, winner of 14 PGA Tour titles, the 1983 PGA Championship and 2 time Player Championship winner, about a variety of topics including if he feels if money is ruining pro men's golf. 

Ann and Gary Player discuss Rory McIlroy's rollercoaster Masters win and Player, 1 of the now 6 male players in the career grand slam club, talks about the impact of Rory's win.  Ann interviews Evin Priest, co-author with Tiger's former caddie Steve Williams, their new book, 'Together We Roared.' 

Ann asks golf legend Gary Player, who has played in over 50 Masters, to share his insight on the mental strength, nerves control, and resilience it took Rory McIlroy to finally win his first Masters title, and capture the Career Grand Slam. 

Ann talks with Evin Priest, co-author with Steve Williams, Tiger's former caddie, 'Together We Roared: Alongside Tiger for his Epic Twelve-Year, Thirteen-Majors Run' about their most successful partnership, why they didn't speak to each for  over a decade, how they reconciled, and great anecdotes from their friendship and 13 Major Titles

Joe Highsmith, Masters rookie, shares his joy and strategy about playing in his first Masters. He talks about planning to play a practice round with his good friend, Freddie Couples, who will be playing in his 40th Masters, and how Augusta National sets up for his game as a left hander.

36-year-old Rafael Campos of Puerto Rico shares his excitement on playing in his first Masters, how he has approached his preparation for Augusta National, how winning the Bermuda Championship changed his life, and playing for a bigger purpose.

Ann visits with Alison Metcalfe of Tourism Ireland and they discuss Ireland and Northern Ireland being a popular golf destination for men, women, and families. And Lynn McCool, General Manager, Donegal Golf Club in western Ireland, talks about the beauty of the course and all that the County of Donegal has to offer.

Ann visits with Bobby Barnes, interim General Manager at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida, home of the Valspar Championship, as they talk about the Copperhead Course, in great shape year-round, the Valspar PGA Tour event there every year, and Bobby's journey in the golf industry.

Ann visits with long-time actor and passionate golfer, Alex Hyde White, known for a wide variety of roles throughout his career, including his polo playing role in 'Pretty Woman;' and Ann interviews Jordan Peace of Concert Golf Partners, on CGP's rapid growth of owning and growing private golf properties. 

Lynn McCool, GM, Donegal Golf Club, talks about the special links course in NorthWest Ireland, originally designed by Eddie Hackett, being refurbished by 2014 Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley. Lynn talks about why Donegal Golf Club is so special, other courses to play in the area, its proximity to Royal Portrush, host of the 2025 Open Championship, and her career path in the golf industry.

Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland VP, discusses many of the highlights of golf in Ireland this season, from Royal Portrush hosting the Open Championship July 17-20; the strong Irish talent from Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, and Leona McGuire shining professionally; and the abundance of golf properties, fine accomodations, and delicious culinary the Emerald Isle offers.

Michael Manavian, one of the world's leading instructors using the 3D motion capture software GEARs golf, an authorized instructor of Stack and Tilt, and a guest instructor at Halfmoon Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, talks about the advantages of 3D teaching technology and being inside the ropes at PGA Tour Champion events.

Keith Stein, Dir. of Operations, Rose Hall Golf, Cinnemon Hill and White Witch, talks about the rich and compelling history of the two golf properties in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Kevyn Cunningham, Dir of Golf, Half Moon Resort, a Salamander property, describes the golf property and all the resort has to offer at their slice of paradise in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Ann visits with John Riley, author of 'A Will to Win: Legendary Amateur Bill Hyndman's Story of Perseverance and Trumph' and discusses this most recent book; his previous book on Ed 'Porky' Oliver; 'How He Played the Game: Ed 'Porky' Oliver and Golf's Grestest Generation;' in addition to what made him start a writing career at the age of 70; his thoughts on amateur golf, and much more.

Ann visits with John Riley, author of 'A Will to Win: Legendary Amateur Bill Hyndman's Story of Perseverance and Triumph' and discusses this most recent book; his previous book on Ed 'Porky' Oliver; 'How He Played the Game: Ed 'Porky' Oliver and Golf's Greatest Generation;' in addition to what made him start a writing career at the age of 70; his thoughts on amateur golf, and much more.

Ann visits with Jordan Peace, Sr. VP, Corporate Development, Concert Golf Partners, and they discuss CGP's rapid growth in the last two years, CGP's new golf course acquisitions including the stunning story behind Jasna Polana near Princeton, N.J.; CGP's winning strategy for acquisitions and transferring ownership, and much more.

Ann broadcasts from Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and talks about the resort and golf experience with Kevyn Cunningham, Dir. of Golf, Halfmoon Golf; Keith Stein, Dir. of Operations, Rose Hill (Cinnamon Hill and White Witch Golf); and Michael Manavian, Guest Golf Instructor at Half Moon, Certified Golf Instructor, Stack & Tilt.

Travis Wilson, Head Golf Professional, Balsam Mountain Preserve, in the mountains of western North Carolina, talks about the stunning and unique real estate property's Arnold Palmer design, mountain golf, and tips on hitting off of slopes. 

Ann visits Balsam Mountain Preserve in N.C. and connects with Sean McLaughlin, Dir. of Sales; Travis Wilson, Head Golf Pro; and Lisa Kilby, Equestrian Director, about the exquisite real estate property in the Blue Ridge/Smokey Mountains.

Karen Atkinson, Army Captain Reserve, Grant Recipient &  Board Member, Stand Up and Play Foundation, talks about how she has overcome her disability and how she is helping others do the same by educating adaptive athletes about the opportunities available through Foundations like Stand Up and Play Foundation.

Ann talks about the Stand Up and Play Foundation, a not for profit that makes active standing therapy a reality for individuals with mobility challenges. Karen Atkinson, Army Captain Reserve, Grant Recipient &  Board Member, Stand Up and Play Foundation, and Anthony Netto, S.A. retired military veteran, master golf professional, Founder, StandUpandPlayFoundation.org are guests and talk about how they both have overcome their disability and are helping others do the same.

Ann visits with Hall of Famer Renee Powell, and they discuss how she overcame racism throughout her life, and the work that Clearview Golf Club & the Powell Education Center in Canton, Ohio, are doing to promote diversity in the game.

Ann talks about the 2024 AIG Women's Open which took place at St. Andrews in Scotland, with Championship Dir. Zoe Ridgway, Martin Dempster, veteran golf writer for The Scotsman, and Hall of Famer Renee Powell, who was named an Honorary Member of the R&A.

Ann talks with veteran golf writer Ron Sirak, winner of the PGA of America Lifetime in Journalism Award, about Lydia Ko's Gold Medal, getting into the LPGA Hall of Fame, the difficulty of getting into the LPGA Hall of Fame, her career, and the success of Olympic Golf with a mixed-gender event on the horizon for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Ann visits with renown actor/excellent golfer Alex Hyde White about his passion for golf, similarities between acting and golfing, working with the likes of Steven Spielberg and Julia Roberts, and working in the Pro Shop of a golf club Bubba Watson owns.

Israel Tennis & Education Centers Foundation, about the great work the Foundation is going in teaching children in Israel tennis and life skills. He also talks about several fundraisers taking place in The Hamptons.

Ann connects with Jack Milko, SB Nation, on his Irish golf experience and his thoughts on Olympic golf format and who he thinks will be named 'Player of the Year.'

Ann visits with Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland, on what Irish golf has to offer, and tips on planning a trip. 

Ann talks with Alison Metcalfe of Tourism Ireland and to SB Nation golf writer Jack Milko about golf in Ireland and how best to plan a trip there. Ann visits with Yani Yair, Exe. VP, Development, for the Israel Tennis & Education Center's Foundation, about the important work of the Foundation, teaching tennis and life skills to children in Israel.

Ann talks with PGA members, top golf instructor Tom Patri; golf gaming expert Keith Stewart; and singer/songwriter Javier Colon, winner of The Voice, Season 1, and passionate golfer.

Ann visits with LPGA Hall of Famer and legend Pat Bradley; Ward Clayton, author of 'The Legendary Caddies of Augusta National,' and Fiona Togher, GM, Carne Golf Club and Gerry MaGuire, Chairman, Carne Golf Club, about the western Ireland gem's incredible journey, through the hardships of Covid, to a thriving international membership.

Max Togisala talks about pursuing competitive golf after a ski accident left him paralyzed, how the VertaCat enhances his game and his health, and his future plans in and outside of adaptive golf tourneys.

Ann visits with Travelers VP Andy Bessette about this week's Travelers Championship, it's elevated 'Signature' status, and the top players who will be competing.

Ann talks with Nathan Grube, Tournament Director, Travelers Championship, about the preparations for the PGA Tour 'Signature Event' and the star players who will be there to compete.

Steve Doudt, an Air Force combat controller, who became paralyzed from the waist down from a motorcycle accident, talks about overcoming the challenges from his accident, the benefits of using the VertaCat, the importance of being able to transfer from a sitting to standing position, and playing in The Cairns Cup, a 'Ryder Cup like' match play event for adaptive golfers.

Ann visits with Michael Whelan, who programmed The Golf Channel in the early days, and who talks about his award-winning TV Sports career, his long-time battle with mental illness l, and his more recent fight against cancer.

Ann visits with Golf Historian Martin Davis about the 2024 inductees into the World Golf Hall of Fame, the Hall of Fame recently moved back to Pinehurst, N.C., and to USGA's Julia Pine about the departments of the USGA who have relocated to Pinehurst.

Ann visits with USGA's Julia Pine on the move of various USGA departments to Pinehurst, the World Golf Hall of Fame's move back to Pinehurst, the toughness of Pinehurst #2, Yuka Sasso's U.S. Women's Open win and more.

Ann visits with Michael Whelan, the programming and production architect of the Golf Channel in the early days of the niche cable network and mental health advocate, as they discuss the beginnings of one of the first niche cable channels, his mental health struggle and his battle against cancer.

Ann visits with Carne Golf Club's Chairman Gerry MaGuire and GM Fiona Togher about Carne's extraordinary dunes links experience in Western Ireland and how they bounced back from Covid depths.

Ann talks with LPGA legend Pat Bradley about her illustrious career, being honored with Beth Daniel at the Cognizant Founders Cup, her thoughts on Nelly Korda's win streak, the fact that she stopped Nancy Lopez's win streak in 1978 and the Mass. Golf House housing her own trophies and memorabilia.

Ann talks with adaptive golfers Steve Doudt, Max Togisala, and Anthony Netto, Co-Founder of the VertaCat, the all-terrain mobility rider that elevates the athlete in a standing position, about adaptive golf in general, and on the VertaCat's many benefits for adaptive golfers and beyond. 

Ann talks with Ward Clayton, author of 'The Legendary Caddies of Augusta National.'

Ann visits with world renown golf instructor David Leadbetter and they discuss GolfZon Range Leadbetter and how golf instruction has changed through the years.

Ann talks about her new book, 'Life on the Green, Lessons and Wisdom from Legends of Golf,' with 1991 Masters Champion and 8-time Ryder Cup competitor Ian Woosnam about the 2024 Masters, about his thoughts on LIV golfers playing in the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage, and being the Global Ambassador for Apes Hill Barbados Resort; Ann also visits with Hall of Famer Joe LaCava as he recalls the nuances of Tiger Wood's comeback Masters win in 2019. 

Ann visits with 1991 Masters Champion Ian Woosnam as they discuss Scottie Scheffler's decisive win at The Masters, his opinion about LIV players qualifying for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black and being a Global Ambassador for Apes Barbados.

Ann Liguori broadcasts from The Masters in the Augusta National Golf Club Media Center, visits with long-time Augusta natives and talk show hosts, Austin Rhodes and John Patrick, about the changes they've seen through the years at The Masters, their favorite Masters moments, and more. Ann plays a portion of an interview she did with Hall of Fame caddie Joe LaCava as they reminesce about Tiger Woods' 2019 comeback to win his 5th Green Jacket. Ann talks about her new book, 'Life on the Green, Lessons and Wisdom from Legends of Golf.'

Ann visits with legendary caddie Joe LaCava, who caddied for Freddie Couples for 20 years, including Freddie's 1992 Masters win, and for Tiger for 12 years, including Tiger's incredible comeback Masters title in 2019. LaCava remembers in detail the nuances of Tiger's win for the ages; what it's been like for him to caddie at The Masters for 25+ years, about reading the greens, interacting with the champions, and on caddying for Patrick Cantlay in the 2024 Masters.