Sticks Podcast

From a Mansion in west Vancouver, the boys sit down with a few of their house guests to talk about the up coming week. the boys dive into the Manitoba Amateur and how they performed on their home course.

Jackie boy claims his first Amateur victory in dramatic fashion, winning in a playoff over the reigning Manitoba Match Play Champion Marco Trstenjak. Join us as we take a deep dive into what it takes to win an amateur golf tournament and what emotions a player faces when he is in contention. The boys also dive into their bachelor party weekend @ Breezy Point Resort in Brainerd, Minnesota! Lastly, the boys touch on the LIV vs PGA Tour debate that seems to be never ending.  

A big week for the game of professional golf, as the rival tours tee off. The boys breakdown the LIV Golf Series opening event, AC's finish at his first career PGA Tour start, the Prairie Scratch Tour's inaugural event, US Open picks and much more! 

The boys are joined for a third time by TaylorMade Sales and Territory Manager Eric Johnson to unveil the 2nd Annual Golf Manitoba Power Rankings, an impromptu 2022 Mundie Putter Power Rankings and talk about the new TaylorMade Stealth line. 

A little different format this week with no Jack, as co-host and VP of the Prairie Scratch Tour Jordy Lutz is joined by Ben Bandura, President of the Prairie Scratch Tour to discuss all things Prairie Scratch Tour; including the backstory, details about the Tour, the 2022 Schedule, future plans and much more!

Big week for Manitoban Aaron Cockerill on the DP World Tour, with yet another top 5 finish in as many weeks! The boys take a deep dive into the ISPS Handa Championship, the Golf Channel fiasco only Canadians (more specifically Manitobans) would understand, AC's season so far and much more!

Another Masters Tournament has come and gone (so sad), and the boys talk about the many story lines of the week, including Scottie Scheffler capturing his first career major title and fourth win in his last six starts, Rory McIlroy's epic Sunday, Tiger Woods and much more. Finally, discussion ensues predicting what the boys would shoot on a tournament-ready Augusta National.

This week the guys talk about the newly announced LIV Golf Tour Schedule, the ongoing Phil Mickelson saga, the Dell Technologies Match Play and much more.

Jordy and Jack are back and discuss the ongoing news in the golf world of the past few weeks, including the Phil Saudi fiasco, a career-best finish for our boy Aaron Cockerill out on the DP World Tour, Tiger (obviously) and much more!

Jordy and Jack are back and have lots to catch up on! The boys talk about the past several weeks on the PGA Tour, including past guest Tom Hoge securing his first PGA Tour victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Super Bowl 56, the Saudi Golf League and much more.

After yet another "hiatus" (for good reason), Jordy and Jack are back! The boys recap the father-son duo of Tiger and Charlie Woods at the PNC, the Hawaii Swing, and much more. The official Prairie Scratch Tour and Golf Manitoba 2022 competitive schedules are also announced. 

Current DP World Tour member and past guest Aaron Cockerill joins the show this week to talk about his 2021 season, the recent South Africa debacle, the Dubai lifestyle and his outlook on his 2022 DP World Tour season.

Upon the conclusion of the Hero World Challenge, the boys recap Viktor Hovland's one stroke victory and Collin Morikawa's surprising Sunday performance, but we all know who stole the show...... Tiger Woods. Let the speculation begin; when will be back? The boys take a deep dive on his swing, his outlook on playing professional golf, and is Sam Snead's or Jack Nicklaus' PGA Tour records still in jeopardy? 

With not much going on in the golf world, the boys share their thoughts on the rather disappointing "The Match" and how the novelty may be starting to wear off, the Bryson and Brooks rivalry, Aaron Cockerill's T12 finish at the shortened Joburg Open, and more details are revealed regarding the potential "Prairie Scratch Tour".   

With the first snow fall in Manitoba finally upon us, the boys caught up with one of the premier superintendents that Manitoba has to offer, Shawn Major. He takes a deep dive into the recent renovations at the Niakwa Country Club, primarily the transition from poa annua to bentgrass greens. The boys reminisce on this past golf season, including the intense maintenance regimen in place at Niakwa, "Maintenance Monday's", Shawn's past experiences being a part of PGA & LPGA Tour event crews and much more.

This week the boys are joined by the self-proclaimed Golf Manitoba "legend" Ben Bandura to talk about his illustrious 26 year amateur golf career. The boys take a deep dive into many things including stuffing hybrids, competitive golf back in the '90's, player development and much more. Finally, a few details are brought up regarding the potential "Manitoba Scratch Tour" for 2022. 

After almost a month off, Jack and Jordy are back and starting a new journey, minus the half stick. The boys discuss the departure of Bort, what it means for the show in the future and much more. Now that the 2021 golf season has officially closed, the boys are just about ready to lose their minds and needed to rant about it. Topics included what's new on Netflix, outlook for the 2022 golf season, golf course etiquette, predictions for the 2021 Golf Manitoba Players of the Year and much more. Finally, the winners of the Ryder Cup giveaway are announced!

With the golf season slowly coming to an end in Manitoba, the boys reflect on the highs and lows of their respective seasons and what they took away from them. Joining us for our 50th episode milestone and also helping wrap up the season, is the winner of the final individual men's amateur event in Manitoba, the 2021 Manitoba Men's Match Play Champion, Lyle MacKenzie! (interview starting at 32:32) We close out by previewing the Ryder Cup commencing this weekend and give insights on what we can likely expect to see at Whistling Straits.

With Jack and Jordy coming off their appearances at the Canadian Men's Mid-Amateur Championship in Fort McMurray, Alberta, we are joined by champion and mental coach Charles Fitzsimmons! Having a doctorate in sports psychology, Charles takes us through his approach to golf and the tactics he employs to stay cool in high pressure situations and play his best in tournaments whether it be in his club championship or national events. He also provides tips on how you can rethink your approach to golf and exercises you can employ to have a better mindset and play your best (interview starting at 39:30).

Host of the John Racciatti Golf Show on WNSP Sports Radio 105.5 FM, JR joins us for the first time in studio post Elmhurst Club Championship weekend to talk about Vineyard Vines and chatting with Jim Nantz at the PGA Merchandise Show, the future of golf placing a heavy emphasis on putting, the debate if an Olympic gold medalist in golf would trade in their medal for a major, the Ryder Cup and if Phil will crack the United States lineup. The winner of the Elmhurst Club Championship, Ryan McMillan, also joins the discussion.

Xander Schauffele becomes the second gold medal winner by one shot over Rory Sabbatini since golf's return to the Olympics in 2016. We discuss where winning a gold medal in golf ranks among other golf achievements, and if there should be other formats the Olympics should introduce. Finally Wil Bateman of Edmonton joins us to talk about his last season on the Outlaw Tour being the leading money winner, competing on the Forme Tour this summer, what separates a scratch-or-better player from a tour pro, and the time he played against Jordan Spieth in the US Junior (interview starting at 38:58).

After an extensive winning drought, Elmhurst's Mundie Putter team finally captured the Bannatyne Cup for the first time since 2008 by defeating Niakwa at Breezy Bend Country Club this past weekend. The players in Elmhurst's finals lineup included Jeff Bleue, Nathan Wazney, Ben Bandura, Wesley Hoydalo, Jordy Lutz, Jack Werhun, Scott Mazur, and Ryan McMillan.

After a busy couple of weeks with the Manitoba Mid-Amateur at Niakwa Country Club and then the Amateur at Neepawa Golf & Country Club taking place the very next week, we are back and joined by this year's Manitoba Amateur and Junior Champion, Braxton Kuntz (interview starting at 49:18). Braxton talks about his week and what led to his success in Neepawa finishing the event at -16, one over Breezy Bend clubmate, Ryan Sholdice. The sticks also recap their own showings at the Manitoba Mid-Am and Amateur including Bort's dramatic conclusion to his tournament.

With the Manitoba Men's Mid-Amateur and Women's Amateur kicking off this weekend at Niakwa Country Club, Niakwa's Head Golf Professional Terry Reilly joins us to preview the events including the course set up, the keys to scoring well, and who's likely to be in the mix come Sunday (interview starting at 46:05).

After multiple delays, the Golf Manitoba competitive season officially kicked off this past weekend with the qualifier for the Manitoba Men's Mid-Amateur where 108 players competed for 58 available spots. Also taking place were the Women's City & District Championship and the Bantam Championship, all contested at Transcona Golf Club. Harris English and Kramer Hickok duked it out in the second longest playoff in PGA Tour history at the Travelers Championship, Nelly Korda captured her first LPGA major title at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, Steve Stricker took home the Senior Players Championship at Firestone in convincing fashion, and the inaugural event of the Forme Tour wrapped up on Saturday in Georgia.

After getting robbed of a likely victory at the Memorial, Jon Rahm got his redemption by capturing his first major at the 2021 US Open at Torrey Pines, the same venue where he captured his 1st PGA Tour victory in 2017. Restrictions loosen in Manitoba to where golfers can finally play with people from outside their households, Jack and Bort get ready for the Manitoba Mid-Amateur qualifier as Golf Manitoba's season finally kicks off, past guest Brendan MacDougall finishes runner-up at the Glencoe Invitational, and Jack sets a new career-low round!

Coming off their runner-up finish at the US Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Chambers Bay, the Canadian duo of Sam Meek and Brendan MacDougall from the University of Nevada join us to talk about their experiences qualifying for, competing in the event, and their plans for the future (interview starting at 36:40). Stephen Ames and Mike Weir finish 1-2 at the Champions Tour's Principal Charity Classic, Stuart Macdonald cards his career best finish at last week's KFT event, and Jon Rahm is forced to WD from the Memorial after testing positive for Covid-19 while having a 6 shot lead heading into the final round.

After a Sunday for the ages where we first witnessed the Winnipeg Jets come back from a 4-1 deficit against the Oilers to win game 3 in their playoff series, Phil Mickelson became the oldest major winner in PGA Tour history at the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island's Ocean Course. TSN golf reporter and analyst Bob Weeks joins us to breakdown this historic win by Phil, Corey Conners' week and the current status of his game, and talk regarding Jack's favourite show, TSN's "OverDrive".

Coming off his recent win at Quail Hollow and 8 shot victory at the 2012 PGA Championship when it was contested at Kiawah Island's Ocean Course, Rory looks to repeat at the same venue at this year's PGA. We get the bad news that competitive golf and organized club events have been moved or postponed in Manitoba (including the recently discussed Mundie Putter League), and Bort finds himself a new flat stick that has aided in some respectable scores over the last week.

2019 Manitoba Golfer of the Year and short game wizard Colwyn Abgrall joins us to talk about making it to the Manitoba Match Play finals 4 years in a row, competing in the US Amateur, his current gig at Golftec, and much more (interview starting at 39:30).

Coming back after a week off we saw Brooke Henderson capture her 10th LPGA Tour victory and Mike Weir get his breakthrough win on the Champions Tour. 2018 Manitoba Golfer of the Year and Breezy Bend Country Club member Justin McDonald joins us to talk about the upcoming Mundie Putter season, why his team has had so much success over the last decade, and who to look out for this year.

Team Canada Young Pro Squad member and the latest winner on the Outlaw Tour, Jared du Toit joins us to talk about this past season competing on various tours, including Monday Q'ing into this year's Farmers Insurance Open, his top 10 finish at the RBC Canadian Open in 2016, and his tenure on the golf team at Arizona State University with Jon Rahm and coach Tim Mickelson. Stewart Cink joins Bryson DeChambeau as the only two players with multiple wins this season with his wire-to-wire victory at the RBC Heritage, and Lydia Ko finds herself back in the winner's circle with a 7 shot victory at the Lotte Championship, having only made a single bogey in her last 100 holes.

A quick turnaround and 10 shot difference from last year's Masters, Hideki Matsuyama became Japan's first major winner after not winning on tour since 2017. Everybody finally knows who Will Zalatoris is after his runner up finish in his Masters debut, and we are joined by Stew Bannatyne of Modern Golf to breakdown The Masters and the importance of getting fit for clubs with the Canadian golf season upon us.

Heading into Masters Week, Jordan Spieth finally ended his nearly 4 year win drought in his home state at the Valero Texas Open. LPGA Tour rookie Patty Tavatanakit took down the tour's first major of the season at the ANA Inspiration with Lydia Ko making a charge on Sunday, and Stephan Jaeger punches his ticket back to the PGA Tour after his win at the Emerald Coast Classic. Finally, we rant on Manitoba's current public health orders that bans all liquor consumption on golf courses.

Since the debut of the show, Adam Svensson becomes the first Canuck to win on a professional tour at the Club Car Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour. Billy Horschel was the last man standing at the Dell Technologies Match Play to earn his first WGC title, Joel Dahmen captured his first PGA Tour event and first professional win since the Mackenzie Tour in 2014, and a plethora of solid finishes by Canadians kept us on our feet all weekend.

A quick turnaround from playing in the first week of November, Manitobans were back out playing this past week with the boys getting out to play at Southside and John Blumberg. Matt Jones ended his 7 year win drought with a 5 shot victory at The Honda Classic, and a solid week for Canadian golf with Adam Hadwin and Adam Svensson snagging top 10s at The Honda Classic and Chitimacha Louisiana Open, respectively. Finally, Aaron Cockerill made his first cut of the season on the European Tour over at the Magical Kenya Open with 3 closing 69s.

After a tough start to 2021, Justin Thomas found himself back in the winner's circle at The Players after a record-tying weekend score of 132. We are also joined by 2021 Team Canada Young Pro Squad member and the current 2nd ranked player on the Korn Ferry Tour's point list, Taylor Pendrith, to talk about his stellar year on the KFT in the first half of its super season and his schedule coming up following the break. Finally, we close out by announcing the winner of our biggest giveaway to date courtesy of TaylorMade Canada.

Bryson DeChambeau exhibits his brute strength at Arnie's place to take home the Arnold Palmer Invitational with Corey Conners earning a solo 3rd finish after being in the mix all week. Bort talks about getting a tune up by Derrik Goodwin and Colwyn Abgrall just weeks away from the start of the Manitoba golf season, and the boys make their picks as they get ready for THE PLAYERS Championship.

With many players sporting Tiger red and black on Sunday at the WGC-Workday Championship in honor of The Big Cat, Collin Morikawa fended off the stacked field to capture his 4th PGA Tour victory and first since last year's PGA Championship. Mike Weir carded his second solo second finish this season on the Champions Tour at the Cologuard Classic, Branden Grace finished -3 in his final two holes at the Puerto Rico Open to nip Jhonattan Vegas by one, and Annika Sorenstam made the cut in her return to the LPGA while the Korda sisters went back-to-back.

Host of the John Racciatti Golf Show on WNSP Sports Radio 105.5FM in Mobile, Alabama, JR himself joins us to talk about Tiger's rollover accident this past week and updates regarding his condition and what the future holds for The Big Cat.

After failing to seal the deal on the 72nd hole at the Genesis Invitational, Max Homa recouped and outlasted Tony Finau in a playoff to capture his 2nd PGA Tour victory on home turf. Monday Q'er Albin Choi held the solo lead the first day at the return of the Korn Ferry Tour at the LECOM Suncoast Classic and finished the week as top Canuck after being away from competitive golf for 18 months, and PGA Tour winner Charlie Beljan took home the Outlaw Tour's 3rd major of the season at The Stableford at the Arizona Golf Resort.

Longtime PGA Tour caddie and current caddie of Webb Simpson, Paul Tesori, joins us to talks about his relationship with Webb, winning a National Championship at the University of Florida, getting his caddying start with Vijay Singh, and how the inclusion of distance measuring devices at PGA of America events are going to impact his profession (interview starting at 43:48). Daniel Berger gets his redemption on 18 at Pebble Beach to capture his first win since the PGA Tour restart at the AT&T Pro-Am with Jordan Spieth heading into Sunday with a two-stroke lead, and we get prepared for the restart of the Korn Ferry Tour and Annika Sorenstam making her return back to competition.

Brothers and co-founders of the Nova Scotia-based handmade leather headcover and accessory company, Dormie Workshop, Jeff and Todd Bishop join us to talk about the startup and journey that Dormie has gone through to get where it is today. From travelling to tradeshows across North America in a van to making headcovers for some of the biggest names and brands in golf, Dormie is moving some serious leather.

Coming back from injuries and missing his last 3 cuts in a row, Brooks Koepka found his way back in the winner's circle at the Waste Management Phoenix Open after a stunning finish that included chipping in for eagle on 17 on Sunday. Dustin Johnson outlasted the stacked field at the Saudi International on the European Tour, and Robert Garrigus and Jimmy Gunn teamed up to take down the Pard'ner Shootout #3 on the Outlaw Tour. Finally we preview Golf Manitoba's 2021 season with the release of their full schedule and venues.

Past guest Eric Johnson of TaylorMade Canada rejoins us to chat about the upcoming SIM2 launch coming later this month and the new advancements being made to this year's lineup. 7 Canucks make it to the Farmers Insurance Open including Monday Qualifier Jared du Toit, but Patrick Reed captures his 9th PGA Tour victory in controversial fashion. Paul Casey finishes off the European Tour's Dubai swing on top at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, and finally we cap off this week's episode with the much anticipated Golf Manitoba Power Rankings for the 2021 season (segment starting at 75:15).

With golf back in the swing of things, Si Woo Kim held off Patrick Cantlay's 20 birdies on the weekend at The American Express to capture his 3rd PGA Tour victory, Jessica Korda followed up her -11 60 with a 66 on Sunday at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions to still having to defeat Danielle Kang in a playoff, and Darren Clarke capturing his 2nd Champions Tour title at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship. Finally, Canadian Wil Bateman captured his first Outlaw Tour victory at their second major and biggest purse of the season at The McCormick Open.

Former number one amateur in Ontario and Big Break Indian Wells Champion, David Byrne, joins us to talk about his experience competing on the Big Break back in 2011, his exemption into the Zurich Classic as a result of winning the show, his recent experiences competing in the Canada Life Series with past guests Travis Fredborg and Devon Schade, and what his plans are for the upcoming season.

The PGA Tour's Hawaii Swing starts with Harris English notching Joaquin Niemann in a playoff at the Sentry Tournament of Champions to capture his first solo victory since 2013, and ends with Kevin Na firing a weekend score of 126 at the Sony Open to capture his 4th PGA Tour victory in the last 3 years. We also drop some hints regarding our next big guest coming later this week.

We kick off 2021 with Manitoba legend Rob McMillan as we talk about his junior days growing up with his two older brothers, his jaw-dropping amateur career, his battles with Tiger Woods in college, and finally his transition into professional status and post competitive playing days working as a sales representative for Nike Golf Canada and Acushnet Canada.

University of Arizona alumni and Selkirk, Manitoba's own Travis Fredborg joins us after coming off his appearance at the Outlaw Tour's Pard'ner Shootout #2 Team Event held at Arrowhead Country Club. He talks about his transition from collegiate to professional golf, who's had the biggest influences on his game over the years, and his countless stories including meeting and getting his picture taken with Tiger Woods (interview starting at 15:55). Being away last week we also touch on the PNC Championship where Charlie Woods partnered up alongside his dad at Grande Lakes in Orlando.

The season-long race for the Race to Dubai ends in a nail-biter finish with Lee Westwood capturing his third title at the age of 47 with his solo second finish at the DP World Tour Championship only behind Matthew Fitzpatrick. Fargo native Amy Olson falls just short of A Lim Kim and her stellar finish at the US Women's Open, and the team of Matt Kuchar and Harris English level the field by setting a new record at the QBE Shootout.