Episode 2: PGA Championship
In Episode 2 of Tee’d Off, Ben and Aaron preview the PGA Championship, LIV Golf, and talk Myrtle Beach golf with Steve Shaffer from Aberdeen Country Club!
The hosts discuss the upcoming PGA Championship, sharing their favorite picks to win, including Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay, and Viktor Hovland. They also mention sleeper picks like Cameron Champ and Shane Lowry. They analyze Phil Mickelson’s decision not to play, speculating that it may be due to the PGA Tour’s efforts to protect the integrity of the tournament amidst the LIV Golf controversy.
The hosts delve into the ongoing controversy surrounding the LIV Golf tour, a rival league attempting to lure PGA Tour players with lucrative offers. They discuss the PGA Tour’s stance on not allowing releases for players to participate in LIV events and the potential implications for players like Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood, who have expressed interest in joining LIV. They also analyze Phil Mickelson’s situation and the negative impact the LIV Golf saga has had on his image and endorsements.
Steve Shafer, the head pro at Aberdeen Country Club in Myrtle Beach, joins the podcast as a special guest. He shares his journey into golf, how he ended up in Myrtle Beach, and his experiences at Aberdeen. Steve highlights Aberdeen’s course characteristics, emphasizing its playability and fair challenge for golfers of all levels. He also discusses the various packages and amenities offered at Aberdeen, including the Founders Group Rewards Package and the newly renovated clubhouse facilities.
The hosts discuss the booming spring golf season in Myrtle Beach, with excellent weather and course conditions drawing numerous golfers to the area. They highlight the importance of early bookings for the upcoming fall and next spring seasons, as tee times are filling up quickly. Additionally, they address the growing trend of summer golf, particularly with families, and the need to plan ahead for tee times during the summer months. The hosts also recommend Malibu Pointe as a popular accommodation choice for golf packages, offering luxurious condos with ocean views and proximity to golf courses.
In a lighthearted segment, the hosts and Steve Shafer share personal experiences or situations in golf that ‘tee them off.’ Steve mentions groups taking too long to clear the green and write down scores, holding up play behind them. Aaron discusses groups declining to play through but then hitting into his group. Ben expresses frustration with GPS systems on golf carts that can lock up unexpectedly or provide inaccurate pace-of-play information.