Granite State Golfers

Episode 63: Jojo Hakala

This episode features the return of Josiah Hakala - or Jojo as people call him. At age 18, he just captured the state am on Saturday at Rochester Country Club. I talked to Jojo last summer so if you want to hear his full golf story, check out episode 45. In this episode, we dig into the state am from his strong play in the stroke play rounds to his march through match play. We talk about the final round and Jojo shares some insights on key moments in the finals. With this win, Jojo now gets to play in the US Amateur next month in California. We talk about that and some other tournaments he has coming up.
Thanks for listening. And thanks to my home course The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast.
Song is Good Vibe by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Episode 62: Brett Wilson

This episode features Brett Wilson who is fresh off of a win, capturing his sixth Seacoast Am title. Brett grew up in Dover and went on to UNH where he played for the club golf team. We discuss his two NH Mid Am wins, the challenge of the state am and why the Seacoast Am has special meaning for him. Thanks for listening. And thanks to my home course The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast.
Song is Good Vibe by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
 

Episode 61: Jesse Smith

This episode features Jesse Smith. Jesse grew up in Barrington and would go on to play professional golf on some mini tours and the Canadian tour. We discuss his early years chipping and putting at Rochester as a kid, to his collegiate playing days at Colgate to his experience playing in the 2013 US Open at Merion. Jesse also talks about some tragedies he has faced, including the passing of his father when he was in high school and how that experience has shaped him. I really enjoyed talking to Jesse and listening to his perspective on the ups and downs of the game and what golf can teach us about who we are on and off the course. Thanks for listening and sharing the show with your friends. 
Song is Good Vibe by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Episode 60: Jake Nutter and Demetri Stamoulis

This episode features Jake Nutter and Demetri Stamoulis who recently won the 36 hole 4ball event at Owl's Nest - always one of the fun events of the year where teams go low. I talk with them about their respective golf backgrounds from high school through college and then we get into the tournament. They share stories of the chip-ins for birdie and the hot putter that propelled them into an early lead after the morning 18 holes. Thanks to The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast this season. And thanks for  listening! 
Song is Good Vibe by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Episode 59: Cam Salo

This episode features Cam Salo who is fresh off his first individual NH Golf victory at Baker Hill. We talk about the tournament and some of the key shots he hit coming down the stretch. Cam walks us through his bag and what he is hitting this year and we also talk about his tournament schedule for the rest of the season. As always, thanks for listening.
Thanks to The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast this season. The course is in great shape with the greens rolling at 11 on the stimp.
Song is Good Vibe by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Episode 58: Matt Schmidt

This episode features Matt Schmidt, the Executive Director of the NH Golf Association. We talk about their recent brand launch and refresh and their efforts to reach more golfers in New Hampshire and the different ways people are engaging with golf. We also talk about some of the new events they are hosting. 
Thanks for listening and sharing this with your friends. And thanks to The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast this season. The course is in great shape and the Pavilion will start having extended hours soon.
Song is Good Vibe by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Episode 57: Kat Bordeau

This episode Kat Bordeau who has earned the NHGA's Player of the Year for the past three seasons - a remarkable stretch of consistent "boring golf" as Kat shares. (I am a big fan of boring golf - fairways and greens.) She talks about her NH Mid Am win and we also discuss her love of fairway woods (and polar bear head covers). She also shares some thoughts on how women's golf has changed over the years in NH. 
As always thanks for listening. 
Thank you to The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast. The course is in great shape.
Song is Good Vibe by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Episode 56: Will McLaughlin

This episode features Will McLaughlin. Will is a great golfer and a great story teller - I had a lot of fun talking with him. We cover his early years in golf and he shares a great story about shooting the course record at Concord Country Club two years ago. He also shares some great stories about playing with Xander Schauffele at the US Amateur. I really enjoyed hearing Will's perspective on golf and his approach to the mental side of the game - something I think a lot of golfers can benefit from.
Thanks to my home course The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast this season. The course is fully open and in great shape - I got out there last week.
Song is Good Vibe by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0