Granite State Golfers

Episode 76: The Dry Golfer

This is a little different from our typical episode. It addresses an important—and sometimes difficult—topic: alcohol, addiction, and sobriety.
My guests are Ben Alexander, the general manager at The Oaks, and Eric Foster. Together, they have launched The Dry Golfer, a community for people who love golf and want to enjoy the game without alcohol.
As you’ll hear, Ben and Eric speak openly about their own experiences, what led each of them to sobriety, and why they decided to start The Dry Golfer. I’m grateful for the honesty, candor, and vulnerability they brought to this conversation.
We also discuss an event they are hosting at The Oaks on July 27. You can learn more about the event, The Dry Golfer community, and how to register at https://thedrygolfer.com/ You can also reach out to Ben at ben@candiaoaks.com and Eric at eric@candiaoaks.com directly if you want to connect with them. 
Thanks for listening! 

Episode 75: Sam Maurice and Gavin Richardson

This episode features Sam Maurice and Gavin Richardson, who are fresh off a win, capturing the 4 ball tournament at Owl’s Nest earlier this month. We talk about their high school careers in New Hampshire and their decision to attend Southern New Hampshire University to play on the golf team there and the success that team has had in recent years. We then dive into the 4 ball tournament - from their blistering open round of 61 to how they found themselves in a playoff near darkness and how they won it on the second playoff hole.
Thanks to The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast. The course is in fantastic condition. The Pavilion and Toptracer Range has also turned into a perfect spot to host an event… fundraising events of all kinds including company parties. If anyone is interested in bringing a group to the course or Pavilion, you can reach out to Ben Alexander, General Manager, at ben@candiaoaks.com 

Episode 74: The New Hampshire Open

This episode focuses on the New Hampshire Open, which takes place this week at Nashua Country Club.
First, I talk with NH Golf tournament director Kinsey Hoffman about the event and some significant changes NH Golf has made this year. Then I’m joined by Lewis Pattullo, the head golf professional at Nashua Country Club, who is both hosting and playing in the tournament. We discuss Lewis’s path in golf, his role at Nashua, and what players can expect from the course this week.
Thanks to my home course, The Oaks, for sponsoring the podcast again this season. The Oaks is partnering with The Dry Golfer community to host Dry Golf Day at The Oaks on July 27. Learn more and register here: https://app.eventcaddy.com/events/dry-golf-day-at-the-oaks

Episode 73: Jay Pollini

In this episode, I talk to Jay Pollini who is currently the head golf instructor at The Oaks. Jay’s father, who spent nearly 40 years as a golf professional, got Jay into the game at a young age. We talk about his high school and collegiate career in golf and then his decision to turn professional. Jay takes us through the different courses he has worked at in New Hampshire and we discuss some recent awards he has won - recognizing him for both his teaching and his playing.  We also discuss his equipment and for the gear heads out there, you will enjoy Jay's thoughts on his shafts. Thanks for listening and thanks to The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast. New music this season; credit to artist lcsilviu under the Pixaby content license agreement. 

Episode 72: Dave Ousterhout

Hi everyone, I hope you are well. The snow has melted and courses are opening - let's go! This episode features Dave Ousterhout, the superintendent at Concord Country Club. We cover a lot of ground - from his early days in the field to his move to being the superintendent at the Mount Washington Course, to his last 10 years at Concord. We discuss turf conditions, green speed and a very interesting dive into how technology is changing the work of superintendents. 
Thanks for listening. 
Thanks to The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast again this season. The Oaks is fully open and in great shape!
New music this season; credit to artist lcsilviu under the Pixaby content license agreement. 

Episode 71: Albie Powers

Happy New Year and welcome to season 5 of the podcast. We kick things off with Albie Powers. Albie was an accomplished youth golfer, helping Keene High School capture 2 titles and he would go on to play D1 golf at Liberty University. We talk about his prodigious length as a kid and his return to golf after he took many years off. We also discuss his course record at Keene Country Club last season and as a pastor, we talk about what overlap there is between his work and playing golf.
Thanks to The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast again this season.
New music this season; credit to artist lcsilviu under the Pixaby content license agreement. 

Episode 70: AJ MacVie

With snow on the ground and as we head into winter, this episode focuses on the history and soul of the game. I talk with fellow NH resident and golf podcaster, AJ MacVie. We dig into hickory golf, golf course architecture, the roots of New England golf and golf in Scotland. And like I try to do with all my guests, we explore the big question - why are so many of us drawn to this game? 
Thank you for listening. And thanks to The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast this season. Song is Good Vibe by Ketsa is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 

Episode 69: Connor Greenleaf

This episode features Connor Greenleaf. Connor won two high school state championships and then won the 2015 State Am while playing on the Boston College golf team. Then, ten years later, Connor won two big events this year - the stroke play championship and the season long match play championship. We talk about all that and more in this episode. Thanks for listening. And thanks to The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast this season - the course is still open and in great shape. Song is Good Vibe by Ketsa is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0