Donald J. Ross designed golf courses have a special place in Teddy’s heart. His formative years of golf were spent on a few of Donald Ross’ courses, learning the game at Worcester CC, then working as an assistant pro at Oakley CC and also a short time at Alamance CC in North Carolina. He’s super excited to talk with A.J. Sikula, the head PGA professional at Inverness Club! AJ joins Teddy and Mike to share about the lauded history of the club and gives keen insights into the course itself.  Inverness Club was founded in 1903 by well endowed citizens of Toledo, OH. Just a few short years later in 1918, the course we know and love today was finished. The residents of Toledo wanted a championship caliber course and they certainly got one.  The Ryder Cup was imagined & championed by the owner of Inverness Club, S.P. Jermain. Inverness Club members are very gracious and have a storied history of accommodation, having allowed golfing professionals in their clubhouse during the 1920 US Open, for the first time in history.  A.J. made his way to Inverness Club when the director of golf personally called & asked him to join the team at Inverness. To say that Teddy and Mike were excited to get some time on A.J.’s calendar is certainly an understatement.  Listen in as these three golf enthusiasts discuss the lauded history at Inverness, its exciting future, and how they can all consider themselves members of The Luckiest Golfers On Earth Club. The history of this extremely difficult course is truly fascinating and you won’t want to miss this deep dive! Show Notes [01:05] We’re talking about Inverness Club in Toledo, OH with A.J. Sikula, the head golf professional for the course.  [03:00] Teddy shares his connection with Donald J. Ross and a bit about his history.  [05:07] Learn more about A.J. and his experience.  [09:48] A.J. shares his best number at Inverness.  [12:41] The course has changed a little bit since it was designed because of course use and erosion.  [13:56] Why do they give grandfather clocks as their prizes?  [15:30] Who was responsible for creating the Ryder Cup? [16:47] Ways their membership is known for being gracious hosts of big events.  [21:29] Hear the story behind the permanent changes in the rules of overtime play due to a round at Inverness.  [25:18] Does A.J. have any additional information about Byron Nelson being a head PGA professional at Inverness?  [29:20] Mike shares a story about meeting Byron Nelson.  [32:58] A.J. fully believes that he is one of the luckiest golfers on Earth.  [36:10] Teddy and Mike recap the episode, the Inverness Club, and give a sneak peek of the next episode.  The Links Luckiest Golfer On Earth official website:https://luckiestgolferonearth.com/ Ted’s Fundraiser to raise awareness and funding for GBS|CIDP Research: https://p2p.onecause.com/gbs-cidp-diy/ted-fenton GBS|CIDP Foundation International:https://www.gbs-cidp.org/ Inverness Club  

Teddy and Higgy are back this week to chat about the legendary, Donald Ross designed, Pinehurst No. 2! Joining them is the Director of Golf for The Pinehurst Resort, a North Carolina native, Mr. Ben Bridgers. Pinehurst No. 2 is one of the most iconic golf courses in the country. They have hosted both the men’s and women’s US Open and more single golf championships than any other course in America. In fact, it is the first U.S. Open anchor site ever.  The resort is absolutely gorgeous with sweeping views, perfectly manicured greens, and gorgeous accommodations. Not to mention the 11 different courses you can play while you stay.  Over the last few years, there has been renewed energy put forth to return the greens to their original visage and as a result the resort overall has benefitted from the old world appeal.  Listen as Ben shares insights about the courses, tips for people who’ve never been to Pinehurst, and details about what’s coming up next for the area. This is one of the most lauded public golf courses and Teddy (1st time) and Higgy (multiple times) cannot wait to play in 2023.  Show Notes [00:44] Welcome back to the show with Teddy and Higgy.  [01:23] Ben Bridgers, the director of golf and operations at the Pinehurst Resort, joins us to chat about the course and all things golf.  [03:09] Teddy shares his initial thoughts on the course and how photogenic it is.  [05:07] Listen as Ben reminisces about his first few weeks on the job.  [06:37] How many golf courses exist on the property?  [09:37] We chat about the changes to the courses over the years.  [12:38] They even have an 18 hole putting course. [15:42] Learn more about the vision and passion for the future of the resort.  [17:55] The typical order for playing the courses.  [20:28] Ben shares some of the work that’s going into bringing the courses back to life.  [22:50] We dig into the top ranked course on the property.  [24:34] Listen as Ben lists out all the reasons Number 2 is the heart of the resort.  [28:32] There’s difficulty levels for a wide range of golfers.  [29:42] A review of the course by Jack Nicklaus.  [30:45] How the aesthetic view of the course has changed over the years and is now back to the original vision.  [33:17] The tribute to Payne Stewart’s Open win.  [37:26] What happens if you birdie a par three on Number 2?  [40:13] Upcoming championships that they’re hosting.  [43:10] Thank you so much for your time Ben.  The Links Luckiest Golfer On Earth official website: https://luckiestgolferonearth.com/ Ted’s Fundraiser to raise awareness and funding for GBS|CIDP Research: https://p2p.onecause.com/gbs-cidp-diy/ted-fenton GBS|CIDP Foundation International: https://www.gbs-cidp.org/ Pinehurst: https://www.pinehurst.com/  

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Mike and Ted are back and they had the pleasure and privilege of speaking with the PGA Head Professionals from two more of the Bandon Dunes courses. First they chat with Michael O’Toole of Pacific Dunes and then Jason Poll of Old Macdonald shares his story. Listen in to hear it all.  Pacific Dunes is an experience. Everything that you read about the course makes it seem as if getting to play there is a magical experience. The greens are fantastic and the course as a whole is quite large.  Michael O’Toole definitely confirms what Ted and Mike have found in their research. He shares some fantastic behind the scenes information about Pacific Dunes and gives the perfect advice for Ted as he prepares to play there next year.  Jason Poll has worked on all of the courses at Bandon Dunes and is now the head PGA Professional at Old Macdonald. One thing that most people don’t know about Old Mac is that it’s a template course heavily based on the designs of Charles Blair Macdonald.  Both of these men have an obvious love and respect for the game of golf and more specifically for the courses they preside over. Their stories and insights are fascinating but their advice to simply enjoy the experience was brilliant.  Neither Ted nor Mike can wait until they’re the ones stepping onto the green at the first hole for both of these courses. It’s a once in a lifetime experience that they’re sure to never forget. (Come on 2023!) Show Notes [00:00:22] A quick sneak peek of who is joining Ted and Mike on the show.  [00:02:54] Learn more about Pacific Dunes before Ted and Mike chat with Michael O'Toole, the head PGA professional for the course.  [00:04:29] Welcome Michael O’Toole to chat about Pacific Dunes.  [00:07:39] There is something for everyone, even those who don’t want to play golf.  [00:09:02] What does an average day look like for players?  [00:12:46] How far in advance should you look to plan a trip to go out to the course?  [00:14:42] Where did the love of the game start for Michael?  [00:17:36] Which PGA Professional impacted him the most?  [00:20:44] How did he get hired as the PGA Pro for Pacific Dunes?  [00:25:25] It’s neat to have followed Bandon and now being able to impact it.  [00:27:15] Michael’s advice for Ted when he gets to play the course. [00:30:31] Ted’s hope for what it will feel like to play Bandon and the resort. [00:33:20] Thank you so much to Michael for joining us and sharing his insights.  [00:25:17] A quick story about Tom Watson’s time at Pacific Dunes.  [00:36:01] Welcome Jason Paul of Old Macdonald to the show and learn more about the course.  [00:39:51] How did Jason get started in the golf business?  [00:44:11] Was there one particular professional that helped get him started?  [00:46:54] The story behind him becoming the head professional at Old Macdonald.  [00:50:58] Which of the courses at the resort was his favorite to work for?  [00:52:33] One of the behind the scenes creation stories for Old Macdonald.  [00:55:12] Jason’s advice for someone playing Old Macdonald for the first time.  [00:58:53] Does he have any specific memory that he’ll always remember from his time at the resort?  [01:03:56] What you can expect from the show coming up. The Links Luckiest Golfer On Earth official website: https://luckiestgolferonearth.com/ Ted’s Fundraiser to raise awareness and funding for GBS|CIDP Research: https://p2p.onecause.com/gbs-cidp-diy/ted-fenton GBS|CIDP Foundation International: https://www.gbs-cidp.org/

To start everything off, Michael and Ted chat with not one, not two, but three amazing PGA professionals all about their personal experiences,  within the game of golf. Mike & Ted thought it was very important to dig deep into how the courses are rated & ranked, so first up is Cory Mansfield.  Cory is the head PGA professional at Derryfield Country Club in Manchester, NH and a Golf Digest panelist & course rater. He was fantastic to talk with because of his depth of knowledge of the game of golf and the ratings process through Golf Digest.  Most important is the understanding that becoming a rater has nothing to do with playing free golf. This is a very serious process with far reaching consequences and all of the raters take that to heart. If you’ve ever wondered about the process, the first 30 minutes will be highly illuminative.  Next Ted and Michael chat with Jake Sestero the head PGA professional of the very first course Ted’s playing in 2023, Bandon Dunes. Jake shares a bit about his story, how he came to be the head PGA professional at Bandon Dunes and what to expect when he and Ted tee off as the first group off in 2023 on January 1st @ 8am! Bandon Dunes is one of four courses rated in Oregon that are ranked in the top 100, all of which are at the same resort. To say that Ted’s excited to start his journey there would be a huge understatement.  The next course up is Bandon Trails, their head PGA professional, Ryan Nielson joins Michael and Ted to chat about this special course and how it differs from Bandon Dunes and still delivers in epic ways; his insights are on point & invaluable. Listen in to hear their stories and all of their amazing wisdom if you’re planning to play either one of these legendary golf courses. Keep your ears tuned this way as Ted and Michael chat with more amazing professionals next week! Show Notes [00:00:53] Ever wonder who is responsible for rating the courses every couple of years? [00:03:07] Welcome Cory Mansfield, the head PGA professional at Derryfield Country Club, one of the course raters for Golf Digest.  [00:04:30] Learn how you can become a course rater.  [00:07:39] Cory’s thoughts on my quest.  [00:08:10] The 8 categories that they’re rating on as they review courses.  [00:11:29] Learn more about the categories and how they’re rated.  [00:13:38] Which course has gotten his highest rating?  [00:14:42] Becoming a course rater has nothing to do with being able to play free golf.  [00:16:07] Do they have a quota?  [00:16:58] Which course has been Cory’s favorite?  [00:18:30] What would Cory suggest for a guy like Ted to become a rater?  [00:20:16] When they rate, who do they play with?  [00:23:05] Michael shares a story about him and Cory playing some super quick games.  [00:25:02] Getting to talk with Cory was amazing and eye opening.  [00:26:09] Michael shares information about the very first course Ted’s planning to play on January 1, 2023.  [00:28:55] Welcome Jake Sestero, the head PGA pro at Bandon Dunes Golf Course.  [00:31:51] Which events has Jake been at the course for recently?  [00:32:24] Why do they focus on amateur events?  [00:35:05] Where did Jake’s love of golf start?  [00:37:12] Did he end up playing in college?  [00:38:53] After college did he try to play professionally?  [00:39:58] When did he decide to become a PGA professional?  [00:41:38] How did he get hired at Bandon Dunes?  [00:43:28] What is his favorite part of being the head PGA professional there? [00:45:19] Learn some of the behind the scenes details about the construction of the course. [00:47:08] Jake’s advice for a first timer at Bandon Dunes.  [00:49:11] Hear one of the special moments he’s experienced on the course.  [00:53:24] How do you get to Bandon Dunes?  [00:54:40] What is there to do at the resort beyond playing golf? [00:58:25] Ted and Jake are definitely looking forward to playing together.  [01:02:16] Meet Ryan Nielson, the head PGA pro at Bandon Trails.  [01:05:07] Learn more about his career when he turned pro.   [01:06:31] Was there anyone who influenced Ryan to become a professional?  [01:07:39] The story behind him becoming the pro at Bandon Trails.  [01:10:26] What’s his favorite part of his job?  [01:11:34] Ryan shares his advice for someone playing Bandon Trails for the first time. [01:12:48] The weather you can expect in January on the courses.  [01:14:52] Experiencing the course with his dad is one of the most memorable experiences Ryan has had so far.  [01:17:14] Michael and Ted wrap up the episode and give you a taste of what to expect next week. The Links (pun intended) Luckiest Golfer On Earth official website: https://luckiestgolferonearth.com/ Ted’s Fundraiser to raise awareness and funding for GBS|CIDP Research: https://p2p.onecause.com/gbs-cidp-diy/ted-fenton GBS|CIDP Foundation International: https://www.gbs-cidp.org/

The Dream When Ted was 14 years old, he had a dream to play America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses in a single calendar year. He didn’t know if it could be done, but vowed in his retirement that he would attempt it.  The Diagnosis Ted was diagnosed with Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) which is a debilitating disease that will slowly reduce his ability to move and be active. Thankfully it won’t kill him, but it has the potential to make life difficult down the road. The Decision With this diagnosis, making his dream a reality needed to happen now. So he closed his business and started making plans to travel the nation playing these courses.  The Test Ted has already made the trip to each and every course. You see, only 13 of the 100 top courses are public. All 87 of the others are private. That means he has to be sponsored by a member to play on the course.  The Friend This is going to be an endeavor and Ted is excited to make it happen. In fact, he called his longtime friend, Michael Higgins, to help make this dream come true. Listen as they talk about this story, their history, how they’re going to make this happen, and what to expect in the coming episodes.  The Rules As if this challenge wasn’t already hard enough, Ted has some stipulations by which he must abide. Take note and let’s see if he can accomplish all of them. The Cause Ted hopes to raise $100,000 for the GBS | CIDP Foundation International. It is a global nonprofit organization supporting individuals and their families affected by Guillain-Barre’ syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and related conditions through a commitment to support, education, research and advocacy. The Links (pun intended) Luckiest Golfer On Earth official website: https://luckiestgolferonearth.com/ Ted’s Fundraiser to raise awareness and funding for GBS|CIDP Research: https://p2p.onecause.com/gbs-cidp-diy/ted-fenton GBS|CIDP Foundation International: https://www.gbs-cidp.org/