Greenside - Official Podcast of the Iowa Golf Association

Rocket Tour Golf Founder Helena Stanton joins the podcast to share her story as a competitive junior ski racer and tennis player and then later as an avid golfer. Brought to Boulder, Colorado by beautiful mountains and opportunity, she began a 10-year business journey as co-owner of a pioneering craft-beer brand doing the brand marketing and design. While in the beer industry, she played regularly and noticed there was something missing on the bags of avid and professional golfers – style that combines the best of traditional classic looks but with bold modern details and would appeal and inspire younger golfers. She began sketching, designing and crafting products that have developed into the products and brand it is today. She believes that your golf bag is part of your on-course or at-the-club wardrobe and that it should always be fresh, look great, and say a bit about who you are. Rocket Tour supports and outfits more than 250 collegiate golf programs, junior golf programs, state golf associations and charity initiatives. – 100th Episode –

Adam Thoms, Associate Professor – Turfgrass Management and Sports Turf at Iowa State University, stops by the podcast again to review the 2024 year of golf from the turfgrass side of things. Thoms also shares some answers to questions golfers might have now that their courses are closed for the year and snow will be falling on the greens soon if not already across the state.

Todd Stice, Manager, Rules (Technology, Content and Education) with the United States Golf Association (USGA) joins the podcast to enlighten the audience on the rules of golf, tell a few stories from his experiences and reminisce about growing up with the game (walk – don't take the cart!) in Keokuk.

Waterloo's Tom Christensen stops by the podcast to chat about growing up and playing a lot of golf with many great players who have called Waterloo home. Christensen, who has served the IGA in many capacities, remembers fondly of how the IGA has grown and strengthened over the years. You might even hear a couple good stories from Christensen too...sometimes you quit after six holes or you have to carry your own bag out west!

Katie Baldwin, USGA Foundation Major Gifts Officer, stops by the podcast to let the listeners know all about the great things the USGA Foundation does and continues to improve. While separate, Baldwin explains how the IGA and USGA Foundation work together to make the game of golf as good as it can be for all those in the game.