The Inward Nine with Chandler Withington

Ep. 66 Kevin Hammer / USGA President

Our guest today has spent many years at golf house and while you might assume I am referring to the one in Far Hills, New Jersey, home of the USGA, the one I am actually referring to is the house our guest grew up in which was located on Golf Road of all places. The son of a Tour professional turned club professional and master professional, our guest was born into the game of golf and has lived in it ever since. From playing in USGA Championships as a junior amateur, to collegiate golf at the University of Florida, to president of the Florida State Golf Association to now presiding over the USGA as its President, this guest has seen many sides to the game and he is here to share his perspective with us on the Inward Nine. Our guest today is the very thoughtful, humble and loyal, Kevin Hammer. In our time together with Kevin we will discuss: The atmosphere of his childhood home and the life lessons his father taught him. There are lessons Kevin is now passing down to his own children. An ability to adapt is one we all need to navigate life on a daily basis. Listen as Kevin talks about the most impactful championship he feels the USGA hosts each year and how its competitors can help prepare us for the many obstacles in life. Development. It is something each of us strive to achieve in our professional and personal lives. Yet not until recently did the game of golf have a development program to identify and grow talent. Kevin will take us back to the start of the USGA Development program and help us understand what it means for those of us who are PGA Professionals. Loyalty. It's a fleeting thing these days. Kevin who has served at the same company for over 25 years and we get to hear him talk about the value of loyalty and why the grass isn't always greener whenever we are tempted to make a career move. As with all guests, Kevin will hand down some advice to the next generation of PGA Professionals like his father was, and he will also share some advice he hands down to his own daughters. To connect with Chandler: Send a direct email: podcast@archive22.com [podcast@archive22.com] Or a DM on LinkedIn or Instagram @theinwardninepodcast Music Credits: Opening: 'Time' by Hootie and the Blowfish Interlude: 'Running From An Angel' by Hootie and the Blowfish Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

Ep. 65 Jeff Kiddie / Aronimink GC

This week we are in Philadelphia for the PGA Championship and it only feels appropriate to pull a conversation out of the vault with the person who has been guardian of the host club for the past 18 years. This man can do it all – he is the 2011 National Merchandiser of the Year, 2023 Golf Professional of the year and oh by the way, he is also a National Rules Official for the PGA of America. Our guest today on the Inward Nine is a dear friend, he is the Director of Golf at Aronimink Golf Club and host professional of this week's PGA Championship, he is the very humble and respectful Jeff Kiddie. In our time together with Jeff: We will talk about his big break. Some luck and timing.. we all need it to get to where we want to go. He will share how a disappointing no suddenly became a very surprising yes, a break which sent him on his way. Once the dominoes begin to fall as they say, Jeff was offered an opportunity to open a new golf club. For those of you will be tasked with starting something new, listen to how Jeff invested himself in the process and the decisions he made. Where are all of my people who struggle with taking tests? Yes, my hand is up and so is Jeff's by the way. Jeff shares how he was able to go from making a 56 on his first Rules of Golf exam to making a 92 years later and how you too can chip away and improve in test taking. There are many other tests in life and most are taken on a sheet of paper. Jeff shares his outlook on the term work life balance, how he has struggled with it at times and what has also given him the freedom to improve in this area over time. Jeff Kiddie is one of the best in the business and one we can all learn from. So, settle in and grab a seat as we get to talk shop with the man who is in this week's spotlight at the PGA Championship. To connect with Chandler" Instagram @theinwardninepodcast Email: podcast@archive22.com [podcast@archive22.com] Music Credits: Opening: 'Head Over Heels' by Tears for Fears Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

Ep. 64 Chance Cozby / Waste Management Open

Have you ever had things not go as you had planned or hoped? Have you ever been a part of a situation you weren't proud of, or one you just wished would go away as soon as possible? If so, then you are in the right place today. Our guest today has chosen to face challenges and criticism head on and he can help you do the same when your time comes, which if you live life long enough, will inevitably come. We are returning to talk to the younger brother of a recently guest on The Inward Nine, he is the younger brother of Cary Cozby and the Director of one of the largest professional golf events in the world at the Waste Management Open. He is the multi talented Chance Cozby. In our conversation with Chance: He will share about a choice he made in getting out college, and not just a choice, but a chance if you will in taking a different path from his brothers and family. Once he went down this path, he will share how doors opened to new opportunities, one which put him the crosshairs of a range of personalities and perspectives. Chance will share about how he grew into the role he is currently in and why he isn't threatened by new ideas, but rather he embraces them. There is a limit to what anyone or any team can do. Chance will share how he advises those around him to not try to do too much, but rather to do fewer things really well. All of us are so much more than what we do in our jobs. There are other interests each of us have. Listen to what happens on New Years Eve five years ago when Chance's teenage son turns on the camera and how it allowed Chance to tap into and share his creative side with others. If you have listened to this podcast before, you know the last thing I will ever encourage any of you to do is to play it safe. Chances must be taken.. and maybe there is no better person to encourage us to take some risks on our life from a man who has embodied his own name in Chance Cozby. To follow Chance Cozby on Instagram or TikTok @3piecesofpecan To follow The Inward Nine on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast To contact Chandler directly: podcast@archive22.com [podcast@archive22.com] Music Credits: Opening: 'Chances' by Five For Fighting Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

Ep. 63 Barry Hyde / The Team

What happens when a young man is driving south to a food and beverage job interview in Boca Raton, Florida but his car breaks down well north of Boca in Ponte Vedra? What happens next is the start of long and impactful career in the game of golf for someone who would eventually bridge a relationship between Mastercard and the PGA Tour, just one example of the deals our guest has left behind in the now 30+ year wake of his career. Our guest today has worn many hats, from Chief Golf Officer, Chief Marketing Officer and Player Agent. Our guest today on the Inward Nine is the multi talented and very connected Barry Hyde. Ahead in our conversation with Barry: He will share about how his car breaking down opened the door to a new pathway, with one opportunity leading to the next.. with one very timely cold call leading to his eventual promotion. There is a small three letter word each of us needs to continue to hear to keep moving forward in life. Barry will talk about the approach he has taken to get to that word time and time again. Getting buy in from decision makers isn't always easy and Barry has surely faced his fair share of opposition. We get a front row seat to listen to how Barry has been able to change some minds and in the process installed some indelible marks on the U.S. Open and other USGA Championships. Oh, that person is a 'people person'. We hear that statement about certain individuals, but what makes these people so good at connecting with others? Barry will talk about one of the greatest sports agents of all time and what he feels that person did so well. Barry's job is to represent others and their interests. But as good as Barry is at his job, he feels there is someone else who can do it better than him. He will share who that person is along with his advice for the next generation. Music Credits: Opening: 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' by the Rolling Stones Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

Ep. 62 Josh Smith / Orinda CC & Flag Bag

So, what happens when a young and introverted man finds himself at a bar in Bandon, Oregon and tries to strike up a conversation with the people next to him? These weren't the people he thought they were. In fact, they were much different. But the young mans curiosity pays off and he suddenly finds himself studying the shaping of the dunes and bunkers for the 2nd course at Bandon Dunes, a course designed and being built by an architect he had never heard of. This chance meeting would change everything for our guest on todays episode. He is not only the superintendent at Orinda Country Club. He is a savant and one of the most talented artists in golf. He is also the founder of one of the most unique golf bags you well ever see, a company known as Flag Bag. Our guest today on the Inward Nine is Josh Smith. Ahead in our conversation with Josh: He will share about the person he ran into at the bar in Bandon, Oregon and how it opened the door to his eventual career in course construction, architecture and as a superintendent. He will talk about how being unemployed led him to find a hobby to pass the time.. a hobby which got noticed by the right person at the right time and it changed everything. When it comes to everything changing, we often talk about taking chances. There are moments we recognize we have to take advantage of. Listen as Josh tells us about a time he is stuck in traffic and uses a bagel receipt and a bit of courage to meet the person he has spent his life beside ever since. Creativity and ideas. How do they come to us and what do we do about them? Josh shares about the origins of his company Flag Bag and how the idea of making a golf bag out of course flags came to him. And finally, Josh and I talk about the relationship between a superintendent and a golf professional and what Josh feels it takes for these two people to have a thriving partnership. To learn more about Flag Bag, please visit the company website or follow on Instagram @flagbagolf Follow The Inward Nine on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast.com. You can connect more with Chandler by sending an email: podcast@archive22.com [podcast@archive22.com] Music Credits: Opening: 'Thunder Road' by Bruce Springsteen Interlude: 'Hungry Heart' by Bruce Springsteen Interlude: 'Secret Garden' by Bruce Springsteen Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Glory of Love' by Peter Cetera