Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
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September 23 · 45 minIreland's Golf Underground with The Creative Sigma
Sean sits down with Fin — the Irish golfer and content creator behind The Creative Sigma — for one of Bay State Golf's few international interviews. It starts with an algorithm, a 75-year curse, and why Mayo winning the All-Ireland Football Championship this year meant more to him than any pro sports title ever could. From there it opens into golf: falling for the game at ten, walking away from it for a decade, and coming back just as obsessed; the real story behind his "keep it in the paw" catchphrase; and the deeply personal reason he started posting in the first place — processing his sister's death and his own recovery from alcoholism, with golf and painting as his outlet. They also get into what makes Irish golf different: club memberships you can actually afford, links golf you can play through the winter, learning to keep the ball under the wind, and the hidden-gem courses (Castlebar, Westport, Ballinrobe, Carne) worth seeking out beyond Ballybunion and Lahinch — plus the Irish Open, the Walker Cup atmosphere, and Fintan's new podcast, The Countback, with Barry of Apex Golf. Follow Fin: https://www.instagram.com/the_creative_sigma/ Follow Sean: instagram.com/baystate_golf
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September 10 · 39 min2026 College golf preview with Marcus El
Marcus El, General Manager of Scoreboard by Clippd, is back for a wide-ranging preview of the 2026-27 college golf season. Sean and Marcus dig into whether this is finally the year someone challenges Stanford's dominance on the women's side, why a stacked senior class (Anna Davis, Farah Kiefe, Maria Jose Marin, and more) could shake up the Annika Award race, and how the LPGA Q-Series rules complicate life for coaches during conference championship season. On the men's side, they explore what Marcus calls a "reset button" year — after a run of stars like Jackson Koivun, Gordon Sargent, and Nick Dunlap off to the pros and Miles Russell still in high school, who steps up to fill the void? They break down which Walker Cup standouts might carry summer momentum into the fall, preview the Haskins Award conversation, and talk through the new women's .500-rule tweaks around conference championships. The episode wraps with a fun tour through this year's most unique tournament venues, from Baltusrol hosting the Big Ten Championship to the wild backstory behind Halbert National and The Finn.
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August 26 · 37 minAlison Walshe on the Massachusetts Development Team
Ahead of the FM Championship at TPC Boston, host Sean Melia sits down with former LPGA Tour pro Alison Walshe, a three-time All-American at Arizona, Curtis Cup and Palmer Cup competitor, and Westford, MA native, for a conversation about the US National Development Program Alison opens up about the one time she got to tee it up at an LPGA event in her home state, then shifts into her role as team captain of Team Massachusetts, part of the USGA's U.S. National Development Program (USNDP). She and Sean unpack how the program identifies and funds talented junior golfers across the state, how the point system works, what a typical team gathering looks like (including a weekend battle against Team New York at Hudson National), and how the USNDP compares to the way other countries develop young golfers. Alison also reflects on how junior golf has changed since her own playing days — from the rise of data and coaching resources to the growing distance gap in the women's game — and shares what she looks for in the next wave of Massachusetts talent. In this episode: Alison's only chance to play an LPGA event in her home state What Team Massachusetts and the USNDP are, and how they work together How players are selected, funded, and supported Team bonding events and inter-state competition Coaching philosophy: when to bring in outside help (and when not to) How junior golf has evolved since Alison's playing days The growing distance gap in women's junior golf and what it means for course setup How parents and players can get involved with Team Massachusetts Learn more about the program: https://www.massgolf.org/competition/team-massachusetts/
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August 20 · 43 minAidan Emmerich on playing the U.S. Amateur
Aidan Emmerich sits down with Sean Melia just a week removed from his U.S. Amateur appearance at Merion Golf Club and Philadelphia Country Club — the reward for winning the Massachusetts Amateur earlier this summer. Aidan takes us inside the week: what it's actually like to play a course as strategically demanding as Merion, why Philadelphia Country Club deserved more credit than it got as the "co-host" course, and how brutal, ankle-deep rough turned routine up-and-downs into full-blown adventures. Aidan opens up about his prep — getting an early look at Merion a month before the event, leaning on his brother's experience from two prior U.S. Amateurs, and grinding on putting drills that paid off under pressure. He talks through the round that got away from him, a viral chip shot off the tightly mown fringe on the 10th hole, and the near-miss that left him three-over and just outside the match play cutline. Along the way: a practice round alongside top junior Miles Russell, why 80% of the field seemed to be carrying launch monitors, the mental game work that's helped him control his nerves, and the role his caddie and best friend Charlie plays in keeping him loose between shots. The two also swap stories about Merion's legendary opening stretch (the "Drama, the Comedy, and the Tragedy"), the perks and swag that come with a USGA championship, and what's next for Aidan — a U.S. Four-Ball qualifier with his brother, a busy fall and winter amateur schedule, and a decision looming on when to turn pro.
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August 5 · 35 minJuly Recap
July is in the books — 6 courses played across Massachusetts as I keep chasing every golf course in the state. A mix of public and private, nine and eighteen holes, a couple of new checkmarks, and one revisit to a favorite. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro 1:12 Oyster Harbors 2:03 Forest Park Country Club 6:33 Segregansett Country Club 14:50 Heather Hill 19:27 Boston Golf Club 27:04 Bellevue Golf Club
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July 23 · 44 minNew England Amateur Champion: Eli Spaulding
This week we cross into Maine with Eli Spaulding, the two-time Maine Amateur champion (2024 & 2025) and Loyola University standout, fresh off a stacked summer that includes wins at the Philadelphia Amateur and New England Amateur, plus a qualifying spot for the U.S. Amateur at Merion. Eli talks about falling in love with golf watching Tiger Woods, growing up in a family of college distance runners, and learning to practice by watching Brunswick GC standout Caleb Manuel. He breaks down his creative, feel-based approach to shot-making, why he skips a traditional yardage book in favor of writing clubs on a scorecard before each round, and how journaling after tournaments — reflecting on process rather than just results — has become one of his biggest edges. He also relives the final-round duel with Caden Piselli at the New England Amateur, and looks ahead to his third straight US Amateur appearance and what challenges Merion will provide. A great listen for anyone interested in course management, mental prep, and the process behind two Maine Am titles.
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July 16 · 23 minNew England Am recap with Dan Boisvert
Dan Boisvert joins after attending the New England Amateur and watching the final group battle for 18 holes. Eli Spaulding defended his title as Caden Piselli made a run at him early in the back nine. Dan talks about Eli Spaulding and Caden Piselli, two players he hadn't seen play before. He also talks about how he watches his students, like Joey Lenane, when he can see them in competition instead of the practice range. Then they shift gears to discuss the U.S. Amateur qualifying at Boston Golf Club on Monday, July 20 and the reasons for an influx of players from outside the region playing in USGA qualifiers in New England.
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July 15 · 1 hr 16 minOpen Championship preview
It's Open Championship week, and Paul Burke joins me to talk Royal Birkdale before the year's toughest major gets underway across the pond. We start with a question Paul's been sitting on all week: what actually makes a great sporting event? From there we get into the buzz building around an English run to a World Cup final this week, and a look at the trends that pop out from former champions at Birkdale — Palmer, Watson, Miller, Trevino, Harrington, O'Meara, Spieth — and what that list tells us about who might contend. We also stake out early tee times, salute a great story in qualifier David Howard, dig into golf's ongoing fan-behavior debate, and lay out best-case/worst-case scenarios before locking in our picks.
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July 9 · 24 minLillian Guleserian: New England Women's Amateur champion
This week's guest is Lillian Guleserian, the 2026 New England Women's Amateur champion and Penn State freshman, fresh off her comeback win at Concord Country Club. Lillian breaks down the dramatic back nine of the final round, rallying from four shots back. The conversation covers her game, her freshman year playing college golf at Penn State, and how the pressure of team qualifying rounds has made her a more resilient competitor. She also talks candidly about why she refuses to watch leaderboards mid-round, the recovery routines (sauna, cold tubs, float beds) she's picked up from Penn State's athletic facilities, and her advice for junior golfers navigating the college recruiting process. Lillian also reflects on her roots at Ponkapoag Golf Course, her longtime coach Julie Cole, and how she's prepping for the Ouimet Memorial, Women's Mass Am, and her upcoming sophomore season at Penn State.
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July 1 · 55 min2026 Mass Amateur Preview with Paul Burke
The Massachusetts Amateur is here, and Sean Melia is joined by Paul Burke for a deep dive into the state's premier amateur event. With the tournament heading to Winchester Country Club (July 6–10) for just the eighth time in history, Sean and Paul break down the Donald Ross layout hole by hole, debate what kind of player thrives there, and argue about whether "second shot golf course" is even a useful phrase. They also dig into the tournament's rich history — from Francis Ouimet's six titles to the seven-time winner who died on a golf course at 60, to Rob Oppenheim shooting a 62 at Winchester the week of recording to break a 54-year course record. Plus: Jim Salinetti's unique place in Mass Amateur lore as a three-time champion now serving as Winchester's head pro, the Monaghan family sending three members into the same draw, players to watch, and tips on the best days and spots to spectate if you're heading out. Newsletter: Baystategolf.beehiiv.com
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June 24 · 33 min2026 Mass Open champion: Evan Harmeling
Episode Description: 2026 Massachusetts Open champion Evan Harmeling joins Sean Melia to break down his wire-to-wire win at Oyster Harbors. Evan shares how a 73 in brutal wind on Day 1 didn't rattle him, why he refused to look at a leaderboard all week, and how chasing Ken Venturi's course record became the mental trick that kept him locked in down the stretch. He also reflects on what's changed since his 2013 Mass Open win, the brotherhood of grinding on various tours, his experiences in South America, and why a caddy who talks about anything but golf might be the best thing for his game right now. Chapters: [00:00] — Intro Sean kicks things off with zero coffee and big news: Giannis is a Miami Heat. [01:32] — Breaking Down Round 1 at Oyster Harbors [06:15] — The Shot That Could Have Unraveled Everything [09:00] — Ignoring the Leaderboard & Chasing a Course Record [13:00] — 2013 vs. 2026: Two Mass Open Titles, Two Different Lives [17:35] — Life on the Road: Corn Ferry, Canada, and Latin America [23:00] — The Best Golf Course He Ever Played [27:15] — Spring 2026: Myrtle Beach, US Open Local Qualifying & the Mass Open [30:50] — Harmeling's putting technique: Thumbs Off the Putter [33:20] — What He Actually Needs from a Caddy
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June 16 · 1 hr 7 min2026 U.S. Open Preview
Sean and Paul are ready for the U.S. Open. They break down everything ahead of US Open week at Shinnecock Hills — one of the most demanding venues in major championship golf. They revisit the 2004 Sunday massacre (scoring average: 78.73), debate the USGA's love/hate relationship with tour pros, dig into who's got the game to handle firm and fast conditions, and make their picks in the annual snake draft. Father's Day is on the line. Somebody's going to be right. Timestamps 0:00 — Intro 2:00 — What's the ideal US Open winning score? Does it even matter? 5:30 — The 2004 Shinnecock flashback: the Sunday that broke everyone 17:00 — USGA animosity: a PGA Tour problem more than a USGA problem? 21:30 — Scottie Scheffler and the career Grand Slam. 34:00 — Rory: has he dropped the rope on everything that isn't the Masters? 38:00 — Xander Schauffele's baffling yet incredible US Open résumé 43:00 — Adam Scott's 100th straight major gets its proper respect 44:00 — Trending & not trending heading into the week 47:30 — The snake draft picks (three each and one dark horse) 1:06:30 — Trunk slammers: who's going home early?
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June 5 · 33 minMass Open Preview w/ Dan Boisvert
The 116th Mass Open is coming to Oyster Harbors from June 9-11. Dan joins Sean to talk through some storylines, history, and players to watch.
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June 3 · 27 minAlexis Florio and Conor McCormack: Mass Mixed Four-Ball Champs
Sean Melia sits down with the 2025 Massachusetts Mixed Masters Four-Ball champions, Conor McCormack and Alexis Florio, fresh off their win at Willowbend. The pair, who met at Woodland CC when Alexis worked their in the summer of 2025, break down how their Mixed Four-Ball Championship. The conversation goes well beyond the trophy. Alexis, a Columbia golf alum now in law school, talks about trusting her competitive instincts when practice time is scarce. Conor opens up about the grind of Massachusetts amateur golf — qualifying pressure, leaderboard watching, and staying mentally in it when the wheels start to wobble. They swap the one trait they'd steal from each other, and reflect on balancing serious competitive golf with real life. If you love the inside look at the amateur game in New England, this one's for you.
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May 28 · 36 minTalking National Championships with Marcus El
Sean sits down with Marcus El, General Manager of Scoreboard Powered by Clipped, live from Omni La Costa. The two dig into Eastern Michigan's stunning run to the women's Final Four, what it says about the changing landscape of college athletics, and which men's teams and players to watch as the field descends on La Costa for the NCAA Championship. Timestamps: 1:00 — Marcus joins from La Costa 1:24 — The atmosphere at La Costa: why the finals feel quieter than you'd expect 4:28 — Eastern Michigan's Cinderella story and what it says about the macro shift in college athletics 9:48 — Teams sitting home that shouldn't be: Texas Tech, Illinois, and a word on Charlotte 19:04 — Is there a "third year" advantage at La Costa? Marcus breaks down experience vs. talent in stroke play. 21:58 — The depth of the men's field and what separates it from the women's side 25:28 — How Golf Channel now dictates match play tee times (and why coaches have to wait to find out when they're teeing off) 28:34 — Team picks for match play: locking in the top four seeds, then the fun ones 29:58 — Ryan Hybl's last ride at Oklahoma and why you can't count that team out 35:37 — Picks and predictions
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May 27 · 26 minRyan Downes on how Vanderbilt is prepping for National Championship
Ryan Downes joins the Bay State Golf Podcast fresh off helping Vanderbilt win the NCAA Regional title — and ahead of a trip to La Costa for the National Championship. The Longmeadow native talks about what it takes to compete at the highest level of college golf, how the Commodores flipped a switch after a slow spring, and why he's already got one of the most exciting amateur summers on the calendar locked in. Timestamps: 0:57 — Welcome & intro; Ryan's life on campus with finals done and massages on the schedule 1:07 — Reflecting on Regionals: pressing the reset button after a tough SEC Championship 2:23 — How Coach Scott Limbaugh reframes the postseason as a "new season" 3:28 — Who's going to Nationals and how the lineup works 4:43 — What Vanderbilt practices actually look like in-season vs. postseason 5:49 — The team's favorite (and most brutal) pressure drills 7:25 — How long a driving drill can last when no one can find the fairway 9:55 — Preparing for La Costa: yardage books, arch books, and course strategy 12:12 — How Vanderbilt tracks stats, and the incoming freshman whose dad built a shot-tracking system now used across college golf 13:38 — What the data revealed: strengths, weaknesses, and where he loses shots 14:20 — Advice to freshman Ryan Downes heading to Nashville 15:17 — The John Broderick connection and how a friendship in junior golf led to Vanderbilt 16:36 — Winning the Bryson DeChambeau Invitational in the fall and seeing his name on the wall next to Gordon Sargent 18:58 — Playing alongside Jackson Koivun (#1 amateur in the world) and what he learned 20:47 — The brutal reality of college golf depth: shooting even par and finishing 39th 22:40 — His dad (a touring pro) and uncle (CC of Wilbraham) and leaning on that family golf knowledge 23:43 — Reaching a career-high #83 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and landing a US Am exemption to Merion 25:20 — Full summer schedule: Sunnehanna, Northeast, Southern, Western, and the US Am 26:44 — Team morale heading into Nationals and his own game turning a corner 28:15 — The NCAA Championship format explained: 54 holes of stroke play, top 15 advance, top 8 go to match play
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2026 Mass Four-Ball winners: Chris Gatcomb and Shane Walsh
Shane Walsh and Chris Gatcomb came out of nowhere to win the 2026 Massachusetts Four-Ball at Indian Pond and Waverly Oaks — and they did it the hard way: seven-under in miserable cold and rain, a hole-in-one from Chris, an agonizing wait on the leaderboard, and a playoff birdie to beat Matt Parziale and Herbie Aikens. In this episode, the new champs break down that marathon final day, how they came together as a team, and the competitive paths that brought them here — from college and pro hockey to junior golf and the Coast Guard.
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2026 PGA Championship Preview
Sean and Burke are back to break down the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club — the major that sneaks up on you after a month of no-cut, no-stakes tournaments. Burke shares his firsthand take on Aronimink after playing it and attending the 2010 AT&T National there why holes 10, 11, 17, and 18 deserve your attention, and how Gil Hanse's tree-clearing renovation may have turned a great test into a bomber's paradise. The guys dig into the storylines that actually matter heading into Thursday: Rory's post-Masters reset and whether he can finally win a major that isn't Augusta; the LIV question marks around Bryson, Rahm, and the surprisingly intact reputation of Tyrrell Hatton; Xander's closing window for major number three; the no-major club of Cam Young, Ludvig Åberg, Hovland, and Fleetwood; Scottie and Rory's quietly historic stretch (four of the last five majors, three of the last four Players); and what to do about the PGA's identity crisis.
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April 7 · 1 hr 11 min2026 Masters Preview
It's Masters Week and I'm joined by Paul Burke (Azalea cocktail in hand) for our annual Masters preview. We kick things off by marking a historic moment: for the first time since 1994, neither Tiger Woods nor Phil Mickelson will tee it up at Augusta National. They break down the career Masters records of both legends, debate who belongs in the "should have won a green jacket" conversation (Norman, Els, Rose, Duval), and reflect on what this era of the Masters has meant to them personally. From there, it's all about 2026: Is Scottie Scheffler sharp enough despite a slow start to the year? Can Rory McIlroy back up his career Grand Slam with a defense? Are Rahm and Bryson finally hitting their stride heading into a major? The guys also highlight first-timers to watch, break down who's "on the clock" to win a major (Hovland, Fleetwood, Ludwig), and debate whether a certain caddie is getting a little too thirsty for the spotlight. The episode wraps with their Masters picks plus dark horses and some fun prop bet discussion on hole-in-ones and the elusive albatross.
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