The Cart Barn Podcast

Charlie Rymer: Turned Down Arnold Palmer, Beat Tiger by a Shot

Former PGA Tour player and Golf Channel Morning Drive co-host Charlie Rymer on winning the US Junior Amateur, golf with Jack Nicklaus at 17, and surviving stage 3 colon cancer. Description (show notes) Charlie Rymer won the 1985 US Junior Amateur, played the PGA Tour, then spent more than 20 years on ESPN, USA Network and Golf Channel, including co-hosting Morning Drive. In this episode he tells the stories behind that career, and one that matters more than any of them. He explains why he thinks the best players are born with the ability to perform when they’re scared to death. He walks through the final round of Tour Q School, when he could hear players throwing up in the bushes. He tells the story of how Jack Nicklaus helped steer him to Georgia Tech and why he turned down an Arnold Palmer scholarship at Wake Forest to go there. He also covers his first British Open at age 20, the one time he beat Tiger Woods by a shot, and a Saturday round at the Byron Nelson with Davis Love III that his wife slept through. Then the hard part. Charlie shares how a routine colonoscopy led to a stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis, why he chose MD Anderson in Houston, and why he now urges everyone to talk to their doctor about screening. He had no symptoms and no family history. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to win a national title as a teenager, why a swing can fall apart on one shot, or how a player walks away from the Tour and into the broadcast booth, this one is for you. You don’t have to play golf to enjoy it. Chapters 00:00 Welcome and growing up around the game 03:54 Why golf, and the “can’t miss” kid 08:14 Performing when you’re scared (Q School) 16:15 Winning the 1985 US Junior Amateur in Buffalo 23:34 Choosing Georgia Tech, and a round with Jack Nicklaus at 17 30:50 Turning down the Arnold Palmer scholarship 32:48 Knowing he could play on the PGA Tour 36:06 The 1988 British Open at age 20 39:12 Beating Tiger at the 1997 Buick Classic 40:50 The Byron Nelson round with Davis Love III 44:38 Walking away from the Tour and into TV 51:12 The grind of life on Tour 55:18 Stage 3 colon cancer and why screening matters 1:02:25 Golf today, charity events and course consulting Guest Charlie Rymer, former PGA Tour player, former ESPN, USA Network and Golf Channel broadcaster Instagram: [add after verifying] Website: [add after verifying] Listen to more: cartbarnpodcast.com Keywords/tags Charlie Rymer, Golf Channel Morning Drive, US Junior Amateur 1985, Georgia Tech golf, Arnold Palmer scholarship, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, PGA Tour podcast, golf podcast, former PGA Tour player interview, golf broadcaster, colon cancer screening, MD Anderson, Q School, British Open, Byron Nelson, Davis Love III, The Cart Barn Podcast

• Transcript

Kenny Knox on Winning the Honda Classic and “Just Make It”

Kenny Knox won three times on the PGA Tour, including the Honda Classic as a Monday qualifier. He’s also one of the best putters you’ll ever hear from, an author, and a songwriter. In this interview, Kenny joins Chris Lemley and Gregg Dewalt on The Cart Barn Podcast to talk about growing up around the caddy shack in Columbus, Georgia, his years at Florida State, and the moment on the Honda Classic’s seventh hole when a voice told him, “just make it.” In this episode: How a Columbus, Georgia caddy shack and the Southern Open shaped a young golfer Florida State, and what it took to turn pro The Honda Classic: qualifying on a Monday, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Hubert Green telling him he could win, and the voice in the bunker What separates tour players who make it from the ones who don’t Hubert Green, John Daly, and how the game changed when distance took over Putting philosophy from one of the tour’s best putters A practice round with Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman, and the day Arnold Palmer joined the group His new book, Just Make It, with original songs you can reach by QR code Chapters (approximate, check against the final cut) 0:00 Cold open 0:46 Intro 1:58 Welcome Kenny Knox 3:01 Growing up in the Columbus, Georgia caddy shack 7:55 Hugh Royer, Green Island and the Southern Open 13:58 Florida State 22:04 Winning the Honda Classic as a Monday qualifier 23:28 Chi Chi Rodriguez and Hubert Green: “You can win this” 24:59 The voice that said “just make it” 26:45 What separates the tour players who make it 31:01 The last three holes at the Honda 40:39 John Daly and the distance revolution 42:46 Back injury and life after the tour 47:58 Putting philosophy 54:15 Playing with Nicklaus, Norman and Arnold Palmer 58:11 The book, Just Make It 1:08:56 Where to find Kenny and the book Get the book: Just Make It by Kenny Knox is on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0978737490 Kenny Knox: [add his handles here once they’re in Section 20 of the Playbook] Kenny is speaking to college golf teams in Loxley, Alabama on October 29 and 30. Subscribe to The Cart Barn Podcast for weekly stories from the people, places, and history of golf in Alabama and beyond. New episodes every Wednesday at cartbarnpodcast.com. Every golfer has a story worth preserving. Thanks for letting us help preserve yours. Keywords / tags Kenny Knox, Just Make It, PGA Tour, Honda Classic, golf podcast, golf interview, Hubert Green, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, John Daly, putting tips, Columbus Georgia, Florida State golf, Alabama golf podcast, The Cart Barn Podcast

• Transcript

Carter Goodwin: Alabama Open Champion on Missing the Cut, Turtle Point and Q School

Summary Alabama Open champion Carter Goodwin on missing the cut at Shoal Creek, winning the Spirit of America the next week, and heading into Q School first stage. Description / show notes Carter Goodwin is an assistant pro at Turtle Point Yacht and Country Club, a former UNA golfer, and the 2026 Alabama Open champion. He joins Chris and Gregg in the Cart Barn to talk about how he got here. In this episode: Starting in the cart barn at Shoal Creek on his 16th birthday and working there for seven and a half years How he became lead assistant at Turtle Point while still playing competitively Missing the cut in the state amateur, then winning the Spirit of America at Burning Tree the next week Cashing his first professional check on the mini tour Missing Q School first stage by one shot after shooting 14 under Winning the Alabama Open on the Capitol Hill Legislator course Winning the Alabama PGA Section Rolex Series points race What he learned from his swing coach and his hip slide tendency Why he picked Lake Caroline for Q School first stage, which starts the first week of November His favorite hole at Turtle Point, and why the club’s view is “one of one” in Alabama Stories of the people who built the game, from The Cart Barn Podcast.

• Transcript

Every Hole Is a Par Three with Coach Greg Jones

Former LSU and South Alabama golf coach Greg Jones explains why every hole is a par three, why wedges win tournaments, and tells stories about Floyd Horgan, a silver watch that never arrived, and walking with Jack Nicklaus. Greg Jones grew up as a cart boy at Skyline Country Club in Mobile, played college and pro golf, and went on to win five Sun Belt titles at South Alabama before rebuilding the LSU program. After a stint as a State Farm agent, he returned to teaching and is now director of instruction at Steelwood Country Club in Loxley, Alabama. In this conversation, Greg shares: - His cart boy days and first job beating the rough at 13 - Floyd Horgan, the old school coach who shaped his game, and the story of the silver watch - Playing a college round with Alabama football in his headphones - Winning a playoff on his 21st birthday, the day Jack Nicklaus won the Masters, then walking with Jack at Pinehurst - Coaching LSU and what the sideline looks like in Tiger Stadium - His three part swing: pivot, elevate, hinge - Why rhythm is the glue of the golf swing - The "every hole is a par three" offense, the 50 to 120 yard golden opportunity zone, and why par fives are not worth the risk Find Greg: Finish First Golf with Coach Greg Jones on YouTube, gregjonesgolf.com, and Steelwood Country Club in Loxley, Alabama. Every golfer has a story worth preserving. Thanks for letting us help preserve yours.

Craig Bocking: Ground Force, Tyler Watts and Elite Coaching

Huntsville golf coach Craig Bocking of The Ledges explains how Tyler Watts uses the ground to hit a 355 drive at 140 pounds, how force plates and 3D motion capture shape his lessons, and why he tells players to have fun. Craig Bocking coaches golfers from his studio at The Ledges in Huntsville, Alabama, using force plates, TrackMan and 3D motion capture to work with everyone from weekend golfers to college and professional players. He joins Chris Lemley and Gregg Dewalt to talk golf instruction, how the body is designed to move, and what he has learned from more than 25 years of coaching. We get into how he works with Tyler Watts, who pushes nearly 200 percent of his body weight through his lead leg alone, and how that helps a 140 pound player hit a 355 drive. Craig also explains why rotation only works when the lateral move comes first, how he took Gabi Nicastro from 190 yards in the air to 250, and why he wants players in the studio when they are hitting it well, not just when something is wrong. In this episode: - How Craig went from the pro shop to teaching, and why he would have refunded his first lessons - How force plates, TrackMan and GEARS 3D motion capture change what a coach can see - Using AI and the TPI screen to see how a player is designed to move - Tyler Watts and ground reaction forces - The shared habits of elite junior, college and pro players - Why Craig coaches players on the course, not just in the bay - Why golf instruction on YouTube often fails players who cannot physically make the move - Why he tells his players to go have fun, not go win Guest: Craig Bocking, PGA Master Professional, The Ledges, Huntsville, Alabama https://www.pga.com/coach/craigbocking Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to The Cart Barn 00:11 From the pro shop to the teaching side 02:09 The first lessons he would refund 04:28 Technology then and now 05:54 How Craig uses AI in coaching 07:53 TPI, Dr. Greg Rose and Swing Catalyst force plates 10:29 Tyler Watts and ground reaction forces 14:44 Who Craig coaches now 18:38 What elite players have in common 20:17 Gabi Nicastro and the lateral move 22:27 What a lesson with Craig looks like 27:45 25 years of coaching 29:40 Why come in when you are hitting it well 32:15 Tyler's Sunday 63 35:31 How to get on Craig's schedule 37:03 Technology is not the same as technical 39:34 The Ledges facility and putting academy 41:41 Hogan's Five Fundamentals 42:39 Last time he played 18 holes 43:45 Why not just use YouTube instruction 45:27 Information overload and playing with fun 50:30 Wrap up The Cart Barn is a weekly storytelling podcast about golf in Alabama: the people, places, companies, courses and history behind the game. New episodes every Wednesday at https://cartbarnpodcast.com

Jerry West Spent One Week With Jimmy Ballard. His Next 24 Rounds Were All Under 70.

Jerry West spent a week taking lessons from Jimmy Ballard at Pine Harbor in Pell City. When he got back to the LA Country Club, 23 of his next 24 rounds were in the 60s. The 24th was a 59 that set the course record. In Part 2, Jimmy picks up right where we left off. Curtis Strange showed up with a back so bad he had to sit down after five shots. Jimmy put his swing side by side with Ben Hogan's and told him the rebuild would take five years, because that's how long it took Hogan. It did, and it was followed by a run that included back to back U.S. Opens. Jimmy also warned a young Jerry Pate that his swing would tear up his shoulder. Pate didn't want to hear it while he was winning everything, but after the surgeries he called Jimmy for help. Along the way there's a dinner with Joe DiMaggio that ended with the best compliment of Jimmy's career. There's Arthur Ashe breaking 100 once golf was explained to him in tennis terms, and Peter Jacobsen skipping back surgery after one adjustment on the range. Coach Bryant tells Jimmy that fundamentals were all he ever taught. And Jimmy doesn't hold back on where he thinks today's speed chasing swings are headed for players' backs. If you missed Part 1, go back and start there. Every golfer has a story worth preserving. Thanks for letting us help preserve yours.

Babe Ruth Told His Best Friend "You've Got to Hit With Your Body." It Became Jimmy Ballard's Whole Career.

Long before he became one of the most influential golf instructors of the last 50 years, Jimmy Ballard was a teenager in Birmingham who'd quit playing golf entirely. A chance round with Lee Mackey (the man who shot 64 at the 1950 US Open) got him back on the course, and got him introduced to Sam Byrd, the man who'd define the rest of his life. Byrd played outfield for the Yankees alongside Babe Ruth, and the two were genuinely best friends. Babe was best man at Byrd's wedding. And the single move Babe taught Byrd about hitting a baseball, keeping your arms connected to your body instead of swinging with your arms alone, became the foundation Ballard built an entire coaching career on. It's the same principle he later used to help rebuild Curtis Strange's swing from the ground up, patterned directly off the changes Ben Hogan made to his own game. In Part 1, Jimmy takes us from his father getting him into golf at age five, through working Sam Byrd's driving range for free, to why a 40 pound video camera John Brody gave him in 1979 proved that none of his students actually did what they thought they did. Part 2 picks up right where this one leaves off, out Wednesday. Every golfer has a story worth preserving. Thanks for letting us help preserve yours.

She Sewed Her First Headcover in a Dorm Room. Now Zalea's Golf Is at Bay Hill.

Zoe Walker went from a reluctant cheerleader who wanted nothing to do with golf, to a preferred walk on for the University of Georgia women's golf team, to a professional golfer competing on the Women's All Pro Tour and Annika Tour, all while building Zalea's Golf Co, a women's golf headcover brand that started with a bag of fabric from Hobby Lobby and her grandmother's sewing machine. In this episode, Zoe talks about growing up in Palm Desert, California surrounded by golf she had no interest in until watching Bubba Watson win the Masters changed her mind, the cold email campaign that eventually landed her a spot on Georgia's roster, closing the distance gap against a freshman class of top international recruits, and why she left a commercial real estate career to chase professional golf. She also breaks down how Zalea's Golf Co grew from custom head covers made in her dorm room into a brand carried by more than fifty wholesale accounts, including Bay Hill, and what she's building toward with Q school this September in Daytona. Topics covered: junior golf development, walking on to SEC golf, mini tour and Annika Tour golf, Q school prep, women's golf headcovers, building a golf brand from scratch, and balancing professional golf with running a business. Find Zalea's Golf Co at zaleasgolf.com and on Instagram @ZaleasGolf. Every golfer has a story worth preserving. Thanks for letting us help preserve yours.

Stewart Cink Returns: 6 Wins, Grandkids, and the Notebook Behind His Best Season Yet

Two years ago, Stewart Cink was our very first guest. Now he's back to celebrate The Cart Barn's anniversary, talk grandkids, his six win season, and the phone notes that are running his golf game. Full description / show notes Two years ago, Stewart Cink sat down for the very first episode of The Cart Barn Podcast. Now he's back to help us celebrate our second birthday, and he brought a lot to talk about. The 2001 U.S. Open champion and six time winner on the PGA Tour Champions this season opens up about becoming a full time grandpa between tournaments, the actual notes app on his phone he's used since winning at Safeway in 2020 to track swing feels, ball position, and even Bible verses, and the detailed par 3 strategy he built with caddie Chris Jones to become one of the best on tour at the shortest holes. He also breaks down the two wayward tee shots that almost cost him win number 18, why hybrids replaced his long irons, and what it's really like sharing a fairway with Fred Couples, Bernhard Langer, and Miguel Angel Jimenez. Plus, in our rapid fire round, Stewart names his favorite course to play for fun (a hidden Harry Colt gem in Chicago), his favorite golf course architects working today, and the golden age designer he thinks doesn't get enough credit. What's inside this episode: 0:00 Welcome back to our inaugural guest for the 2 year anniversary 1:02 Life since the Regions Tradition, and full time grandparenting on the road 5:38 Family update: his dad's recovery from a broken ankle 8:35 The notes app he's kept since his 2020 Safeway win, and why it works 14:18 Bible verses, caddie Chris Jones, and the par 3 system built to win stats 20:39 Ball position, alignment sticks, and fixing what you can't feel 24:19 The physics behind more distance: launch angle over spin 27:06 How he almost blew win number 18 on a 100 yard wide fairway 31:37 Marveling at Jimenez, Langer, and Couples still winning in their 60s 35:06 Why hybrids replaced his long irons 42:35 The rest of his 2026 schedule and why he skips certain events 50:25 Rapid fire: favorite course, favorite modern and golden age designers, and his go to Bible verse Subscribe so you don't miss next week's episode, and if you're enjoying The Cart Barn, leave us a rating and review, it helps more golf fans find the show.

Matt Terry Talks Coming Home After 32 Years to Coach North Alabama Golf

On this week's episode of The Cart Barn, Chris Lemley and Gregg Dewalt are joined by returning guest Matt Terry, the new head men's golf coach at the University of North Alabama after nine seasons at Louisiana Tech. Terry, a Moulton, Alabama native who met his wife on the UNA campus, talks coming home to Florence, why he left Louisiana Tech to take over one of UNA's flagship athletic programs, and how the transfer portal and new nine man roster limits are reshaping college golf recruiting. He also breaks down his young roster of four freshmen and four sophomores, three of whom followed him from Louisiana Tech, and previews a fall schedule that opens in Myrtle Beach before stops in Chicago, Kentucky, and Tulsa.

Gabi Nicastro Talks Her Run to the U.S. Women's Amateur Semifinals at The Honors Course

On this week's episode of The Cart Barn, Chris Lemley and Gregg Dewalt are joined by Samford University senior and reigning Alabama Women's Amateur champion Gabi Nicastro, fresh off a semifinal run at the 2026 U.S. Women's Amateur. The Huntsville, Alabama native talks entering the national tournament as the 44th seed and ranked 380th in the world, beating four higher seeded golfers to reach the final four, and falling to top seeded Anna Iwanaga after playing in a field alongside nationally ranked names like Asterisk Talley and Scarlett Schremmer. Gabi also talks her path from softball to golf, working with swing coach Craig Bachand, her What's In The Bag rundown, and the school record 10 under 62 that gave her her first collegiate win at Samford.

Alex Mortensen: UAB Took the Field 40 Players Short and Won Anyway

UAB football head coach Alex Mortensen joins The Cart Barn for a 2026 season preview, recorded on the range at the Regions Tradition just days before college football kickoff. Mortensen, who spent nine seasons on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama, breaks down NIL, revenue sharing, the transfer portal, and how UAB football is closing the recruiting gap on American Conference contenders like Tulane, Memphis, and USF. Mortensen also tells the story of UAB taking the field against Tulsa 40 players short, and winning the program's first road game in three years. Alex Mortensen is the head football coach at UAB, hired in December 2025 after nine seasons on Nick Saban's Alabama staff. He is the son of the late ESPN NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.

Jason Bohn: Ernie Els Asked Him for Putting Tips

Jason Bohn is a two-time PGA Tour winner, University of Alabama golf alum, and now a PGA Tour Champions player competing this week at the 2026 Regions Tradition in Hoover, Alabama. On this episode of the Cart Barn Podcast, Bohn tells the story of the day Ernie Els, a four-time major champion and World Golf Hall of Famer, walked up to him on the practice green and asked him for putting tips. Bohn's response: "you're a Hall of Famer, bud, what are you asking me for?" That moment lines up with what Bohn says makes the PGA Tour Champions circuit different from the tour he grew up on: players are far more open with each other, trading tips and advice no matter whose resume is bigger. It's the same reason you can get Vijay Singh alone in a bunker for an hour and he'll tell you everything he knows. Bohn also talks about choosing Alabama golf over a hometown offer from Penn State, life in Atlanta playing with fellow PGA Tour pros Stewart Cink and Billy Andrade, Wednesday night Bible study with Cink and Zach Johnson, buying a house in Tuscaloosa his own kids aren't allowed to live in, Alabama's new golf facility, and where he lands on NIL money in college golf. Topics covered: The Ernie Els putting green story Choosing Alabama golf over Penn State for the weather His college teammates, including Dicky Pride Why PGA Tour Champions feels like a throwback to the 1950s and 60s barnstorming days What Vijay Singh will teach you if you get him in a bunker for an hour Life in Atlanta, playing with Stewart Cink and Billy Andrade Season tickets, a Tuscaloosa house just for him and his wife, and raising two future Alabama students The new Alabama golf facility Coach Sewell calls a "Lamborghini" NIL, college golf's facilities arms race, and why today's junior golfers are just better athletes Every golfer has a story worth preserving. Thanks for letting us help preserve yours.

From Sweden to the PGA TOUR: Freddie Jacobson's Unlikely Journey Through Alabama

Freddie Jacobson's path to professional golf wasn't typical. Growing up in Sweden, he played multiple sports before committing to golf. That journey eventually brought him to Wallace State Community College in Alabama, where he arrived speaking very little English but found an opportunity that helped launch a career spanning the European Tour, PGA TOUR, and now PGA TOUR Champions. Recorded on-site at the Regions Tradition, Freddie joins Chris Lemley and Gregg DeWalt to discuss: Why Sweden has produced so many world-class golfers The value of playing multiple sports as a junior Choosing golf over hockey Coming to Alabama without speaking English Life at Wallace State and college golf Building a career on the European Tour and PGA TOUR Competing today on PGA TOUR Champions Why preparation and patience matter at every level of the game Whether you're a competitive golfer, a fan of the game, or simply enjoy great stories, Freddie's journey proves that success often begins in the most unexpected places. Guest Learn more about Freddie Jacobson: Freddie Jacobson – PGA TOUR Champions Profile

The Weirdest Golf Hole We've Ever Seen + Gregg's Nebraska Golf Adventure

This week, we're taking a short break from guest interviews to catch up on what's happening in golf and share one of the most memorable golf trips we've ever discussed on The Cart Barn Podcast. Gregg recently traveled to Nebraska, where he played everything from nationally ranked courses to hidden nine-hole gems. Along the way, he discovered something neither of us had ever seen before—a golf course with sand greens, including one unforgettable hole known simply as "The Bull Pen." We also discuss: Jackson Koivun's incredible start on the PGA TOUR The Alabama Open and Carter Goodwin's wire-to-wire victory Gregg's visit to the USGA Women's Amateur Media Day at The Honors Course Why Nebraska may be America's most underrated golf destination The unique traditions that still exist in small-town golf Alabama Golf News' new Oakmont caddie series featuring stories from golf's past Sometimes the best golf stories aren't about championships—they're about discovering something you've never seen before. Every golfer has a story worth preserving. Thanks for letting us help preserve yours. This week we're doing something a little different. Instead of sitting down with a guest, Chris and Gregg catch up on what's happening in the golf world and revisit Gregg's recent golf trip through Nebraska. The journey included nationally ranked golf courses, hidden nine-hole clubs, sand greens, and one unforgettable hole called The Bull Pen—a golf hole unlike anything either of us had ever experienced. Along the way we also discuss: • Jackson Koivun's rapid rise on the PGA TOUR • The Alabama Open recap • The USGA Women's Amateur at The Honors Course • Why Nebraska deserves a spot on every golf travel bucket list • The newest storytelling series on Alabama Golf News Whether you love discovering hidden golf destinations or simply enjoy great stories from the game, this episode is for you. Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday. Every golfer has a story worth preserving. Thanks for letting us help preserve yours. Chapter Markers 00:00 Cold Open – What Is This? (The Bull Pen) 00:28 Intro 02:05 Jackson Koivun's PGA TOUR Win 03:10 Alabama Open Recap 04:30 USGA Women's Amateur at The Honors Course 08:20 Nebraska Golf Adventure Begins 11:15 Sand Greens & The Bull Pen 21:30 Hidden Nine-Hole Golf Courses 29:45 Alabama Golf News' Oakmont Caddie Series 34:00 What's Next for The Cart Barn 36:30 Closing Thoughts Episode Keywords Golf Travel Nebraska Golf Sand Greens The Bull Pen The Honors Course USGA Women's Amateur Jackson Koivun Alabama Open Golf Stories Golf Podcast Golf History Hidden Golf Courses Golf Travel Destinations Small Town Golf The Cart Barn Podcast

Anna Davis on Augusta, the Curtis Cup & What's Next in Her Golf Journey

What happens after you shock the golf world at 16? In this episode of The Cart Barn Podcast, Chris Lemley and Gregg DeWalt sit down with Anna Davis, the 2022 Augusta National Women's Amateur Champion, Curtis Cup champion, and Auburn University standout. Anna reflects on how her life changed after Augusta, representing Team USA, competing in one of college golf's toughest conferences, and preparing for the next chapter of her career. She also shares stories from Augusta National, Pine Valley, Bel-Air, Muirfield, and other legendary golf courses while offering an honest look at the pressure, growth, and joy that come with competing at the highest level of amateur golf. Whether you're a competitive golfer, an Auburn fan, or simply enjoy great golf stories, this conversation offers a rare look inside the journey of one of the game's rising stars. Anna Davis Augusta National Women's Amateur Curtis Cup Auburn Tigers Women's Golf College Golf LPGA Team USA Golf Golf Podcast Amateur Golf The Cart Barn Podcast

Making a Championship: Inside the Alabama Open with Wade Dockery

What does it really take to build a championship golf tournament? Tournament Director Wade Dockery of the Alabama–Northwest Florida PGA Section takes Chris Lemley and Gregg DeWalt behind the scenes of the Alabama Open, revealing what most golfers never get to see. From preparing the golf course and building the purse to attracting the region's top professionals and amateurs, Wade explains what it takes to stage one of the South's premier state championships. The conversation also explores the rich history of the Alabama Open, its partnership with the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, and the champions who have shaped its legacy, including Steve Lowery, Spike McRoy, Tom Lovelady, Wes Tuck, Todd Bailey, Lee Williams, Ian Steele, and many others. Whether you've competed in a State Open, dreamed of playing in one, or simply love championship golf, this episode offers a rare look inside what it takes to build a tournament worthy of its champions. Every golfer has a story worth preserving. Thanks for letting us help preserve yours.

Why Golf Doesn't Feel the Same Anymore

Golf has always been about more than scorecards. It's about the people we meet, the courses that shape us, and the stories that stay with us for a lifetime. In this episode, Daryle Sager joins Chris Lemley and Gregg DeWalt to reflect on a different era of amateur golf. From Bonnie Crest Country Club and the legendary players who came through its fairways to the lifelong friendships formed through the game, James shares why these stories deserve to be remembered. The conversation also explores how amateur golf has changed, what has been gained, what may have been lost, and why preserving the history and character of the game still matters. If you enjoy golf history, unforgettable personalities, and conversations that go beyond the scorecard, this episode is for you. Every golfer has a story worth preserving. Thanks for letting us help preserve yours.

Alabama State Amateur Champion Ryley Heath | The Making of a Champion

Winning the Alabama State Amateur doesn't happen by accident. Fresh off his victory at the Country Club of Birmingham, Ryley Heath joins The Cart Barn Podcast to discuss the journey that led to one of the biggest amateur titles in the state. But this conversation is about much more than one tournament. Ryley reflects on growing up at Burning Tree Country Club, learning the game alongside his sister Ginger, and the players and mentors who helped shape him into one of Alabama's top amateurs. He explains why difficult golf courses helped his game, how practicing every day at Silver Lakes transformed his short game and mental toughness, and why Jacksonville State became the perfect place for his development. The conversation also revisits the dramatic final round at the Country Club of Birmingham, including the birdie on the 72nd hole that secured the championship, what was going through his mind under pressure, and how that victory earned him a place in this year's U.S. Amateur Championship at Merion Golf Club. Whether you're a competitive golfer, a junior player chasing bigger goals, or simply someone who appreciates the process behind success, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to build a championship mindset. In this episode: Winning the Alabama State Amateur The pressure of the final hole Growing up at Burning Tree Country Club Why Silver Lakes made him a better golfer Jacksonville State's impact on his career Preparing for the U.S. Amateur at Merion The value of patience, resilience, and confidence What's next as he pursues professional golf Every golfer has a story worth preserving. Thanks for letting us help preserve yours.

The Golf Stories We Never Write Down | Curt Thompson | The Cart Barn Podcast

Every golfer has a story they still remember. A shot from thirty years ago. A round with their father. A tournament that changed everything. A playing partner who later became someone they never expected. This week, Chris Lemley and Gregg DeWalt welcome Curt Thompson, creator of Dear Golf Journal, for a conversation about why golf memories stay with us long after the scorecard is forgotten. From Future Masters memories and lifelong friendships to rounds with family and the shots that still come to mind decades later, Curt shares why preserving these stories may be one of the most meaningful parts of the game. The conversation explores golf's unique ability to connect generations, create lasting relationships, and leave us with memories that become part of who we are. Topics include: • Why golfers remember shots from decades ago • The stories hidden behind our favorite rounds • Future Masters memories and friendships that lasted a lifetime • Playing Dothan Country Club forty years apart • Golf journaling and preserving family history • Paul Tesori and the relationships golf creates • Why golf remains a game we can enjoy for a lifetime Whether you're a competitive player, a weekend golfer, or someone who simply loves the game, this episode will likely remind you of a few stories of your own.