Explore every episode of the podcast The Golf Show with Jeff Kolpack Podcast

The Golf Show returns for its 21st season and batting leadoff is a PGA professional who said goodbye to a job he held for 20 years. Greg McCullough at Edgewood announced in December he is retiring from the position.

A retirement celebration will be held next Friday at Edgewood from 5-8 p.m., but first, Greg reflects on the growth and the ups and occasional down with flooding over the years on 740 The Fan. 

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The last golf show of the 2024 season wraps up with two major players in the Fargo-Moorhead golf scene with Mark Johnson of Suite Shots and the Bobcat North Dakota Open and Greg McCullough of iconic Edgewood Golf Course and the Fargo Parks. 

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 The Bartels from Kindred and Dakota Junior golfKindred senior Avery Bartels finished her prep career last fall with her fourth straight Class B girls golf title, with her father Kory Bartels as her coach. Avery is headed to North Dakota State this fall.She also is an example of what junior golf has become in North Dakota, thanks to Dakota Junior Golf Association director of golf Chris Geiss. All three join the show this week.

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The golf show stays in the metro this week with Rose Creek head professional Matt Cook and Fargo Country Club director of instruction Lisa Schwinden.These two have made huge impacts in the world of golf, from taking Rose Creek from a fledgling course to a mature go-to 18 holes to Lisa raising the profile of girls and women's golf. 

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The Red River Amateur and Wildflower's top billingThe Red River Amateur golf tournament is not far away (June 21-23) and Moorhead Country Club head professional Chris Howell says the event will be even bigger and better, with Bell Bank coming aboard to help attract the top players in the Upper Midwest.One of the top facilities in the country is Wildflower, which got a No. 2 billing from Newsweek for "Best All-Inclusive Family Resort." The show welcomes director of operations Emily Meyers.

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 An O-kind-of-show on Saturday starting with Jim Hackenberg from Orange Whip Golf. The Grand Forks Central graduate started with the Orange Whip Trainer and expanded his business to other avenues. Also, Chris Larson, the head professional at Osgood Golf Course in south Fargo, joins the show to expand on one of the finest nine-hole tracks in the Upper Midwest.

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Brock Ellingson just completed his first year as the head women's golf coach at Minnesota State Moorhead. It's a process in building a program with Brock wearing many hats in doing it.Mother's Day is just eight days away. Is mom a golfer? Nick Wimer from Austad's joins the show to give a few ideas.

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The Golf Show with Jeff Kolpack: Amy Olson reflects on her career in golfThe news hit Wednesday morning when Amy Olson announced her retirement from the competitive arena of the LPGA Tour, After 10 years, one of the greatest players in the history of Red River Valley golf said it's time for the next stage in life. Hear about the good times and the struggle to make it on tour, both financial and with the burden of travel.She left her mark, first in youth golf and then North Dakota State, where she was coached by Matt Johnson, who also joins the show.

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MN Golf Association and Nate AdamsThe Minnesota Golf Association, a large organization that oversees 93,000 members and more than 400 member golf courses, has a new executive director in Jon Mays. The 34-year-old Mays succeeds a legendary figure in Tom Ryan.Also, North Dakota State senior Nate Adams and his teammates have their sights set on a Summit League title. Afterward, Adams plans on giving professional golf a shot.

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An exciting new indoor facility has been going for over two years now. We visit The Clubhouse in south Moorhead, an indoor simulator and lounge that has a charitable component to it with a few events. Matt Gilbertson and Amy Ennen from the facility join the show.Also, North Dakota State sophomore Madi Hicks is putting together an outstanding season heading into the Summit League women's tournament next week.

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Two long-standing members of the Fargo-Moorhead golf community join the show in a power-packed hour. Tom Hoge, in his 10th year on the PGA Tour, has been playing some of the best golf of his career making the cut in 10 of the last 11 tournaments. Yet, he missed the Masters, a World Golf Ranking system that even he isn't sure how it's calculated.Suite Shots general manager and partner Mark Johnson came in studio for the entire hour to talk Hoge, all the benefits Suite Shots is seeing in its two years in existence and NDSU golf.

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A longtime friend of the show, Fargo Country Club head professional Dave Schultz, gives his insight to the course, his Hole-in-One show and the club’s 125th anniversary. On the course, the North Dakota State men’s team is off to a hot spring start. Head coach Steve Kennedy explains why. 

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Jeff Burey has had a hall of fame career as a PGA professional, once as a stint at Pinehurst No. 2 but most of his career in the Kansas City area. He's the creator of Wee Links, the six-hole golf course primarily meant for kids. It's a great story in the making, with Fargo in line to get a course.A cool match is coming to Detroit Country Club on Sunday, Aug. 4 before the Pine to Palm. The Legends (Bill Israelson, Jim Strandemo, Rick Kuhn, Greg Melhaus) will face the Young Guns that includes Hawley state champion Jack Justesen. Detroit CC Tom Dolby joins the show.

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It's back, for the 23rd season. The longest running golf show in tri-state area and Canada is off and running with Edgewood head professional Greg McCullough. Plenty to discuss with the golf course openings not far away and the wide array of public golf in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

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In the final show of the season, Forum columnist Mike McFeely joins the show to review a jewel of a golf course destination trip in Nebraska. 

The Pine to Palm golf tournament starts Monday at the Detroit Country Club, tournament director Vern Schnathorst gives a preview. It's been another banner summer for Fargo public courses, Edgewood head pro Greg McCullough puts a wrap on the show.

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It's been another banner year at Oxbow Country Club in south Fargo, Head professional Corey Herlickson joins the show and looks back at a successful renovation.

NDSU professor Brad Strand explains how golf played a major part in his recent book: "Optimal Sports Performance: Practice Smarter, Think Faster, Play Better" that is available on Amazon.com. 

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Kris Kroetsch is moving back to Grand Forks. The former UND player who has been a staple of teaching in the Fargo area for the last decade was named the head women's golf coach and is off and running.

Robin Slavik is retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, but he isn't retired from golf adventures. The Cooperstown, N.D., native is a professional volunteer who has worked PGA, LPGA and Champions Tour events. 

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Amy Olson finished her LPGA season at the U.S. Women's Open last week, but gave making the cut a shot at seven months pregnant. It's been quite a career to date, and her parents have been there every step of the way.

Meanwhile, Hawley's Cody Aldinger turned in a rare feat in golf: a hole-in-one and double eagle in the same round. He did it at Hawley Country Club.

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Jeff was live from Pebble Coach, as he followed Amy Olson in her appearance at the U.S. Women's Open, and the experience for her, her family, and those in the LPGA. 

Mark Grothe and Dan Labernick also join the show as the El Zagal "9-Holes-In-One" contest is coming up July 30 at El Zagal Golf Course. The event is presented by the El Zagal Shriners.

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Not only did North Dakota State golfer Josh Galvin win the Red River Amateur, he blew away the field. Galvin and Moorhead Country Club head pro Chris Howell resurrect the memorable weekend.Next week will be memorable for Amy Olson, who will play in the Women's U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

Fargo Country Club director of instruction Lisa Schwinden, who recruited Amy to NDSU, reflects on the career of one of the area's all-time greatest athletes.

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The Zebra Open, the tournament at Maple River started by referees and officials, is back for its third year and the event is targeting "Dare 2 Stand Out" as its beneficiary. Veteran officials Rock Messerschmidt and Ryan Gellner and Chris Mapes from "Dare 2 Stand Out" join the show. To find out more about the organization: www.dare2standout.org.

It's Red River Amateur weekend, one of the premier events of the summer that will be televised on WDAY Xtra. WDAY operations manager Stacey Anderson details the broadcast.

And when Derrick LaPoint from Moorhead took his 6-year-old son Henrik to Kansas City for the Midwest State Invitational, he had no idea what to expect. Henrik won his age division.

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Full house for the show today, as we talk sand greens golf in North Dakota. Plus Joel Vettel from Sanford previews the Roger Maris Golf Tournament and some of the activities around the golf tournament.

It was a few years ago when the subject of sand greens came up, and making a day of it to play a couple that remain. That's what Dave Holm, Greg McCullough, Larry Murphy and I did earlier this week. We do a round table discussion of our experience.

It's Roger Maris tournament time, with the big golf event next Thursday. Joel Vettel from Sanford Health outlines the Maris Week.

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Plenty of discussion points this week with Rose Creek head professional Matt Cook, who weighs in on his course, the LIV and PGA tour merger and Coy Papachek's 454-yard hole-in-one. Coy joins the show.

Also, Fargo Shanley head boys coach Brock Ellingson outlines his move from high school to taking over the Minnesota State Moorhead women's program.

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Grand Forks Central graduate Jim Hackenberg returned home this week to be inducted into the North Dakota Golf Association Hall of Fame, the highest honor in golf in the state. The creator of the Orange Whip (www.orangewhipgolf) among other training aids stopped by the studio with a show that includes his Chappie Golf  (www.chappiegolf.com) and PuttMaster inventions.For the fourth year, the El Zagal 9-Holes-In-1 fundraiser is set for bigger and better prizes at El Zagal Golf Course.

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Behind Director of Golf Chris Geiss, the Dakota Junior Golf Association continues to move junior golf forward in the state of North Dakota including the Junior Newman Invitational June 11 at the Fargo Country Club that will feature the state's top prep golfers.

Across the river, Moorhead High's Joe Kortan, a University of North Dakota commit, is one of the top players in Minnesota and he joins the show along with first-year head coach Brady Robertson.

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There are no limits to the imagination of head professional Chris Larson at Osgood Golf Course in south Fargo. Check out the latest with Chris and what the nine-hole plus-3 course has to offer.

There's a new sheriff in town at Detroit Country Club with the hiring of Tom Dolby as head professional. The lakes course is making a few subtle changes heading into the summer months.

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Bismarck media personality Scott Woodmansee knows the golf scene in the western half of North Dakota and gives an update on the happenings in that part of the state. Also a look at Mr. and Ms. Golf North Dakota candidates.

Close to home, Chris Howell and the Moorhead Country Club will be hosting the popular Red River Amateur again in June, which will be televised by WDAY-TV.

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Most people know Tom Lehman as a multiple winner on the PGA Tour including the British Open, but the Alexandria, Minn., native is making an impact with his golf course design projects. Lehman joins the show outlining his latest project, The Lehman 18 at Cragun's Resort in Brainerd, which is part of a 45-hole renovation project.

Also, Tom Ryan, the executive director of the Minnesota Golf Association, is retiring this year and takes a look back at his career in golf.

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The two public courses in Moorhead are off and running and Village Green head professional Russ Nelson gives an update on his course. Meanwhile, Leonard Country Club owner/operator Mike Pulczinski reveals some exciting news for his course that is in the works.

Earlier this week, Fargo's Josh Persons and Zach Sklebar made it past the first qualifier to reach the U.S. Open. Sklebar, the assistant at Fargo Country Club, outlines his hopes for the ultimate goal.

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It's a Division I morning with NDSU head men's coach Steve Kennedy and Bison player Nate Adams, with the Bison heading to the Summit League tournament that starts Sunday looking for a conference title.The Bison women, meanwhile, gave the Summit tourney a good run last week before finishing third. Head coach Matt Johnson and player Catherine Monty join the show.

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Grand Forks Central graduate Jim Hackenberg has made a splash in the golf industry with his Orange Whip Trainer and once again joins the show to relay his scientific knowledge and devices of the game. He also is unveiling Chappie Golf, a club and ball designed to play anywhere, including in winter. It can be www.chappiegolf.com.

Also, the Red River may be flooding but it won't be long before Fargo Country Club head professional Dave Schultz welcomes golfers onto his course. Dave gives us an FCC update.

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Star-Tribune columnist Jim Souhan has covered The Masters for many years, and he gives his take on this year's event plus the 3M Open on this edition of the Golf Show.Also, North Dakota high school golf started practice this week; the head coach of two-time Class A champion, Dan Wolf, discusses the issues facing the spring season. Also, Joel Vettel from Sanford Health and the "Swing Training" fundraising event at Suite Shots next Wednesday.

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The LPGA season gets underway next week for Amy Olson with the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii. Now in her 10th year, the Oxbow native is hoping for a bounceback season after a 2022 season that had its inconsistencies. Olson also has some personal news to announce on the show with an expected addition to the family that will make this year an abbreviated one. 

Also, meteorologist Daryl Ritchison, the director of the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network, joins the show to give us a glimpse on when golf will resume with the poor spring conditions. 

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A tradition unlike any other, the Masters, is right around the corner and Fargo's Tom Hoge joins the show to talk about how he's preparing for his second trip to Augusta National. Also, Mark Johnson, the general manager and golf professional at Suite Shots in south Fargo, gives us an update on the first year of operations of his facility.

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Susan Faus first cut her excellence in Fargo as a standout North Dakota State basketball player and track sprinter in the early 1990s, and she returned last December as the executive director of the Fargo Park District. She outlines the state of golf with the Fargo public courses.Just 20 miles to the east, Hawley Golf Club is a Red River Valley 18-hole gem not often seen in a small town that has everything: a nice clubhouse, true greens, plush fairways and landscape details. Clubhouse manager Jason Miller joins the show.

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The Golf Show kicks off the season with a familiar face and place in head professional Greg McCullough at Edgewood Golf Course in north Fargo. Snow is on the ground but it's not too soon to think about the game. Also, course superintendent Jason Spitzner joins the show.

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On the last show of the season, two veteran pros take the stage in Edgewood's Greg McCullough and Suite Shots' Mark Johnson. It's been a banner summer at Edgewood after a spring flood scare, the result of a well-designed flood mitigation project.Johnson has retained his title as tournament director for the Bobcat North Dakota Open set for Aug. 26-28 at the Fargo Country Club. He gives a preview.

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Jeff Kolpack is joined by Andre Metzger, who just qualified for his first PGA event and participated in the 3M Open last week in Blaine, MN; and Vern Schnathorst, the new Chairman of the Pine to Palm Golf Tournament previews the event.

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The Golf Show with Jeff Kolpack: Jace Frederick and guys dream trip to British Open
The PGA Tour is back in full force action in the United States with the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minn. St. Paul Pioneer Press sportswriter Jace Frederick joins the show to explain the importance of the event.
The last tour event was a memorable one for seven graduates of Concordia College. Thanks to a bet on the Golden State Warriors that paid handsomely, the seven got tickets and stayed one block from the 18th hole at St. Andrews. 

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Former North Dakota State women's basketball player Annette Ambuehl went on a trip of a lifetime with a few friends, and they've never stopped. The latest trip to Portugal did not disappoint.Closer to home, Tim Doppler of the North Dakota Golf Association is a proponent of switching the high school boys golf season to late summer. He gives his reasons.

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It was quite a week for North Dakota State junior Leah Skaar, who finished runnerup in the Minnesota Golf Association Match Play tournament, then the next day started a three-day run to the title in the Red River Amateur Championship.One of the more unique layouts in the region is Wildflower near Pelican Lake. Director Operations Emily Myers and superintendent Reed Bohm join the show.

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The Red River Amateur is hot and heavy this weekend at the Moorhead Country Club. Veteran golf club professional Larry Murphy, the primary analyst on WDAY Xtra's coverage of the tournament, joins the show to break down the field and caution where the tourney can be won or lost on the course.Golf is getting to be a cutting edge game and Sanford Power Golf Academy recently opened in south Fargo. Specialist Seth Heppner gives an overview of the program.

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It's been a successful last 12 months for Jake Skarperud, who capped his prep career by being named North Dakota's Mr. Golf. He'll move on to North Dakota State this fall.After a poor start because of weather, Village Green Golf Course in Moorhead has been busy, with the track having some of the fastest greens in the area. Head professional Russ Nelson joins the show. Also, a look at the popular and sold-out Schwetty tournament that raises money for testicular cancer.

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When Fargo South graduates Rob Ekern and Lee Swanson decided to do something to honor their fathers, well, they went the extra 1,000 miles. The Ekern-Swanson Memorial Trophy Collection now includes the entire Bobby Jones library, including 23 major trophies. Rob gives an insight to the treasure.Another Fargo South graduate and former standout player, Russ Nelson, remains a staple at Village Green in Moorhead. It's a Bruin kind of show.

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It was in 2008 when Jim Hackenberg, a native of Grand Forks, came up with his Orange Whip Trainer, a training tool to help the golf swing. His company has never been stronger and has branched out to other products.Meanwhile, on the course, Bully Pulpit in Medora is a North Dakota jewel. Head professional Patrick Romminger joins the show. Also, the Zebra Open, a fundraiser put on by area officials, has another great cause.

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Kate Smith has had a glorious career at Detroit Lakes High School and the University of Nebraska, but now she's on her own with the Epson Tour, the one circuit that is one step below the LPGA Tour. Kate talks about real life adventures.On the flipside, Oxbow Country Club, once under construction, is now stable and rolling. Head professional Corey Herlickson explains. 

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The local golf community lost Russ Newman at about this time last year, but longtime friend Nick Lakoduk is organizing a tournament in his memory with funds benefiting junior golf programs.

After missing last fall's season with a meniscus injury to his knee, North Dakota State junior Nate Deziel turned in a fabulous spring season winning a Summit League title and advancing to the NCAA Regional.

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North Dakota's junior golf circuit is growing, and you can thank Chris Geiss for that. The executive director of the Dakota Junior Golf Association joins Jeff to talk about the program's development.

Rose Creek in south Fargo has blossomed in recent years. Fargo golf staple Matt Cook, the head professional in his 17th year at the course, details its stunning features.

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