Next on the Tee: Former Players champion John Mahaffey shares memories of past glory

On this episode of Next on the Tee, host Chris Mascaro is joined by 1986 Players champion John Mahaffey, Titleist manager of preferred player promotions Michael Gibson, Soleta Golf Club developer David Turner and Popticals CEO Gary DiSalvo.

Mahaffey shares his memories of Arnold Palmer and how the King helped him get his life straightened out after 10-plus years of drinking. He looks back to the early days of The Players Championship when it first moved over to the Pete Dye Stadium course and what it’s like trying to deal with the swirling winds around the 17th hole. He compares it to trying to figure out how the winds swirl on the 12th hole at Augusta National. He also fives an update on his Nemesis mystery novel series. If you love golf wrapped inside a mystery check out his books, “Shafted,” “Unfinished Business,” and “Dead Quiet” on Amazon or www.johnmahaffeyauthor.com.

Gibson is one of the all-time great club and golf ball fitters. At the end of each day he asks himself if he did everything he could to help the people he worked with that day. He tells how to test which is the right golf ball for your game and also how to figure out the correct bounce and grind for your wedges based on your local turf conditions.

Turner is a developer working with Nick Price and David Ledbetter on a new private golf club outside of Sarasota called Soleta Golf Club. Hear why it’s important to all of them not to disturb the local wetlands and preserve the natural surroundings. No homes will be built on the course so players will be consumed by the game and nature. It is set to be one of the premier private clubs in the country. They are aiming to have it ready for play in late 2024 or early 2025. Check out the course online at www.soletagolf.com.

DiSalvo visits to talk about Popticals’ sunglasses geared for people who enjoy being outdoors, helping to see with more clarity on the course, while fishing, hunting, skiing or whatever takes you outdoors. He tells about their NYDEF polycarbonate lenses which are super lightweight but have the same clarity as glass. Their patented rail system allows you to fold them up and pack them away in a small hard case that protects them from breaking or getting scratched if you prefer to keep them in your golf bag. See these sunglasses online at www.popticals.com.

Listen: Next on the Tee with Chris Mascaro