
Show Notes
EPISODE 005Runtime: Coming SoonPublished: July 2026Topics: Golf Channel • Sports Illustrated • Journalism • Storytelling • Leadership • Relationships • The Game of GolfOne of golf’s most respected journalists joins the Fairways & Friends Pawdscast.From his early days at Sports Illustrated to becoming one of the most recognizable voices on Golf Channel, Damon Hack has spent his career telling the stories that have shaped the game. Throughout his journey, he has earned the trust of the sport’s greatest champions while covering the biggest moments in professional golf with insight, integrity, and genuine curiosity.In this conversation, PGA Master Professional Courtney Connell sits down with his longtime friend to go beyond the headlines and behind the television camera. Damon reflects on the people who influenced his career, the unforgettable moments he’s witnessed, lessons learned from interviewing golf’s legends, and why the relationships built through the game continue to matter most.This is more than a conversation about golf. It’s a conversation about character, purpose, friendship, and the power of storytelling.The full episode premieres soon. Check back for the complete conversation with Damon Hack, including chapter links, memorable quotes, episode highlights, and links to watch or listen on your favorite platform.Meet the GuestDamon HackGuest: Damon HackOrganization: Golf Channel / NBC SportsKnown For: Golf Channel, Sports Illustrated, award-winning golf journalismAwards: Acclaimed journalist and television hostDamon Hack is one of the most respected voices in golf journalism. As a host and reporter for Golf Channel, he has covered the game’s biggest championships, interviewed many of golf’s greatest players, and become known for thoughtful conversations that go far beyond scores and leaderboards.Before joining Golf Channel, Damon spent more than a decade as a senior writer at Sports Illustrated, where his insightful reporting and feature stories earned widespread respect throughout the sports world. His ability to connect with athletes and uncover the personal stories behind the competition has made him one of the most trusted interviewers in golf.Known for his professionalism, authenticity, and genuine curiosity, Damon continues to help fans better understand the people who define the game. Whether covering major championships or sitting down for in-depth conversations, his work reflects a deep appreciation for golf, leadership, and the relationships that make the sport unique.
More from Fairway and Friends Pawdscast
Will Doctor | A Spirit for the Game | Fairways & Friends PawdscastGolf has a remarkable way of bringing people together, creating lifelong friendships, and opening doors to opportunities far beyond the fairways.This week on the Fairways & Friends Pawdscast, PGA Master Professional Courtney Connell welcomes Will Doctor, a respected voice in golf broadcasting and an individual whose passion for the game extends well beyond the scorecard.From his collegiate golf days at Texas Wesleyan University to his involvement with The Spirit Golf Association and his role as host of The Golf Hour on ESPN Houston, Will has built a journey around golf, relationships, and storytelling.Throughout this conversation, Will reflects on the people who influenced his journey, including renowned PGA Professional Charlie Epps, and shares his perspectives on mentorship, broadcasting, service, and the relationships that make golf such a special game.It's a conversation about much more than golf. It's about the people we meet, the lessons we learn, and the lasting impact we can have on others.More Than Golf. It's Connection.Explore more episodes and connect with the Pawdscast:https://fairwaysfriendspodcast.com/homeLearn more about The Spirit Golf Association:https://www.thespiritgolf.com
Josh Weathers — More Than a Song Fairways & Friends Pawdscast | More Than Golf. It's Connection.Some voices have the power to entertain. Others have the power to move us. Andevery once in a while, a voice comes along that does both.Country and soul singer Josh Weathers joins PGA Professional Courtney Connellfor a heartfelt conversation about music, faith, family, friendship, and findingpurpose beyond the spotlight.Known for his powerful vocals, electrifying performances, and unmistakablepassion, Josh has built a career connecting with audiences through the gift ofmusic. But behind the cowboy hat, the guitar, and that extraordinary voice is astory that reaches far beyond the stage.In this episode, Courtney and Josh explore the experiences, relationships, andpersonal convictions that have shaped his journey. From the joys and challenges ofthe music business to the importance of gratitude, generosity, and stayinggrounded, Josh reminds us that life's greatest accomplishments aren't alwaysmeasured by applause.And, of course, there's golf! Because on Fairways & Friends, the game we love hasa wonderful way of bringing people together, creating friendships, and opening thedoor to conversations that truly matter.It's more than a song. It's a story of connection, gratitude, and purpose.Join us for another meaningful conversation on the Fairways & Friends Pawdscast,where we celebrate the people, relationships, and experiences that make thisbeautiful game about so much more than golf.More Than Golf. It's Connection. 🎙 Fairways & Friends PawdscastHosted by PGA Master Professional Courtney Connell🌐 www.fairwaysfriendspodcast.comAvailable on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
The Keeper of the TraditionDale Morgan, PGA — Leadership, Legacy & a Life inGolfThis is a conversation about golf—but even more, it's aboutstewardship, relationships and legacy.Dale Morgan — The Keeper of the Tradition.Fairways & FriendsMore Than Golf. It's Connection.YouTube TitleDale Morgan, PGA | The Keeper of the Tradition | Fairways & FriendsWebsite DescriptionSome people work in the golf business.Others spend a lifetime helping carry the game forward.In this episode of Fairways & Friends, Courtney Connell sits downwith longtime PGA Professional Dale Morgan for a conversationabout a remarkable life in golf—one shaped by relationships,mentorship, leadership, tradition and service.Dale's journey has placed him at the heart of one of the game'smost storied golf communities: Austin Country Club.It is a place where the fingerprints of legendary teacher HarveyPenick remain unmistakable, and where names such as Ben Crenshawand Tom Kite are woven into the club's history. But Dale's storyisn't simply about being around great players and historic names.It's about what he learned from them—and what he has tried topass along.Throughout the conversation, Dale takes us behind the résumé andshares the people and experiences that shaped his journey as a PGAProfessional. He reflects on mentorship, developing youngprofessionals, the responsibilities that come with leadership, andwhat it means to preserve the traditions of the game whilecontinuing to move it forward.Dale's influence also extends far beyond Austin Country Club. Hisyears of service and leadership within the Southern Texas PGA andhis role as a PGA of America District 12 Director reflect a careerdevoted not simply to the golf business, but to the PGAProfessionals who serve the game every day.And in 2026, another chapter was added to that journey with Dale'sselection to the Texas Golf Hall of Fame.But as we like to do on Fairways & Friends, this conversation isn'treally about titles, awards or accomplishments.It's about the people behind them.Who opened doors for Dale Morgan?What did he learn from the people who came before him?What responsibility comes with becoming the person who now opensthose doors for someone else?And after a lifetime around this wonderful game, what does Dalehope will remain when the titles and business cards are eventuallyput away?
What happens when the hands behind some of golf’s greatest equipment finally get to tell their story?On this episode of Fairways & Friends, Courtney Connell sits down with master clubmaker Mike Taylor of Artisan Golf for a conversation about craftsmanship, mentorship, relationships and legacy.Mike’s remarkable journey runs through some of the most important chapters in modern golf equipment—from the Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company and the influence of legendary clubmaker Gene Sheeley, to Nike Golf’s famed Oven in Fort Worth, where Mike helped create equipment for Tiger Woods and many of the game’s greatest players.But this conversation is about much more than golf clubs.Mike shares what Gene Sheeley taught him about the craft, what it was like building equipment for players with extraordinary feel, the emotions surrounding Nike’s decision to leave the golf-equipment business, and how that ending eventually helped lead to a new beginning with Artisan Golf.We also explore the fascinating people who have crossed Mike’s path—from Tour champions to legendary athletes and entertainers—and the young golfer named Scottie Scheffler who was walking through the shop long before the rest of the world knew his name.And then we go somewhere deeper.What does a craftsman feel while watching a player win a major championship with a club his own hands helped create?Who will carry this increasingly rare craft into the next generation?And when Mike Taylor’s days at the grinding wheel eventually come to an end, what does he hope his fingerprints will have touched beyond golf clubs?From Ben Hogan and Gene Sheeley to Tiger Woods and the next generation, this is the story of knowledge passed from one set of hands to another.There are no shortcuts to craftsmanship.Mike Taylor — The Ultimate Artisan.Welcome to Fairways & Friends.More Than Golf. It’s Connection.
Stewards of the LegacyMike Wright & Lindy Miller Remember Ben HoganThe world knew Ben Hogan.Mike Wright and Lindy Miller knew Mr. Hogan.In this special edition of Fairways & Friends, Courtney Connell travelsto historic Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, for aconversation surrounded by the photographs, clubs, memorabilia—andmemories—of one of the most important figures in the history of golf.Mike Wright and Lindy Miller didn't learn about Ben Hogan from booksor highlight reels. They knew him personally.Lindy's relationship with Mr. Hogan reaches back to his younger days,when he had the remarkable opportunity to shag practice balls for Hogan and witness, up close, the precision and discipline behind one of golf's most admired swings.Mike arrived at Shady Oaks as a young PGA Professional and developedhis own special relationship with Hogan. Over the decades thatfollowed, Mike became not only one of Shady Oaks' most respectedprofessionals, but also someone entrusted with helping preserve Hogan's history, equipment, stories and legacy.Together, Mike and Lindy take us beyond the championships, thefamous swing and the public image of “The Hawk.” They sharememories of the man they encountered at Shady Oaks—his personality,humor, standards, loyalty, practice habits, friendships and the quietermoments that rarely found their way into the history books.This conversation is also about stewardship.What responsibility comes with personally knowing a legend? How doyou preserve stories that otherwise disappear with time? And whatshould future generations understand about Ben Hogan that can't befound on a trophy, a scorecard or a Google search?Some stories belong to history.Others live in the people who were there.Mike Wright and Lindy Miller were there.Stewards of the Legacy: Mike Wright & Lindy Miller Remember BenHogan.Fairways & Friends — More Than Golf. It's Connection.