Ep. 55 The Catastrophe Series: Hurricane Katrina with James Leitz

The scene is Las Vegas, Nevada. A young assistant professional from Oklahoma is heading back to his hotel room around 9 PM when most other golf professionals are just heading out to the town. The assistant pro suddenly crosses paths with a head professional from the most prestigious clubs in Oklahoma and makes an impression. He didn't realize it in the moment, but his career path has just changed forever. In a matter of seconds, he had just displayed the character and integrity which would prepare him to eventually succeed the head professional he had just, that pro was Dave Bryan the head pro at Southern Hills. Our guest on this episode of The Inward Nine is the 2016 PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year, the current Director of Golf at SHCC  and a friend to so many of us, he is Cary Cozby.   Ahead in this episode: Cary will unpack the legacy of his father Jerry, the 1985 PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year. More than his outstanding father, Cary will talk on the impact of his mother and the qualities he feels they possessed as a team which prepared him for his own success. Never before on this podcast have we discussed the grieving process. If we all live long enough, it is inevitable we will have to support our own parents through a loss, while grieving our own. Cary shares his perspective and what he calls a gift in the midst of one of the saddest times any of us will ever experience. One would assume that receiving the offer to be the golf professional at Southern Hills is a slam dunk, no brainer, but that wasn't the case for Cary and his family, who had planted deep roots in another midwestern city. Cary shares with us the phone call which gave him all the perspective he needed to make his eventual decision. Luck. Timing. Words we talk about often here. Cary shares a story about being back in Las Vegas later in his life. This time, he and his son are stranded while trying to make it to Los Angeles for Game 1 of the 2017 World Series. What happens next is the result of how sports can bond together perfect strangers, creating a lifetime memory for one young Dodger fan. If you aren't familiar with the Golden Rule, Cary will remind us of its importance and why he makes intentional time and effort for others who are trying to find their way. We talk quite often on this podcast about the cliché – you are always interviewing. Cary's moment with the pro from Southern Hills in Las Vegas proves this to be true, but Cary adds another element to this mindset, and its one every great leader needs to possess. Of the many things Tiger did great, Cary hones in something most might overlook with it comes to one of the greatest players of all time, and it is what keeps Cary motivated still today. To connect with Chandler: Email: [email protected] Instagram @theinwardninepodcast Music Credits: Opening: 'Moonlight Graham' from the Field of Dreams Soundtrack Reading: 'If' by Rudyard Kipling Opening: 'Caution' by the Killers Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home by Ben Rector

What happens when a young film student working in New York City on the set of Saturday Night Live returns home to Vermont for a wedding and is suddenly offered an assistant golf professional position at her home course? The result is a compete career shift and a journey our guest has been on ever since.   Today on The Inward Nine we welcome a Golf Digest and LPGA Top 50 Teacher and the 2017 Middle Atlantic Teacher of the Year. Our guest today is the director of instruction at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland, she is the wonderful Trillium Rose.  In this episode:  Trillium will share about how a cold call to one of golf's most respected golf professionals and the resulting conversation gave her the direction she needed to understand the road ahead of her. As Trillium began to grow as a teacher while working at the Jim McLean Academy in Florida, she helps us understand how Jim pushed, prodded and prepared all of his teachers to be ready to go out and teach on their own. Trillium Rose has a curious mind. So much so that even after nearly a decade of teaching, she went back to graduate school to learn even more than she already knew. She will share with us what she learned, and also how she adapted her teaching style in the following days and years. We most often refer to people like Trillium as a teacher, but she feels there is a word other than teacher which is more appropriate as to how we get the most from our students. In our conversation, I gave Trillium an imaginary magic wand and told her she instantly change the way we all teach the game. Her answer might surprise you, but it also seems to be where teaching is heading. To connect with Trillium:  Instagram: @trillium_rose Website: www.trilliumrose.com To connect with Chandler:  Email: [email protected] Instagram: @theinwardninepodcast Music Credits:  Opening: 'Shattered' by O.A.R. Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

What happens when a PGA Tour card holder fails to get through Q school and runs into a PGA head golf professional while Christmas shopping? Ahead on this episode is the story of Mike Harmon, the longtime head professional at Secession Golf Club in Beaufort, South Carolina.  In our conversation with Mike we discuss:  How the culture at Secession was not only created, but also on role as the guardian and protector of its culture ever since. Mike had to sell countless memberships over his 30 year career. When it comes to selling, Mike will share the key word he feels is at the foundation of the process. Mike will soon be taking his 100th overseas golf trip. There are many reasons Mike has continued to jump over the pond and he will share why these trips can impact your business in countless way. Along with being called The Old Pro, Mike could easily be referred to as Mr. Style. Mike will talk about why he feels style matters and also about how when he was recruiting, he sought our style in others. Mike might be one of the best writers amongst all the golf professionals I've known. Mike will educate us on not only why you should pay attention to your writing, but the side benefit to it we all could use. When it comes to handing down advice, Mike shares about a defining moment in his life that began opening doors soon thereafter.. and not the ones he saw coming either. To connect with Chandler:  Send him an email: [email protected] Or, a DM on LinkedIn or Instagram @theinwardninepodcast Music Credits:  Opening: 'Raise Em Up' by Keith Urban Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

What happens to the lives of golf professionals when catastrophe strikes? How do these people pick up the pieces when they feel everything has been lost?  In this episode, we visit with the Director of Golf at Linville Golf Club, Tom Dale, and the events of Hurricane Helene from the fall of 2024. Following the devastation to the North Carolina mountains, Tom and the club found themselves in a unique position to help the surrounding community. Tom takes us through the ah-ha moment which led to the club immediately ceasing their operations to make their property and assets available to those who needed it the most.  The members and staff at Linville Golf Club have exemplified what it means to be stewards of all they have been entrusted with. Please join me in celebrating their life changing and ongoing efforts.  Music Credits:  Opening: 'Something To Believe In' by Poison.  Interlude: 'Superman' (Instrumental) by Five For Fighting Closing: 'Stand By Me' by Ben E. King

What happens to the lives of golf professionals when catastrophe strikes? How do these people pick up the pieces when they feel everything has been lost and begin to move forward?  In this episode, we will revisit the tragic clubhouse fire at Oakland Hills Country Club on February 17, 2022 with the Director of Golf, Steve Brady. Steve and other staff members watched helplessly as one of golf's most historic buildings burned completely to the ground. Steve takes us through the emotional aftermath of the fire and how the club regrouped to begin the rebuilding process.. a process which would last 4 years leading up to their soon to open new clubhouse, scheduled for Easter Sunday.  Music Credits:  Opening: 'Everytime You Go Away' by Paul Young Interlude: 'Everglow' (Instrumental) by Coldplay Closing: 'Show Goes On' by Bruce Hornsby  

What happens to the lives of golf professionals when catastrophe strikes? How do these people move forward and recover when they seemingly have lost everything?  In this 3 part series around catastrophic events, we spend time with three people who were at the crosshairs of these types of events. In this 1st episode, we head to New Orleans to relive the events of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 with PGA Golf Professional James Leitz. James shares about how he and many others worked to save the life of Pinewood Country Club from the brink of extinction.  A catastrophic event will test every ounce of the human spirit, from how we seek survival to how we help our neighbors. Enjoy these 3 stories of grit and perserverance.  To connect more with Chandler:  Email: [email protected] Instagram @theinwardninepodcast  Music Credits:  Opening: 'Shadow of the Day' by Linkin Park  

What happens to Steve Brady when he is competing in a golf tournament three hours from home and doesn't have a ride home? What happened is he caught a ride home with some other golf professionals and unknowlingly interviewed for his eventual job as the Director of Instruction and Director of Golf at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where he has remained for nearly 30 years.  In our conversation with Steve Brady we will discuss:  The life lessons that were passed down from his parents, who were married for an incredible 73 years. These are lessons, morals and values that prepared Steve for all of the challenges we face in the golf industry. The long lasting partnership like Steve has enjoyed with his own wife. He talks about expectations and communication about the road ahead, something all of us need to do in our own relationships. Steve is an accomplished player and has competed around the world and in major championships. Yet, you aren't likely to hear him talk about any of his accomplishments. Steve talks about an important word which he has kept in the forefront of his mind, and it's a word we could all benefit from.   When it comes to teaching, Steve shares the approach he has taken for decades that lets his players know he won't be wasting their time or his. What happens when things don't go as planned. Story from a Ryder Cup which tests our ability to adjust and adapt on the fly. How to know when it's time to retire. Steve unpacks how he is handling this process and how a question from his son helped him realize there are other things he wants to do now, while he still can. To connect more with Chandler Withington:  Email: [email protected] DM on LinkedIn or Instagram @theinwardninepodcast.com Music Credits:  Opening: 'Like a Rock' by Bob Seger Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector    

Do any of you have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge? Have you ever been curious to understand why things happen the way they do?  Well, say hello to James Leitz, whom many refer to as the 'Godfather of Golf Coaching Technology'. Since the late 1970's, James has been relentless in his pursuit to understand the 'why' behing the results of golf shots.  In our time togther on this episode we discuss:  James' journey from the backwoods of Louisiana to a life in the game of golf.  A challenge a student of his issued to him which immediately changed the way he observed and measured results. James will share a key word he feels blocks the improvement process and leads most students right back to where they began. When it comes to learning a new skill, listen to James share about the skill he learned in school that allowed him to understand the importance of block practice and how new habits are formed. James Leitz hasn't just been a teacher for all of these years.  He has also been a head golf professional. Listen closely as James draws two numbers on a board, the numbers 98 and 2 and why James feels those numbers are the keys to have a long and successful career as a golf professional and is the reason why he has never had to worry about getting fired or replaced. Grab a note pad while listening to this episode as it is full of wisdom and knowledge from a 50+ year long career in golf. James Leitz is an absolute legend of the game.  To follow along or connect more with Chandler Withington:  Follow the podcast on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast Send Chandler a direct email: [email protected].  Music Credits:  Opening: 'In Case You Missed It' by Jordan Davis Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector 

How does a boy who grew up playing public municipal courses in rural Idaho end up at one of the fastest growing golf results in the world and ascend to become the role of General Manager?  Today on The Inward Nine we get to learn the story of Jeff Simonds. Over the last 23 years, Jeff has worked his way up the ladder from seasonal assistant golf professional to GM. Jeff is a wealth of knowlwedge as a Master Professional and Bill Stausbaugh award recipient.  In our conversation with Jeff we will discuss:  The project Jeff took on upon tearing his ACL. While he graduated with a 'degree', listen to what he learned the most in the process.  We will discuss the topic of PGA Member complimentary golf. Jeff shares the range of approaches he has seen during his time at Bandon as well as his advice for you can best approach this in the future.   Jeff will remind us that we cannot do it all. There will be some parts of our life and career we cannot maintain, but Jeff shares a wonderful reminder of why some labels do not define who we are. We all know about Bandon Dunes the golf resort. But there is also Bandon Dunes and the effect it is having on its surrounding community. Jeff will share about this and remind us all, the places we work have so much potential to impact the lives of those around us, so much more than what happens between the 1st tee and 18th hole. And have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and not recognized the person you have become? Listen to Jeff share about a similar moment and the steps he began taking and that you can take to restore perhaps the biggest asset we need on a daily basis – our body. To follow or connect more with Jeff Simonds, he can be found on LinkedIn and Instagram @jeffsimonds To follow or connect more with Chandler, you can find him on LinkedIn or Instagram @chandler.withington or send a direct email, [email protected].  To follow this podcast on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast.com Music Credits:  Opening: 'Human' by The Killers Interlude: 'Old Friends' by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector

Have you ever wanted to know how the best players among PGA Professionals are able to maintain their competitive playing ability while also exceeding the expectations of their job titles?  On this episode of the The Inward Nine we get to spend time with Ben Polland, the Director of Golf at Shooting Star in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. In addition to being a leader at Shooting Star, Ben is also the 2024 Club Professional Champion and has played in 4 PGA Championships.  Along with learning about how Ben's journey took him to Jackson Hole, we discuss:  What Ben feels it takes to compete at the highest level as a PGA golf professional.  How Ben learned to handle all the other moving parts of life so he could play his best golf. How Ben's expectations for playing have evolved over the years and how it has allowed him to arrive at his current mindset and mental state. When it comes to the best of the best players, Ben will share what intangible he feels those players possess that allows them to separate themselves. The wonderful advice Ben received from his mentor, the legendary Darrell Kestner from Deepdale on Long Island. The question Ben's father asked him just before his passing. It's a question we all need to ask ourselves before making any big decision. We get to hear about what life looks like as a golf professional in Jackson Hole Wyoming and of course, we get Ben's wonderful advice for the next generation. To connect or follow along:  You can follow Ben Polland on Instagram @bnpllnd You can follow The Inward Nine on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast You can follow Chandler Withington on Instagram @chandler.withington You can email Chandler: [email protected] Music Credits:  Opening: 'If You Leave' (Instrumental) by Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark Opening: 'Part of It' by Jordan Davis Interlude: 'Old Friends' (Instrumental) by Ben Rector Closing: 'Almost Home' by Ben Rector