Episode 84: Jim Jankowski

Jim Jankowski joins the show fresh off winning the New England Senior Amateur Championship at his home course, Baker Hill. Jim walks us through the final round, including the eagle-birdie-birdie finish on the back nine that sealed the win. We also go back to the beginning: growing up in Canada playing golf and hockey, then playing both sports at Dartmouth. Jim has been part of Baker Hill since the start, and he explains what makes the Rees Jones design one of the best courses in New Hampshire and New England. We close with his work on the New Hampshire Golf board of directors. This episode is sponsored by The Oaks. Give the gift of golf this holiday season with gift certificates for rounds, Toptracer, or lessons with The Oaks’ PGA Professionals. 2027 Evergreen Memberships are now available, with 15% off greens fees and carts plus discounts on food and Toptracer, and new members can start using the perks this fall. Learn more at candiaoaks.com

James Pleat returns to Granite State Golfers for his fifth appearance on the show. James joins us to talk about winning his fourth New Hampshire Mid-Amateur Championship last week at Mount Washington. He walks us through the tough weather the field faced and takes us through his final nine holes on the last day, when he made five birdies to pull away and win. Thanks to The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast. The course is in terrific condition. And be sure to check out the 2027 Evergreen membership options at candiaoaks.com

A two-part episode. Part One: Mike Mahan, won his second Seacoast Am title earlier this summer, talks his start in golf, choosing a college that let him keep playing multiple sports, and the final stretch at York — including the chip-in that forced a playoff. Part Two: Jim Cilley joins Mike to talk about their recent Mid-Am Team Championship win at Mount Washington, bouncing back from a Four-Ball playoff loss earlier this year, and what makes two-man team golf different from solo stroke play. Presented by The Oaks Golf Links. Thanks to The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast — aeration is behind us and the course is in terrific shape heading into fall, with plenty of season left to get out and play. The Oaks also offers instruction and clinics with Director of Instruction Jay Pollini. Reach Jay anytime [email protected] for lessons.

This episode features one of the top young players in New Hampshire, Andrew Surprenant. A 2024 Merrimack Valley High School grad and member of the SNHU Penmen men's golf team, Andrew talks about his high school career and how quickly he developed into a top-tier player, SNHU's back-to-back NE10 Conference championships, and the big wins he's put together this summer — including the New Hampshire Golf Stroke Play Championship, which he won by four shots. Presented by The Oaks Golf Links. Aeration is behind us and the course is in great shape heading into September — plenty of season left to get out and play. The Oaks also offers instruction and clinics with Director of Instruction Jay Pollini, a 2x NH PGA Chapter Champion and the current leader for Player of the Year. Reach Jay at [email protected] 

Episode Summary This episode features Mady Savary, the 2026 New Hampshire Women's Amateur Champion. Mady joins Granite State Golfers to discuss her rise through New Hampshire golf, beginning with the lessons she learned from her dad, Jeff, and continuing through her junior golf career and playing on the Bishop Brady High School golf team.  We also take an inside look at her victory at the 2026 New Hampshire Women's Amateur Championship at Abenaqui Country Club. After finishing runner-up the previous two years, Mady entered the final round with a commanding lead and completed a breakthrough performance to earn her first Women's Amateur title. She shares how she approached the pressure, what she learned from coming so close in the past, and why this championship meant so much. Whether you're a competitive golfer, junior player, parent, or simply enjoy hearing stories of perseverance and achievement, you'll enjoy getting to know one of New Hampshire golf's brightest young stars. Presented by The Oaks Golf Links The Oaks continues to grow one of New Hampshire's premier women's golf communities through its Birdies & Bubbles program, on-course instruction, and women's league opportunities. If you're interested in learning more or getting involved, contact Director of Golf Jon Ellis at [email protected].

This episode features Sarah DesRuisseaux, the 2026 New Hampshire Women's Mid-Amateur Champion. Sarah joins us to discuss her journey in golf—from competing on her high school's boys' golf team to playing Division II golf at Franklin Pierce University. She reflects on the challenges she faced, the mentors who helped shape her game, and the experiences that prepared her for championship golf. We also take an inside look at her victory in the New Hampshire Women's Mid-Amateur Championship at Stonebridge Country Club. Sarah shares what it was like competing at her home course, the pressure that came with being one of the favorites, and how she navigated the two-day championship to earn the title as the tournament's only player to finish under par. Sponsored by The Oaks Golf Links The Oaks continues to grow one of New Hampshire's premier women's golf communities through its Birdies & Bubbles program, on-course instruction, and women's league opportunities. If you're interested in learning more or getting involved, contact Director of Golf Jon Ellis at [email protected].

Myles O’Quinn joins the podcast after winning the New Hampshire Men’s State Amateur Championship at Cochecho Country Club. We talk about his junior golf years, including Oyster River High School capturing its first state championship, and his decision to continue his golf career at Endicott College. In just his second appearance in the State Am, Myles advanced from stroke play through six rounds of match play to claim the title. He walks us through the long week of golf, breaks down each of his matches, and shares some great details from the closing holes of the championship match against Gavin Richardson. We also talk about the side business Myles has started customizing putters. You can see his work on Instagram at @oqcstm  Thanks to The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast. The course is in fantastic condition. 

In this episode, we unpack the slope and rating system that is assigned to each course. In part one, I talk with Peter Harrity, one of the owners of Candia Woods and The Oaks. Last fall, they converted hole 14 from a par 4 to a par 5; this change slightly adjusted the course slope and rating. I talk with Peter about that change, what went into it, and some other changes that will be coming to the Oaks.  In part two, I talk with Kate Billings from New Hampshire golf. Among her responsibilities is conducting the slope and rating review process for each course in New Hampshire. She walks us through how that system works and what goes into determining how hard a course is. If you are interested in becoming a rater, reach out to Kate at [email protected]  Thanks to The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast. Go book around - the course is in terrific condition!

This is a little different from our typical episode. It addresses an important—and sometimes difficult—topic: alcohol, addiction, and sobriety. My guests are Ben Alexander, the general manager at The Oaks, and Eric Foster. Together, they have launched The Dry Golfer, a community for people who love golf and want to enjoy the game without alcohol. As you’ll hear, Ben and Eric speak openly about their own experiences, what led each of them to sobriety, and why they decided to start The Dry Golfer. I’m grateful for the honesty, candor, and vulnerability they brought to this conversation. We also discuss an event they are hosting at The Oaks on July 27. You can learn more about the event, The Dry Golfer community, and how to register at https://thedrygolfer.com/ You can also reach out to Ben at [email protected] and Eric at [email protected] directly if you want to connect with them.  Thanks for listening! 

This episode features Sam Maurice and Gavin Richardson, who are fresh off a win, capturing the 4 ball tournament at Owl’s Nest earlier this month. We talk about their high school careers in New Hampshire and their decision to attend Southern New Hampshire University to play on the golf team there and the success that team has had in recent years. We then dive into the 4 ball tournament - from their blistering open round of 61 to how they found themselves in a playoff near darkness and how they won it on the second playoff hole. Thanks to The Oaks for sponsoring the podcast. The course is in fantastic condition. The Pavilion and Toptracer Range has also turned into a perfect spot to host an event… fundraising events of all kinds including company parties. If anyone is interested in bringing a group to the course or Pavilion, you can reach out to Ben Alexander, General Manager, at [email protected]