The Golf Show with Jeff Kolpack: Mark Johnson on all things golf; the Birchmont

Mark Johnson was part of the first season of the golf show 21 years ago, so it seems appropriate to put a wrap on this season with the CEO and director of golf at Suite Shots. Topics include the Bobcat North Dakota Open and the All-City tournament. Those are both in August. Starting Monday, an area staple in the Birchmont starts at Bemidji Town & Country Club. Head pro Rick Grand joins the show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have caught a glimpse of them, usually in the front row of a Ryder Cup event. The American Marshals, a group of Ryder Cup fans from Minnesota, will once again be at the United States vs. Europe battle, and Forum Communications Chief Executive Officer Bill Rouse gives a front row view on being a Marshal. Also, North Dakota State names a new head men's golf coach in Ekren Miller, who comes to the Bison after 15 years at Bemidji State.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Chris Geiss jumpstarted the Dakota Junior Golf Association five years ago, he could not have imagined the number of kids getting involved, with tournaments this summer continuing to blow away projections. The British Open is just a week away and nobody better to handicap the field than Oxbow head professional Corey Herlickson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Dakota State professor emeritus Brad Strand spent four decades in education, recently retired with a higher education expertise in physical education, teacher preparation and coaching education. He's also an avid golfer and therefore the two have met many times. The published author of "Optimal Sports Performance: Practice Smarter, Think Faster, Play Better" joins the show on 740 The Fan to give us his latest research in applying proper mental techniques on the course, essential to enjoying a good round and posting a good score. We attack major issues such as: Do you ever find your mind wandering during a golf game?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was quite the two weekends for North Dakota State golfer Rylin Petry, who won the prestigious Red River Amateur last weekend and is getting married this weekend. Petry is a perfect example of a small-town guy from Fertile-Beltrami High School who has made it at the Division I level. Minot North HS graduate Kasen Rostad made it through the year playing for his father, who is recovered from a bout with prostate cancer. Here his inspiring story on 740 The Fan. Kasen was named the state's Mr. Golf and is headed to Minot State to play in college.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was quite the athletic career for Grand Forks Red River's Sophie Brakke, who capped it by being named North Dakota's Ms. Golf by the Dakota Junior Golf Association. In the Twin Cities, Abby Swenson saw a need to combine women and golf with a social club atmosphere, so she started Northern Greens Golf Collective, which in part helps women get involved in the sport. One of the most popular charity golf tournaments in the area is The Schwetty, which once again is sold out at Meadows Golf Course in Moorhead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing up a Cook in Hawley, Minnesota, means golf. Rose Creek head professional Matt Cook and his daughter Sophie, one of the top players in Minnesota, talk about a life in golf. After 12 years at North Dakota State and 18 at Fargo South, that included 12 state championships, Steve Kennedy announced his retirement this month.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The last time a champion was crowned in the Fargo-Moorhead All-City golf tournament was 2017, when Coy Papachek won his third straight. Thanks to Village Green's Randy DeBolt, the tourney that began in 1931 in making a return. Randy joins the show. Speaking of tradition, the Roger Maris All-Star Week and celebrity golf tournament returns for the 41st year thanks to the Maris family and Sanford Health. Joel Vettel from Sanford and Roger Maris Jr. make a golf show appearance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In her 10 years on the LPGA Tour, Amy Olson was a part of a lot of interviews and press conferences and was no stranger to media appearances, which has been a topic this week on the PGA tour. She talks about her family life and thoughts on the U.S. Women's Open next week at Erin Hills in Wisconsin. Also, Chris Larson at Osgood Golf Course in south Fargo has his views on golf and media. Meanwhile, the 12-hole course in southwest Fargo continues to shine.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The numbers are skyrocketing with youth golfers in the Dakota Junior Golf Association, with the organization continuing adding tournaments and programs. Director of golf Chris Geiss has taken the DJGA to unforeseen levels. Meanwhile, Tara Jaeger, the CEO of Recharge Physical Therapy and Wellness in south Fargo, has brought technology to help golfers from a fitness perspective including a program called Titleist Performance Institute Golf Assessment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.