The Golf Insiders May 4, 2016

PODCAST NOTE: Listeners can tune in to iHeart Radio 740 The Game or listen in the Orlando area on FM 96.9 Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. to hear The Golf Insiders live. Add The Golf Insiders podcast to your iPhone as an app. Click here and go to the bottom of the device's screen to create the "Quick Launch" icon for the Golf Insiders. Once you've done this it will add The Golf Insiders podcast as an App to your home screen. 

Holly G is in the studio with Will Perry, social media guru EVVUS, and co host Kevin Sternett, assistant pro at Golden Bear Club at Keene's Point. The trio start the show talking about playing in the iHeartMedia Golf Tournament earlier in the week. 

Brian Stuard wins the rain-shortened Monday finish of the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. This is Stuard's first win on the Tour. This is Stuard's 5th year on the Tour. 

Volvik is The Golf Insiders' new product of the month. Volvik's new Vivid ball is the first matte golf ball. 

Global Golf Post's Mike Purkey calls in from Charlotte the site of the Wells Fargo. Next week is The Players Championship. Rory McIlroy is a two-time champion at the Wells Fargo. Holly talks to Mike about Phil Mickelson and if he has said anything since his play since The Masters.  

Mike said that some of Phil's issues might be that he is getting older and focusing each and every shot. 

Jim Furyk returns to the Tour after being off for an extended time due to injury. Holly asks Mike about Furyk. He is also a former champion at the Wells Fargo.

The trio also discuss the upcoming Players Championship, The Open Championship and who the course might favor. Mike thinks Adam Scott will do well at The Players Championship if he can putt well. 

Mike feels that Jordan and Rory McIroy will battle to the end at Oakmont for the U.S. Open Championship. He feels that Jordan will do well as the tough putting conditions at Oakmont.

Holly asks Mike about Jordan Spieth's recent comments, some of the first he's made since the Masters. Mike feels that the recent vacation would definitely help Spieth get over giving the Green Jacket. Mike makes that point if you stop and think, Spieth has almost won the last five major championships and he's only 22 years old. 

Todd Lewis, The Golf Channel, calls in from the Wells Fargo to talk about the weather conditions in North Carolina. Todd says the Quail Hollow course has taken on about 3 1/2 inches of rain. Todd said that even though there has been a lot of rain, the course has the ability to vacuum the water with the subterranean drainage system. 

Holly asks Todd about his chatting with Phil Mickelson early today. Phil loves Quail Hollow like he likes Augusta. She also asks about Rory. Todd spoke with him yesterday about Rory playing well but not winning yet. Rory said that this year reminds him of 2014 when he played well the beginning of the year and then started winning a lot after his first win which was the Open Championship and then followed it up with the win in the United States going on to be the Player of the Year. 

Holly asks Todd about Adidas announcing that its board has decided to sell of its golf business including TaylorMade, Adams and Ashworth. One of the issues might be that TaylorMade is so successful and is launching products too close together. The newest at the beginning of the year might end up on the discount rack before that calendar year is out after TaylorMade launches the next best piece of equipment in that category.  Todd feels that the business model that TM was following might have done them in. 

Holly talks with Todd about the recent news of Tiger hitting balls recently. Todd feels that Todd needs to play in Colonial since the Driver is not needed as much. It would be good for Tiger and good for the event.

For the final segment of the show, Kevin's long time friend Fran Southern, certified teaching professional and the creator of the new Junior Prep Golf Tour in Orlando talks about the new tour for junior golfers. Fran attended all of his son's Lake Brantley High School golf tournaments for the three years his son played. Fran made some observations over the years and found that there were not a lot of places for the young golfers to play after the high school season ended. So when his son graduated, he started the JPGT in Orlando. It combines instruction with Instruction and combined practice clinics and weekend tournaments. 

The Tour's first session is May 10 and will run into the end of July. Special introductory price for listeners is $99. The regular price is $150. Boys and Girls ages 12-18 are invited to sign up.  The tournaments will be played on a rotational basis at Dubsdred Golf Course, Deer Run Country Club, Wekiva Golf Club and Eagle Dunes Golf Club. For more information, visit www.jpgtorlando.com.