The Course of Life Podcast features two life-long golfers talking golf, sports, and pop-culture. Every week, they are joined by celebrity guests offering a new perspective on the game we love.
Episodes
Tuesday Jul 12, 2022
Tuesday Jul 12, 2022
It was another W for golf's hottest star this weekend as Xander Schauffele notched his second victory in 3 weeks. Hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell wonder if Xander has the right stuff to keep rolling at this week's Open Championship (1:40).
Across the US at Lake Tahoe, some past guests, and other top golf influencers, got together for the Topgolf Creator Retreat (6:08).
All eyes focus on St Andrews this weekend for the 150th Open Championship. Alex and Michael who will be named Champion Golfer of the Year, plus which LIV defector has the best chance at claiming the Claret Jug (7:20).
Stateside, the alternate PGA Tour event is the Barracuda Championship, or as golf twitter calls it, Mark Baldwin week (11:14).
The Book Club wraps up the latest pick with the final three chapters of Alan Shipnuck's "Phil," including the earth-shattering breakup of Phil and Bones, the amazing PGA Championship victory, and the surprising jump to LIV (12:28).
In Tuned In, Alex was geeking out at Austin Comic Con, while Michael was vicariously watching the rebooted "Sailor Moon" (23:27).
This week's guest is Dr Bern Bernacki. The President of the Golf Heritage Society returns to the podcast to chat with Alex about the Society's newest initiatives, their inclusion efforts, and what's so great about the Open Championship (27:13).
Alex and Michael trade barbs as the Red Sox steal one away from the Yankees, who are still a whole lotta games up in the AL East (50:35).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex is having an epic 19th Hole experience, while Michael is enjoying trying out shishito peppers (52:19).
Tuesday Jul 05, 2022
Tuesday Jul 05, 2022
The PGA Tour had a sleepy week at the John Deere Classic, but that won't stop hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell from admiring JT Poston's wire-to-wire victory at TPC Deere Run (1:46).
The LIV Tour made their debut in the US this weekend, and all the star power they had bought were on display, except for the winner. Alex and Michael check out the increasing difficulty in hiding the fact that it's all about the money, and that the DP World Tour almost joined forces with LIV (3:40).
This week's stateside PGA Tour Event is the Barbasol Championship, but all eyes are on the Genesis Scottish Open as the top players in the world get ready for next week's Open Championship (11:08).
The Book Club rolls on with Alan Shipnuck's "Phil," including a look at Mickelson's 2013 Open Championship, Phil's impact on the Ryder Cup, and insider trading scandals (14:15).
In Tuned In, Michael finally got to watch the classic rom-com "Notting Hill," while Alex is catching the Hulu series "Dropout" (22:39).
Returning to the podcast is golf landscape artist Linda Hartough. Linda chats with Alex about painting St Andrews, Augusta, Pebble Beach, and more, plus shares an exciting contest she's doing on her website, Hartough.com (25:13).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex is admiring Joey Chestnut's hotdog eating prowess once again, while Michael is enjoying some comforting diner food (48:06).
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Tuesday Jun 28, 2022
Tuesday Jun 28, 2022
The PGA Tour stayed in New England for the Travelers Championship, where Xander kept it together to notch a victory in Connecticut. Hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell look at his win, Theegala's 72nd hole collapse, and an amateur's surprisingly good week (1:49).
The LIV Tour heats up again this week in Portland, and that dirty oil money keeps buying golfers to jump ship, including Brooks Koepka, but also forces the PGA Tour to change up their own schedule (5:02).
The KPMG US Women's PGA Championship electrified the DC area this weekend at Congressional, where a surging Lexi Thompson wasn't able to overcome her own short game to beat In Gee Chun (11:47).
Across the country at LA Country Club, Irishman Padraig Harrington won the US Senior Open in his first attempt, becoming the third golfer in a row to win in their debut at the major championship (13:46).
This week's John Deere Classic event is a bit of a snooze-fest ahead of the Open Championship, but you can always watch the Scottish Open instead on a major US network all weekend (15:26).
The CoL Book Club continues with Alan Shipnick's "Phil," and the guys are knee deep in the emotional story of Phil's 2010 Master's victory, and Phil's growing gambling problems on and off the course (17:07).
In Tuned In, the guys head to the movies and give us their reviews. Alex finally caught the new Tom Cruise blockbuster "Top Gun 2," while Michael got to see The King in "Elvis" (27:11).
This week's guest is a professional golfer from Australia, known best in the states for beating Tiger Woods twice in the annual match play tournament, Nick O'Hern. Nick chats with Alex about growing up "down-under," beating Tiger, his new book "Tour Mentality," and being a part of the new D3 Golf App (31:28).
It's almost July, and Alex's Red Sox are surprisingly surging in the AL East, but they still have a long way to go to catch Michael's Yankees (1:00:37).
The Stanley Cup was finally given out, and included on the Colorado Avalanche is a fellow Quinnipiac alum, Devon Toews (1:01:38).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex is getting all greasy with his favorite hangover food, while Michael is making babka with Oreos (1:02:29).
Tuesday Jun 21, 2022
Tuesday Jun 21, 2022
It was a US Open to remember, and hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell break down the historic Matthew Fitzpatrick win at The Country Club. Plus a look at the other super-powered firepower on display in Brookline, and Michael's missed opportunity at winning twice in a row (1:45).
The LIV defectors, meanwhile, embarrassed themselves with a horrendous showing at the USGA's major championship (7:53).
The LPGA, not to be outdone, put up a star-studded leaderboard at the Meijer LPGA Classic and a two hole playoff with some of the game's absolute best (9:47).
The PGA Tour stays in New England for The Travelers Championship, where last year we got an epic 8-hole playoff (11:05).
As we all continue reading Alan Shipnuck's "Phil: The Rip Roading (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf's Most Colorful Superstar," Alex and Michael share their thoughts on Phil's major championship breakthrough, betting problems, and image control overload (12:49).
In Tuned In, Michael is sharing his amazing kayaking trip in the swamps of Savannah, while Alex is enjoying the newest Austin music venue (20:53).
This week's guest is trick shot artist extraordinaire Coach Rusty, who chats with Alex about his love for the game, playing the 16th at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, and his massive Coach's Creation Station (23:50).
Alex's Boston Celtics faltered in the NBA Finals, and Michael asks who's better: Steph Curry or LeBron James (51:40).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex is sharing one of the most bizarre golf course food options, while Michael is enjoying a delicious cake (53:24).
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Tuesday Jun 14, 2022
Tuesday Jun 14, 2022
The PGA TOUR took over Canada this weekend, and the headlines were Rory, JT, and Tony Finau, who played together Sunday for one of the most exciting finishes this year. And as hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell share, it came at just the right time (2:04).
Across the pond, the LIV Tour burst into reality as they hosted their first "tournament" outside of London. Alex and Michael wonder at the spectacle, and wonder about its relevance (4:09).
The ladies represented big time on the DP World Tour, where the Scandinavian Mixed featured both men and women, and the winner, by 9 shots, was Linn Grant (10:38).
Stateside, American Brittany Lincicome played to a T-6 on the LPGA Tour while being 28 weeks pregnant (11:47).
This week, attention turns to Brookline, MA and The Country Club for the US Open. Wonky New England golf will take over the usual "Toughest Test in Golf," while the LIV "stars" make their return to the states. Phil Mickelson's Monday press conference highlights what may be to come for the PGA TOUR defectors (12:38).
As the CoL Book Club continues, Alex and Michael recap chapters 6-8 of Alan Shipnuck's "Phil," where we learn about the union of Phil and his caddy Bones, Tiger Woods's explosion onto the golf scene, and Phil's label of "Best Golfer to Never Win A Major" (17:15).
In Tuned In, Michael celebrated love at a weekend wedding, while Alex was rocking out with the LIV Tour's apres golf concert series (22:35).
This week's first guest is a professional golfer who qualified for his first US Open. Sean Jacklin shares his golf story, his plans for this weekend in Brookline, and what it's like playing in a tournament his father, Tony Jacklin, won in 1970 (26:28).
Another US Open qualified and past guest, Taylor Montgomery, also joins the pod to chat about whats been going on in his golfing world since last joining, including earning his Korn Ferry Tour card, and qualified to play in his second US Open (44:53).
Boston keeps things rolling this week, but having the US Open and Game 6 of the NBA Playoffs, in which Alex has high hopes the Celtics will take the series to a pivotal Game 7 (56:27).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex has a new favorite at The Cheesecake Factory, while Michael is snacking on some Old Bay Goldfish (57:15).
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Tuesday Jun 07, 2022
Tuesday Jun 07, 2022
What a week in golf we had! On the PGA Tour, handshakes were given out by Jack Nicklaus, and the Memorial crowned its new champion in commanding fashion. Hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell comment on Billy Horschel's win, and take a look at how their picks fared in the annual pilgrimage to Jack's Place (1:56).
The LPGA had a big weekend at the US Open at Pine Needles, where Minjee Lee claimed her second major of her career, also winning in commanding fashion, and taking home a record payday (6:27).
The LIV Tour dropped big news last week, and did it again on Monday. Alex and Michael look at the field for London, the price of tickets, and the apres golf concert series being put on by the new golf league (8:14).
The PGA Tour heads up North for the RBC Canadian Open, which while fielding a full list of the world's best, may really just be a tune up for the US Open in a couple weeks (17:22).
As the Course of Life Book Club continues, the guys dive into chapters 2-5 of Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf's Most Colorful Superstar. Gambling on the course, winning college championships, and being cocky about it all is what dominated the early chapters of Alan Shipnuck's new page-turner (19:44).
In Tuned In, Michael finally got to watch the highly-anticipated and critically-acclaimed The Batman, and provides a quick review of the superhero film, while Alex is looking forward to being a viral superstar (24:22).
This week's guest is Scott Mulligan, a singer, songwriter, performer, and actor who shares with Alex stories of going to college in Boston, performing in Disney's Tarzan in Las Vegas, and the joys of his new residency in Los Angeles. Plus, Scott gives an acoustic performance of an unreleased song just for our listeners (27:30).
A quick check on Alex's Boston Celtics shows that he doesn't have a whole lot of faith in their chances to win the NBA Finals, but he hasn't exactly given up hope (54:30).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex challenges Michael to pick their top 3 summer cool down drinks as Alex's Austin, TX hits triple digit heat all week. Michael, meanwhile, is sharing a new restaurant with phenomenal ramen (55:36).
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Wednesday Jun 01, 2022
Wednesday Jun 01, 2022
The LIV Tour finally made it official, finally announcing the majority of the field for their premiere event in London. Hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell jumped back behind the mics to record their first thoughts on the Dustin Johnson led field, the ridiculous money being thrown around just to appear, and the whether this field makes it a "must watch" event.
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Tuesday May 31, 2022
Tuesday May 31, 2022
The Charles Schwab Challenge ended in a playoff featuring the two hottest golfers on Tour, and Sam Burns beat good friend Scottie Scheffler to claim another win on his 2022 season. Hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell check in on Burns' performance, and Alex wonders if a personal appointment kept Scheffler from the winner's circle (1:42).
The LIV Tour was supposed to finally drop names for it's upcoming tournament in London, but instead has once again put off naming names. Michael wonders if the Saudi-backed tour will ever take flight (6:20).
The PGA Champions Tour, 50 year old Kiwi Steven Alker is making a claim as being the hottest golfer out there, as he carded a final round 63 to claim the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship (8:11).
In Las Vegas, the Bank of Hope Match Play saw a former major-winner notch her ticket to the LPGA's US Open as Eun-Hee Ji took down the bracket. And now attention turns to the Women's US Open at Pine Needles and its $10 million purse (9:16).
The Match returns this week, and it totally snuck up on Alex and Michael, as it featured no professional golfers, in favor instead of a bunch of bored NFL quarterbacks (11:48).
The PGA Tour heads to Jack's place for the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, and as usual, it's a completely loaded field (14:30).
The Course of Life Book Club is back! Join in as the guys read "Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf's Most Colorful Superstar)" by Alan Shipnuck. After reviewing chapter one and everyone's favorite "Phil Mickelson story," the guys will dive into chapters 2-4 for next week (15:45).
In Tuned In, Michael returned to the movie theatre to catch the phenomenal multiverse flick, "Everything Everywhere All At Once," while Alex is all in on the hyper for "Top Gun: Maverick" (18:44).
This week's guest is Jay Card III, a pro on the Korn Ferry Tour, who shares with Alex stories about his time singing all over the world, winning a Monday Qualifier, and his favorite lucky shirt (22:04).
The NBA Playoffs head to the finals as the guys' hometown Boston Celtics will take on the defending champions in the Golden State Warriors (49:33).
In baseball, the Boston Red Sox seem to be on a bit of a hot streak, but Michael's New York Yankees are still far-and-away the best team in the American League (51:14).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex is enjoying the simple Memorial Day BBQ, while Michael is putting bacon into his bread (52:45).
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Tuesday May 24, 2022
Tuesday May 24, 2022
A windy weekend led to a playoff and a repeat winner at Justin Thomas claimed this weekend's PGA Championship at Southern Hills. Hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell look at JT's big Sunday, Mito Pereira's disappointing final hole, and Will Zalatoris's impressive showing (1:27).
Besides the raising of the Wanamaker Trophy, there were plenty of other storylines from the weekend in Tulsa, including the pros complaining about the course playing hard, balls hitting heads, Joe Buck's "return" to golf, Scheffler's poor showing, Tiger's roller-coaster weekend, and Phil's absence (5:53).
The PGA Tour rolls onto the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial, where Alex expects one of the many Texas locals to claim the top prize (18:06).
In Tuned In, Michael finally watched Spider Man: No Way Home and shares his review of the latest Spidey flick, while Alex is watching Foul Ball Guy Zach Hample on YouTube (19:37).
This week's guests are the founders of Mullie Golf, an innovative app that allows golfers to find, buy, and sell vintage golf gear. Michael Zerah and Steve Moskowitz share their love of golf, their passion for vintage golf gear, and why they created the new golf marketplace (22:35).
Alex is praying the Celtics claim the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals after a poor start to the Heat (50:02).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex questions his sanity with frozen pizza, while Michael is a hero (50:48).
Tuesday May 17, 2022
Tuesday May 17, 2022
The AT&T Byron Nelson was a complete and utter birdie fest, as rounds in the low 60s took hole all weekend. Hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell look at the PGA Championship tune-up in McKinney, Texas, and the repeat win from K.H. Lee (1:50).
Across the Atlantic, the DP World Tour included an amazing feat from a 14 year old, who has his eyes on winning everything golf has to offer (5:01).
While a young gun shows off his game, Michael reclaimed a victory over Alex in their third D3 Golf App match (6:27).
Absent from this week's PGA Championship will be Phil Mickelson, whose uncertain future continues to be marred by his connection to the LIV Golf Tour and that dirty Saudi oil money, which almost made its way to Jack Nicklaus (8:31).
Quietly making waves at Southern Hills in Tiger Woods, who appears to be playing nothing but the majors as he slowly makes his return to the PGA Tour (13:39).
There's a lot of good players who may have chances to win the season's second major, but Michael suggests keeping an eye on those who have the best form coming into the PGA Championship when you put a dollar down this weekend (14:57).
In Tuned In, Alex is revisiting his favorite MTV moments on YouTube, while Michael is also revisiting his childhood music with Shaggy (17:52).
This week's guest is Alissa Kacar, @NewLadyGolfer on Instagram, who also is a Golf Life TV host and the event host of the annual Farmer's Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Alissa chats with Alex about playing golf in California, and the joys of learning the game over the past couple years (20:56).
Alex and Michael are on the Boston Celtics bandwagon, since they are typical Boston sports fans, and Michael is ready to figure out who will win the NBA Playoffs thanks to the Lisa Simpson method (44:29).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex is enjoying the food bonanza that comes with a wedding anniversary, while Michael is all-in on summer grilling season (46:40).
Listen + Love + Subscribe: http://bit.ly/3fdoQed
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Have you listened to our new food podcast? https://bit.ly/3vrJvj9
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Watch us on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3qvq4Dt