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 Sep 20, 2022
Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
The new PGA Tour season got started in Napa Valley, and thanks to a horrible 3-putt bogey from Danny Willet, Max Homa went back-to-back at the Fortinet Championship. Hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell look at the drama on the 72nd green, and other notable performers including past guest Taylor Montgomery (1:43).
The LPGA may have a new young star on their hands after former All-American and Curtis Cup star Andrea Lee notched her first victory at the AmazingCre Portland Classic (6:11).
LIV Golf was in Chicago, where the headline wasn't Cam Smith's win of the 4 Aces "dynasty," but the rope that took down Bryson DeChambeau (7:30).
This week is the Presidents Cup, featuring a depleted International Team (thanks LIV!) versus a heavily favored American Team (9:26).
In Tuned In, Michael is feasting on the new "Chef's Table: Pizza" series on Netflix, while Alex is ready for the new "Dancing With the Stars" that is now streaming on Disney+ (13:50).
This week's guest is content creator Everyday Maggie. Maggie chats with Alex about creating TikToks and more in Boston, what it was like at a PGA Tour event vs a LIV event, and what she's got in store for future videos (16:12).
The WNBA Season wrapped up at the Las Vegas Aces took the championship, and Alex makes a bold prediction about head coach Becky Hammon (42:46).
College football rolled on, and Alex's picks were horrendous but the signs at College Gameday at Appalachian State made up for it (44:17).
Michael is full of confidence for his Giants to go all the way this season after a 2-0 start, while Alex's Patriots squeaked out a win and his picks looked impressive (45:52).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex is enjoying all that is pumpkin spice, while Michael baked up a delicious batch of apple butter and pecan babka (48:36).
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Tuesday Sep 13, 2022
Tuesday Sep 13, 2022
It was a drama-filled week at Wentworth CC for the DP World Tour's BMW PGA Championship, where LIV golfers collided with the DP World Tour stars. Hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell recap the crazy week, which started with a kerfuffle on the putting green and ended with an Irishman lifting the trophy (1:41).
The LPGA season rolled on, and once again, the winner did something amazing en route to victory (8:12).
The PGA Tour officially wrapped up the 2021-2022 season by giving out the Player of the Year Award, and it went to none other than Scottie Scheffler (9:27).
The 2022-2023 Tour season kicks off this weekend in Napa Valley, and that means all the new guys who earned cards from the Korn Ferry Tour are making their debut (10:58).
In Tuned In, Michael is excited to support his wife in New Orleans in November for her film, and Alex is ready for the fall baking shows to take over his television (13:11).
This week's guest is Chrisie Smith, the Director of Sales, Marketing and Events at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya. After spending a weekend there, Alex and Michael fell in love with the New Mexico resort, and Chrisie shares what makes the resort so special, as well as some stories from when The Bachelor was filmed at the resort during Covid (16:35).
Football is back, and that means Michael is riding the bandwagon that comes when his team wins, and Alex is just trying not to lose his cool (34:48).
On the college side of the ball, the Sun Belt is dominating the game after the first wild week, that also almost included an upset in Texas where Alex got to enjoy the College Gameday festivities in Austin (37:26).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex is going all-in on pumpkin spice, while Michael enjoyed one of the prettiest plates of french toast he's ever seen (42:18).
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Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
The #CoLPlaycation headed to Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico for a two day trip to golf paradise at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya. Hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell recap their trip to northern New Mexico, rounds at Twin Warriors Golf Club, horseback riding at the Tamaya Stables, and more (1:44).
The Korn Ferry Tour was in action, handing out 25 PGA Tour cards at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, where some heroics were made by pros to earn their way to the big game (11:59).
The LPGA's Dana Open presented by Marathon gave Mexican Gaby Lopez her third career victory after a blazingly low Sunday (13:27).
LIV Golf's Boston "tournament" included a lot of "firsts" for the fledgling tour, and friend of the podcast David Button was inside the ropes for the Thursday Pro-Am (14:01).
In Tuned In, Michael is all-in on the new Lord of the Rings show on Amazon Prime, while Alex was enjoying a unique spin on the weather from a New Mexico meteorologist (19:26).
This week's guest is PGA professional Derek Gutierrez, the General Manager and Director of Golf at Santa Ana Golf Corporation. Derek chats with Michael and Alex about his journey into the game, the uniqueness of golf in northern New Mexico, and his role on the PGA of America Board of Directors (22:06).
Football season is about to get started, and Alex and Michael are ready to either be full of joy or turmoil at their team's respective season's get started (44:22).
College football officially kicked off this weekend, and Alex is already issuing a formal apology for his picks for week 1 (45:57).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, they recap the fantastic food from the Hyatt Regency Tamaya, as well as the incredible dinner they enjoyed at the Prairie Star restaurant at the Santa Ana golf course (46:51).
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022
The FedEx Cup concluded with the TOUR Championship, and the Rory McIlroy win also meant that host Alex Lauzon made the right bet for the third week in a row. Alex and co-host Michael Russell discuss McIlroy's impressive victory over Scottie Scheffler and McIlroy's season on and off the course (2:14).
With the end of the golf season, Alex reminds us that sometime soon Netflix will roll out the documentary that they filmed during this entire tumultuous season (7:57).
Last week began with the big announcement from the Tour, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy, and their new tech-heavy, fan focused series of Monday Night Golf events (8:54).
Alex and Michael preview the fun to be had this week as they meet up at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya in New Mexico for the newest edition of the CoL Playcation (10:36).
While the PGA Tour season may be over, there still is plenty of golf this weekend including the Korn Ferry Finals, the LPGA Tour, and the DP World Tour. Good luck watching it on TV, however (13:32).
In Tuned In, Michael is getting all old and curmudgeonly when it comes to speed limits, while Alex is watching a brand new show about how to have a good time in any city (14:44).
This week's guest is Kathy Valyo, the Holey Moley Champion of season 4. Kathy chats with Alex about her intense preparation for the show, battling the elements of the California evenings, and what she plans to do with the massive $250k winner's check (18:31).
Football preseason rolls on, and Alex lets us know how awesome Las Vegas's Allegiant Stadium was from his trip this past week (39:24).
College Football season, meanwhile, is just getting started, and Alex is already coming up aces in his weekly picks (41:49).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex reviews his expensive Las Vegas food adventures, while Michael is looking forward to enjoying some New Mexico food in this week's trip (43:34).
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Tuesday Aug 23, 2022
Tuesday Aug 23, 2022
Patty Ice earned his name and host Alex Lauzon cashed in as Patrick Cantlay repeated at the BMW Championship, putting himself in fine position to maybe repeat again with another FedEx Cup. Alex and co-host Michael Russell look at the rest of the firepower from the weekend, and who played themselves into the TOUR Championship (2:06).
Before the golf started at Wilmington CC, Tiger Woods and the rest of the Tour's elites had a secret meeting where they discussed the game's future, including a new "tech-heavy series," which Alex and Michael wonder at what that means for the future (7:47).
Those who were absent from the secret meeting included two international stars who are rumored to be headed to LIV, and who may be absent from the International Presidents Cup Team (10:14).
As for the court battle brewing between the PGA Tour and the LIV golf stars, we're going to have a little while longer before they even enter the courtroom (11:20).
The Tour rolls into East Lake for the TOUR Championship and the finale of the FedEx Cup, which includes the wacky staggered scoring system that is going to make placing bets for the weekend a little more difficult than usual (12:45).
In Tuned In, Michael got to experience some unique cinema at the Macon Film Festival, while Alex is enjoying a Seinfeld connection on his favorite reality show, "The Bachelorette" (15:52).
This week's guest is Jim Jeselnick, the Chairman of the Golf Heritage Society. Jim chats with Alex about his love for the game, how he got into the rich history of golf, and the exciting plans in store for the GHS's Hickory Open and annual conference (19:44).
Football preseason continues, and Alex is awfully excited to be among the game's most die-hard fans as he rolls into Las Vegas this weekend for the Patriots game (41:44).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex is planning out his food tour of Vegas, while Michael is not enjoying the new Coca-Cola Dreamworld flavor (44:06).
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Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
The US Amateur made hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell very happy when they announced a Seinfeld inspired group, making the host's favorite TV show sport collide in a monumental way (2:20).
But the real news was at the WGC FedEx St Jude where Will Zalatoris finally was able to get a W, after a four hole playoff. Alex and Michael wonder if this will now open the floodgates for the 2-year PGA Tour player (4:01).
Meanwhile in the courtroom, a trio of LIV golfers tried to make their way back into the FedEx Cup Playoffs, and while they were unsuccessful, the golfing world was graced with a whole lot of interesting information about the LIV contracts (6:59).
Rumors continued to swirl as well around the next batch of golfers headed to the LIV Tour, including the world #2 golfer, Cam Smith (9:12).
Big shoutout to a CoL past guest Taylor Montgomery who was able to officially secure his PGA Tour Card (12:55).
The FedEx Cup rolls on to the BMW Championship, now in Delaware, meaning the Tour pros will all be on the same page for a brand new venue (13:44).
In Tuned In, Alex is getting in on World Chase Tag, while Michael is getting himself some fashionable new polos ahead of an exciting CoL trip to New Mexico (15:58).
This week's guest is Hailey Hunter, a sportscaster and golfer whose crazy life has led her to golf as a lefty, report from the Olympic Games in Tokyo, and work for the PGA Tour (20:15).
Football is officially back, but Alex's Patriots did not get off to a hot start thanks to Michael's Giants pulling off a shocking preseason victory (47:30).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex is all set and ready for Pumpkin Spice Season to officially begin, while Michael is mixing it up with za'atar on his challah (49:33).
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Tuesday Aug 09, 2022
Tuesday Aug 09, 2022
It was the regular season finale at the Wyndham Championship this past weekend, and hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell lament the depressing social media blitz of bogey putts and missed opportunities to keep PGA TOUR cards. Young gun Tom Kim took the top prize, but it was Sir Nick Faldo who had all the waterworks in his final broadcast from the 18th tower (1:44).
LIV Golf made big noise this week as many of the defecting PGA Tour players sued the PGA Tour so they could play... more golf. Alex and Michael make wild predictions into what the lawsuit's outcome could be (7:03).
At Muirfield, the AIG Women's Open got four extra holes of golf and one awfully good bunker shot to give Ashleigh Buhai her first major championship (12:04).
The FedEx Cup Playoffs begin this week at the WGC FedEx St Jude, an event title rocked with irony, but a field that is vying to keep it going to claim the giant cash prize in three weeks (13:56).
In Tuned In, Michael is reading up on the history of the iconic "Seinfeld," while Alex is in tears after the news broke of the end of an iconic couple (18:15).
This week's guest is Fenti Fried Chicken, a content creator in Boston, MA, known for his funny TikToks and Boston sense of humor. Fenti chats with Alex about the inspiration for his videos, becoming famous, and how his unique name came to be (22:47).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex recaps his Boston food tour, while Michael wants to know what you get on pizza if you're not getting pepperoni (49:06).
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Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
At this weekend's Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, Tony Finau shocked the world and claimed the title of the World's Hottest Golfer, claiming his second consecutive victory. Hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell ate their words and ponder Finau's future chances of winning the FedEx Cup and a major (1:39).
Meanwhile at Trump Bedminster, LIV Golf made waves once again as Henrik Stenson proved why he jumped from Ryder Cup Captaincy to the Saudi backed tour, claiming victory in his first event against, as is now usual, poor performing field. Alex and Michael also share thoughts on David Feherty's new gig in the tower, and the heartbreaking announcement from Bubba Watson (5:56).
The PGA Tour announced the new 2022-2023 season schedule and purse sizes, showing that LIV is making changes on the legacy tour as payouts increase by some $5-$8 million, or more, for many events in what will be the final wrap-around golf season (11:31).
The newly minted CoL TopGolf Tour kicked off this weekend as Alex began a season of visiting different Top Golfs across the country with a trip to his local Austin driving range and watering hole (13:27).
The final regular season event kicks off in North Carolina for the Wyndham Championship as the Tour regulars jockey for position to make it into the FedEx Cup Playoffs (15:35).
In Tuned In, Michael is revisiting a classic from his childhood featuring Superman and Lois Lane, while Alex is still getting his fill of "van life" after chatting with Matt Cardis last week (17:25).
This week's guest is Gianna Gravalese, a TV, radio, and internet host from NESN, Dirty Water Media, and KISS108 in Boston. Gianna chats with Alex about her journey into Dirty Water Media, life eating and driving her way through the Boston food scene, and rubbing elbows with music's biggest stars at the annual Kiss Concert (20:43).
Alex and Michael are perplexed at the name change of the former Robby Anderson, who is stealing headlines for his new and not that different legal name (47:41).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex is gearing up for a trip back up to Boston and all the food fun that comes with a trip home, while Michael is hoping Alex enjoys some of his home state's 42 ice cream shops on the New Hampshire Ice Cream Trail (49:42).
Tuesday Jul 26, 2022
Tuesday Jul 26, 2022
The 3M Open in Minnesota lacked big star power, but the one of the top ranked players notched his second win in under a year as Tony Finau claimed victory. Hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell ponder what's in Finau's future (1:33).
The PGA Champions Tour held their Senior Open at Gleneagles, where former Open Champion Darren Clarke held off Padraig Harrington's push for a second Senior major this season (4:28).
The LPGA was in France for the Amundi Evian Championship, where Canadian Brooke Henderson claimed his second career major victory and the third woman's major of the season (5:59).
Praise is due to past guest Taylor Montgomery, who first appeared on the pod back in April of 2020, and now has locked up his PGA Tour Card for the 2023 season (8:28).
LIV Golf gears up for their third tournament this week at Bedminster, with a few new faces on the course, rumors swirling about a massive deal for Hideki Matsuyama, and the biggest splash of them all: David Feherty into the broadcast booth (9:43).
The PGA Tour now heads to Detroit for the Rocket Mortgage Classic, which includes some big names as a tune-up to the upcoming FedEx Cup Playoffs (16:19).
In Tuned In, Michael shares the fun he had at Disney World, while Alex was in baseball heaven as his Red Sox favorite David "Big Papi" Ortiz was enshrined in Cooperstown (18:54).
This week's guest is Matt Cardis, a photographer and content creator known for living in a van and playing golf all over the country. Matt shares stories from the van, his favorite golf courses, and what's in store in the future (22:48).
A childhood favorite is coming to an end, and Michael and Alex are in shock that its happening (48:11).
The NFL Training Camps are coming back, and while Michael is not excited at all, Alex cannot get enough of it (50:27).
As the guys #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex is enjoying the restoration of his taste buds and enjoying a German bakery in Texas, while Michael got to enjoy overpriced food in Orlando (52:16).
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Tuesday Jul 19, 2022
Tuesday Jul 19, 2022
The 150th Open Championship at St Andrews created all the drama and stories we wanted, resulting in Cam Smith and his mullet raising the Claret Jug. Hosts Alex Lauzon and Michael Russell look at Smith's spectacular win over Rory McIlroy, plus everything else at The Old Course, including the other Cameron's weekend, how the guy's picks fared, and if Tiger will ever play again (1:33).
The LIV guys did surprisingly well at The Open, and more defector's are expected this week, including one Ryder Cup Captain (11:10).
On the other end of the world from The Open was the Barracuda Championship in Lake Tahoe, and Twitter sensation and past guest Mark Baldwin was able to claim some sweet diaper money (15:10).
The PGA Tour returns to just one tournament for this next week, but without any real marquee name's at the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities (17:06).
In Tuned In, Michael is excited for the return on "What We Do In The Shadows," while Alex is on the bandwagon for the new show "Bear" (18:46).
This week's guest is a former college golfer and AccuWeater Network meteorologist Kristina Shalhoup. Kristina chats about her journey to predicting the weather on TV, growing up in New England, and her golf game (21:02).
As baseball heads into the All Star Break, the Yankees put down a pounding on the Red Sox, continuing to make big statements on just how good they are (46:31).
In #AlwaysEndWithFood, Alex shares breaking news in his taste buds, while Michael is excited for a week of eating in the Disney parks (47:41).
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