>> Jonathan: Foreign.

>> Jonathan: We m are back kicking it this week here

on a new episode of Chase and Birdies. And

I'm joined by my man as always, Mr.

Jonathan Pepe. J.P. baby, we're

shaking.

>> RB: Oh, not much, man. Not my pockets,

uh, after the Super Bowl.

>> Jonathan: But um, I

say that, I say that sarcastically. Okay.

I always say JP Was shaking. It's like I'm in

contact with you seventy hundred thousand

times.

>> RB: Mhm.

>> Jonathan: A day.

>> RB: A day.

>> Jonathan: But you know, just for listeners, whatever. Right.

>> RB: We act like we don't talk to each other.

>> Jonathan: Correct.

>> RB: Until we do this, which has been a little bit.

>> Jonathan: It has.

>> RB: So it feels good to be back after a little

hiatus. Um, today's

episode is still brought to you by Red Vanley, which is

amazing. Uh, so make sure you go check them

out@redvanly.com

um, their spring

gear is all out right now and ready to

be purchased by you for the spring and

summer. And the uh, Chase and Birdies two man brought to

you by Red Vanly is in

July and I. Dude, we're

increasing to 48. We already have 33 people

signed up and I'm shocked that there's some people that have

not signed up. They're friends. Um,

but regardless.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, no, it's uh, it's starting to make

its way up past the uh, 50%

percentage point of being full. But uh, we

still got a ways to go. We got people that, you know, have

verbally committed but hadn't signed up yet. But things,

uh, will start taking shape in that regard. But it's. Yeah, like

you said, man, it's been, it's been a little bit of some time here since

our last episode with Natalie Sheehan.

Um, but, but I, I do got to say

lots happened in this, in this three, three to

four week period, even though we've had, um.

Well, let's just get right into it. You know, you kind of alluded to the

pocket change a little bit here. And this past

weekend we witnessed the super bowl and, and,

and the Philadelphia Eagles took down the Kansas City

Chiefs. So tell me your.

What's your reaction to that? How you feeling about

that?

>> RB: I was ecstatic for, for the Eagles. Well, mainly because

I took them, um, I took the

Eagles, um, and then I took the over

48 and a half. And then in the second half I actually

took, uh, the Chiefs minus seven, which did not hit.

And then I took over 23 and a half in the

second half total. And that hit. Yeah, so it was,

it was three out of four. Um, which excites

me and um, but I.

Man, did they pound them. They pounded the Eagle.

The Eagles pounded the Chief. Sorry.

>> Jonathan: Yeah. I never once thought about taking the Chiefs in

this Super Bowl.

>> RB: Like a week and a half ago, I was taking the Eagles.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, likewise. It was never a question for

me, to be honest with you. And I remember I talked to Steve

Piering about this maybe two weeks ago now, and he didn't

think it was even going to be a game. I asked him who he thought

he was going to win, and he said, chiefs all day. It's not

going to be a game. And I'm sure a lot of people

thought that. But, uh, what was surprising to me was

that Saquon Barkley was held to basically nothing.

I, uh, mean, he didn't have a touchdown.

>> RB: The Chiefs were held to nothing

offensively all game.

>> Jonathan: But damn that defense, you know, and that's what Jalen Hurts

said in the post game interview. Defense wins championships. They set him

up. The offense in good position and offense capitalized,

but I was never

worried. That was like the only game this whole year

where I sat there and I just kind of knew. I'm like, you know what?

>> RB: Yeah, we just chilled on the beach.

>> Jonathan: It's going to be the Eagles and South Beach. Yeah.

>> RB: Um, I mean, I couldn't remember the last

time that Mahomes threw a pick, let

alone a pick six and then followed that up with a

pick. Yeah, it was just.

And that was a great interception. Um, I mean, the guy

jumped out of nowhere for it. But

regardless, they got dominated on

both sides of the ball. I think the first time

the Chiefs made it past half field is when they

scored, which was like beginning of the fourth

quarter.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, it was, uh, it was pretty.

It was. It was dominated by the Eagles. There's no

two ways about it.

>> RB: So. And that was a little closer than,

than it actually was. But.

>> Jonathan: But it was a great overall past weekend. I mean, the Waste Management

was going on. You had Liv golf playing

over under the Lights, I guess nobody cares about.

But, but. Well,

that's the thing, because the guy that won, Adrian

Moronic or Morono, whatever his name is, I. I

never. Honest to God, I never heard him ever. I never heard

of him. I turned it on to check it out. Um, under the Lights kind of a

cool vibe. But at the end of the day, what. Especially when you had the Waste

Management going on, it's not even. You can't compare the

two tournaments.

>> RB: Well, I mean, the only thing that live has

is they have a lot of names on their tour.

>> Jonathan: Well, apparently now earlier this week, it was announced that

the players are going to have a pathway to the

Open Championship. Now qualifying lane for them,

which was kind of breaking news, I think came out Monday.

But, um, that's gonna be,

you know, that'll be. So we'll see what happens with. With

this whole thing. I know it's kind of getting close from what we hear,

um, between the two, but, you know, it still probably

has some. Some things to be ironed out. But the Waste Management.

Did you watch?

>> RB: I was just out there. Well, I was just out there.

>> Jonathan: Oh, yeah, you and BK got to go

peg it at Whisper Rock.

>> RB: Whisper Rock, lower course. Um,

yeah, it was great, dude. My birdie count for the year is up to

10.

>> Jonathan: Okay.

>> RB: Um, so I made, uh, the

front nine. I. I hit the ball well, but I just didn't score. I shot

41. 5 over. I'm thinking to myself,

what the hell, man? And I got to the back nine and

shot four under. And, uh, good.

Get in the groove. Made some putts, uh,

the greens, man, at Whisper Rock. I'm not kidding you.

They're probably 14. They were just

so smooth and they were so fast and they were so good.

Everything was so good about Whisper Rock. So,

um.

But, yeah, we played and played there, and

the Waste Management was. Started that Monday when we were there.

There was a nice little vibe about it, man. Yeah,

the Waste Management's a pretty big

event, obviously.

Um, but it was good to see Justin

Thomas start firing on some cylinders,

getting back into the swing of things, hold out on 18 to get

the 15 under strong, uh, finish

him. So it'll be exciting to see how that shapes out.

>> Jonathan: No, they. Spieth was playing. I mean, some of the boys are

playing good. And Dietrich, obviously, who. Who wins the

event? I mean, he. He looked solid in that final round.

I mean, the shot he hit on, I think Berger went

a little deep on 16, and, uh, which. That

pin was all the way back, but, man, he hit a shot right in there on

16 to, like, 2ft. It was

beautiful. So hats off to him for getting a

dub. And, um. And we'll

move on into the next week of PGA Tour

golf.

But our guest today on Chasing Birdies,

Alex Forey joins us. And, uh,

remarkable story. Honest to God,

remarkable story. One arm golfer, number two, ranked one

armed golfer in the world, was, uh,

basically brought over here,

adopted by family from Ukraine. I mean, the

family is from America, but, um, came to

Alabama, Birmingham, and

fell in love with the game of golf. And my man can play some

golf. It's not like he's out shooting like 85,

86. I mean he's shooting six, seven, under two

over. Like he's the head pro at the 500

Club in States. Is it Statesville?

Statesville, North Carolina.

Um, so, dude, it's like,

I think it's a great story.

>> RB: It's a remarkable story.

So, um, without further ado, I think that

we should just roll it on over to him, let him tell his story

a little bit and tune

in.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, you guys enjoy this one. You're

tuning in today to Chase and Birdies.

And we are joined by probably one of the most

special guests we've had to date on the

show with Alex Fory joining us. Uh,

Alex has accomplished a lot in his golf

career with one arm and it's, it's

really fascinating to see, man. So I gotta tell you, I'm

really excited to, to have you here on the show today. And thank

you, uh, for coming on.

>> Jonathan: Thank you guys. I'm looking forward to it.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, I mean, golf's hard enough,

man, you know, and, and to, you know,

doing some research on you, reading a little bit, seeing some of the things

that you've accomplished, man, it's like, it's like, it kind

of is humbling in a way. You know what I mean? Pep.

>> RB: Yeah, for sure. I mean. And doesn't he sit

next to the Daytona 500 trophy?

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> RB: Which is pretty cool. Um, and, and

I'm. The animals are behind me if you guys need to know what

kind of animals there are. The elephant, the

lion, the deer. That's my background.

So, uh, yours a little cooler than mine. But

yeah, to, to like you said, bash that they

accomplished. What you've accomplished is absolutely

incredible. Um, you know, it was. I was

on social media scrolling the other day and Desire

Golf posted a video of you funny

enough, um, if anyone

would beat you. And um, that

video, I mean, how many likes that thing

get?

>> Jonathan: Uh, uh, a good bit blowing

up for sure.

>> Jonathan: It's crazy. You know, and we'll get into all

the, the whole story about you and

all that jazz, but you know, for the ice breaking part of

it right now, where are you? In North Carolina and Statesboro?

>> Jonathan: Yeah, some 500 club in Stakesville,

North Carolina. About 35 minutes north

of uh, downtown Charlotte.

>> Jonathan: Okay.

>> Jonathan: And uh, it's a really, really cool golf course

since um, you know, we got new ownership

about a year and a half ago. And a bunch of

uh, max are legend, uh, own it. And

so you never know who's playing golf out there.

And I Uh, I, I'm not

normally star struck, but first week was a little

star striking for sure. I definitely

grew up watching, you know, being from, well, I'm

from Ukraine, but I grew up in Alabama. And so we had

Talladega. So you watch two races

and it was Talladega and Daytona.

>> RB: So, so who, who was, who were

you starstruck by the first time that you

new, um, owners were there?

>> Jonathan: Definitely, ah, Earnhardt for sure.

>> Jonathan: Oh, wow.

>> RB: It's pretty, it was pretty cool.

>> Jonathan: You know, NASCAR is one of those things that everyone that

get is into it or at some point has

experienced it say that, you know, it's

incredible. Um, I've just

never, you know, I've watched it on tv, but they say the

races in person is just like an incredible

experience.

>> RB: I mean, my God, bunch of left turns.

>> Jonathan: So, yeah, four left turns. That's

it. But it's really cool getting to

know these members and these owners and

a lot of these members drive are currently

on, on the circuit. And, um, it's been

really cool getting to know them. They've invited me

to, uh, their garages and

getting to look at all the intricate parts

and details these cars go

through and maintenance. And

there's so many pieces that

make the car go. And then

on top of that, you have to add the human

element to that.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: Uh, and so, yeah, it's a big,

uh, it's really, really cool. It's a team effort.

It's. And there's a lot of similarities

to, you know, NASCAR and golf that I'm learning

for sure.

>> RB: I wonder, uh, what Ryan and I's time would be on

changing a tire.

>> Jonathan: Dude, you can actually

do that, uh, at Charlotte Mother Speedway

here, uh, you can, you can get a group and

see how, how quickly you can change a tire.

>> RB: Maybe that's something we got to do, man.

>> Jonathan: But come to Charlotte for the

PGA Championship and we'll get you out there.

>> Jonathan: Well, that'd be good. You know what? We might, we might have to do that. I

have some family in Charlotte, so it's a great city, great golf

town. Um, but what the 500 club.

So I know obviously you just mentioned that's. And that's where you

are the assistant pro or, uh, teaching

pro. No, you, you just

got. Okay, yeah, head pro out there.

>> Jonathan: And that's been really cool. A little different

than, um, what I'm used to, but it's been really

cool. And just, uh, uh,

they asked me, what do you do? I'm like, ah, what

don't I do?

>> Jonathan: Well, um,

did you say head pro?

>> Jonathan: Yes, sir. Yep. First disabled, uh, hub pro

in. In America, actually, so.

>> RB: Wow.

>> Jonathan: Damn. Congrats.

>> RB: That's amazing, man. M. Congratulations.

>> Jonathan: Thank you. I appreciate that. Yeah.

>> Jonathan: So I know a little bit about your

background. You know, born in Ukraine

and, you know, moved over here to, uh.

Was it Alabama?

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: At a young age in Birmingham. And, um,

naturally, you know, was. Was disabled on your

journey here. But what was

that like growing up as youth

and seeing other kids and people

have full reigns of. Of their

extremities, if you will, and you,

um, in this position of. Of not. I

mean, did that give you more motivation? Do you feel

mentally, um, to. To achieve

more or want more?

>> Jonathan: Yeah, yeah, not

bad. But it was definitely. I grew up trying to

prove myself, and I, uh, knew

that I could do it through athletics, and,

um, I was pretty gifted. Anyways, uh,

on top of adding that

motivation, so I played basketball,

football, soccer, tennis, golf,

uh, across the country. I did it all.

Um, it was really cool. Uh,

my dad really let me play all the sports, which

I think was really, really important.

>> RB: That's amazing.

>> Jonathan: My dad is a twelfth sport collegiate

athlete in South Africa too, so.

>> Jonathan: Damn.

>> Jonathan: I always say that, uh, your dad.

>> RB: Was a 12 sport collegiate athlete in South

Africa.

>> Jonathan: It was wild. Yeah.

>> RB: I mean, I didn't know there's 12 sports. What did he do?

>> Jonathan: Yeah, he, uh, he did it, uh. He did it

all. But, yeah,

it was wild.

>> RB: And I mean, that's the thing too, is, you know,

talking to you about your. Your story and, you

know, people think. Some people think, oh, my days shitty and

this, that and the other. And, you know, somebody like

yourself, you seem like a

absolutely happy person and.

And, uh, you're smiling, and I think that's important

too.

>> Jonathan: Yeah. Attitude is everything.

So, you know, you wake up and,

yeah, I should not be alive. Uh, I should have been, you

know, in that orphanage and probably dead.

Um, and so that's why we did the

whole, uh, nonprofit getting

kids out of Ukraine or in a jig. We

moved about 8, 000 gigs out. Um, it

was really cool. But, yeah, I felt their pain because

I was in their shoes. And, um. And so,

um, any day that you get to wake up is

a good day. Um, and then, you know, what do you

do with that day?

>> RB: It's true.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, it's. It's all a mindset, man, and

perspective. And, you know, it's

especially for. And I hate to say it,

but, like, we have a bad day on the

golf course or whatnot. You know, it could riffle through the rest

of the day, you kind of pissed off. You know, you hit, you hit the ball

left, you hit it right. You're, you're not, you know, playing where

you think you should be playing, but

at the end of the day, really doesn't matter. And I think,

you know, looking at someone like you that's

accomplished so much with, with the disability

again, as I mentioned earlier, it's, it's extremely

humbling really. Um, and it's

really, it's really, you know,

it's really cool too, you know, to see someone

like you. And, and so as of today,

are you the number one ranked 1 armed

golfer in the world?

>> Jonathan: Right now? I'm actually ranked number M2.

Number, um, two.

>> RB: This person, you want me to beat his ass?

>> Jonathan: I know I did play in a

tournament in Daytona a couple of weeks ago

and I did beat him by

12 shots. 12 shots.

>> RB: How you doing?

>> Jonathan: Uh, we, I, uh, think when the new rankings

come out, uh, next month will be number

one. We'll go back to number one.

>> Jonathan: That's, I mean, still with 1 2, 1

2, you know, I mean, it's a

great battle. Yeah.

>> Jonathan: I also let him know that I'm still number number

one. Just because he played in more

tournaments than me last year doesn't mean

not my number one.

>> RB: Man. You're like, that's the thing too. Like, I was watching videos of your

swing the other day and

it's, it's crazy, you know, it's crazy

how your swing's perfect.

>> Jonathan: Thank you. I appreciate it.

>> RB: You're getting it in the right spot. I mean.

>> Jonathan: Thank you.

>> Jonathan: But you have to be so strong in ways.

>> RB: Yes.

>> Jonathan: You know what I mean? Because like, of overcompensate. Like

I'm sure your core and your left

shoulder, you know, you're

probably so strong to be able to. I mean,

because you rip it too, you know, like 270.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, yeah. Um, you know, using

lower body is huge.

And I've learned, um, you know, through soccer and

kicking, uh, how important

to you the ground because that was pretty small if

a kicker. In high school, I was kicking

4050 yard field goals and I weighed 80

pounds and I was with the shoulder

pads and helmet.

>> Jonathan: That's funny, man.

>> Jonathan: Using, uh, your lower body. So huge. And that's why

when I teach, I try to make sure people,

uh, you know, I did a club fitting yesterday with a,

with a guy and yeah, the, the

cloak, uh, added 20 yards

to his drive. But now we're

actually gonna go for lessons and

actually use his lower body. More because he

would go, you know, he was a cement, uh, block

on his lower body. I'm like, no, if you. You use your

lower body, you're at 10 to 15

yards more. And so, uh, and that's why I

love working with our members. You know, how do they improve

as well? It's. It's a fun challenge.

>> Jonathan: Yeah. The lower body certainly is

where it's at in some respect. And I think you look at guys like

Justin Thomas, for example, even McElroy,

but, I mean, they really use that ground for us to get through

it. Um, and I.

I, uh, think for amateur golfers, often they. That's

overlooked clearly, you know, but

at the end of the day, we all know distance, more distance really

isn't the answer.

>> Jonathan: No, it's all about control.

I, uh, actually changed one thing up in my golf

swing with my shorter iron.

My, um, buddy was looking at it, so I changed it.

Went out on the course and hold out for, ah, for

eagle on number one. Literally, like, 10

minutes after changing, I'm like, it's all about control.

And, like, if I can gain more control, the

distance will take care of itself.

>> RB: Yeah, that's the thing,

too. Like, 290 to 300. Like, it's. That's

not that big of a difference.

>> Jonathan: Right.

>> RB: Um, you're trying to get that extra squeeze, that extra 10 yards out

of your swing. Who knows where it's going to go?

But if you can control and hit it 285, 290,

well, then give me the center of the fairway all day.

>> Jonathan: Yeah. Give me middle at 280 all day. Uh-huh. I'll

take that all day.

>> RB: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: And I guarantee you, you know, you look at the PGA

numbers and obviously the closings are harder and all

that, uh, the setup harder, but, you know, driving

average is around 55%.

>> Jonathan: That is insane.

>> Jonathan: Really. Like,

I remember when core way harder. And

I. I think technology has hurt that part of golf

where it doesn't matter how far or. Or how

strict you are now. Um, you know,

as long as you're driving at 3:30, 3,

40 in the rough, you can. I mean, Bryson did that when

he won the US Open.

>> RB: I was just gonna say that Bryson's

the. We had his caddy on. On

this podcast, and we were talking about it, and it's

like, you look at Piner's number two, all he did was just hit it

as far as he could down there and

get it on and make a few putts. And, um,

yeah, I mean, like, 7, uh, 16 was a prime

example of. Of that, uh, when.

On that final round. So, um. And there's not.

I mean, don't. There's no rough.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> RB: But at the same time, it takes that element of

being able to control your golf ball.

>> Jonathan: I saw Bryson, actually, I turned on live golf

this past weekend in the. Under the lights, which

that was. It was kind of

cool.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> RB: They're digging for anything right now.

>> Jonathan: It was kind of cool with the waste management.

>> RB: Digging for anything.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: But that. Okay, so let's.

Let's pivot on that, because I agree with you.

Watching the waste management this weekend

was awesome. Like, the

vibe everyone. Like it was. And whenever you

flip it over and I was watching the night Live golf

league thing, you know, whatever it is. It wasn't

that. Other than it being under the lights, it wasn't like

I was, like, rooting for anyone.

>> Jonathan: Yeah. Or 12 people, you know, came out

to support, too. And you're like. Yeah.

>> Jonathan: I mean, they had carnival.

>> Jonathan: I was watching. I'm like, where are the people? Like, where are

they? I don't know, like, Saudi

Arabia or somewhere.

>> RB: They should start doing cutouts and just put cutouts around the.

The greens so it looks like there's a lot of people.

>> Jonathan: Remember that old Tiger Wood commercial where.

>> RB: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: With the cutouts and then the hat coming m. And just

drilled somebody's head off, so they should

do.

>> Jonathan: Yeah. I don't know.

>> Jonathan: And I like the guy gone live. It's not the guys that

are playing. I think it's the, um.

The forced

rivalry between the pga, too. Like, if it

wasn't forced, I think it would be way

cooler. Yeah. I mean,

if there was, like, crossroads and cross play

where, hey, like, you know, the top

three or top five love guys get to play in the

Tour Champions.

>> RB: Yeah. That's the first time we heard that. That's pretty

good.

>> Jonathan: That's not a bad idea.

>> Jonathan: Like, let's see what Kim Kum and, um.

Um, you know, Brian can do at the Tour

Championship.

>> RB: Don't get this guy started on Cam Smith over here.

I mean.

>> Jonathan: Well, yeah.

>> Jonathan: Yay or no. On, um, camp.

>> RB: No, he loves them.

>> Jonathan: I love him. I was so sad to see him leave, But.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: You know, I think. Yeah. And I like Bryson, man. I

really do. Um, dj.

>> Jonathan: Cool. I've gotten to hang out with DJ as well. Multiple

times.

>> Jonathan: So. You're right. It's not the people. It's just the whole

exhibit, I guess.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: You know, but

so what, like,

when you're golfing, like, are you able

to. What's your go to shot.

I mean, are you. Are you able to curve it? You know, I'm

sure you've learned all of that.

>> Jonathan: Yeah. So when I drive the ball, I like

to keep it pretty, like low and

straight. Um, maybe with a little bit of

a draw. I do like to work it as well.

I put a new shaft in my driver and I'm

loving it. By

Mizuno. Um, but I

put in a new KBS shaft, and I

absolutely love it. It's a little bit lighter,

but tipped at the bottom.

>> RB: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: And I'm able to swing 100. I

know that. Hey, I'm not gonna lose it, right? Or

not. You know, the fix is not gonna just stay

shut. Um. Um,

it's pretty fun. I was hitting it on the

golf simulator. Uh, we have a golf simulator

at the bar. And we were with the

Mizuno rep, and we were hitting about

3:10, 3:13. Obviously those

things are juiced, but damn. Um,

it looks. It looks pretty fun getting

heckled and all that by the.

By the member. It looked a lot fun.

>> RB: Wow.

>> Jonathan: I mean, hey, they gotta respect your.

>> Jonathan: You know, you gotta show them why they hired you.

>> Jonathan: Exactly. Exactly.

>> RB: 3:10, 3:13.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, we top the ball.

>> Jonathan: I thought.

See, I. I think some of those times, those damn things. I was

talking to our guy at the club where Pep and I play

out of, and I. I told him, you know, I think these things

are rigged. Not,

not rigged, but just inaccurate to some degree. But he

disagreed with me. And it came kind of gave me some valid

points for things. And. And I thought, well, you know what? Maybe you're right. Maybe

I am just not hitting it that far anymore.

>> RB: Maybe you are just hitting a 265 off the field.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, fly. I think.

>> Jonathan: I think what happens is we take the. The

conditions. Weather conditions out of it.

And so even if it's humid, like, today's a perfect

day. It's like 70 and. But there's still gonna

be a little bit of wind or whatever. And,

uh, I think the per. You know, you get perfect

contact every time. Well, you should, I think,

familiar get perfect contact. So those

spin numbers and everything, I think they're actually

more accurate than if you've got a little bit of a

dirty groove and, uh, you've got a little

mud on your ball. And yeah, I think those

numbers. Now the difference is

what you get outside is what you're going to

get. And so at least

for the winter time, understanding, hey, these are

my numbers. Uh, and then going out there

on the course a couple Times before a big tournament.

And. And, yeah, dug that

correlate.

>> RB: Well, we're actually coming down your way for a big

tournament. First tournament of the year, um, over

to Pine Needles, Mid Pines.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> RB: You know, the Pine Needles

Invitational. And, um, so it's a

two man, best ball, gross event.

It's, uh, all really good players. It's. It's a blast.

Um, we mosey on down on Thursday morning, play

Pine Needles, Pine Needles, Mid Pines, and hopefully we

make the cut and go to Pine Needles.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> RB: But, um, I saw on some of your social media, you

smacking it around Mid Pines.

>> Jonathan: I love, uh, Mid Pine. Yeah. I love all those

courses. You know, I'm fortunate to have played

in all three of the United King Adaptive

Opens.

>> RB: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: And the first two were at Pine Herds,

and so we played Pinehurst, number. Oh,

gosh, I should have number six, I think.

>> RB: Yeah. And then did you play two?

>> Jonathan: Uh, no, we didn't play two for the tournament. Bad. I

have played two out there.

>> RB: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: Um, and, uh, but I love Southern Pines

and Mid Pines and Pine Needles. Um, we played all of

those as well. Yeah, Tobacco Road was

beautiful. Uh, I mean, North Carolina

had some amazing.

>> RB: So much golf to the mountains.

>> Jonathan: You go to, you know, Wade Hampton. Uh, and

then you go down to the coast and you got an

absolute stunning golf course, Eagle

Point.

>> RB: Um, and that's my point, is

that, you know, we're. We're boxed up here and up. We're in

Pittsburgh, in Morgantown, West Virginia. You know,

we're. We're inside hitting balls, and all of a sudden you let us free

on February 28th. And it. I mean, I scull a

few chip shots here and there in the practice round. Get

those out of the way, Skull a couple bunker shots,

get those out of the way, and then we're tuned in by, um,

Friday.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, there you go. Well, if you come a

day early, come to my course and, uh,

we'd love to. I think you have to. From

Morgantown, um, swing by Stateville. Oh,

you don't have to.

>> RB: I think. Yeah, we'll probably fly, I think. Yeah.

>> Jonathan: You're fine.

>> Jonathan: Yeah. It's just easier to come back on

Sunday, you know what I mean?

>> RB: We probably could stop in Statesville there, bud.

>> Jonathan: I might come down your way if you all have an open

day. Like some play, uh, Tobacco Road or

something.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, well, pep set the trip up for the, uh,

practice round, so.

>> Jonathan: Oh, okay.

>> Jonathan: I'd love to have you. Um, but

yeah, we, we, you know, Sunday you get done

playing golf, and for the last Couple years, my partner

and I missed the cut. So we were over at

Southern Pines, which, uh, you

know, nice spot, but by the time

you get done eating a little Mac and cheese and a little fried chicken

sweet tea, it's 3:00.

Now normally, you know, you leave at 3:00, you're not

getting home till 11, so. Oh, yeah, that,

that's the reason why we just started flying down because it makes Sunday

a hell of a lot easier.

>> Jonathan: But, um, I've got my 12 hour rule if I

can drive within 12 hours. I like to drive,

but, yeah,

it's not fun when you're playing it. You know, I did the

Daytona tournament and just left right after that

and drove eight and a half hours.

>> RB: Yeah, not fun.

So that adaptive US Open, uh, is it

qualifiers to get into that? Yeah, uh, yeah,

it's people that might have, you know,

amputated leg or, um,

whatever.

Um, so how many people

qualify for that?

>> Jonathan: Um, so there's only. You've got

20 automatic qualifiers, um, and

then you've got 70 spots, uh,

available to qualify. And so I

was, I was like some pretty good, good golf

and qualified and um. Yeah,

pretty. Yeah, you're kind of expected

to qualify, but you're still, you know, you still have

to show up and a good day and play. And play. Yeah.

>> RB: Um, so what's your best finish

for the Adaptive Open?

>> Jonathan: Yeah, not very good. I think I finished like 4, 40

40th or something, uh, last year. So, uh, not, not

great.

>> Jonathan: What other players and

disabilities are in, included in this? I mean.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, I mean, you've got arm impairment, you got

leg impairment, you've got neurological

impairment, you've got wheelchair, um,

you've got vision impairment.

Um, then you've got intellectual. I think

I said that. So, um, you know, Amy

Brockhurst would. Johnson, uh, drum. She

played. Cody. Ah, he had gone fin drums.

He played. Um, and then you got the

people that shouldn't be playing disable golf

that they play sometimes and you're like, we call

them paper cuts. Um,

and um, okay,

congratulations. You

had uh, one. One guy,

uh, everybody calls him out on it, but he

still shows up. One guy had, um, Tom and Johnson

11 years ago.

>> Jonathan: He still plays in me.

>> Jonathan: Oh yeah. Like he, I beat him

to uh, you know, qualify for the worm,

uh, the arm section. I beat him by

two shots. And then he shows up, I'm like, how the

hell. Like, why are you here? I beat you. And

um, um. Yeah, he was like,

well, you know, I got in on uh, a, uh, exemption.

>> RB: I'M like, so he has two. So.

>> Jonathan: Oh yeah. Two hands.

>> RB: My man's playing the one arm with two hands.

>> Jonathan: Oh yeah, Just straight up. And you're like. And

we've called him out on it and all that. So some of those

things need to change. Uh, I think for adaptive off to

grow.

>> RB: Why is he showing up though? Like what? Like how does.

>> Jonathan: If people start involved. He won

the. I think he won the overall arm. I don't know

how he got into the adaptive Open. And then he won the

Armin Care man. And you're like, by

Tommy John.

>> Jonathan: I mean, the kicker would be someone showed up.

>> RB: I snapped my ankle last year.

>> Jonathan: I honestly thought about reaching to Tiger woods and be like,

hey, can you just play one time?

>> Jonathan: He could, yeah.

>> Jonathan: Yeah. But one dude had,

um, a very, very, ah,

very, very mild form of something

and he won. Uh, and I think he

forgot that he was disabled. And then they had to

snap back in it on the other interview.

Is this really what we want representing adaptive

golf?

>> RB: It's cool though, that, I mean, take that. All that

BS out of it. It's really cool that

they have the. Who spearheaded that? Was it the

USGA that kind of.

>> Jonathan: Um, around for 70

years? Um, and nobody really

brought any limelight to it. Hopefully I've been

helping, being a catalyst for it.

Um, and, um, you know. But

yeah, the USGA really spearheaded, you

know, um, they saw the need

for diversity and it was. They

came at a perfect time. I came right back in the middle

of the whole TJ Live drama

and I felt like, you know, that the golf came

together and was really hip hop in golf for a while

and you got to see more of these stories. I

mean, there's this guy, probably the best cable

golfer in the world I, uh, play with. His

name's Isha and he has no legs

from Cameroon. He used to play on the

European, European, uh,

tour. Uh, got

meningitis, got his legs amputated, got

his arm. He had no fingers except for his

left arm. So he literally strapped the

club to the palm of his hand. Got no finger. He

was on his right hand like with a, uh, thing.

And I mean he. He hits about

310, 320. Uh,

went to Iowa, shot 63

and uh, like 71 by like

12 shots. And you're like, this is

a. The representation of

adaptive office that is needed.

>> Jonathan: Correct.

>> Jonathan: Um, and so we. I'm working very hard with

him to get his name out there and you

know, I'm fortunate to have sponsors

and we're trying to have. Get him over

from, uh, from, um, Cameroon and play

more adaptive tournaments.

>> RB: So who, who are your sponsors right now?

>> Jonathan: Um, kbx, Yeti Jones

Bag, uh, five, uh, Hundred Club,

uh, Iliac

Laguna. Um,

and then we're. We're working on a apparel

deal. But, yeah, those. Those guys are really, really good

to me.

The apparel deal. It's kind of hard being a head pro.

Yeah, I'm kind of like, you have to

categorize, uh, so that's a little hard.

But, um, right now it's a live

forever golf Jacksonville, um,

Florida. And, um, but, you know, the goal

is to get paid. Uh, and. And

that next step of paying adaptive golf is,

you know, I got my PGA card. I passed

the pat.

I was the only one to do it. Pretty good golfer, like,

you know, why not pay me to be a professional golfer like

everybody else? You know, I'm not asking for millions of dollars,

but something that can support my family and

can support the dreams of one day playing on the

PGA Tour.

>> RB: Yeah, it's amazing.

>> Jonathan: And so we're trying to. Hopefully

I'm a catalyst for not only the

spotlight of adaptive golf, but also getting adaptive

golfers. The golfers that are

better than me. Uh, and I'm not afraid to say that I

like the challenge. Uh, but those leg guys

that can hit 320, 350, you know,

um, I play with a guy, Jordan Thomas, uh,

out of Nashville. Great golfer, great human

beings. Or a nonprofit, um, after

he got his leg, uh, chopped off

and, um, broke and hit at

323 30.

Um, you know, it's a

little. Not unfair, but it's like

320.

>> RB: Like, how do.

>> Jonathan: I don't even say it, but.

>> RB: Well, I don't know. How do you. How. How do I hit it

further?

>> Jonathan: Uh, that's why

I just told him. Don't say it.

>> Jonathan: I'm giving you the card. The table

card. Well, no recharge.

>> RB: I'm gonna. I'm gonna. No, I'm

gonna pull that guy that nobody likes and just say

that. I mean.

>> Jonathan: Uh, I remember for my buddy who, uh,

he does MMA fighting, uh, with one leg,

uh, and he plays off his name. He ran

for, uh, tenant or state senate, uh,

for Georgia. Big dude. Don't. With

Shay, uh, and B and. And Shay

were on the putting green warming up, and Eli was there,

and then another dude was there that shouldn't be playing the table

golf. And Shay just straight up, you know, me and

Shay are having a conversation, and again, you don't mess

with Shay. But Shane's like, yeah, there's, uh,

definite golf is changing. Like, uh, like,

this guy over here points to Eli, like, this

guy shouldn't be playing in the, uh,

qualifier at all. And Eli

and Shea look at each other.

>> RB: I'm like, oh, here we go, boys.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, we're about to throw down. And then I, you know,

go around. I, uh, start talking to dude. I'm like, oh, dude, like,

who are you counting for? And you go, oh, no, I'm

playing. I'm like, oh.

Like. And then, you know, this guy, like. And, um,

when I tell you, like, there's zero disability.

This Guy was a D1 lacrosse

player, about 340. He

was driving the greens on us. He was in the

group behind me, and I, I. About

13th hole. Yeah, I'm like, in the thick of it. I'm

playing pretty well. I'm two under. I'm like, I swear to

God, one more ball lands on the screen, and one more ball

does. I said, hey, dude, one more time, and I'm throwing your

ball in the water.

Like. Like, yeah, like, I.

Like, no, he didn't do it again. Shot five under,

and he, uh, won. So I'm kind of touching off,

but bro was driving par forward, and I'm like,

yeah, like, playing with the wheelchair guy,

like, this guy Parkinson's and king,

like,

you're just walking up here like nothing. Oh, dude.

Yeah, we've had some chat.

>> Jonathan: That's.

>> Jonathan: I do love the adaptive golf community. Like, we'll. We'll call

each other out.

>> RB: Yeah, that's good. So what. So what

would you say your handicap is right now?

>> Jonathan: Being honest, probably right now it's like a.

Probably a three. Uh, you know, last week

or a couple weeks ago, I did a YouTube video, uh, with

some guys and shot seven under, putted

lights out, looked out for a hole in one and

then almost drained, uh, another one. Uh,

and then, Yeah, I had eight burdens.

Damn, it was a good

day yesterday. I shot 300.

Getting better.

>> RB: We gotta get you the two man.

>> Jonathan: And. And, you know,

playing on YouTube is a little bit different.

>> RB: We gotta get you in our two man event. Um,

it's in July 27th, 29th,

at 5, uh, Star Resort, Nemicol, and here up here in

Pittsburgh. But what we do is, um, we

got, um, a player blind draw with a B

player.

>> Jonathan: Okay.

>> RB: Um, and then we go do best

ball. And, um, I think last year

John Barry, ex NBA player, won with,

um, Eddie. Amen. Just

a normal guy.

Um, but this year, the pot's gonna

be 20, 000 bucks. Top three spots get paid out.

So, um, we'll. We'll figure the

details out with you, get you up there because I think that it would be

fun to have you there and compete.

And um.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, you know, that

we, we uh, gotta thank Steve

Piering, you know, and.

>> Jonathan: I was just about to shout out my boy, so I

couldn't say anything just yet. Uh, but yeah,

Asher golf apparel stuff,

it's coming.

>> RB: So. Yeah, so of course, Steve. Of course. Yeah.

>> Jonathan: Steve's awesome. How y'all know Steve?

>> RB: Oh, uh, uh, by default.

>> Jonathan: Okay.

>> RB: He was sitting in his car at a country club one time

by himself and he got out trying to sell his golf shirts.

Um, it's like chasing us down. It was

like. Dude, it was recycled

cotton. But, um. No, it's just

kidding. We met him through, uh, we met him through

Hank Ashworth.

>> Jonathan: Okay.

>> RB: Uh, when they had link soul. And, and

um. So yeah, Steve's. Steve's a good dude.

Really good dude. Um,

means well, friends all of us.

>> Jonathan: So he's fun to be around. And honestly, he's always down for

golf. Oh, yeah. You need the guy like that.

You know what I mean? You need the guy that will play golf no matter

the circumstance.

>> Jonathan: Hm.

>> Jonathan: Uh, and that's Steve Piering, man.

>> Jonathan: I mean, but the heavy stuff's not coming down for a

while.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.

>> RB: During COVID we played at Pete Dye Golf Club.

Uh, and Steve drove four and a half hours

from Philly to play golf and then

drove back like right after.

>> Jonathan: Okay.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, he's that guy.

>> Jonathan: I think I've been about four half hours for a girl,

but not for girls.

>> RB: There you go.

>> Jonathan: Wait, are you, are you married?

>> Jonathan: No, I, I used to be. Got, uh, divorced

and got to play a lot more golf, so.

>> Jonathan: Okay, I understand.

>> Jonathan: Um, yeah, yeah, it was one of

those, uh, chasing dreams. I've got a non profit next. Uh,

started doing golf and then we just are another

one. And some people are on your team

and others hop off the train and

decide to hop off and just

change full scheme ahead. But I've got an amazing

girlfriend right now and um, she's very, very

supportive. And that's great golf. Which

is rare because I've never had a girl that likes

golf either. So it's been pretty cool.

>> RB: Yeah. Why don't they like golf? Like, I don't get that.

>> Jonathan: This one right now. Elizabeth

loved golf and we actually got to go play for the first

time together. And so,

uh, it's pretty cool.

>> RB: That's awesome. Good.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, no, I mean, I think I think golf's grown.

I love seeing what golf

is doing, you know, for, for

the example,

the, what do you call it? The adaption.

Adapt option. Golfer.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: Adaptive golf. Like that's remarkable,

man.

Now, it does kind of rub me the wrong way that you

got some people, you know, that uh, maybe shouldn't be playing

it, but what's the movie with Giant?

>> Jonathan: Giant, uh, Knox.

>> Jonathan: Um, the only one I know is.

>> Jonathan: Jackass Johnny, uh, Knoxville with,

um. Oh my God. Um,

the Special Olympics.

Oh, you, um, know what I'm talking about.

>> RB: Yep.

>> Jonathan: Oh my God, I've watched it. Um,

I don't know. He, he

runs in the Special Olympics.

>> RB: The Ringer.

>> Jonathan: The Ringer, yeah, there's some ringers

out there. The Ringer. I love that movie. I haven't

watched it a while, but yeah, definitely, definitely a couple

ringers out there where you're like. Yeah.

>> Jonathan: So do you think you're, uh, you'll try to

Monday queue into some of these events in the future?

>> Jonathan: Yeah, so my goal, um, and I

think we're getting closer and closer. Get a little bit better at

golf and I'm gonna, you know, I've got my PGA card, so

I'm gonna try. I would love to play in the PGA

Championship.

>> RB: That's uh, my life goal to qualify through

the pga.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, I think that would be

amazing. Uh, you know, not only represent,

um, the usga, the pga,

golf in general, disabled golf, uh,

but also, you know, those, those journeymen,

those guys that dreamed about doing it and

uh, worked hard and did it

and um, uh, just be able to

qualify. It's humbling to be able to

qualify for the UXGA Adaptive.

Um, it would just mean a lot to me,

uh, if I can do.

>> RB: A PGA change, would that be awesome?

>> Jonathan: That would be so good. You know, I just thought of

something. You, John Daly loves

hitting left handed wedge shots.

>> RB: Mhm.

>> Jonathan: Oh yeah. I mean, that would be good to see you

two in a little competition.

>> Jonathan: I would love it. Let's make it happen.

>> RB: We might be able to make that happen.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, I would love to. I'm going down,

uh, Monday and Tuesday of the

Masters. Um, I might go to

Hooters real quick and yeah, if he would do.

>> RB: A little triple, we might be able to. If we meet you in

Nashville. Yeah, we could do that

at Old Hickory Country Club.

>> Jonathan: Oh, yeah. Wait, wait, let me know. I love

Holy Hickory. The last job I had

was in Nashville. Murphysboro.

>> RB: Oh, really?

>> Jonathan: Oh, really. I know a couple of the corgs you got there and

uh, Hermitage is really Fun to play. And

governor, uh, is responding. So.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, Pep normally wears his Troubadour

hat, but today he's wearing his Grove hat.

>> Jonathan: So very jealous of, uh, of that.

Um, you know, uh, uh, when did you

play Grove?

>> RB: Last year. We both went down there with our

buddy Nick Sorkin and. And played Grove

two days. Um, and it was a blast.

It was fun.

>> Jonathan: Let me know if you need a caddy for the next one.

>> RB: No, you're not caddy. And you're gonna. You're gonna be my

moneyball.

>> Jonathan: There you go. Hey, I would love. My goal is

to. And the owner of the course played for

Michael a good bit. I'm like, just let me play

nine holes with Michael. Don't tell him about, uh, anything

about. Put your house on it. Put a couple, you

know, give me about four shots.

Uh, yeah.

>> RB: You're gonna kick Michael Jordan's ass. I love it.

>> Jonathan: Oh, absolutely. I'll do it at the Grove. I'll do

it Muni.

>> Jonathan: Tell me I love it. That is. That's the

confidence we need. Like, I. Oh, absolutely.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: I'm kind of jacked right now. Like, I don't.

I'm gonna go hit a golf ball somewhere.

>> RB: Dude, we're gonna play 20. 20, 20 at Pine

Needles here in about two weeks.

>> Jonathan: Yo, that's so funny. You know what? Hey, Alex,

we. When we go into this tournament that we're playing in a couple

weeks, we're all. We're all jonesing for golf, right?

So. Yeah.

Um, and then the first round goes great. Second

round's always at Mid Pines on Saturday.

>> Jonathan: Okay.

>> Jonathan: And for whatever reason, my partner and I.

Which. My partner could theoretically play in the senior

division. He's over 50.

>> RB: He should.

>> Jonathan: But I love my partner.

>> RB: You and I. And. And you and I could have teamed up this year

because.

>> Jonathan: On you. Correct. But, uh, long story short,

yeah, he filled. He filled that spot immediately.

But we get to Mid Pines, and we're. I'm circling back on

Mid Pines, and that is just a great, great

course. I mean, Pep has experience there like no other, you know?

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: Having a stomachache. And middle 15 fairway. But any

rate, we just never get it done at Mid Pines.

I mean, we just never can get it done. We're always, like, one

over, and everyone tears it up.

Uh, like, and. And so for the last three years, we've

been playing decent at Needles. On day one,

couple. Wonder.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: Day two, nothing. And then day three, we're over there

at the Moose Club. We're over at Southern Pines.

But it's A great

track.

>> RB: Yeah, it is true, though, because, like,

I wish they had, uh, the first round mid Pines,

because then you could potentially get

it back or play better. Dude,

everybody takes it so deep at Mid Pines.

Yeah, I think we played, we played with the winners last year at Mid

Pines. They shot like nine under, best ball,

and it was like an absolute show.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, well, I mean, you got those par

fives that, you know, theoretically you could. You gotta get up

into.

>> Jonathan: You got, you gotta be able.

>> RB: A 4, 5, 6, 7. You gotta take

advantage.

>> Jonathan: You gotta take it.

>> Jonathan: You gotta be able to make it happen.

>> Jonathan: Well, Alex, man, it's been, um, awesome getting

to meet you. And I know you know this is virtual,

but I would enjoy meeting you in human form at some point.

But, um, it was awesome hearing your. Awesome

hearing your story. And.

And we're gonna finish this off here with our standard tap

in segment presented by BET Nardi Golf. Check him out

online@bet nardi.com. pep's gonna ask you

a couple questions here that might, uh, make you think

a little.

>> Jonathan: I like it.

>> Jonathan: Probably not though, because he doesn't ask good questions. I'm

kidding.

>> RB: Favorite club in the bag.

>> Jonathan: Driver.

>> RB: Tell us your, your buildup of the driver specs, all

that. Don't.

>> Jonathan: Don't judge me. It's a, uh,

14°, um,

Mizuno FT Max.

Uh, yeah, yeah, yeah. I used to tee the

ball up really high, like 4 inch tees, and then I

had a ping that I would just turn up on. Uh,

and that was fun. But I'm getting old now and,

um, you know, um.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, sounds like you're getting better.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, we are getting better, actually.

>> RB: Advice to a younger version of yourself.

>> Jonathan: Uh,

don't get married at 26.

>> RB: All right?

Dream, um, foursome, Dead or alive.

>> Jonathan: My dad, um,

Aleister McKenzie.

>> RB: Oh, that's an interesting one.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: Pink Stewart. Bingo.

>> Jonathan: Ah, that's a good one.

>> Jonathan: I would, I would chew up Alex, uh,

mc. I love

Golf Course in God. I want to one day hit the lottery and

build my own golf course.

I would love it. I love what Core Crenshaw is doing.

I love, um, you know, uh, Radio

Doom coming out in Denver.

Um, and then, uh, yeah, Cory Crenshaw's doing

some amazing work right now, but I mean, Alex

M. Alexer McKenzie. And then, uh,

um, who's the guy? Um.

Aw.

>> RB: Uh, Tilling House.

>> Jonathan: Yeah. Beautiful.

>> RB: Yeah. You've been there.

>> Jonathan: No, I want to. I've gotten invited and I

just. I got invited, so don't judge me. But

I got invited and then the And I text the

guy back. I'm like, hey, we'd love to, you know, like,

let's m. Make it happen. And then he died.

Yeah.

>> Jonathan: Terrible.

>> Jonathan: We got older. Older member that invited me.

>> RB: I'm like, that's awful.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, I definitely wouldn't play Pine Valley.

>> RB: It's a goodie. Um, the.

The last question is, what are you

chasing?

>> Jonathan: Um, personal

growth this year? Like, I want to.

Personally. Yeah. I've given up and sacrificed so much for

golf, and I want to make sure that

I am the best human that I

can be, both mentally, physically,

and emotionally. That. Yeah, I can. I can

be, you know, a great head pro to.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: Members here at the 500. But I can also,

you know, um, support. Adapt to golf and promote

it, and also, you know, just for me

personally, and just, um, you know, have fun.

>> RB: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: Playing golf and showing up to a tournament and not having

that pressure of I can't,

um. And. And just showing up and

having fun. The first two or three years when you played

really good, you know, that was just fun. You showed up.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: Good buddies. You play golf and you get their ass,

and we got to, you know, number

one.

>> RB: And that's. I think that's the thing, that

things are always more enjoyable when you're having fun. Even

if it's not going, uh, the way you thought it

would be going, you're having fun, whether it's in

business, life, on the course, in your

relationships.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> RB: Just have fun.

>> Jonathan: Yeah.

>> RB: Sometimes I get away from that, so.

>> Jonathan: And having a team around you is huge,

and having people that you can trust, uh,

because I've gotten through by agents before and

all that, and it's just not fun not being able to

trust your support, you know, team.

>> RB: Right.

>> Jonathan: Um, and, you know, luckily, I've been

able to, um, have

less friends, but the friends I do have are. Are

more important, and, uh, their advice is, uh,

more impactful. Um, I know that they're there

for me.

>> Jonathan: Yeah. It's true. Quality over

quantity.

>> RB: I love it, man. I absolutely love this. This is a

blast. And, um, great story.

I mean, it's. It's a great story. It is. It's a. It's a story

of never giving up. And,

uh. Yeah.

So thank you so much for, uh, coming on.

>> Jonathan: Yeah. Alex, man, keep doing it, man. Keep. Keep chasing

your dreams. And. And, you know, you're very humble and

successful in that regard, and obviously love your love

for golf, and you're changing the game. You're impacting people.

>> RB: You're.

>> Jonathan: You're an inspiration to a Lot of people people, man. Truthfully,

so hats off to you and um,

you know, like I said earlier, hope to meet you at some point and, and appreciate

you. You coming on here today.

>> Jonathan: I. I appreciate y'all. Ah, thank you so much for letting

me share the story.

>> RB: Man. You talk about inspiration, um, but you

also Alex, you could tell he doesn't feel bad for himself,

man.

>> Jonathan: It's no.

>> RB: What he was dealt. And he's. He even said that

he's tried every sport there is. Um,

and he must be pretty darn athletic. I mean, he's.

He's hitting it over 300 one arm

boys, so. Yeah, that's impressive.

Um, first head pro,

um, he was just named head Pro to 500

Club. And I just looked that

club up. It looks pretty sick. So, uh, we might have to mosey on

down there to see Alex in his

spot.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, for sure. No, he.

Yeah, it's it's just like I said a couple times, it's just

very humbling because we, we get out and play golf, you know, and we

all get agitated on little things like that,

you know, but in the grand scheme of things,

you know, there's, there's people out there, not just him, but the

whole adaptive tour circuit, you know, it's like guys

love the game of golf and that's the common

denominator between all of us. But, uh, at the end of the

day, we have, you know, uh, an

advantage, if you will, relative to our body components.

But I mean it's. It's a. If you

watch like I got on YouTube a little bit and watched

some interviews with him. He golf dodge just did a great write up about

him and uh, some videos of his swing. Dude, his

swing is like perfect. Like it is like.

Exactly. Yeah, it's is right on

plane.

So Alex, thanks so much for joining us

here on Chasing Birdies and good

luck with your endeavors in

golf and well, guess.

>> RB: But guess what's right around the corner.

>> Jonathan: Pinehurst.

>> RB: Pinehurst.

>> Jonathan: Pine Needles Invitational.

>> RB: Pine Needles Invitational is right around the

corner. I'm coming in with a new dancing partner this

year, Gary Sisson.

Um, so I'm excited for

this and, uh, I know

Neil and Tango are kind of on the cusp of.

They kind of got to do something this year, boys. Yeah,

uh, I can't pull any more

strings, so to speak. Um, get the

boys back in. You gotta make the cut.

So you're gonna feel a little pressure there will be

fun to follow along with that. I'm sure we'll do some content

following the Boys around a little bit.

>> Jonathan: We got a great little field too. We got Ryan Mason and Woody

Woodward joining the tournament this year. So those

are two sticks. And, uh, I'm sure

Woody likes hearing that about himself. So, Woody, you're a great

stick. So it's going to be fun, man. Hopefully

Ian and I can make a couple birdies. Um, my boy

ipa, like you said, he should be in the senior division. But you know

what, we're going to champion it this year. We're going to take and we're

gonna run it back and try to make the cut. But I've been trying

to get some practice swings in pep. Trying to stay on

your level. I know you've had a couple times you've got to go out and play

golf. Like you said, Arizona and whatnot. But I've been really

utilizing the indoor hitting phase at the Nemicolon

Golf Academy with Trackman and Jaren's

up there and everything's great. So if you guys

in in the area, north central, West

Virginia, Southwest Pacific or anywhere, really, make sure

you check out Nemicolon Resort in Farmington,

Pennsylvania. Five star all around golf is

amazing. Indoor golf's great restaurants,

the accommodations, world gusto. I mean,

it's just, they're on fire right now. So check them out

online@nemacolin.com

and that is the home of our

2025 Jason Birdies 2

Man.

>> RB: Another shout out I want to give which, um, is

Eric Childers. Like, my man just loaded it

off, loaded us up

for 2025.

>> Jonathan: My, uh, guy.

>> RB: The Pro V1. You switched to the Pro V1. You were normally

a Pro V1X. I had

the prototype, uh, for you to try last year.

You loved it into the wind. Um, and you said,

you know what, I'm rolling with this one. So, uh, we're both

using the Titleist Pro V1s. Make sure you go check them

out. Um, I know Everybody uses Pro V1s or Pro

V1x's, so it's not like we're discovering something

new. But I am telling you that Pro V1 ball is

the best ball I have ever played. Uh, the

2025 version. So Childers, thanks,

baby.

>> Jonathan: Yeah, absolutely. Childers, uh,

you're awesome and we appreciate it very much.

And since you're on the shout out kick, I do got to give one more shout out here

to a local guy. Reached out, wanted me to drop something

here on Chasing Birdies. Patrick Oliverio with

Oliveira's Restaurant in Morgantown opened a brand new

Cheat Lake location of Oliveira.

So for the people in West Virginia, I know a lot of you guys are listening to

this podcast. Oliveira's opened up here in Cheat

Lake. Pierpoint Plaza, man, you got to go check them out. It's a great

spot for lunch, great spot for dinner, and the pizzas are

dynamite. Handmade dough tossed in the air. Feels like you're in

New York. So come on over to

Oliveiros and get yourself some. Some dinner here if you're

in town. Yeah, it's pretty awesome.

>> RB: Good for him.

>> Jonathan: Pretty dope. Yeah. Yeah, he's stoked about it. But food

there.

>> RB: Um, but without further ado, my man, I

know that you got to go put your butt in the sand for a little bit,

um, wind down your trip, but

until what? In two weeks?

>> Jonathan: Yeah, we will be back in two weeks.

>> RB: So we'll be back on schedule. We got off a little

bit, but we're back chasing underscore birdies. Make

sure you like it, tap it, follow along.

And you know what? Stay tuned on Chasing birdies, too,

man. We might. We might give a little giveaway. I haven't even

talked to you about that, but maybe we do a little giveaway to give somebody a

spot into it. Um.

>> Jonathan: Here we go.

>> RB: Yeah.

>> Jonathan: So, yeah, good things ahead,

guys. And as always, we appreciate you tuning

in here on Chasing Birdies. And. And this week, if

you're tuning into some golf. The Genesis Open Genesis

Invitational's taking place in San Diego, Torrey Pines,

and the man in is playing this week. We've got

Tiger in the field.

>> RB: This makes me hurt watching him play, but whatever.

>> Jonathan: So let's see what happens with him. But

without anything else I need to say, again,

appreciate all the love support, listeners. You

guys are great. And thank you to Ally, Emily

Evo at Simpler Media for putting this together. Jacqueline

DiPaterio, Rachel London, for all your social media

help. And you guys have a great, blessed

weekend, and we will catch y'all in

2J.

Hm.