WGHOF Member Stories Episodes

Welcome to a special three-part series where we dive deep into the incredible golfing journey of World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Streit, a true legend in the world of golf. In this first episode, we explore the early years and college experiences that shaped her extraordinary career. Marlene, a Canadian golf icon, joins hosts Mike Gonzalez and Bruce Devlin for an intimate conversation that takes us back to the roots of her passion for the sport. Born in Cereal, Alberta, Marlene shares he...

The World Golf Hall of Fame member looks back on his Major Championship record including a near-miss at the Old Course and his win at the 1977 PGA Championship at Pebble Beach in a playoff with Gene Littler. He recalls fondly the time he was partnered with Arnold Palmer for 7 straight days at Disney World. Known for his superb Ryder Cup record, Lanny takes us to the crazy post-win celebration in 1983 at the home of Captain Jack Nicklaus. Find out where he would take his one career mulligan and w...

Fasten your seatbelts as World Golf Hall of Fame member Lanny Wadkins joins Bruce & Mike for a rollicking ride through his early Amateur career, his first Masters at age 20 playing with Gene Sarazen and his love for the team competitions of golf. Learn about his "Trackman" of the 60's, how Arnie hit into him on the last hole while Lanny was putting for his first win and how he played with a "plan" when leading. Lanny and Bruce reminisce about the Bob Hope Classic and the Crosby Clambake paired w...

One of the hardest working golf professionals of her time, WGHOF member Jan Stephenson recalls her final few victories on the LPGA Tour before personal loss and a violent mugging led to a premature end to her illustrious career. Jan proudly relates her involvement is starting the LPGA Legends Tour and her participation in the Handa Cup competitions. Among her many accolades, the "call to the hall" in 2019 from Nancy Lopez might be her favorite. Since retiring from the game, she has been quite ac...

Jan Stephenson, 16-time winner on the LPGA Tour and a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, reflects back on her 3 major championship wins including the 1981 Peter Jackson Classic, the 1982 LPGA Championship and the 1983 Women's U.S. Open, a run that featured Jan wining 3 of 7 majors. She talks about the adversity she faced outside the ropes and how she overcame these challenges to finally get the results on the golf course that her hard work deserved. Jan Stephenson continues her fascinating l...

3-time major championship winner, Jan Stephenson, reflects back on her early years on the LPGA Tour and recounts several of her 27 professional wins including her first at the 1973 Wills Australian Ladies Open. Jan describes how her life changed when, in 1977, Sport Magazine used a photo of a bra-less Stephenson, not intended for publication, on the cover of their magazine. She relates how, in the crazed aftermath of that photo, LPGA Commissioner Ray Volpe recognized an opportunity to change the...

World Golf Hall of Fame member Jan Stephenson recalls her formative years growing up in Australia as a multi-sport athlete with an early passion for surfing before turning to golf and winning everything as a junior player. Listen in as she remembers her first failed attempt at qualifying for the LPGA Tour and returning home with no money to jobs as a barmaid, public relations professional and model before returning to the U.S. to earn her card. She was, by her own admission, a free spirit, agita...

Davis Love III, 2-time winner of the Players Championship and1997 PGA Champion, looks back on his performances across each of the majors and shares his favorite Open Championship venues. Davis recounts his experiences with team play at the Alfred Dunhill Cup with Tom Kite and Fred Couples, as well as the Presidents Cup and the Ryder Cup. A 6-time participant in each as a player, he was also honored to Captain teams in both competitions, with a heart-breaking Ryder Cup loss at Medinah in 2012 fol...

Davis Love III, major championship winner and Ryder Cup Captain, relives many of his PGA Tour victories including his five wins at the Heritage, three Wyndham titles and two triumphs at the International. Davis recounts his 1997 PGA Championship at Winged Foot, one of the most dominating major wins in golf history, where he finished under a rainbow, suggesting the spiritual presence of his PGA-member father and memories of his passing nearly ten years before. He also takes us through his second ...

World Golf Hall of Fame member Davis Love III shares his boyhood memories of learning the game under the watchful and loving eye of his father, famed teacher, Davis Love, Jr., his college days at the University of North Carolina and his amateur successes including his selection to the 1985 Walker Cup team that prevailed at Pine Valley GC. Davis recalls his first Tour win at Harbour Town in 1987 (4 more wins there to follow), the loss of his father in a tragic plane crash, his first Tournament Pl...

Newly-minted World Golf Hall of Fame member, Sandra Palmer concludes her look back at a remarkable career by reflecting on her final wins on the LPGA Tour and remembering the great players she had the privilege of competing with. Sandra delves into the evolution of golf equipment and what it's done for the game. Witness the triumphs, the heartbreaks, the shots that could've been, and the shots that were - including Sandra's close calls in several other majors. This episode is about gratitude - ...

Two-time major winner, Sandra Palmer continues her recollection of women's golf on the LPGA Tour in the 70's as she takes us on a captivating ride through his victories at Green Gables Country Club in Colorado, the Cameron Park Country Club, and Kendall Lake's Golf Club in Florida. Be inspired as Sandra dives deep into her formula for staying fit, her quest for consistency in her game, and her fascinating story of having her mentor, Max Weinstein, present at one of her crucial wins.&nbs...

The winner of 19 events on the LPGA Tour, Sandra Palmer takes us back to her first few years as a professional where everything was new and winning was difficult. Sandra recounts her first professional win at the 1970 Tokay Classic in Japan where first prize paid 10% of the men’s prize. She remembers playing with Joe Namath in a pro-am event at the Desert Inn where she holed a green-side bunker shot for eagle to beat Donna Caponi for her first LPGA title. Sandra’s first major came in the last ed...

Our inspiring conversation with Sandra Palmer, a 2024 inductee into the World Golf Hall of Fame, traces her journey from her humble beginnings in Fort Worth and Maine to her crowning as an iconic figure in the world of golf. A testament to her grit and determination, Sandra shared how she discovered her passion for golf at age 13 and how the sport served as a sanctuary during her turbulent childhood. Not your ordinary caddy, her knack for never losing a ball made her a favorite among gamblers, p...

In this captivating final installment of a three-part interview with Carol Semple Thompson, a revered figure in the world of amateur golf and a World Golf Hall of Fame inductee, we explore the remarkable journey and insights of one of the game's true legends. Hosted by Mike Gonzalez and Bruce Devlin, this episode offers an intimate look into Carol's extraordinary career, her unique perspectives on the sport, and her cherished memories. The conversation opens with her reflections on her experien...

In this second installment of our three-part series with World Golf Hall of Famer Carol Semple Thompson, we delve deeper into the remarkable journey of this distinguished amateur golfer. Hosts Mike Gonzalez and Bruce Devlin engage Carol in a captivating conversation that traverses her incredible 22-time victory in the Pennsylvania Women's Amateur Championship, highlighting not just her skill but also her unwavering dedication to the sport. The episode takes an intriguing turn as Bruce shares hi...

In this first installment of a three-part series on "FORE the Good of the Game," we delve into the remarkable life and career of World Golf Hall of Fame member Carol Semple Thompson. As a storied amateur golfer, Carol shares her unique and inspiring journey, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into her experiences and the evolution of women's golf. The episode begins with Carol reflecting on her decision not to turn professional, a choice that shaped her extraordinary career. She recounts...

26-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Judy Rankin looks back on her near-misses in the major championships including runner-up finishes at the 1976 and 1977 LPGA Championships, the 1972 Women's U. S. Open and the 1972 Titleholders Championship. Judy fondly recalls her times as a victorious Solheim Cup Captain in 1996 and 1998 and recounts her pioneering work as a woman broadcaster covering men's golf, the first ever to do so. She was recognized for her life's work by the USGA, the LPGA and with her 2...

World Golf Hall of Fame member Judy Rankin looks back on her life on tour (starting at age 17) and her 28 professional wins beginning with her first at the 1968 Corpus Christi Civitan Open. Judy had two tremendous years in succession in 1977 and 1978 when she was the LPGA Player of the Year, the leading money winner and the Vare Trophy winner, amassing 11 victories and a team win with JoAnne Carner. She won two events which later became majors, the 1976 Colgate-Dinah Shore and the 1977 Peter Jac...

Judy Rankin, World Golf Hall of Fame member and renowned golf broadcaster, takes us back to her childhood in St. Louis, Missouri as an only child who learned the game at a very early age from her father. Judy had tremendous success as a junior player, winning the National Pee Wee Championship four times and the Missouri State Amateur twice, all before the age of 16. She played in the Women's U.S. Open at age 14 and was Low Am the following year. Judy graced the cover of Sports Illustrated after ...

We begin with the 2-time Masters Champion in the 18th fairway of the final round of his emotional Masters win in 1995. He tells of his enduring love of his long-time caddie, Carl Jackson and how Carl’s perceptive eye spotted a swing flaw that turned Ben’s game around that week. Ben recounts his favorite U.S. Open and Open Championship experiences and venues. We cover the 1999 Ryder Cup “Battle at Brookline”, with history again coming down to the 17th hole with Justin Leonard’s improbable putt an...

We continue our discussion with World Golf Hall of Fame member Ben Crenshaw for a recap of his professional stats, including his surprising (0-8) record in playoffs, winning his first professional event and reliving a few of his favorite tour victories and venues. We marvel at the tradition of great golfing Texans; Demaret, Burke, Hogan, Nelson, Penick, Trevino, Crenshaw, Kite, Sutton, etc. Hear about Ben’s 1984 Masters win and his emotional victory in 1995 a week after Penick’s passing, Ryder C...

World Golf Hall of Fame member, Gentle Ben looks back on his youth, learning the game under the watchful eye of Harvey Penick, his second father, and being challenged by a young Tom Kite. Learn about the eerie history of Brookline in Ben’s life/career, where he discovered his love of the history and traditions of the Game at age 16. Ben and Bruce recount how their paths first crossed as the “Devil” gave an exhibition for the young men competing in the 1972 NCAA championship in FL. Share a magica...

Winner of the Masters Tournament and the Open Championship and member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Sandy Lyle looks back on his later professional wins and the thrill of playing with Jack Nicklaus in the final round of the 1986 Masters. Sandy takes us through the transformative years of the Ryder Cup competition that he witnessed first-hand as a player from 1979, the first year including players from the continent, to 1987, Europe's first win on U.S. soil at Captain Jack Nicklaus' Muirfield V...