Sports Innerview With Ann Liguori

Ann talks with Mike Whan, CEO, USGA, about how the ProMedica partnership with the US Women's Open came about; what it means for women's golf; the creation of the U.S. Adaptive Open Championship which will take place July 18-20 at Pinehurst #6; how he prioritizes the many issues facing golf; his thoughts on the US Open for the men at Country Club of Brookline; his relationship with LPGA Commissioner Molly Marcoux Samann; and the transition has been, moving from Florida to New Jersey. 

Ann visits with Bobby Barnes, PGA, Dir. of Golf, Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor, Florida, and they discuss what makes the Copperhead course so challenging, the Snake Pit (holes 16-18); why the players love playing The Valspar championship; why many golfers think the Island Course is more challenging than Copperhead; and his background as a former Pro at Walt Disney Golf.

Ann talks with Michael Williams, Managing Dir., Innisbrook Golf Resort & Spa, about Copperhead, the Island course, the news about Innisbrook building a short course and homes where the North Course is now located; Course Architect Larry Packard and his 'Double Doglegs;' Packard's Stealhouse; the Spa; and about the other Salamander properties.

Ann talks with USGA CEO Mike Whan about how the ProMedica partnership with the US Women's Open came about; what it means for women's golf; the creation of the U.S. Adaptive Open Championship which will take place July 18-20 at Pinehurst #6; how he prioritizes the many issues facing golf; his thoughts on the US Open for the men at the Country Club of Brookline; his affection for the U.S. Sr. Women's Open; his relationship with LPGA Commissioner Molly Marcoux Samann; and what the transition has been like for him and his family, moving from Florida to New Jersey. And Ann explores all things Innisbrook Resort & the Copperhead Course, where the Valspar Championship is played, with Bobby Barnes, Dir of Golf, and Mike Williams, Managing Director.

Ann catches up with the legendary John Madden in a 'Sports Innerview' she did with him on the Madden Cruiser and at his charity golf outing in California in 2000. They discuss many topics and Madden tells great stories including why he would rarely watch any of his broadcast work; the one day he missed coaching football once he became a broadcaster, (and it had to do with Jimmy Johnson); why and how he transitioned into broadcasting; about being a bad golfer; the one time he beat Don Shula on the links; on Coaches changing their minds once they decide not to Coach anymore; and much more. 

Ann catches up with Rob LaBritz, PGA, Dir. of Golf, GlenArbour Golf Club in Bedford, NY, about his recent win which qualified him to play the Champions Tour full-time, balancing between practicing and being competition-tough with duties at GlenArbour, when his goal to play on Champions Tour took root and keys to his winning ways.

Ann visits with Rob LaBritz, the Dir. of Golf, Glenn Arbor Golf Club in Bedford, NY, about his win which qualified him to play the Champions Tour full-time, a dream come true for him; and Ann replays her Classic Sports Innerview with John Madden where he talks about his football and broadcasting career, the one time he thought he'd leave TV to go back to coaching, his take on golf and great stories about Don Shula and Jimmy Johnson.

Ann talks with John Farrell, Dir. of Sports for Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, about the history of Harbour Town Links, the RBC Heritage PGA Tour event, Pete Dye, Davis Love III, all that Sea Pines has to offer and John's success story.

Ann catches up with tennis legend Stan Smith on his 50 years at Sea Island Resort on Hilton Head Island, how pro tennis has changed from his playing days, on the similarities and differences of tennis and golf, his top memories from the RBC Heritage pro-ams he's played in, and the phenomenal success of his Stan Smith Adidas shoe.

Ann talks with Warren Bottke, PGA Master Professional, Developmental Coach of Brooks Koepka (coached Koepka from age 10-18), about earning Golf Digest Best Teachers in Florida honor for the 12th straight year,  about when he knew Koepka could compete on the PGA Tour, on what makes Koepka a 4-time Major winner, physically and mentally and much more.

Ann has a wide-ranging heart-to-heart chat with 2-time Masters winner Bubba Watson, who opens up about his struggles, overcoming pressure and his own expectations, how he now deals with anxiety and stress; what led to parting ways with long-time caddie, Teddy Scott; on what he learned about himself as Vice Captain on the 2016 Ryder Cup team; on helping out at the 2021 Solheim Cup; his mindset about winning more Major titles; who he picks in the 'Bryson DeChambeau/Brooks Koepka Match' and more.

Ann has an in-depth conversation with 2-time Masters Champ Bubba Watson on his recent book, on his overcoming anxiety, on his priorities and game. And Ann interviews Grant Waite, former Tour player, current Coach, about the difference between coaching top male and female pros and much more.

Ann connects with former NBA center Chris Dudley, on the highlights of his 16-year career in the NBA, how he managed to play pro ball as a diabetic, the work he's doing as Chairman of the Board of Diabetomics with making antibody tests accessible to all, and looking back on his run for Governor of Oregon.

Ann visits with Ashleigh Bryant, Partner Executive, Tagmarshal, helping golf operators manage course traffic, about the 'pace of play' issue in golf and how her experience as a contestant on the 'Survivor' TV Show, has lifted her game.

Ann visits with Ashleigh Bryant, Partner Executive, Tagmarshal, helping golf operators manage course traffic, about the 'pace of play' issue in golf and how her experience as a contestant on the 'Survivor' TV Show, has lifted her game; and Ann connects with former NBA center Chris Dudley, on his 16-year career in the NBA, how he managed to play pro ball as a diabetic, the work he's doing as Chairman of the Board of Diabetomics and looking back on his run for Governor of Oregon.

Ann talks with retired Surgeon Dr. Leslie Ray Matthews about the importance of Vitamin D, proper dosages and why the hormone is crucial for good health and to fight COVID 19.

Ann talks with Dr. Leslie Ray Matthews, who has spent a life-time and his own money, researching Vitamin D, on the importance of the hormone for over-all good health, to combat Covid-19; and Ann visits with Hunter Bremer of Biolyte, 'IV in a Bottle,' on electrolytes, hydration and the top sports drinks on the market.

Ann connects with Alison Metcalfe, Exe. VP, Tourism Ireland, about Ireland's ' Push the Green Button' campaign to jumpstart tourism in Ireland after the pandemic and urge American tourists to book their trips and tee times in 2022, early.

Ann catches up with best-selling author Tom Coyne about his recent golf trip to  Ireland with actor, passionate golfer, Bill Murray. Their adventure focused mostly in the Northwest and North of Ireland, golfing some of the most memorable links courses and enjoying the Irish hospitality and craic along the way, often times with Bill Murray and his family, taking over the microphone.

Ireland is open for tourism and Ann talks about Golfing in Ireland with an up-date from Catherine Martin, Ireland's Minister of Tourism; catches up with Alison Metcalfe, Exe VP, Tourism Ireland, on the Ryder Cup and Open Championship returning to Ireland; and chats with best-selling author, Tom Coyne, who visited Ireland this past summer with none other than actor Bill Murray.