Joe Wessell - A Father's Trip to the Masters

Send us Fan MailA putter on a garage shelf became a doorway to memory, legacy, and what it means to lead at home. Coach and author Joe Wessel joins us to trace a winding path from a disciplined Miami childhood and Catholic schools to a walk-on grind at Florida State, summers learning from Miami Dolphins legends, and the day Jack Nicklaus confirmed the “lost” blade in Joe’s bag was White Fang—the putter that won the 1967 U.S. Open. Instead of asking for a shiny new set, Joe asked for something better: a father–son round at Augusta.We talk about what built him: a mother who showed up at every game, a father who enforced persistence and faith, and a military prep school that hardened habits after loss. Joe shares the reality of earning a scholarship the hard way, becoming a special teams difference-maker, and absorbing leadership from many mentors in his life. The athletic details are rich—technique, timing, depth charts—but the bigger arc lands on fatherhood: discovering that the hero you searched for might have been at your own dinner table all along.Parents and coaches will find practical wisdom here: don’t specialize your kids at 10, grow athletes, not resumes, protect the joy of play, and let your children write their own story. Say I’m sorry. Say I love you. Keep faith as a daily practice, not a performance. We close with the heart of Joe’s book, White Fang and the Golden Bear—a father–son journey that culminates at Augusta and proves that the best trophies are moments shared. If this conversation moved you, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs encouragement today, and leave a quick review so more families can find it.Support the showPlease don't forget to leave us a review wherever you consume your podcasts!  Please help us get more dads to listen weekly and become the ultimate leader of their homes!