PGA Instructor Pete Kelbel chats PGA Tour, Tom Watson, Golf in Michigan & more

The Birdies & Bourbon team had a blast chatting with Pete Kelbel on the PGA Tour, Justin Thomas, golf in Michigan and more. Pete Kelbel is a 3rd generation professional golfer, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, both of whom had distinguished careers as teaching professionals. From a very early age, Pete accompanied his dad to Harbor Point Golf Club where he would help out around the course with jobs such as picking up balls from the range and washing golf clubs. After a spell as a caddy, Pete started playing with ‘sawed-off’ clubs and by the age of 14 shot his first even-par round. Pete joined the Professional ranks whilst still at college and successfully completed his PGA Apprenticeship. Initially based in South Florida an opportunity arose at Walloon Lake Country Club in Petoskey, Michigan. After several years going back and forth between Florida and Michigan, Pete finally settled in Michigan and has now been the professional at Walloon Lake for just over 30 years. In addition to his full diary as a Teaching Professional, Pete is very passionate about junior golf and coaches both the girls and boys teams at Harbor Springs High School, taking great pride in their performances at school and then at college. Pete also writes for WomensGolf.com in which he analyses the swings of the top LPGA players. Walloon Lake Country Club Walloon Lake, located just to the South West of the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan in the United States, has a long and rich history.  The Walloon Lake Country Club was established in 1904 with an initial 9 hole configuration. In 1925 the golf course was expanded to 18 holes after the purchase of adjoining land. In 1990, after finally securing approval from the members, the golf course expanded once again. Today, the 18 hole course provides an excellent test of golf with well-tended fairways and fast greens, with terrific views of Walloon Lake and the surrounding countryside. A regular visitor to the Club is the 8-time major winner Tom Watson, who as a youngster used to play at the club when his family spent the summer months at Walloon Lake. The Watson Cup, the annual invitational golf tournament at Walloon Lake, is named in his honor. In addition to the golf course, the Walloon Lake Country Club also offers: Professional Golf Lessons with Pete Kelbel Professional Tennis Tuition and 4 tennis courts A varied activity program for children including swimming and sailing Information from golfingherald.com. Please check Pete out online on instagram @petekelbelgolf Thank you for taking the time listen to the Birdies & Bourbon Show for all things PGA Tour, golf, gear, bourbon and mixology. Dan & Cal aim to bring you entertaining and informative episodes weekly. Please help spread the word on the podcast and tell a friend about the show. You can also help by leaving an 5-Star iTunes review. We love to hear the feedback and support! Cheers. Follow on Twitter & Instagram ( @birdies_bourbon )