S12, Ep 32 Part 2: In the Face of Goodbye: Michael Whelan’s Most Powerful Chapter Yet

In Part 2 of Season 12, Episode 32, I’m joined by someone I truly admire and consider a creative genius — Michael Whelan. If you don’t already follow him, go find him on X (Twitter) @MikelJWhelan. Michael’s legacy in the world of golf media is nothing short of extraordinary. He was the visionary who launched The Golf Channel back in 1994–95 — hiring the talent, creating the programming, and turning Arnold Palmer’s dream of a 24/7 golf network into reality. He helped launch the career of Scott Van Pelt and many others. What’s more impressive is how quickly he pulled it all together — building out the entire channel in under six months and proving the skeptics wrong with exceptional programming and production quality. But this segment goes much deeper than career highlights. Michael bravely shares the physical and emotional challenges he’s currently facing. He opens up about his battle with cancer and the pain of watching his wife slowly fade due to Parkinson’s disease. It’s a moving, raw, and deeply personal conversation that reveals the strength, vulnerability, and creative spirit that defines him. Michael has also teamed up with our friend Tucker Booth to co-author a powerful new book titled The Final Broadcast, which we preview during the show. This is an emotional, inspiring segment you won’t forget.