Bay State Golf Podcast

It's Open Championship week, and Paul Burke joins me to talk Royal Birkdale before the year's toughest major gets underway across the pond. We start with a question Paul's been sitting on all week: what actually makes a great sporting event? From there...

This week's guest is Lillian Guleserian, the 2026 New England Women's Amateur champion and Penn State freshman, fresh off her comeback win at Concord Country Club. Lillian breaks down the dramatic back nine of the final round, rallying from four shots ...

The Massachusetts Amateur is here, and Sean Melia is joined by Paul Burke for a deep dive into the state's premier amateur event. With the tournament heading to Winchester Country Club (July 6–10) for just the eighth time in history, Sean and Paul brea...

Sean and Paul are ready for the U.S. Open. They break down everything ahead of US Open week at Shinnecock Hills — one of the most demanding venues in major championship golf. They revisit the 2004 Sunday massacre (scoring average: 78.73), debate the US...

The 116th Mass Open is coming to Oyster Harbors from June 9-11. Dan joins Sean to talk through some storylines, history, and players to watch.

Sean Melia sits down with the 2025 Massachusetts Mixed Masters Four-Ball champions, Conor McCormack and Alexis Florio, fresh off their win at Willowbend. The pair, who met at Woodland CC when Alexis worked their in the summer of 2025, break down how th...

Sean sits down with Marcus El, General Manager of Scoreboard Powered by Clipped, live from Omni La Costa. The two dig into Eastern Michigan's stunning run to the women's Final Four, what it says about the changing landscape of college athletics, and wh...

Ryan Downes joins the Bay State Golf Podcast fresh off helping Vanderbilt win the NCAA Regional title — and ahead of a trip to La Costa for the National Championship. The Longmeadow native talks about what it takes to compete at the highest level of co...

Shane Walsh and Chris Gatcomb came out of nowhere to win the 2026 Massachusetts Four-Ball at Indian Pond and Waverly Oaks — and they did it the hard way: seven-under in miserable cold and rain, a hole-in-one from Chris, an agonizing wait on the leaderb...

Sean and Burke are back to break down the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club — the major that sneaks up on you after a month of no-cut, no-stakes tournaments. Burke shares his firsthand take on Aronimink after playing it and attending the 201...

It's Masters Week and I'm joined by Paul Burke (Azalea cocktail in hand) for our annual Masters preview. We kick things off by marking a historic moment: for the first time since 1994, neither Tiger Woods nor Phil Mickelson will tee it up at Augusta Na...

Planning the ultimate golf day near Boston? In this video, I break down four affordable 36-hole combinations all within 30 miles of the city — and all under $170! Courses Covered: 1. D.W. Field + Easton Country Club (South of Boston) → Weekend: $127 | ...

A lot has happened this winter in Massachusetts golf — and we're breaking it all down in one place. From surprise sales to solar field conversions, here's everything you need to know before the 2026 season tees off. Courses discussed: - Whaling City Go...

Is a winter day trip to Nantucket actually worth it for golf? In this podcast (which you can watch on YouTube), I break down the real, door-to-door cost of playing Miacomet Golf Course in the winter, where greens fees drop from $255 in the summer to $7...

What are the defining shots in major championship golf over the last 25 years? Sean, Jed, and Paul draft the 15 most impactful shots from 2000–2025 — the ones that altered careers, flipped leaderboards, and created the “I remember where I was” moments ...

Ranking the five best public Donald Ross golf courses in Massachusetts in honor of his birthday this week.. This list is built on three things: - Have I played it? - Shot value - Walkability - The phone-call test — if a friend called the night before a...

One of the most neglected golf courses in Massachusetts might finally get the renovation it deserves. In this video, I break down my three big hopes for the future of Leo J. Martin Golf Course—a place with deep community value, passionate players, and ...

For almost a century, Cape Cod Country Club has been one of the jewels of public golf in Massachusetts — a Devereux Emmet and Alfred Tull design that’s hosted Mass Opens, legendary exhibitions, and generations of local golfers. But now, this beloved co...

As fall fades and winter looms, there’s still time for a few unforgettable rounds across Massachusetts golf courses. In this video, I share 10 must-play spots before the season ends — from Cape Cod Country Club and Taconic to Franklin Park and Miacomet...

September Golf Recap: 9 courses, 6 new checks, and one West Coast detour. I sprinted through Cape Cod with a four-day run and squeezed in Whitinsville plus a Walker Cup–adjacent round at Poppy Hills. Quick hits on conditions, vibe, difficulty, and a ho...

In this Ryder Cup 2025 preview, Sean Melia and Paul Burke dive into every major storyline shaping golf’s biggest team event. From Bethpage Black’s iconic setup and rowdy New York crowds to the captaincy drama surrounding Keegan Bradley, Luke Donald, an...

Junior golf, coaching philosophy, and the surge of competitive golf in Massachusetts—all with Coach Dan (Dan Boisvert of Pin High Golf). We dig into training juniors/college players, how to set realistic expectations, avoiding burnout, indoor vs. outdo...

Looking for the best golf courses in Massachusetts to play before the season ends? I’ve played 157 courses across the state and narrowed it down to 10 that are worth checking out. From splurge-worthy tracks to hidden value gems, this list has something...

In this Open Championship deep dive, Sean and Paul tee off on everything from course repetition to major championship schedules to who actually needs a win at Royal Portrush. They debate legacy vs. form, make picks, and even go off the rails into Savan...

Sean and Paul break down the upcoming 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont. From Bryson’s viral practice round, Rory's odd post-Masters stretch, and who really needs to win this week, the guys cover it all—including picks and other predictions. LINKS: Watch on Yo...

In this episode, Sean Melia welcomes Marcos Baugh, the founder of Urban Golf Club, a Boston-based nonprofit bringing golf and financial literacy to kids in the city. Marcos shares how he uses foam golf balls in gymnasiums, lemonade stands at Franklin P...

Sean and Burke made some quick PGA Championship picks during halftime of game 4 of the Celtics-Knicks game. The second half did not go well, but maybe our picks will, though. Then, on the back end of this podcast, Burke shares his experience as a caddi...

The Golf Trip Guys, Sean Toland and Mike Vadala, discuss their inaugural golf trip to Hilton Head. They share insights on the concept of customized golf trips, the selection of Hilton Head as a destination, and the overall experience, including the com...

It's been a busy April after a cold and quiet March. I played golf on an island, on the mainland, and in Hilton Head. I've worn four layers and required hand warmers and have also needed 50 spf sun screen. Here's where's I've teed it up so far: Sandy B...

Peter Marchetti, founder of SwingPass golf, is this week's guest. SwingPass aims to create a community for golfers seeking friendly competition without the country club price tag. They explore how SwingPass provides opportunities for golfers to connect...

Maria Cianchette, a talented golfer and designer behind Sometimes Draws is this week's guest. Maria shares her journey into golf, her experiences in competitive play, and the challenges she faced as a female golfer. The conversation also delves into th...

Sean and Paul dive deep into the recent Masters tournament, highlighting Rory McIlroy's historic win and the emotional rollercoaster that accompanied it. They discuss the significance of consistency in golf, the balance of luck and skill, and the uniqu...

Paul Burke joins Sean to preview The Masters. Topics: Multiple major winners of the 2020s and who can join the club? Is there TOO MUCH Masters coverage? Who is feeling the pressure to win? Who is in the wilderness? Can players with scars from Augusta e...

Some courses have the perfect combo of walkable, playable, and enjoyable. These courses aren't necessarily all the best courses in the state, but they are public courses I could imagine playing everyday because they aren't too taxing and are a blast to...

Mike Bird, the assistant superintendent at Green Harbor Golf Course, shares insights into the world of golf course management, particularly during the winter months. He discusses the importance of social media in connecting golf enthusiasts, the ongoin...

A good month of golf to (probably) finish off the 2024 season... Winchester CC (Private) - 2:0 0 Whaling City GC (Public) - 7:0 0 Ponkapoag GC (Public) - 10: 55 Plymouth CC (Private) - 14: 35 Ould Newbury GC (Semi-private) - 18: 25 LINKS: Watch on YouT...

Over the course of my quest to play every course in Massachusetts, I have seen some good and some bad and some that could be improved with a little attention. Here are six public courses that I think have potential and why. ____ Butternut Farm (Stow, M...

Two trips to Western Mass. highlighted an incredible month of golf. I share the good and the bad from each of the seven courses I played. Five were new courses in the quest to play them all and two were revisits. LINKS: Watch on YouTube Subscribe to th...

Sean Toland joins the podcast to talk about making golf trips. Sean and Mike Vadala started Golf Trip Guys to help golfers make memories on golf trips because they realized how much they loved organizing trips with their friends. Sean discusses the ori...

Coach Kevin Duffy discusses golf training, golf diet, and his journey in the world of training and golf. He talks about his background in football and how he transitioned into golf training. He emphasizes the importance of lower body strength and stabi...

I played seven courses in August. Four of them were new and three were courses I was revisiting. I share two things I liked and one thing that I didn't like about each. 2:39: Concord CC (Private) 9:00: Wollaston GC (Private) 15:54: Gardner Muni (Public...

Andy Cocker picked up golf 13 years ago. Now he's traveling the world to rate courses for Top 100 Golf Courses. He recently spent some time in New England. We discuss a number of the courses he's played, how he gets onto the private courses, what he li...

I recap the golf courses I played in July, including Cyprian Keyes, Weston Golf Club, Fox Run GC, Crosswinds, Sconset, and The Ledges. LINKS: Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter Baystate Golf on IG SeanMeliaGolf on Twitter BaystateGolf.com

Ozarks National is my favorite course at Big Cedar Lodge. Here's what I love about the course. At the tail end, I share some thoughts about the nine-hole course, Top of the Rock, and the 13-hole walking course, Mountain Top. LINKS: Watch on YouTube Sub...

Sean and Paul preview the Open Championship. But first they catch up on the news about Keegan Bradley Rory McIlroy's comments about his performance at the US Open. Then, they discuss Royal Troon, Johnson Wagner as a golf content master, and a myriad of...

Buffalo Ridge at the Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, Missouri in one of three 18-hole championship golf courses. I highlight the opening stretch of holes, the views and vistas, and the excellent course conditions. There are also some lowlights, including t...

Mark Mungeam discusses how he got into golf course architecture with the help of Geoffrey Cornish, his work at Olympia Fields in Chicago to prep it for a U.S. Open, the differences between private and muni projects. We also discuss rankings and Mungeam...

Sean and Paul discuss: - Their experiences playing Pinehurst - Their favorite holes and the course's strong finish - The past U.S. Opens at Pinehurst - Bryson - Xander's likely career major haul - Wyndham Clark's rough patch - Viktor Hovland bouncing b...

In this episode, I talk about my experience playing at Payne's Valley at Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri. A big, brawny, wide-open golf course with massive greens and a 19th hole. LINKS: Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter Baystate Golf on IG Sean...

I played golf at Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, Missouri. It has five courses. Three championship courses - Ozarks National, Buffalo Ridge, and Payne's Valley. It also has a nine-hole course called Top of the Rock and a 13-hole walking course called Mount...