PODCAST · sports
Granite State Golfers
by Mica Stark
Granite State Golfers is a podcast about top amateur golfers in New Hampshire. The show dives into their stories so we can celebrate them and learn from them.
Episodes
-
Episode 83: James Pleat
James Pleat returns to Granite State Golfers for his fifth appearance on the show. James joins us to talk about winning his fourth New Hampshire Mid-Amateur Championship last week at Mount Washington. He walks us through the tough weather the field faced and takes us through his final nine holes…
more -
Episode 82: Mike Mahan and Jim Cilley
A two-part episode. Part One: Mike Mahan, won his second Seacoast Am title earlier this summer, talks his start in golf, choosing a college that let him keep playing multiple sports, and the final stretch at York — including the chip-in that forced a playoff. Part Two: Jim Cilley joins Mike to…
more -
Episode 81: Andrew Surprenant
This episode features one of the top young players in New Hampshire, Andrew Surprenant. A 2024 Merrimack Valley High School grad and member of the SNHU Penmen men's golf team, Andrew talks about his high school career and how quickly he developed into a top-tier player, SNHU's back-to-back NE10...
-
Episode 80: Mady Savary (State Am)
Episode Summary This episode features Mady Savary, the 2026 New Hampshire Women's Amateur Champion. Mady joins Granite State Golfers to discuss her rise through New Hampshire golf, beginning with the lessons she learned from her dad, Jeff, and continuing through her junior golf career and playing...
-
Episode 79: Sarah DesRuisseaux
This episode features Sarah DesRuisseaux, the 2026 New Hampshire Women's Mid-Amateur Champion. Sarah joins us to discuss her journey in golf—from competing on her high school's boys' golf team to playing Division II golf at Franklin Pierce University. She reflects on the challenges she faced, the...
-
Episode 78: Myles O'Quinn
Myles O’Quinn joins the podcast after winning the New Hampshire Men’s State Amateur Championship at Cochecho Country Club. We talk about his junior golf years, including Oyster River High School capturing its first state championship, and his decision to continue his golf career at Endicott...
-
Episode 77: Understanding Slope and Rating
In this episode, we unpack the slope and rating system that is assigned to each course. In part one, I talk with Peter Harrity, one of the owners of Candia Woods and The Oaks. Last fall, they converted hole 14 from a par 4 to a par 5; this change slightly adjusted the course slope and rating. I...
-
Episode 76: The Dry Golfer
This is a little different from our typical episode. It addresses an important—and sometimes difficult—topic: alcohol, addiction, and sobriety. My guests are Ben Alexander, the general manager at The Oaks, and Eric Foster. Together, they have launched The Dry Golfer, a community for people who…
more -
Episode 75: Sam Maurice and Gavin Richardson
This episode features Sam Maurice and Gavin Richardson, who are fresh off a win, capturing the 4 ball tournament at Owl’s Nest earlier this month. We talk about their high school careers in New Hampshire and their decision to attend Southern New Hampshire University to play on the golf team there...
-
Episode 74: The New Hampshire Open
This episode focuses on the New Hampshire Open, which takes place this week at Nashua Country Club. First, I talk with NH Golf tournament director Kinsey Hoffman about the event and some significant changes NH Golf has made this year. Then I’m joined by Lewis Pattullo, the head golf professional…
more -
Episode 73: Jay Pollini
In this episode, I talk to Jay Pollini who is currently the head golf instructor at The Oaks. Jay’s father, who spent nearly 40 years as a golf professional, got Jay into the game at a young age. We talk about his high school and collegiate career in golf and then his decision to turn…
more -
Episode 72: Dave Ousterhout
Hi everyone, I hope you are well. The snow has melted and courses are opening - let's go! This episode features Dave Ousterhout, the superintendent at Concord Country Club. We cover a lot of ground - from his early days in the field to his move to being the superintendent at the Mount Washington...
-
Episode 71: Albie Powers
Happy New Year and welcome to season 5 of the podcast. We kick things off with Albie Powers. Albie was an accomplished youth golfer, helping Keene High School capture 2 titles and he would go on to play D1 golf at Liberty University. We talk about his prodigious length as a kid and his return to...
-
Episode 70: AJ MacVie
With snow on the ground and as we head into winter, this episode focuses on the history and soul of the game. I talk with fellow NH resident and golf podcaster, AJ MacVie. We dig into hickory golf, golf course architecture, the roots of New England golf and golf in Scotland. And like I try to do...
-
Episode 69: Connor Greenleaf
This episode features Connor Greenleaf. Connor won two high school state championships and then won the 2015 State Am while playing on the Boston College golf team. Then, ten years later, Connor won two big events this year - the stroke play championship and the season long match play…
more -
Episode 68: James Pleat and Tara Watt (on the Mid-Ams)
In this episode, I check back in with James Pleat and Tara Watt to see how their experience was playing in their respective USGA Mid Am tournaments. If you missed my earlier conversation with them about how they qualified for their Mid Ams, check out episode 66. I thank them both for coming on…
more -
Episode 67: Jake Nutter
This episode features Jake Nutter who won the NH Mid-Am last week at Laconia Country Club. Jake talks about what made the playing conditions tough and he walks us through an amazing last six holes which included TWO eagles which helped secure the victory. If you want to hear Jake's full golf…
more -
Episode 66: James Pleat and Tara Watt (USGA Mid-Am)
This episode features James Pleat and Tara Watt, both of whom have been on the show before. In this episode, I talk with them about their recent success qualifying for their respective USGA Mid-Am tournaments (they were both medalists!). They talked about their qualifying rounds and how they are...
-
Episode 65: Julianna Megan
This episode features Julianna Megan who is back for her second time on the show. She is fresh off winning her second women's state am title last week at Derryfield. We discuss the tournament and how she managed her nerves coming down the stretch to close it out. She is a rising junior at Holy...
-
Episode 64: Tara Watt
This episode features Tara Watt. We talk about her win last week, capturing her fourth NH Women's Mid-Am Championship. Tara shares how meaningful and emotional the win was given her back surgery two years ago. She talks about her course strategy at Lochmere and how a podcast helped her stay...
-
Episode 63: Jojo Hakala
This episode features the return of Josiah Hakala - or Jojo as people call him. At age 18, he just captured the state am on Saturday at Rochester Country Club. I talked to Jojo last summer so if you want to hear his full golf story, check out episode 45. In this episode, we dig into the state am...
-
Episode 62: Brett Wilson
This episode features Brett Wilson who is fresh off of a win, capturing his sixth Seacoast Am title. Brett grew up in Dover and went on to UNH where he played for the club golf team. We discuss his two NH Mid Am wins, the challenge of the state am and why the Seacoast Am has special meaning for...
-
Episode 61: Jesse Smith
This episode features Jesse Smith. Jesse grew up in Barrington and would go on to play professional golf on some mini tours and the Canadian tour. We discuss his early years chipping and putting at Rochester as a kid, to his collegiate playing days at Colgate to his experience playing in the 2013...
-
Episode 60: Jake Nutter and Demetri Stamoulis
This episode features Jake Nutter and Demetri Stamoulis who recently won the 36 hole 4ball event at Owl's Nest - always one of the fun events of the year where teams go low. I talk with them about their respective golf backgrounds from high school through college and then we get into the...
-
Episode 59: Cam Salo
This episode features Cam Salo who is fresh off his first individual NH Golf victory at Baker Hill. We talk about the tournament and some of the key shots he hit coming down the stretch. Cam walks us through his bag and what he is hitting this year and we also talk about his tournament schedule…
more -
Episode 58: Matt Schmidt
This episode features Matt Schmidt, the Executive Director of the NH Golf Association. We talk about their recent brand launch and refresh and their efforts to reach more golfers in New Hampshire and the different ways people are engaging with golf. We also talk about some of the new events they...
-
Episode 57: Kat Bordeau
This episode Kat Bordeau who has earned the NHGA's Player of the Year for the past three seasons - a remarkable stretch of consistent "boring golf" as Kat shares. (I am a big fan of boring golf - fairways and greens.) She talks about her NH Mid Am win and we also discuss her love of fairway woods...
-
Episode 56: Will McLaughlin
This episode features Will McLaughlin. Will is a great golfer and a great story teller - I had a lot of fun talking with him. We cover his early years in golf and he shares a great story about shooting the course record at Concord Country Club two years ago. He also shares some great stories…
more -
Episode 55: Kyle Porter
For my regular listeners, this episode is a bit different. We step outside of New Hampshire to check in with Kyle Porter, one of the top golf writers. Kyle worked for CBS Sports for many years and left CBS last year to launch his own golf newsletter, Normal Sport. We discuss that decision and…
more -
Episode 54: Nick Grimbilas
Welcome to Season 4! We start this season with Nick Grimbilas. I talk with Nick about his successful high school and collegiate career and how he turned an internship with Taylormade into a job. We talk about his work at Taylormade as well as his career low round which he shot at the end of last...
-
Episode 53: Patrick Gocklin
This episode features Patrick Gocklin, owner of Golf360 in Manchester, and they focus on teaching and fittings. Patrick started playing at a very young age at Derryfield and got the golf bug. He played through high school, picking up an individual high school championship and went on to play in...
-
Episode 52: Three High School Champions
This episode features three high school seniors who each won their respective individual high school championship last weekend. I speak with Jascha Johnston (Exeter High School, 1:56 mark), Carys Fennessey (Dover High School, 21:05 mark), and Josiah Hawala (Mascenic High School, 29:00 mark). We...
-
Episode 51: First Tee New Hampshire
This episode features the First Tee New Hampshire. I speak with executive director, Chris Sargent, and lead coach, Jim Blalock. We cover the origins of the First Tee program and how transformative the program is for kids and the values it teaches them. I love the passion Chris and Jim bring to...
-
Episode 50: Harvin Groft
This episode features the return of Harvin Groft. If you missed his first appearance, check out Ep. 19. Harvin is fresh off a decisive win in the NH Mid-Am last week. We discuss that victory, his mindset through the event, and his decision to put a new putter in the bag. We also talk about some...
-
Episode 49: Jane Blalock
This episode features one of the most decorated athletes in New Hampshire history, Jane Blalock. After winning a few NH am titles, she turned pro and won rookie of the year honors in 1969. Jane would go on to win 27 times on the LGPA tour and make a staggering 299 CONSECUTIVE cuts! Wow. We talked...
-
Episode 48: Jim Sheerin
This episode features Jim Sheerin who was the head pro for 40 years at Abenaqui Country Club in Rye. Jim talks about the evolution of Abenaqui during that time and we talk about Jim's passion for teaching golf, growing the game and getting kids into golf. We also discuss his playing career which...
-
Episode 47: Amy Dickison
This episode features Amy Dickison who just won the women's mid-am at Nashua Country Club. I talk with Amy about her early years in golf, including being the captain of the boy's high school golf team. We also talk about her amateur career and playing in tournaments in CT, MA and NH. In addition…
more -
Episode 46: Rob Henley returns
This brief episode features the return of Rob Henley who just won the men's state am last week at Concord Country Club. Rob takes us through the long week (9 rounds!) and he talks about the ups and downs of the final 36 hole match. By winning the state am, Rob gets to play in the US Am at…
more -
Episode 45: Josiah Hakala
Ep.45 features 17 year old Josiah Hakala who is from New Ipswich, NH. He is playing some tremendous golf this summer. We talk about his big win in Texas last week capturing the PGA Boys High School Golf National Invitational. Josiah also talks about his goal of turning professional and his busy...
-
Episode 44: Carys Fennessy
In this brief episode (7 mins), we check back in with Carys who just won the New England Women's Amateur. We talk about that victory, which college she will be attending and playing golf at and what other tournaments she is playing in this summer. If you missed my prior conversations with Carys,...
-
Episode 43: Nick McLaughlin
This episode features Nick McLaughlin who just captured his third Seacoast Am title last weekend. Nick grew up in New Castle and went on to play collegiate golf at the University of Virginia. We talk about some of the people he played with in college (Scottie Scheffler!) and his decision to turn...
-
Episode 42: The Salo Brothers
Damon Salo, the guest from our last episode, returns to the show with his brother, Cam, to talk about their win last week at Owl's Nest capturing the NHGA 36 hole 4ball tournament. We talk about their heater in the morning, firing a 62 and then their slow start to begin their second 18. Damon and...
-
Episode 41: Damon Salo
This episode features Damon Salo who is fresh off a victory, winning the Players Invitational last weekend at Baker Hill. We talk about the win and we also discuss his stacked high school team (3 championships) and playing the Shattuck. Damon also discusses his collegiate career, his brief stint...
-
Episode 40: Mark Baldwin
This episode features Mark Baldwin who grew up in the Laconia area and had a very successful junior career capturing three consecutive state junior titles. He went on to play at the University of Notre Dame and turned professional after he graduated. He captured his first win as a professional in...
-
Episode 39: Ken Hamel
This episode features Ken Hamel who has been the pro at three different NH courses and is currently the head pro at Stonebridge in Goffstown. I have known Ken for quite some time and as you will hear, he has a deep passion for the game and loves coaching and getting people to love golf. We talk...
-
Episode 38: Pat Pelletier
This episode features Pat Pelletier. Pat grew up in Lebanon, NH and started playing as a kid and quickly got the bug for competitive golf, playing in junior tournaments. He played on a high school team that seems like was stacked with a bunch of players. I talk with Pat about his collegiate…
more -
Episode 37: John Clark
We kickoff Season 3 with John Clark, superintendent at Rochester Country Club. John has spent his entire career at Rochester. We talk about the scope of responsibilities in being a superintendent, how the work has changed over the years, why he likes the fall season, the value of tree thinning…
more -
Episode 36: Scott Hacker
We wrap up this year with Scott Hacker. Scott played successfully on some mini tours and for the past dozen years or so has been a golf instructor. This is a longer episode. Part 1 covers his early years in golf and his progression into professional golf. Part 2 covers the mental approach to…
more -
Episode 35: Paul Tessier
This episode features Paul Tessier who has been the head pro at Bald Peak for 31 years. I got the pleasure of playing Bald Peak this fall for the first time and meeting Paul - I knew right away I wanted him on the podcast. We talk about his journey from growing up in Niagara Falls to joining the...
-
Episode 34: Laura Shanahan Rowe
This episode features Laura Shanahan Rowe who has had a remarkable career as an amateur and a professional. She is the long-time golf instructor at the Sagamore Golf Center. We discuss her late start in golf but how quickly she got the bug and how fast she started competing and winning. Laura…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Granite State Golfers have?
Granite State Golfers currently has 84 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Granite State Golfers about?
Granite State Golfers is a podcast about top amateur golfers in New Hampshire. The show dives into their stories so we can celebrate them and learn from them.
How often does Granite State Golfers release new episodes?
Granite State Golfers has 84 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Granite State Golfers?
You can listen to Granite State Golfers on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Granite State Golfers?
Granite State Golfers is created and hosted by Mica Stark.
URL copied to clipboard!