Sports Innerview With Ann Liguori

Ann visits with Alison Metcalfe of Tourism Ireland and they discuss Ireland and Northern Ireland being a popular golf destination for men, women, and families. And Lynn McCool, General Manager, Donegal Golf Club in western Ireland, talks about the beauty of the course and all that the County of Donegal has to offer.

Ann visits with Bobby Barnes, interim General Manager at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida, home of the Valspar Championship, as they talk about the Copperhead Course, in great shape year-round, the Valspar PGA Tour event there every year, and Bobby's journey in the golf industry.

Ann visits with long-time actor and passionate golfer, Alex Hyde White, known for a wide variety of roles throughout his career, including his polo playing role in 'Pretty Woman;' and Ann interviews Jordan Peace of Concert Golf Partners, on CGP's rapid growth of owning and growing private golf properties. 

Lynn McCool, GM, Donegal Golf Club, talks about the special links course in NorthWest Ireland, originally designed by Eddie Hackett, being refurbished by 2014 Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley. Lynn talks about why Donegal Golf Club is so special, other courses to play in the area, its proximity to Royal Portrush, host of the 2025 Open Championship, and her career path in the golf industry.

Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland VP, discusses many of the highlights of golf in Ireland this season, from Royal Portrush hosting the Open Championship July 17-20; the strong Irish talent from Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, and Leona McGuire shining professionally; and the abundance of golf properties, fine accomodations, and delicious culinary the Emerald Isle offers.

Michael Manavian, one of the world's leading instructors using the 3D motion capture software GEARs golf, an authorized instructor of Stack and Tilt, and a guest instructor at Halfmoon Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, talks about the advantages of 3D teaching technology and being inside the ropes at PGA Tour Champion events.

Keith Stein, Dir. of Operations, Rose Hall Golf, Cinnemon Hill and White Witch, talks about the rich and compelling history of the two golf properties in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Kevyn Cunningham, Dir of Golf, Half Moon Resort, a Salamander property, describes the golf property and all the resort has to offer at their slice of paradise in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Ann visits with Jordan Peace, Sr. VP, Corporate Development, Concert Golf Partners, and they discuss CGP's rapid growth in the last two years, CGP's new golf course acquisitions including the stunning story behind Jasna Polana near Princeton, N.J.; CGP's winning strategy for acquisitions and transferring ownership, and much more.

Ann visits with John Riley, author of 'A Will to Win: Legendary Amateur Bill Hyndman's Story of Perseverance and Trumph' and discusses this most recent book; his previous book on Ed 'Porky' Oliver; 'How He Played the Game: Ed 'Porky' Oliver and Golf's Grestest Generation;' in addition to what made him start a writing career at the age of 70; his thoughts on amateur golf, and much more.

Author John Riley joins Ann to discuss his books: 'A Will to Win: Legendary Amateur Bill Hyndman's Story of Perseverance and Triumph,' and 'How He Played the Game: Ed 'Porky' Oliver and Golf's Greatest Generation' in addition to his thoughts on amateur golf, it's celebrated history, and why he took up writing at the age of 70.

Ann broadcasts from Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and talks about the resort and golf experience with Kevyn Cunningham, Dir. of Golf, Halfmoon Golf; Keith Stein, Dir. of Operations, Rose Hill (Cinnamon Hill and White Witch Golf); and Michael Manavian, Guest Golf Instructor at Half Moon, Certified Golf Instructor, Stack & Tilt.

Travis Wilson, Head Golf Professional, Balsam Mountain Preserve, in the mountains of western North Carolina, talks about the stunning and unique real estate property's Arnold Palmer design, mountain golf, and tips on hitting off of slopes. 

Ann visits Balsam Mountain Preserve in N.C. and connects with Sean McLaughlin, Dir. of Sales; Travis Wilson, Head Golf Pro; and Lisa Kilby, Equestrian Director, about the exquisite real estate property in the Blue Ridge/Smokey Mountains.

Karen Atkinson, Army Captain Reserve, Grant Recipient &  Board Member, Stand Up and Play Foundation, talks about how she has overcome her disability and how she is helping others do the same by educating adaptive athletes about the opportunities available through Foundations like Stand Up and Play Foundation.

Ann talks about the Stand Up and Play Foundation, a not for profit that makes active standing therapy a reality for individuals with mobility challenges. Karen Atkinson, Army Captain Reserve, Grant Recipient &  Board Member, Stand Up and Play Foundation, and Anthony Netto, S.A. retired military veteran, master golf professional, Founder, StandUpandPlayFoundation.org are guests and talk about how they both have overcome their disability and are helping others do the same.

Ann visits with Hall of Famer Renee Powell, and they discuss how she overcame racism throughout her life, and the work that Clearview Golf Club & the Powell Education Center in Canton, Ohio, are doing to promote diversity in the game.

Ann talks about the 2024 AIG Women's Open which took place at St. Andrews in Scotland, with Championship Dir. Zoe Ridgway, Martin Dempster, veteran golf writer for The Scotsman, and Hall of Famer Renee Powell, who was named an Honorary Member of the R&A.

Ann talks with veteran golf writer Ron Sirak, winner of the PGA of America Lifetime in Journalism Award, about Lydia Ko's Gold Medal, getting into the LPGA Hall of Fame, the difficulty of getting into the LPGA Hall of Fame, her career, and the success of Olympic Golf with a mixed-gender event on the horizon for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Ann visits with renown actor/excellent golfer Alex Hyde White about his passion for golf, similarities between acting and golfing, working with the likes of Steven Spielberg and Julia Roberts, and working in the Pro Shop of a golf club Bubba Watson owns.