Ever wonder what goes into building New Jersey’s biggest amateur golf events? This week on The DROP Podcast, we’re joined by Brad Bardon, Director of Championships for NJ Golf, who takes us behind the scenes of organizing the Garden State’s most prestigious tournaments. From course selections to event logistics, Brad shares insights that most fans never get to see.We also dive into how NJ Golf is growing the game across the state, creating more opportunities for golfers of all skill levels. Brad reflects on the 2025 championship season, sharing insights on how this year’s events came together and highlighting some of the standout moments from New Jersey’s premier tournaments. If you’re passionate about Golfing in the Garden State, this episode is packed with insider knowledge you won’t want to miss.Follow The DROP - your insider pass to New Jersey golf.

This week on The DROP Podcast, Ryan takes us across the pond for an unforgettable 2025 Ireland golf trip. From the dramatic dunes of Hackett Links and Wild Atlantic Dunes at Carne Golf Links to the historic County Sligo, the breathtaking Narin & Portnoo, and modern masterpieces like St. Patrick’s Links and Sandy Hills, Ryan relives every round with insider detail and a Garden State golfer’s perspective. If you’ve ever dreamed of teeing it up on Ireland’s legendary links, this recap is your front-row seat.Back home, the action heats up with the MGA Met Open Championship at Meadow Brook Club and the NJ Golf Public Links at Galloping Hill, where local talent battles for hardware. Plus, we set the stage for the FedEx Cup Playoffs and Korn Ferry Tour Playoffs, with careers, PGA Tour cards, and season-ending drama on the line.Hit play for golf travel, local competition, and the biggest stories in the game - all in one episode. Follow The DROP for more golf travel stories, NJ golf coverage, and your weekly fix of Golfing in the Garden State.Follow The DROP - your insider pass to New Jersey golf.

Drue Nicholas had a dream - and then he lived it. Just hours after graduating from Drexel University with a degree in finance, the Galloway National Golf Club standout claimed the 125th BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. After missing match play in his previous two appearances, Nicholas stormed through qualifying and match play, defeating Patrick Isztwan in the final. A timely call to his longtime friend Rob Callaghan to carry his bag flipped the momentum - and the match - creating a moment that will live in GAP lore.Weeks later, Nicholas made even more history. He captured the 121st Open Championship at Bidermann Golf Course with a record-setting 12-under performance, becoming just the second player ever to win both the Philly Amateur and Open in the same year. From junior golf standout to Drexel grad to GAP phenom, Nicholas’ rise has been nothing short of remarkable. His flop shots were legendary, but his composure was greater. He’s not just part of the Philly golf conversation - he’s leading it.Follow The DROP for your weekly fix of Golfing in the Garden State.

This Tuesday Show features our full course spotlight on Shore Gate Golf Club, a South Jersey standout just minutes from the beach and miles away from ordinary. Routinely ranked among New Jersey’s top 20 public tracks, Shore Gate offers 18 holes of pure, tree-lined isolation - and a challenge built for players who love precision golf. Whether you’re sizing up that 648-yard beast of a par-5 or attacking the gettable par-3 14th, Shore Gate demands your best from start to finish.We break down everything you need to know before booking a tee time: layout strategy, course conditions, practice facilities, and the shot values that make Shore Gate both punishing and addicting. If you’re planning a Jersey Shore golf trip - or just want to know where South Jersey’s elite players are sharpening their game - this is your insider’s guide to one of the Garden State’s most respected public courses.Want your course featured? Email us: TheDROPGolfPodcast@gmail.comFollow The DROP for your weekly fix of Golfing in the Garden State.

Barnes Blake of Baltusrol Golf Club captured the 2025 New Jersey Amateur Championship in dramatic fashion at the prestigious Essex County Country Club, carving out a defining moment in Garden State golf. Entering the final day six shots back, the Westfield native surged up the leaderboard with back-to-back rounds of 68 and 67 - featuring a pivotal eagle on the short par-4 14th in the final round. After forcing a three-hole playoff with Troy Vannucci, Blake sealed the win with poise, claiming the Edwin M. Wild Trophy and punching his ticket to the 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. With his younger brother Henry on the bag, the 20-year-old Georgetown standout showcased elite shot-making and competitive fire when it mattered most.Blake’s rise - from top-five finishes at the BIG EAST Championship and MGA’s Ike to this clutch victory at Essex County - signals the emergence of one of New Jersey’s top amateur talents. Tune in to The DROP Podcast as we break down the final-round fireworks, explore Blake’s path to national competition, and celebrate the grit, family support, and homegrown skill that power the Garden State golf scene.Follow and subscribe to The DROP - your front-row seat to Golfing in the Garden State.

New Jersey’s oldest public golf course is back! This week on The DROP Podcast, we’re live from the re-opening of Weequahic Golf Course, breaking down its legacy, fresh updates, and why this course remains a must-play for Garden State golfers. Mike also shares his in-depth review of Francis Byrne Golf Course, spotlighting its pristine conditions, timeless design, and making a bold call every golfer needs to hear.We also unveil the MGA’s “Tee Off Together” Referral Program, a new member benefit where every golfer you refer earns you entries into exclusive year-end prize drawings - all while helping friends lock in an official USGA Handicap. It’s a win-win for growing your golf crew and getting rewarded.Plus, we preview Ryan’s Ireland golf adventure, get Mike’s reaction to Happy Gilmore 2, and break down the latest storylines from the PGA & Korn Ferry Tours as the playoff chase heats up.Follow The DROP - your insider pass to everything Golfing in the Garden State.

David Killin, General Manager of Great Gorge Golf Club, is leading the charge to restore one of New Jersey’s most iconic golf destinations. Originally opened in 1970 as the exclusive course for the Great Gorge Playboy Club & Resort, this George Fazio-designed, 27-hole layout is steeped in history and prestige. Under Killin’s leadership, the club has embraced its legacy while modernizing course conditions, clubhouse amenities, and the overall player experience - reviving the Rail, Lake, and Quarry nines into championship-caliber tracks.With respect for the past and a vision for the future, Killin and the Koffman family continue to invest in course improvements - from turf revitalization to bunker upgrades and cart path renovations. Their mission? To re-establish Great Gorge as a premier public golf destination in the Garden State. Follow The DROP for your weekly fix of Golfing in the Garden State - news, stories, and voices from New Jersey’s golf scene.

We’re breaking down Myrtle Beach’s top public courses on this week’s episode of The DROP Podcast! Mike is back from a jam-packed golf run down South and shares the highlights - his Top 3 public tracks, the story behind “Alligator Alley” at the legendary Dunes Golf & Beach Club, and how the full trip stacked up. Want ratings for each course? Mike’s inviting listeners to DM him directly for the full breakdown. Whether you're planning your own Play Golf Myrtle Beach trip or just living vicariously, this episode is a must-listen for New Jersey golfers looking to expand their game.Back in the Garden State, we recap the NJ Open, where Mark Costanza claimed his second title in impressive fashion. Ryan delivers his Course Rating Score for Great Gorge and shares what’s still missing from the layout. He also steps in with a quick-hit review of Happy Gilmore 2, since Mike hasn’t seen it (yet). Plus, we preview a stacked week of local golf across Crystal Springs, Essex County, and the Golfzon Range by Leadbetter, with multiple 36-hole days on deck. Toss in PGA Tour and Korn Ferry updates, and this episode delivers wall-to-wall golf coverage - from Myrtle Beach to the Garden State.Follow The DROP for your weekly fix of Golfing in the Garden State.

Step inside one of New Jersey’s most iconic - and unexpected - golf stories. Originally opened in 1970 by Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, Great Gorge Golf Club was the luxurious golf and entertainment hub for the Great Gorge Playboy Club. From celebrity guests like Sinatra and Avalon to the infamous Playboy Key, this was golf with glamor. The resort may have closed, but the golf course lives on - and it’s making a bold comeback.Now owned and revitalized by the Koffman family, Great Gorge is a 27-hole George Fazio-designed layout divided into three stunning nines: Rail, Lake, and Quarry. Whether it’s the elevated tee boxes overlooking the Appalachian Hotel, the historic railroad trestles, or the signature quarry-carry par 3, every hole delivers drama, strategy, and cinematic views.Follow The DROP for your weekly fix of Golfing in the Garden State.

Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo has reshaped public golf in New Jersey, with Francis Byrne Golf Course as the crown jewel of a revitalized system. But the buzz right now? The re-opening of Weequahic Golf Course - New Jersey’s oldest public track - now featuring upgraded fairways, a refreshed clubhouse, and deeper ties to Newark’s golf legacy.From major renovations at Hendricks Field to expanded youth and community golf programs, DiVincenzo’s vision is clear: make Essex County a true destination for public golf. With improved conditions, year-round access, and a strong local identity, these courses now serve as pillars of both recreation and renewal.Follow The DROP for your weekly fix of Golfing in the Garden State - news, course spotlights, and voices shaping the New Jersey golf scene.