In Part 2 of this week’s show, we’re diving into the holiday season with some fantastic gift ideas for the golfer who seems to have it all.

First, I’m joined by Ben Helmrath, VP of Merchandising for Hard Goods at the PGA Tour SuperStore. Ben shares insights into the booming in-home golf simulator market and their exciting partnership with Full Swing. We’ll also discuss the PGA Tour SuperStore’s role as the official retailer for the much-anticipated TGL League, spearheaded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, set to launch in January. Plus, Ben highlights their heartwarming initiative to "Give the Gift of Golf" to our military heroes.

Later, Gary DiSalvo, CEO of Popticals, returns to the show. As half of the dynamic duo behind what I consider the best sunglasses on the market, Gary talks about the innovative design of Popticals sunglasses. These lightweight, glare-reducing glasses not only help golfers read greens better but also prevent eye fatigue throughout the round. If you’re looking for the perfect gift to enhance your favorite golfer's game, Popticals might just be it. Don’t forget to check out their website at Popticals.com while you tune in to hear Gary break down what makes these sunglasses a game-changer on and off the course.

This week on the show, I’m excited to welcome back my “long lost cousin” John Mascari. John will be sharing his thoughts on the proposed changes to the PGA Tour for 2026, which include reducing field sizes, the number of Tour cards available, and the number of Monday qualifiers, among other changes. As someone on the Board of Directors for the New Jersey PGA Section and the Director of Golf at Alpine Country Club, John has a unique perspective on how these changes could impact the game. Speaking of Alpine, there’s a rumor that a sequel to a certain movie featuring a hockey player-turned-professional golfer was recently filmed there, and John might give us a hint about that. We’ll also chat about the growing excitement for next year’s Ryder Cup. Plus, as a big Yankees fan, John’s going to have to endure a little ribbing from me—a Red Sox fan—about their recent loss in the World Series. John will join me in just a few minutes.

Following John, we have the pleasure of hearing from 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist figure skater Scott Hamilton. Scott is genuinely one of the most inspiring people I know. He’s overcome countless challenges in his life and still reached the pinnacle of his sport. We’ll talk about the obstacles he’s faced, his incredible optimism and faith, and the Hall of Fame inductions that continue to recognize his remarkable achievements. Scott’s story is one of resilience, positivity, and triumph, and I’m thrilled to share it with you all.

In Part 2 of Episode 56, I’m thrilled to welcome Jenn Whaley, who’s making her Next on the Tee debut. If her last name sounds familiar, it should—she’s the daughter of Suzy Whaley, former President of the PGA of America and now President of Golf Nation. Suzy has been a wonderful friend of the show, and she’s raised an equally wonderful daughter in Jenn. Jenn’s passion for the game and her work with Top Golf and Callaway Brands comes shining through the energy in her voice. We chat about what it was like growing up in a true golf family and the golf lessons that happened at the dinner table. Jenn also shares highlights from her remarkable college golf career at Quinnipiac in Connecticut, along with her current role leading a program aimed at getting more beginners into the game and helping them stay engaged with it. Check out how she and the Top Golf are doing online at https://shop.topgolf.com.

We’ll round Part 2 with former Michigan State, Atlanta Falcons, and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Mitch Lyons. Mitch helped Michigan State achieve some fantastic victories, including a win over #1-ranked Michigan at The Big House—a story he’ll share with us. He’ll also recall the day he set the Michigan State record for catches by a tight end. We discuss his experiences playing for an incredible array of coaches, from George Perles to Jerry Glanville, June Jones, and Bill Cowher. Naturally, we spend a good portion of the conversation on his time with the Steelers, where he reflects on what it was like to play for “The Chin,” and how special it is to play for the Rooney Family versus any other organization. Mitch is also a golfer and joins us from Arizona, where he’s set to play in the Pro-Am before the Schwab Cup playoffs on the Champions Tour. Mitch is now in the financial management business. If you're looking for help managing your retirement nest egg, check him company out online at www.mitchlyonswealth.com.

You can stay up-to-date with everything going on with the show on our site at https://.nextonthetee.net. You can follow me on social plus share your thoughts on Instagram and X at @ctmascaro.