Ep 8. Tom Weiskopf

Tom Weiskopf, a former professional golfer and current golf course architect, takes a seat with David Feherty in Feherty season 1 episode 8. Known for his talent on the golf course in the 1970s and 1980s, Weiskopf ended his career with 16 PGA Tour wins and 2 European Tour wins. The episode opens with Feherty traveling to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Weiskopf now resides.

Feherty and Weiskopf start by discussing Weiskopf's upbringing, which included being raised by his aunt and uncle after his mother passed away when he was just eight years old. Weiskopf talks about how he used to sneak onto a golf course near his home and play with his friends, honing his skills and eventually catching the attention of the local golf community. He credits his aunt and uncle's support for helping him pursue the game more seriously.

The conversation then turns to Weiskopf's time as a professional golfer, and Feherty asks him about some of his most memorable moments. Weiskopf talks about his win at the 1973 Open Championship, which he calls the biggest moment of his career. He also shares about some of his toughest losses, including the 1975 Masters Tournament where he narrowly missed out on a championship after a tough final round.

Throughout the episode, Weiskopf and Feherty discuss the mental aspect of golf and how important it is to maintain focus and a positive attitude on the course. Weiskopf talks about how he used visualization techniques to prepare for his shots and how he learned to control his mind and emotions to avoid getting too high or too low during a round of golf.

As the episode progresses, Weiskopf shares about his transition from professional golfer to golf course architect. He talks about how he got into the field and how he approaches designing courses to challenge golfers while also keeping the beauty and natural features of the landscape in mind.

Weiskopf also talks about his battle with alcoholism and addiction and how he eventually found recovery through rehab and the support of his family. Feherty and Weiskopf discuss the importance of seeking help and how difficult it can be for professional athletes to address their mental health struggles.

The episode wraps up with Weiskopf talking about his family and his current work as a golf course architect. He shares some of his favorite courses that he's designed and talks about his plans for the future. Throughout the episode, Weiskopf comes across as a humble and thoughtful guest, willing to share both his triumphs and his struggles with Feherty and his viewers.

Overall, Feherty season 1 episode 8 is an engaging and insightful conversation between two professionals in the golf world. Weiskopf's honesty and vulnerability make for compelling viewing, and Feherty's expertise as an interviewer helps guide the conversation to cover a wide range of topics. Golf fans and anyone interested in the mental and emotional challenges of high-pressure professions will find this episode particularly interesting.