Slice with Brian Bushlach

There are countless high end resorts and private communities around the world, including a handful in the Hawaiian Islands. But take it from someone who's been there and done that: There is nothing like Kohanaiki. In this download, Brian reconnects with former baseball great and Kohanaiki VP of Sales and Marketing Chuck Cary to explore firsthand what makes this place so special.

It's a tradition like no other, and we're not talking about The Masters. It's our annual kickoff conversation with NBC and Golf Channel commentator Mark Rolfing. Rolf's been a fixture on golf broadcasts for 39 years now, outlasting his contemporaries with his versatility, work ethic, and rapport with viewers. In this download he joins Brian to recap The Sentry, The Sony and offer poignant insight on the deadly wildfire that destroyed Lahaina, and why it could've been much worse.

It's time to tee it up again on the PGA Tour, where change has been the only constant over the past year- on, and off the course. So it's nice to be back in a familiar setting, with a friendly voice at Kapalua for the Sentry Tournament of Champions. Mark Rolfing announces his new multi-year deal with NBC and Golf Channel, and welcomes us back to Maui for the 25th playing of the TOC.

Few know the PGA Tour- on the course, and behind-the-scenes, better than Peter Jacobsen. As we enjoy the Arnold Palmer Invitational this weekend and celebrate Jake's 68th birthday, Peter is back with us. In this episode he offers his outlook for Tiger, his prior predictions for Patrick Cantlay's success, and the state of a tour loaded with talent.

The PGA Tour plays a wraparound schedule, but as far as the calendar's concerned, the Sentry TOC at Kapalua is the official kickoff of the '22 season. NBC & Golf Channel commentator Mark Rolfing is back with us to preview the event in his backyard. "Mr. Hawaii" gives us his picks, shares why Phil has a shot, and we also welcome Bones back to the Maui event as a caddy for the first time in 20+ years!

Asking a golf course designer to pick his favorite is like asking a winemaker to choose a preferred varietal. It's not about the course itself, but the people and the experience- both physical & emotional, over a period of years as raw land is transformed and a vision becomes reality. For David McLay Kidd, it's not Bandon, Gamble Sands, Nanea, or his other masterpieces. It's a course that not only changed the landscape, but also reshaped the community and impacted the people around it.

You've heard of Bandon Dunes. And you've heard the story of how young David McLay-Kidd made Mike Keiser's dream a reality on the Oregon Coast. But have you heard who inspired him, and why? Learn the role his father played, and how the thread of ancient links courses runs through challenging designs like Tetherow, and the big bunch of fun at Gamble Sands.

Before Whistling Straits, Erin Hills and Sand Valley there was, and still is, SentryWorld. Known worldwide for its gorgeous "Flower Hole" (#16 for those of you scoring at home) this spectacular Robert Trent Jones Junior layout put Wisconsin golf on the map back in 1982 and teed things up for others to follow. Now, Sentry Insurance is set to open The Inn at SentryWorld, giving clients and visitors the opportunity to enjoy first class accommodations on site, as they count down to hosting the 2023 US Senior Open. In this episode, SentryWorld GM Mike James and Inn at SentryWorld GM Chad Bates join Brian to share a behind-the-scenes look at this beautiful setting.

If you can't be at Augusta this week, the next best option is the Big Island private paradise of Kohanaiki. With the only, immaculate Rees Jones course in the Hawaiian Islands, prime oceanfront property and literally everything you could dream of, it's no surprise that celebrities, professional athletes and successful business leaders call Kohanaiki home. In this episode on-location, Brian reconnects with former MLB great, Kohanaiki VP of Sales & marketing Chuck Cary. who shares this special place

If you can't be at Augusta this week, the next best place on the planet is the luxurious & private Big Island community of Kohanaiki. In this episode, Brian counts down to The Masters with Peter Jacobsen who shares his picks and stories from behind-the-scenes at Augusta National, where Jake teed up his first Masters 40 years ago. We're also passing along our promo code SLICE50 to save 50% on your custom club fitting experience at True Spec Golf, our official club fitting expert.

As you know I don't endorse stuff and my primary source of income isn't derived from doing this podcast. I'm certainly not an "influencer". More like Joe 6-Pack, a guy who happens to be in media and loves golf. I didn't walk into True Spec expecting to buy a new set of irons... 3 hours later, I walked out with an order for a new set of irons. I'm sharing the promo code SLICE50 to encourage you to do the same, saving 50% on your custom fitting. Enough said. New sticks and a reboot with PGA Teacher of the Year Alex Dunlop at PNW Golf has transformed my game in a matter of weeks. The goal: Be a single-digit handicap again by fall. Will I get there? We'll soon see...

Think you're not a good enough golfer to invest in a custom fitting experience? Think again. In this episode Brian goes behind-the-scenes for an depth interview with Master Club Fitter Jason Owens. What began as research for another podcast ended up with Brian becoming a big believer in True Spec Golf's unique agnostic approach- with the data to back it up! As the session wrapped up, it was an easy decision to make the investment in a new set of irons. The surprising outcome? These irons are made by a manufacturer that Brian would've previously never considered. GET 50% OFF YOUR CUSTOM FITTING EXPERIENCE WITH THE PROMO CODE "SLICE50"

This is the tournament that delivers a straight shot of Vitamin D during the cold & dark days of winter. And this year, thanks to a COVID shortened 2020 season, we have the biggest and best field ever. In this episode, NBC & Golf Channel veteran commentator and Maui resident Mark Rolfing joins Brian to take us behind the scenes at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. Mark also shares his perspective on Hawaii's top courses including the Jack Nicklaus masterpiece at Manele, and Rolf's favorite private resort on The Big Island.

With Hawaii re-opening, a migration away from urban lifestyles and work from anywhere here to stay, the dream of living full-time or seasonally in Hawaii is no longer reserved for retirement. For those who've achieved success, it's all about the here & now. Kohanaiki is uniquely positioned, both geographically and in terms of amenities. This exclusive, private community offers a variety of real estate options while catering to your every need. In this episode, Sales & Marketing VP Chuck Cary gives us a guided tour behind the scenes at this beachfront paradise on the Kona Coast.

Social distancing was a thing at Brasada Ranch long before it became the new norm. This award-winning resort community in Central Oregon's high desert allows you to sample this coveted lifestyle, and perhaps make it your full or part-time home away from home. In this episode, Brian reconnects with Alan Cornelius who shares the unique story behind this community within a resort, and how you can create your own experience instead of following the crowd.

There's no shortage of premier golf communities in the Coachella Valley. And in the midst of a global pandemic that's changing the way we live and work, more people are making the investment in a desert getaway. In this episode, we explore Andalusia Country Club in La Quinta, where The Sunrise Company has made a major investment looking to duplicate the success they've achieved most recently at Toscana CC in Indian Wells. Andalusia Head Pro Lindsey Winch joins Brian to share the Rees Jones course and all that awaits at this spectacular resort community.

One thing we all learn the hard way at some point is that equipment makes a major difference- even for those of us who aren't scratch golfers or tour pros. In this episode, Brian welcomes club fitting guru Nick Sherburne, Founder of Club Champion, to share when he first picked up a set of clubs (thanks grandma) and got the idea to turn his passion for fitting into a full blown career. Nick also gives us the inside scoop on what you need to know going into a club fitting- and this isn't just for scratch golfers.

For the past 60 years, Jack Nicklaus has dominated the world of golf- on, and off the course. His contemporary in Japan, Katsuhiro Miura, is a legend in his own right crafting hand-forged clubs that are the most sought-after in the world. Jack paid a visit to Miura-san's forging house in 2014, setting the stage for a partnership that was decades in the making. In this episode, Miura CEO Hoyt McGarity joins Brian to share the behind-the-scenes story of the Nicklaus-Miura partnership, forging the world's most exclusive irons to Jack's exact specifications.

You can't miss the iconic Stitch Golf bags. Their crisp, clean lines and monochromatic color schemes have redefined what's cool to carry on the course. So even if, or when, you don't play well you still look good. Now the best just got better with the release of four new colors for the SL2 bag. In this episode, Stitch Founder Charlie Burgwyn joins Brian to share the creative process behind the new SL2's, how to mix & match their popular headcovers, and the impressive lineup of Stitch polos & apparel.

Gamble Sands opened in Eastern Washington's high desert to wide acclaim., earning Golf Digest's "Best New Course" in 2014 and currently ranked #35 on the magazine's list of Top 100 Public Courses. Now, we're counting down to the much anticipated opening of Quick Sands, the 14 hole short course that promises to be one of, if not the best short course in America. In this episode, Brian welcomes Gamble Sands VP/Operations Brian Benitz to give us the tour of Quick Sands and a review of the rest of the amenities that make this destination golf getaway so special.