Geoff, thanks for a great article! I've had the chance to meet Mike and his wife on a few occasions and I can't think of anyone who is as genuinely nice and more humble than he is. I had the privilege to be the referee for Mike's 2021 US Senior Amateur match with Gene Elliott, his childhood friend from Iowa, that went to 19 holes before Gene prevailed. Gene went on to win the championship that year and Mike was as gracious in defeat that day as he was when he won this year at Royal Dornoch. I was also there to watch Mike play at Dornoch and in the 3rd round he shot 69 on a day when the wind was absolutely howling across the links. His ball striking was unmatched and he finished the round with a shot to a foot for a tap-in birdie. What probably isn't well-known is Mike's clubs were delayed in transit to Scotland and I believe he played the first two rounds with a set put together by the Royal Dornoch teaching pro. He never complained and just went and played. Mike did have his own clubs the final two rounds, but I guess it shows a great player can adjust to what might completely throw others off by having the right attitude and just let his talent take over. I too look forward to watching the 2023 Walker Cup and know our team will be in great hands with Mike McCoy as captain.
Absolutely loved this. No one is covering the Walker Cup like your heart (and mine) would like them to... so why not you! Thanks for this. I've known Nate quite a while and loved having them together at Pinehurst. What a game. Please keep up the Walker Cup coverage
Great interview of a great Captain. 65 USGA Championships! But it is truly shocking that he works in "the insurance industry," which I would call "business" but YMMV.
65 USGA Championships is nothing short of incredible. Hard to even fathom to be honest.
According to a story in GGP the American 16- man WC practice squad had to go down as far Palmer Jackson who is # 39 in the WAGR. There are 8 American players ranked ahead of Jackson who declined the invitation because they have plans to be playing professionally by the time the WC rolls around. This will likely be a serious issue going forward for the WC and USGA.
Fascinated by the comments on how the guys just hit it through the wind with no concerns about flighting and shaping. Oh please bring back balata! LOL. It would be hilarious to watch the first few rounds but I have no doubt they would figure it out soon enough. And at 66 yrs of age I don’t desire to give up my yardage from the current ball and big headed driver. Looked at my clubs the other day and understood why I hit it off the Earth so often!
Geoff, the state of Amateur golf is dominated by college golfers who then turn pro and a few years later are reinstated. The waiting period has changed over the years, the coverage of these top amateurs events has diminished, and the US Am which Nicklaus considered a major is not covered well. So what is the State of Amatuer golf?
Geoff, thanks for a great article! I've had the chance to meet Mike and his wife on a few occasions and I can't think of anyone who is as genuinely nice and more humble than he is. I had the privilege to be the referee for Mike's 2021 US Senior Amateur match with Gene Elliott, his childhood friend from Iowa, that went to 19 holes before Gene prevailed. Gene went on to win the championship that year and Mike was as gracious in defeat that day as he was when he won this year at Royal Dornoch. I was also there to watch Mike play at Dornoch and in the 3rd round he shot 69 on a day when the wind was absolutely howling across the links. His ball striking was unmatched and he finished the round with a shot to a foot for a tap-in birdie. What probably isn't well-known is Mike's clubs were delayed in transit to Scotland and I believe he played the first two rounds with a set put together by the Royal Dornoch teaching pro. He never complained and just went and played. Mike did have his own clubs the final two rounds, but I guess it shows a great player can adjust to what might completely throw others off by having the right attitude and just let his talent take over. I too look forward to watching the 2023 Walker Cup and know our team will be in great hands with Mike McCoy as captain.
Absolutely loved this. No one is covering the Walker Cup like your heart (and mine) would like them to... so why not you! Thanks for this. I've known Nate quite a while and loved having them together at Pinehurst. What a game. Please keep up the Walker Cup coverage
Great interview of a great Captain. 65 USGA Championships! But it is truly shocking that he works in "the insurance industry," which I would call "business" but YMMV.
65 USGA Championships is nothing short of incredible. Hard to even fathom to be honest.
According to a story in GGP the American 16- man WC practice squad had to go down as far Palmer Jackson who is # 39 in the WAGR. There are 8 American players ranked ahead of Jackson who declined the invitation because they have plans to be playing professionally by the time the WC rolls around. This will likely be a serious issue going forward for the WC and USGA.
great interview !
Fascinated by the comments on how the guys just hit it through the wind with no concerns about flighting and shaping. Oh please bring back balata! LOL. It would be hilarious to watch the first few rounds but I have no doubt they would figure it out soon enough. And at 66 yrs of age I don’t desire to give up my yardage from the current ball and big headed driver. Looked at my clubs the other day and understood why I hit it off the Earth so often!
Geoff, the state of Amateur golf is dominated by college golfers who then turn pro and a few years later are reinstated. The waiting period has changed over the years, the coverage of these top amateurs events has diminished, and the US Am which Nicklaus considered a major is not covered well. So what is the State of Amatuer golf?
Very interesting. Very informative. Now I’ve a reason to watch.
Interesting interview.
Great interview. Looking forward to reading more about the Walker Cup here.
great job Geoff! I quite enjoyed this
Mike is a legend in Iowa! I played against Mike's son, Nate, in college. Awesome guy. Excited to watch the Walker Cup next year.