News From The Edge - March 3, 2025

The Highs(mith) and Lows of Golf

As fans, my friend, we don’t generally pay much attention to the cut line at a golf tournament. After all, we care about who wins…not who finishes 60th.

But sometimes, that person who is 60th on Friday lifts the trophy Sunday.

Joe Highsmith pulled off that rare occurence at the Cognizant Classic on Sunday. The Pepperdine alum (yes, Andy, we mentioned Pepperdine) became the first player to make the cut on the number and win on the PGA TOUR since 2016. You can see a sample of the swing that made it possible here.

While accomplishing a feat we have not seen in 9 years, Highsmith reminded us that when we say every shot matters to someone, we mean it. Keeping the mindset that winning is possible as long as you have any chance is the difference between being a professional and being a car salesman.

It’s also the difference between crying in your beer after the match, or never buying a round because you won all the money.

Let’s drink for free this week. Stay thirsty, my friends!

Here’s What To Expect This Week

The Arnold Palmer Invitational returns to The Champion/Challenger Course at Bay Hill. I learned to love that course and the challenge it presents while living in Orlando. Our guest this week had a great deal to do with keeping Bay Hill both challenging and entertaining.

Brandon Johnson worked directly with Arnold Palmer for many years at Arnold Palmer Design. After stewarding the company with Thad Layton after Palmer’s passing, Brandon recently started Brandon Johnson Golf Course Design. I had the pleasure of working with Brandon at First Tee Central Florida, and playing with him on multiple rounds at Bandon Dunes. His philosophy on what makes golf entertaining and challenging is worth a listen.

The show drops as usual on Wednesday.

That’s all for now. Remember, if you like the newsletter, sharing is caring…

Until next week!