Oakmont Stories, U.S. Open Memories, Baltusrol, The Masters & Golf Tips to Improve Your Game from Top 100 Instructor Eric Johnson & Western PA Legend Bob Friend Jr.
- S13E16
- 1:38:53
- April 12th 2026
This edition of Next on the Tee feels like a homecoming… as I’m joined by two longtime friends of the show and proud Pittsburgh natives who’ve each been with me since the very beginning.
First up is Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructor Eric Johnson. Eric has been a mainstay on that prestigious list for well over a decade, and his journey has taken him from 17 years at Oakmont…to Nemacolin…Yellowstone Club…and now to his new role as Director of Instruction at the legendary Baltusrol Golf Club. Eric shares what it’s been like stepping onto those historic grounds, reflects on last year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont, weighs in on Tiger’s latest challenges, and even gives us his picks for The Masters. Along the way, we share some laughs and pay tribute to a few special people who’ve helped shape his journey.
Then I’m joined by one of the game’s true grinders, Bob Friend Jr. Bob reflects on the work ethic that defined his career, what it was like being one of only a few players to ever qualify for the U.S. Open on his home course, Oakmont, in 1994, which was also Arnold Palmer’s final appearance. You'll hear about what it was like to be on the course that day, the challenge of putting on greens during a recent tournament when they were rolling at an unbelievable 18 on the stimp, plus a great Jack Nicklaus story and a simple tip that can help all of us play better right away.
It’s a fun, story-filled episode packed with insights, memories, and practical golf advice you can take straight to the course.
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Next on the Tee, Where Golf Legends Live & Your Game Gets Better
Next on the Tee with Chris Mascaro is a conversation-driven golf podcast built on gratitude, storytelling, and a genuine love for the game. Each week, award-winning host Chris Mascaro welcomes golf legends, major champions, top instructors, broadcasters, caddies, and industry insiders to share the stories you won’t hear anywhere else—stories that entertain, inspire, and help you play better golf.
More than swing tips and scorecards, Next on the Tee is about the people who make the game special. From behind-the-scenes moments at major championships to practical instruction you can take straight to the course, every episode blends insight, heart, and a deep appreciation for the game’s traditions and its future.
Whether you’re a lifelong golfer or simply someone who loves great stories, this is your front-row seat to the heart of the game—where golf legends live, your game gets better, and gratitude always leads the way.
And as always…thank you for pressing play and sharing the show.
Meet the Host
I’m Chris Mascaro, who is blessed to be the award-winning host and creator of Next on the Tee. The heart of the show is a deep gratitude for my guests who share great stories, and a genuine love for the game of golf. Each week, I’m fortunate to sit down with golf legends, major champions, top instructors, broadcasters, caddies, and storytellers who are kind enough to share their time, insights, and experiences with all of us.
I believe golf is at its best when it brings people together. My goal with every episode is to go beyond the leaderboard and the swing tips, and instead focus on the stories, lessons, and moments that stay with us—both on and off the course. I want listeners to enjoy the game more, think about it a little differently, and feel connected to the people who have shaped it.
Next on the Tee has been honored with multiple industry awards, including w3, Davey, and Communicator Awards, and I’m incredibly grateful for that recognition. Even more meaningful to me is the community that’s grown around the show—“Next on the Tee Nation.” I never take for granted that you choose to spend your time here, and I’m thankful every time you press play.
At the end of the day, I approach each episode with humility, curiosity, and appreciation—for the guests who trust me with their stories, and for the listeners who continue to take the journey with me.