U.S. Amateur Week: Inside the Ropes at Merion + Competitive Amateur Golf for the Rest of Us
- S13E41
- 1:39:12
- August 13th 2026
It’s an Amateur Golf Special Bonus Edition of Next on the Tee, featuring Robert Morris University Head Coach Steve Shingledecker and Amateur Players Tour Atlanta Chapter owner Sean Pierce.
Steve joins me during this busy U.S. Amateur Championship week at Merion Golf Club and Philadelphia Country Club, where he’ll be on the bag for RMU standout Chuck Tregresser. We break down the upcoming RMU season, the great strides the team has made, and why now they expect to win every time they tee it up. We also talk about the great year Chuck has had and the major accomplishment that it is just getting into their year’s US Amateur field. Steve’ shares his own experience competing in the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur and what it will be like for him being on the bag for Chuck during the tournament.
Then Sean Pierce takes us inside the Amateur Players Tour and its Atlanta Chapter. With five divisions, verified handicaps, and competitive tournament golf for players of different skill levels, the APT gives everyday golfers the opportunity to experience what it feels like to play golf when every shot actually counts.
From the pressure of the U.S. Amateur at historic Merion to competitive amateur golf you can play yourself, this episode celebrates the players, coaches, competition, and passion that make amateur golf so special.
Thank you for pressing play.
Next on the Tee — Where Golf Legends Live and Your Game Gets Better.
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.