February 28
Playing America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses in 365 days or less!
When Ted was 14 years old, he had a dream to play America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses in a single calendar year. He didn’t know if it could be done, but vowed in his retirement that he would attempt it.
March 7
LGOE Special Guest #1: Head PGA Professional Cory Mansfield shares his experience as a Golf Digest Panelist!
To start everything off, Michael and Ted chat with not one, not two, but three amazing PGA professionals all about their personal experiences, within the game of golf. Mike & Ted thought it was very important to dig deep into how the courses are rated & ranked, so first up is Cory Mansfield.
March 14
Bandon Dunes w/ Head PGA Professional Jake Sestero | #37 of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses
Mike and Ted are back and they had the pleasure and privilege of speaking with the PGA Head Professionals from two more of the Bandon Dunes courses. First they chat with Michael O’Toole of Pacific Dunes and then Jason Poll of Old Macdonald shares his story. Listen in to hear it all.
Listen on all your favorite Platforms
Come along for the ride
An entrepreneur diagnosed with a debilitating autoimmune disease, similar to ALS, called MMN, Multifocal Motor Neuropathy, decides to close his business and chase his childhood dream of playing America’s 100 greatest golf courses in a single calendar year
A dream is born
At the impressionable age of 14, Teddy Fenton gets his first look at Golf Digest magazine’s coveted “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses” listed on the front cover and promises himself that he’ll do everything in his power to one day be able to say he had played all 100 golf courses & played all of them, in a single calendar year.
Turns into a retirement plan
He figured at retirement age of 60-70 years old, he’d be able to cash in all his miles, points, and favors and somehow pull off this near impossible feat!
A bad break
That long term dream of his was thrown a curve ball and what some might call a bad break. Teddy’s left hand one day begins to lose strength, then his left arm, then
he develops a drop left foot...Teddy slowly begins to head toward paralysis on the left side of his
body and it takes 18 months & 17 doctors later, to correctly diagnose him with MMN (Multifocal
Motor Neuropathy).
Fighting back
He then begins to try to treat the condition with Immunoglobulin intravenously (IVIG). This begins a decade-long journey of trying to regain strength and build back muscles that had atrophied away during the initial 18 month period of trying to figure out a correct diagnosis. It becomes a daily struggle to try to hold on to any gains made and not lose any additional strength or feeling, as neuropathy is a difficult daily battle.
Dream in question
The illness is progressive and the IVIG is unfortunately a bandaid, as there is no known cure for MMN...it is a lifetime of trying to hold onto as much physical strength for as long as possible and pushing the paralysis as far into the future as possible...With that stark reality staring Teddy in the face everyday, he realizes his dream of playing America’s 100 greatest golf courses within a year, has become a serious question mark & maybe the dream was gone for good.
Help steps in
But in the midst of the pandemic lockdown, he decides his only chance of actually completing this lifelong dream is to pull the trigger now, while his body is still physically strong enough to play golf and walk! Since making the decision to go for it, a wonderful charity caught wind of his story and has gotten involved! The GBS/CIDP Foundation has been helping people with GBS, CIDP, & MMN since 1980, they are an incredible charity and do incredible work.
Luckiest golfer on earth is born
Teddy has developed a fantastic idea for a wonderful golf TV show that will be enjoyed & watched by legions of golf fans for years to come. He hopes to be able to raise awareness and money for the GBS/CIDP Foundation throughout his upcoming journey
Learn about MMN
Episodes
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Teddy and Higgy are thrilled to welcome to the show, Mike O’Reilly the Director of Golf Operations for Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run and he has plenty to sh...
Read moreApple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Pebble Beach Golf Links is the #1 golf course in America that anyone can make a tee time at to play. This iconic public golf course is listed as a top ten golf co...
Read moreApple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Teddy and Higgy are absolutely ecstatic to be able to share the conversation they had with Brendan Walsh, Director of Golf & Head PGA Professional for The Cou...
Read moreApple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Oak Tree National’s Head PGA Professional Jon Sandell drops in to talk about this legendary golf course, its rich history, and its very long list of PGA Tour play...
Read moreApple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts What qualifies someone for membership in The Luckiest Golfers On Earth Club? Well…for starters, you have to be lucky, in order to get lucky & Joel Jenkins, He...
Read moreApple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Don Hurter has flourished in the golf business since he was a young man and has been the Head PGA Professional at a number of legendary golf courses. His time...
Read moreMeet the Team
Ted Fenton
CEO & LGOE
Mike Higgins
Executive Director of the New England PGA
Some of the courses on the list Ted will play along the way
First established in 1966, the biennial 2021-2022 ranking of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses by Golf Digest is the road map for this journey.