Talking GolfGetaways: Your Golf Getaways Podcast

Mitch Laurance, Darin Bunch, Vic Williams and Brian Oar (golf photographer extraordinaire - drink) reunite for the first time in 10 years to visit one of the true under-the-radar golf destinations in the United States — St. George, Utah (with a stop in Mesquite, Nevada along the way). From the brand-new megaresort at Black Desert to the 27 holes (and amazing condo) at Sand Hollow to the David McLay Kidd-reimagined Entrada to the video-game-fever of Wolf Creek, this foursome of longtime friends (along with an appearance from producer extraordinaire Kris McEwen) discuss the ins and outs of creating a high-desert buddies trip in one of the most picturesque inland settings you’ll find anywhere.

Wil Mayo joins the Talking GolfGetaways team for a special episode discussing the Rams Hill golf experience in the Southern California desert, plus the views and night sky, House on the Hill luxury lodging (with all-night golf simulator included), future of the project, cookies, tacos and more. Meanwhile, co-host Darin Bunch ends the episode with two unrelated stories — his on-again, off-again hopes to attend The Masters and “truck full of beer” that will make you want to buy a raffle ticket at your next charity tournament.

Brian Benitz joins Mitch, Darin and Kris to talk about his new Arizona golf project — Grass Clippings — which has gone viral in many ways for its night-play lighted greens and all-around fun, adding a new twist to golf travel in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area.

Get behind-the-scenes insight into the ultimate golf road trip as Patrick Koenig joins Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch fresh off his latest — and record-breaking — cross-country Recreational Golf Vehicle journey.

Mitch, Darin and Kris unpack their summertime visit to Sand Valley Golf Resort, featuring everything from “grillmaster” dinners, a first look at The Lido and a love for the vibe, people and amazing variety of experiences throughout the Wisconsin property

After 180-plus podcasts and a cavalcade of stars, Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch are hanging up their mics (for now). Join them for some final reflection — and thanks to the many amazing places and wonderful people who have scripted their golf-travel journey.

It’s a family affair on the latest “Talking GolfGetaways” podcast as Kiley Nakagawa and his amazing kids — 10-year-old Blake and 12-year-old Khloe — join Mitch and Darin to discuss how the game of golf is taking them the new places every week, both literally and figuratively.

Golfer, traveler, and author Jim Hartsell joins “Talking GolfGetaways’ for a wide-ranging discussion on his love for the lesser-known golf of Scotland and the history of Sweetens Cove.

Golf nomad and roving photographer Matt Cardis joins Talking GolfGetaways to talk about life on the road during the pandemic, capturing the soul of the game in pictures, exploring the golf world and beyond — including his annual monthlong residency at Rams Hill Golf Club in Southern California.

As the highly anticipated 43rd playing of the Ryder Cup approaches, to be played over the visually stunning, wildly imaginative and (especially if there’s a fair amount of wind) testing Straits Course at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wis., there may be no one more qualified to share insights and thoughts on the course and the upcoming competition than Mark the Caddie (full name withheld to protect the mystery of his ever-growing Twitter @caddietales fan popularity). Mark joins host Mitch Laurance and co-producer Kris McEwen (Darin Bunch grinding away on his growing media-consulting empire) for a lively, fun and incredibly informative edition of Talking GolfGetaways.

Mitch Laurance and producer Kris McEwen (Darin Bunch being on assignment) welcome Dr. Bern Bernacki, President of the Golf Heritage Society, for a second visit to the show. Bernacki offers a wealth of knowledge not only about the Society’s upcoming 50th Anniversary National Convention but about classic golf courses around the country that are open for public play.

On this episode of Talking GolfGetaways, hosts Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch and Producer Kris McEwen talk to Duane Horton, President of McLemore and of Scenic Land Company, its developer, to get the behind-the-scenes details of what went into McLemore’s success.

For the third time on Talking GolfGetaways, hosts Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch and Producer Kris McEwen have that opportunity, as author Tom Coyne joins the trio again (go to Episodes 129/130 for earlier podcasts) to discuss his newly-launched, highly-anticipated “A Course Called America”, following his previous best sellers “A Course Called Ireland” and “A Course Called Scotland”, both of which are must-reads for the passionate, traveling golfer. In this engaging episode, Tom (we can call him Tom here due to his valued friendship) offers insights and details on his latest journey, a monumental undertaking that covered “50 States and Five Thousand Fairways”.

In the eyes of many golfers, Tom Coyne has seen it all. Or at least most of it. As the author of the best-selling “A Course Called” series, Coyne has lugged his clubs throughout Ireland and Scotland in pursuit of the game’s secrets. And now he’s working on the mind-boggling cross-country itinerary for his latest book, “A Course Called America,” which “Talking GolfGetaways” hosts Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch discussed with him in Episode 129. Coyne returned to the podcast in Episode 130 so he can tackle our Emergency 9 questionnaire, highlighting his favorite courses, resorts and destinations while discussing lessons learned through his golf travels.

Guest Ben Grehan joins co-host Mitch Laurance (going it solo while Darin Bunch travels cross-country) and producer Kris McEwen for a wide-ranging discussion on the benefits (and occasional pitfalls) of social media, the success of Twitter’s #GolfChat forum, Ben’s recent blog concerning a viral journey gone haywire in New Hampshire, the upcoming Greaver Cup III in Myrtle Beach, and hitting practice balls off the balcony of Saddam Hussein’s palace.

Hosts Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch welcome Malcolm Scovil, founder of the Imagine Golf app, to discuss his early path from North Carolina to Scotland to San Francisco en route to helping all of us become better golfers through the power of the mind.

Social-media personality and all-around good guy Durel Billy, known as “Billy Bogey” talks Pacific Northwest golf and his love for the purity of the game.