The DROP Podcast

This week on The DROP Podcast, we sit down with Matt Ginella, Founder of Fire Pit Productions and now Chief Storyteller for KemperSports, following their groundbreaking partnership. Ginella opens up about what this next chapter means for golf media - where storytelling, course culture, and community collide. Known for his soulful approach to documenting the heart of the game, Matt shares how Fire Pit Productions will now help showc...

Four years in, and we’re just getting started. The DROP Podcast kicks off Year 4 with big momentum and even bigger swings. With a growing community behind us and new support from Thrive, Sugarloaf Social Club, and the long-awaited Jersey Mike’s, we’re taking “Golfing in the Garden State” to the next level. We also reveal our brand-new YouTube video format designed for deeper dives and sharper storytelling.

This week’s rounds wer...

Fresh off a semifinal run at the 2025 U.S. Mid-Amateur, Christian Cavaliere lit it up again - this time carding a course-record 9-under 63 at The Stanwich Club. The Hudson National standout and reigning New York State Open champ is dialed in, and we caught up with him to talk about staying sharp, staying grounded, and chasing peak performance on the Mid-Am circuit.

But golf is only half the story. Christian is also the founder o...

156 weeks. 156 episodes. Zero misses. That’s the streak we’ve proudly built at The DROP Podcast: Golfing in the Garden State. Through vacations, sickness, personal commitments, and everyday life - we’ve never skipped a week since launch. That consistency isn't just rare in podcasting. It’s a reflection of how much we care about this show, this game, and you, the listener. Whether you’ve been with us from episode one or just hit...

Matt Lowe continues to build on his elite amateur legacy with another standout season in 2025, recently adding a win at the MGA Public Links Championship at Hominy Hill to his resume. Lowe’s consistency, sharp ball striking, and ability to show up in big moments have made him a fixture at the top of leaderboards across the region. After a runner-up finish at The Farrell, Lowe’s 2025 campaign is shaping up to be a worthy follow-up t...

We spent the day playing one of the most iconic tracks in the Garden State - Baltusrol Golf Club’s Lower Course - and it did not disappoint. From the architectural evolution of the par-3 4th - once reshaped by Robert Trent Jones and now restored by Gil Hanse - to the renewed greens and bunkers throughout, Baltusrol’s Lower Course is a masterclass in design and legacy. We break it all down, then shift gears into Ryder Cup 2025 talk:...

This week on The DROP Podcast, we’re joined by Rob Shutte, Head Coach of the Rutgers Men’s Golf Team, for an inside look at how he's building a powerhouse program in the Big Ten. Coach Shutte shares his recruiting approach, player development mindset, and the culture driving Rutgers to national recognition. We also explore his mentorship of PGA Tour winner and Rutgers alum Chris Gotterup, and how their time together shaped one ...

What if getting on the course in New Jersey required a license? This week on The DROP Podcast, we explore Golf Platzreife, Germany’s unique certification that proves a golfer is truly course-ready. It’s not just about skill - it’s about etiquette, pace, and responsibility. As public golf in NJ gets busier and more competitive, we ask: could a system like this improve the game for everyone? Whether you're a seasoned player or we...

Dean Greyserman stormed his way to the 2025 MET Amateur title - and never looked back. Representing Hamilton Farm, the rising Stanford senior defeated a loaded field of the Metropolitan area’s best, capping off his run with a 3 & 1 victory over Matt Lowe in the 36-hole final at Old Oaks. Greyserman trailed for just two holes all day, taking control early and delivering in the biggest moments - highlighted by a momentum-shifting...

What’s one public course in New Jersey we haven’t played - but absolutely need to? Inspired by our Instagram poll, Mike and Ryan reveal their Garden State golf bucket lists, from legendary layouts to hidden gems still waiting for a tee time. Then we tee up a question every golfer’s asked: What does it really take to be a “good” golfer? Is it breaking 90? Shooting in the 70s? Or just keeping the ball in play? This is the episode eve...

He’s back. Mark Costanza returns for his third appearance on The DROP after winning the 2025 New Jersey State Open at Hamilton Farm, a course he knows like the back of his hand. Mark walks us through his wire-to-wire performance, including the birdie-birdie-eagle stretch on the front nine that set the tone, the local knowledge that helped him navigate tough pins, and the mindset he leaned on to close it out under pressure. With rou...

Should Keegan Bradley have picked himself for the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup Team USA roster? The captain of Team USA just dropped his six selections and we’re breaking down everything. From the automatic qualifiers to the surprise picks (and snubs), we dig into form, loyalty, and strategy: who earned it, who didn’t, and what this roster means for America’s shot at reclaiming the Cup. As always, we bring a Jersey-fueled perspective to the...

This week on The DROP Podcast, we’re joined by Ian Gillule, General Manager of GOLFZON Range by Leadbetter at Little Ferry, to explore how this state-of-the-art facility is redefining golf practice and player development in New Jersey. Ian gives us an exclusive look into how GOLFZON's cutting-edge technology, paired with the Leadbetter Academy’s proven instruction methods, is creating an unmatched indoor golf experience - one t...

Looking for New Jersey’s ultimate golf getaway? This week on The DROP Podcast, we’re spotlighting Crystal Springs Resort, home to six award-winning courses, including the iconic Ballyowen Golf Club and Crystal Springs Golf Club. Nestled in Sussex County’s scenic hills, Crystal Springs delivers a full golf destination experience - with championship-caliber layouts, the luxury of Grand Cascades Lodge, and elite instruction at the Lea...

Ever wonder what goes into building New Jersey’s biggest amateur golf events? This week on The DROP Podcast, we’re joined by Brad Bardon, Director of Championships for NJ Golf, who takes us behind the scenes of organizing the Garden State’s most prestigious tournaments. From course selections to event logistics, Brad shares insights that most fans never get to see.

We also dive into how NJ Golf is growing the game across the state, ...

This week on The DROP Podcast, Ryan takes us across the pond for an unforgettable 2025 Ireland golf trip. From the dramatic dunes of Hackett Links and Wild Atlantic Dunes at Carne Golf Links to the historic County Sligo, the breathtaking Narin & Portnoo, and modern masterpieces like St. Patrick’s Links and Sandy Hills, Ryan relives every round with insider detail and a Garden State golfer’s perspective. If you’ve ever dreamed o...

Drue Nicholas had a dream - and then he lived it. Just hours after graduating from Drexel University with a degree in finance, the Galloway National Golf Club standout claimed the 125th BMW Philadelphia Amateur Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. After missing match play in his previous two appearances, Nicholas stormed through qualifying and match play, defeating Patrick Isztwan in the final. A timely call to his longtime friend ...

This Tuesday Show features our full course spotlight on Shore Gate Golf Club, a South Jersey standout just minutes from the beach and miles away from ordinary. Routinely ranked among New Jersey’s top 20 public tracks, Shore Gate offers 18 holes of pure, tree-lined isolation - and a challenge built for players who love precision golf. Whether you’re sizing up that 648-yard beast of a par-5 or attacking the gettable par-3 14th, Shore...

Barnes Blake of Baltusrol Golf Club captured the 2025 New Jersey Amateur Championship in dramatic fashion at the prestigious Essex County Country Club, carving out a defining moment in Garden State golf. Entering the final day six shots back, the Westfield native surged up the leaderboard with back-to-back rounds of 68 and 67 - featuring a pivotal eagle on the short par-4 14th in the final round. After forcing a three-hole playoff ...