The Back of the Range

College golf is won long before the first tee shot - in the fundraising, the relationships, and the relentless behind-the-scenes grind that most fans never see. Toledo's Jeff Roope pulls back the curtain on how he turned vision into a nationally relevant program, why Inverness Intercollegiate has become one of the best events in the sport, and what it really takes to compete when your budget is a fraction of the power programs. From high school coaching to a national championship at Wittenberg and now leading Toledo, Roope shares the lessons that still shape everything he does: trust, accountability, and building teams that know exactly who they are. He also explains how college golf has changed - from multi-sport athletes to year-round specialization, rising travel costs, and the pressure to do more with less - and why the schools that adapt best are the ones that stay grounded in culture. Jeff Roope - Toledo Men's Golf Coach The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

GB&I’s Walker Cup win at Lahinch wasn’t just a trophy—it was a masterclass in team chemistry, preparation, and handling the biggest amateur stage in golf. Josh Hill stops by The Back of the Range to relive the wild celebration and the moments that turned a week in Ireland into the best night of his life. Beneath the laughter is a deeper story: how a player who felt he underachieved at Tennessee used setbacks, injuries, and hard-earned lessons to become a key part of a championship team. In this episode, Josh shares: How data and detailed preparation shaped partnerships down to the even- and odd-hole tee shots at Lahinch What it feels like to compete in front of 8,000 passionate fans while representing your country Why college golf can be an invaluable development ground—but not the final verdict on a professional career The pressure, emotion, and precision behind Josh’s famous bunker shot and winning putt on the 18th hole Why the Walker Cup’s timing creates such a difficult decision for college seniors turning professional Josh also looks ahead to Q School and his transition into the professional ranks, explaining why he’s focused on trusting the process, stacking consistent days, and continuing to climb the leaderboard. The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

In this episode, Armen walks through exactly how you take a program from 81st in the country to a top-two national finish in four years — the recruiting philosophy, the culture shifts, and the belief system he had to install before the results ever showed up. We talk about what it took to build match-play mental toughness into a young roster, what it meant to develop a true program identity at a school with UCLA's history and expectations, and how the lessons from smaller programs like UTRGV shaped the coach he is today. Armen Kirakossian - UCLA Men's Golf Coach ** The Back of the Range - All Access ** Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

College golf is changing fast, and Shauna Taylor is one of the few people who’s lived its evolution from every angle - elite player, head coach, recruiter, mentor, and Hall of Famer. If you care about what actually builds winning programs, this conversation will show you why the best teams are built on values, relationships, and the courage to adapt. Shauna Taylor, the head coach of Arkansas Women’s Golf, opens up about the team retreat that may have set the tone for her entire season - including two hole-in-ones, a course record, and a viral behind-the-scenes look at her players being exactly who they are. She explains how she uses values exercises to shape locker-room culture, and why player-led teams are often stronger than coach-led ones. Taylor also shares the deeply personal side of her journey - from growing up in Orangeburg, South Carolina, to becoming a decorated Georgia star, to navigating a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis that changed her path from pro golfer to coach. Her story is a reminder that the best leaders are often the ones who’ve had to rebuild their own definition of success. We also get into the future of women’s college golf: the rise of LEAP, the real value of education in the NIL era, and why Taylor believes programs must reward players fairly without losing sight of what makes college golf special. Along the way, she talks about the power of Arkansas’s home event, the Blessings Intercollegiate, the prestige of the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, and what makes upcoming inaugural events like the Haskins tournament and the NANEA worth watching. Taylor’s Hall of Fame recognition, her habit of writing thank-you notes every morning, and her commitment to relationships over transactions make this episode a must-listen for coaches, college golf fans, and anyone who wants a masterclass in building something that lasts. Shauna Taylor - Arkansas Women's Golf Coach The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

In this episode of The Back of the Range, Ben Adelberg sits down with Jonathan Moore, head coach of Oklahoma Men’s Golf, for a deep and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, player development, and the realities of building a championship program. Jonathan Moore - Oklahoma Men's Golf Coach The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

Jim Anderson, Arizona men’s golf coach, talks through the build of a program that is both highly competitive and deeply relationship driven. He explains how the Wildcats are preparing for a new season, what adding associate head coach Alan Murray has meant, and why last year’s NCAA semifinal run proved the program can win it all. In this episode, Ben and Anderson also dig into the realities of college golf today, from transfer portal and NIL pressures to the challenge of building real team chemistry across a roster that spans multiple countries. Jim Anderson - Arizona Men's Golf The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

Our guest on this epsiode of The Back of the Range is Jeff Thomas, head coach of the Liberty University Men's Golf Program. Jeff Thomas - Liberty University Men's Golf Coach ** The Back of the Range - All Access ** Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

In this episode of The Back of the Range, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of college golf with Brendan von Doehren, the Executive Director of PGA Tour U. Brendan shares valuable insights on the new initiatives shaping the future of golf, particularly for young, emerging talent. PGA TOUR U - Official Website The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

For nearly three decades, Jerry Haas has been the steady hand behind one of the most consistent programs in college golf. Since taking over at Wake Forest in 1997, Haas has guided the Demon Deacons to a nation-leading 48 NCAA Championship appearances, more than 40 tournament victories, and a 2022 ACC Championship — building a program that has become a fixture on the national stage. But before he was building a dynasty on the sideline, Jerry Haas was building his own game inside one of golf's most storied families. A two-time Illinois Amateur champion, All-American at Wake Forest, and PGA Tour winner, Haas comes from a lineage that includes his brother Jay — an 18-time PGA Tour winner — and his nephew Bill Haas, a FedEx Cup champion who also happened to play for him at Wake Forest. In this episode, Jerry opens up about what it was like growing up around that kind of golf pedigree, the moment he decided to trade the Tour for the sideline, and how he's kept Wake Forest golf relevant through three decades of change — from scholarship rules to NIL to the transfer portal. We talk about what he actually looks for in a recruit beyond a swing or a scoring average and the stories — not the headlines — that he says tell you everything about what this game teaches young people. Jerry Haas - Wake Forest Men's Golf The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Houston Moore, the director of golf for the UTRGV Men's and Women's Golf Programs. Houston Moore - Director of Golf, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Josh Brewer, head coach of the Eastern Michigan Women's Golf Program. We spoke about last season's run at the National Championship and what lies ahead for the program. Josh Brewer - Eastern Michigan Women's Golf The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is the new head coach of the Georgia Tech Men's Golf program, Ryan Hybl. Ryan Hybl - Georgia Tech Men's Golf Coach The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Lance Ringler, tournament host of the National Golf Invitational. We spoke about the upcoming tournaments at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes that provide collegiate teams one more shot at glory in the postseason. National Golf Invitational - Instagram The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Fifa Laopakdee, the reigning Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion. Fifa tees it up this week at The Masters before heading back to Arizona State University to help the Sun Devils make a deep postseason run in college golf. Fifa Laopakdee - Asia Pacific Amateur Champion The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Ethan Fang, the reigning British Amateur Champion. We spoke about his experience representing the United States at the 2025 Walker Cup and what lies ahead for him as he looks to compete in The Masters. Ethan will look to lead the Oklahoma State Cowboys to Omni La Costa for another national title run next month. Ethan Fang - Oklahoma State Men's Golf The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Tommy Morrison. We spoke about his experience representing the United States at the 2025 Walker Cup and what lies ahead for him as he looks towards the start of his professional career after college. Tommy is part of the Texas Longhorn Men's Golf Program that will be looking to compete for a National Championship at Omni La Costa later this spring. Christiaan Maas - Texas Men's Golf The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Christiaan Maas. Christiaan is the #4 ranked amateur in the world and climbing the ranks in this year's PGA TOUR U rankings. Christiaan is part of the Texas Longhorn Men's Golf Program that will be looking to compete for a National Championship at Omni La Costa later this spring. Christiaan Maas - Texas Men's Golf The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Brad McMakin, head coach of the Arkansas Men's' Golf Team. Fantastic conversation with one of the most respected coaches in college golf. Brad McMakin - Arkansas Men's' Golf The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Scott Turner, the champion of the 2025 Gasparilla Invitational. Scott has been one of the most prolific mid-amateurs in the state of Florida and is also the owner/operator of the Minor League Golf Tour. Scott Turner - Instagram Minor League Golf Tour - Official Website The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips

My guest on this episode of The Back of the Range is Emily Odwin from SMU Women's Golf. Emily has quite literally been a trailblazer for her country, Barbados. She is the first person from Barbados to compete in the U.S. Junior Amateur, U.S. Women's Amateur, and the U.S. Open. Most recently, she received an invitation to complete in this year's Augusta National Women's Amateur. We spoke about her start in the game and why competing for SMU has meant so much to her amateur and collegiate career. Emily Odwin - SMU Women's Golf The Back of the Range - All Access Subscribe to The Back of the Range Subscribe in Apple Podcasts and SPOTIFY! Also Subscribe in YouTube , Google Play , Overcast , Stitcher Follow on Social Media! Email us: ben@thebackoftherange.com Website: www.thebackoftherange.com Voice Work by Mitch Phillips