It’s yet another “first” on the “Talking GolfGetaways” podcast (presented by 2UNDR apparel — use promo code GNN20 for 20% off your next purchase) as hosts Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch welcome their first PGA Tour professional guest, Zac Blair, in Episode 102, to discuss everything from his life as a golf traveler to his aspirations as a golf course architect and destination club developer to his all-around love for the game whether he’s playing competitively or just teeing it up with friends (and oftentimes these days with hickory golf clubs).
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Fueled by his father’s golf connections to people like Pat McGowan (former PGA Tour Rookie of the Year and now director of instruction at North Carolina’s Pine Needles) and Mike Reid (PGA and Champions Tour professional), Zac started his golf education early, and his fascination with all things golf led him to the Brigham Young University golf team in his home state of Utah.
While working his way into the fields of professional events (including more than 100 tournaments on the PGA Tour), Zac began to maximize his time on the road by finding and playing great courses across the country, which eventually led him toward another passion — the dream of building The Buck Club, which he envisions as a destination club in Utah designed for hardcore lovers of the game like himself.
Zac discusses his compartmentalized “double path” with Mitch and Darin — how an aspiring young Tour player who tees it up between the ropes in competitive events also explores new courses, plays “casual golf” with his buddies and now, thanks to a memorable 36-hole day at Australia’s Royal Melbourne Golf Club, has a newfound love of hickory golf, which helps him appreciate classic golf course architecture even more.
The hosts also tease Zac Blair’s upcoming “Emergency 9” episode (#103) with a conversation about a few of his more recent golf getaways, including Florida’s Streamsong Resort. “Whatever way you want to rank the three courses [at Streamsong],” Zac says, “whichever one is last, basically any property that has three courses would gladly take that last course. … All the courses are really good.”
In addition, he offers listeners some insight into his favorite places to play when he’s back in Utah, including Bloomington Country Club and SunRiver Golf Club in St. George, plus the 27 holes at Sand Hollow Resort, a perennial “Talking GolfGetaways” favorite. “The Links Course [at Sand Hollow] might be one of my favorite courses in the entire state,” Zac says. “Too bad it’s only nine holes, but it’s fun to go out there and get an Emergency 9 in after playing the Championship Course.”
And with a final discussion about LEGO (that’s right, the toy building blocks), Mitch and Darin gain even further evidence that Zac Blair is much more than a professional golfer — he’s fun and unique personality, and exactly the kind of guy our game needs.
