Swing State University

MILESTONE EPISODE ALERT!!!

Ben Adelberg (The Back of the Range) has single-handedly lifted the way college golf has been covered.

Since 2018, Ben has devoted countless hours traveling the world to cover the best amateurs on the planet. Any player, tournament, or venue that's mattered in the past eight years of Am golf, Ben has been front and center providing commentary, taking photos, and telling stories all in an effort to grow the way Am golf is covered.

Ben is an incredible host, mentor, and friend and we couldn't more honored to have him on to close out 2026.

Enjoy!

Yixiang Wang is currently ranked #2 in WAGR for People's Republic of China, is about to participate in the Asia-Pacific Am, and just had two top-5s to begin his senior year at the University of Memphis.

In this episode, James and Yixiang sit down and talk about growing up in Dalian (China), moving to Memphis, and what has contributed to his success so far. We wrap up the episode with a test to see how well Yixiang knows his University of Memphis teammates.

We had a blast hanging out with Yixiang and believe you will too!!

THE BACKYARD CUP EP. 3 --> OUT NOW

Logan Linkmeyer aka "Link" stops by the pod to talk through The Backyard Cup, becoming a videographer for NBA superstars, and his journey into YouTube golf.

Link and his team just pulled off one of the biggest YouTube golf events of all-time. 10 NBA players vs 10 content creators at Pinehurst #2. James and Link talk through production and what it took for him to land one of the coolest jobs in all of professional sports.

Logan is the best, man. ENJOY!!

Harrison Sims is just an elite human being.

After a stellar amateur career, Harrison committed to a Top-40 program (Cincinnati) with the hopes of making it to the PGA Tour. Like most collegiate golfers (> 99% to be exact), Harrison realized, in time, those "hopes" were never going to materialize.

What happens when the single most important piece of your identity suddenly becomes untrue?

In this episode, James and Harrison discuss the identity crisis high-level golfers' experience when their games are in question, and how Jesus' love and acceptance can free you from the overwhelming burdens of "being in the arena."

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I'm super grateful for this episode and for Harrison's friendship. A couple of "chance" encounters went in to making this episode a reality and I'm stoked at the finished product. After graduating from UC this past year, Harrison enrolled in Beeson Divinity School to pursue his Masters of Divinity and has also gone on staff with College Golf Fellowship to serve college golfers in the Birmingham region. What's more? In less than 4 months, my dog is getting married!!

ENJOY!!!

- James

Tad Griffin aka "Clutch Mikey" stops by Swing State University to reminisce with the boys (Anthony De Schutter & James) on the greatest golf interview of all time.

In the funniest episode to date, we talk what it's like to go viral, Waffle House NIL deals, and so much more.

You do not want to miss this episode...

"Mess around and find out" --> We dare you!

Johnny Tan!!

In 2023, Johnny opened the coolest golf & coffee third space the world had ever seen (Johnny's Golf Shop). Since then, Johnny has become a leading golf content creator in Australia, telling stories and providing reviews for some of the most meaningful courses in the country (JohnnysGolfShots). Johnny also serves as the co-host of the Tee It Up Podcast... a podcast devoted to In-depth player interviews, weekly tournament previews, and behind-the-scenes insights. Recent episodes have featured prominent guests like Lucas Herbert breaking down major and LIV Golf performances.

Johnny is as big of a golf sicko as he is an amazing human being and we couldn't be more grateful to share an hour with him this past month.

Swing State University, Season 2.

College golf is back!!

And we couldn't think of a better guest to kick of the 26-27 season than with Blake Smart, head coach of the Memphis Tigers. Coach Smart and the Tigers are coming off a National Championship appearance this past season and with four returning starters to the lineup, they will look to leverage that experience heading into the new year.

From being an All-American as a player, to accepting a D1 head coaching position at 25, coaching at Oklahoma with Ryan Hybl, recruiting Brad Dalke, learning how to recruit the city of Memphis, and more... Coach Smart has seen it all in this industry... and whose journey is worth the listen!

Catch the Tigers in action next week at the Visit Knoxville Collegiate beginning August 31st!

We got Bhavi!!

Bhavi Sohal stops by campus to drop some gems on turning pro, creating golf content, and what it looks like to work for one of the game's sickest grip manufacturers (Garsen Golf).

The former Oakland University Golden Grizzly and Horizon League All-Conference ATHLETE has begun to pave the way for golf content creators and is an absolutely joy to be around. Stay to the end for a college golf logo blind ranking for the ages!!

Swing State University, Season 2.

WE GOT A HEAD COACH!

Easton Key, head coach of the Austin Peay State Governors, joins the pod on the brink of the fall season as our FIRST head coach in Swing State University history. As we reflect on his 12-year career in college coaching, we talk about All-Americans he's coached, recruiting The Delta vs. Middle TN, and we look ahead to the 26-27 season with the Govs.

Easton is the man! A true SSU DAY ONE and friend of the pod! This is a fun one!

Season 2 is here!!

This week on Swing State University, we are joined by Mason McAnnally (PT, DPT), founder and CEO of ProLevel Phyisio. Based out of Birmingham, AL, ProLevel seeks to build stronger, faster, and more resilient golfers by leveraging an individualized approach to fitness and rehab.

During his career, Mason has worked with some of the best golfers on the planet (Gordon Sargant, Smylie Kaufman, Trey Mullinax, etc.), elite college players, all the way down to the weekend warrior all in an effort to increase athleticism and mobility for his clients.

Mason is TPI Level 2 certified, an incredible leader, and is the best hang. We couldn't think of a more fitting guest to kick off Season 2 of Swing State University than Mason. This one's special!

Diego Lourenco, Junior at Memphis, joins Swing State University for our last episode of the Spring Season! Diego is a 3x winner at the D1 level with wins in each of his first three years at the U of M. After winning at the Colleton Collegiate (hosted by Michigan St.) just one month ago, Diego has his eyes set on the postseason... starting at the AAC Championship set to take place April 27th - 29th hosted at The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Sarasota, FL.

James and Diego discuss what it takes to compete at the highest level, things we love about living in Memphis, and so much more to close out the Spring.

Swing State University, blooming.

To Hell and Back...

Carson Baez (Sophomore at the University of Richmond) is one of the best players in college golf, but his journey has been anything but conventional. From being one of the top juniors on the planet, to falling all the way to 1747th in world junior golf rankings, Carson has once again established himself as a premier talent at the D1 level.

James and Carson talk through Carson's junior career, recruiting journey, and his first two years at Richmond. They also discuss what it looks like to build a brand and create engaging content while balancing competing week in and week out.

Swing State University, now enrolling.

Alejandro Formosa, freshman at Columbia University, joins Swing State University to talk through his first year in The City! We talk golf in NYC, being a student athlete in the Ivy League, and much more!

Earlier this year, after an incredible start to his freshman year, Alejandro was invited to play in the Collegiate Showcase hosted by The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, CA. Past winners have included Scottie Scheffler, Will Zalatoris, Sahith Theegala, and Michael Brenan - all of whom have gone on to record victories on the PGA Tour.

Swing State University, now enrolling.

The Final Chapter.

Thomas Schmidt joins Swing State University on the heels of his final Spring season. We talk through Thomas' big wins throughout his career, what he's learned along the way, and conclude with a Swing State Six-Pack for the ages!

Thomas is currently a senior at Arkansas State University, a five-time winner at the D1 level, 2x Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, finalist for the Haskins Award, and is currently ranked #25 in Clippd rankings.

Swing State University, now enrolling.

FAMILY REUNION!

James Boone (Host) and Daniel Boone Jr. (UNC Charlotte) team up for Swing State University's 11th episode! The guys discuss the Boone family lineage, the importance of fit when choosing a school, and Daniel's growth and development as a college golfer.

Daniel is currently a junior at UNC Charlotte and was a member of the AAC's All Conference Team this past year. Dan is currently ranked #159th in Clippd for the #21st ranked Charlotte 49ers.

Swing State University, now enrolling.

Anthony De Schutter... Haskins Award Finalist, #1 ranked player in the Missouri Valley Conference, 3x winner at the D1 level, 2025 Dutch Am Champion, and Senior at Southern Illinois University joins Swing State University for our TENTH EPISODE.

This one's special.

Swing State University, now enrolling.

Gavin Isbell, sophomore from Samford University, joins Swing State U for the first show of the Spring season. College golf is back and we couldn't be more grateful to kick off the Spring with Trussville's finest!

Gavin walks us through his sick golf journey and recent success, the golf scene in Bham, how his faith influences his day to day, best places to eat in Homewood, and oh yeah... STEP SING?!?!

⁠Swing State University⁠, now enrolling.

☕ EPISODE SPONSOR: Two Putt Coffee

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To close out our Swing State Coffee Break series, we sit down with the founder of Two Putt Coffee, a coffee roaster out of Providence, Rhode Island.

In this episode, Justin shares the behind‑the‑scenes journey of launching Two Putt Coffee—from selling locally at farmers markets to growing an e‑commerce brand rooted in golf. We dive into how his background in college golf shaped the brand, why consistency matters in both putting and coffee, and how Two Putt sources and roasts grade one, single‑origin beans fresh each week.

🎧 Listen to Swing State University on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify

#SwingStateUniversity #TwoPuttCoffee #CollegeGolf #GolfCulture #CoffeeAndGolf #Entrepreneurship #GolfPodcast

On this episode of Swing State University, James Boone sits down with Daniel Tjahjakartana, founder of Orange Grounds Golf & Coffee, a one‑of‑a‑kind space redefining what golf culture can look like in Jakarta, Indonesia, the largest city on the planet.

After more than a decade in food and beverage, Daniel blended three worlds rarely seen together—specialty coffee, curated golf gear, and a free‑to‑use golf simulator—into a community hub in West Jakarta. Inspired by global concepts like Johnny’s Golf Shop in Australia but shaped by Indonesia’s unique cultural landscape, Orange Grounds isn’t just a shop—it’s an invitation. An invitation to slow down, connect, and for many, to experience golf for the very first time.

Swing State University, now enrolling.

What happens when a top 100 coffee shop in the world meets the game of golf? In this episode of Swing State University, James sits down with Bartholomew Jones, co-founder of CxffeeBlack—a Memphis-based coffee brand making waves globally. From building the first all-Black coffee supply chain to partnering with the PGA Tour, Bartholomew shares his incredible journey of faith, leadership, and innovation. We dive into the challenges of running a business in North Memphis, the future of coffee, and how community-driven entrepreneurship can change lives.
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Swing State University, now enrolling.