Ryder Cup Underdogs: From JJ Henry to JJ Spaun with Sean Martin
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S1 E258

Ryder Cup Underdogs: From JJ Henry to JJ Spaun with Sean Martin

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Why does the Ryder Cup make us care so deeply about even the most obscure of Ryder Cuppers?

In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine welcomes back friend of the program and EMMY NOMINATED Sean Martin (Senior Manager, Content Development at the PGA TOUR) to celebrate the magic of fall golf, preview the Ryder Cup, and share stories of lesser-known names who became cult heroes. From JJ Spaun’s resilience to Rory McIlroy’s emotional connection with fans, they explore how community, history, and team spirit make this event unlike anything else in golf.

The conversation dives into:
  • Why fall is golf’s best season
  • Sean’s favorite Ryder Cup underdog stories
  • JJ Spaun’s comeback and Rory’s emotional pull
  • Home-field advantage and Keegan Bradley’s captaincy
  • Predictions for Bethpage and future Ryder Cup cult heroes


Connect with our guest
📸 Sean Martin — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanmartingolf/
🐦 Sean Martin — X/Twitter: https://x.com/PGATOURSMartin
💼 Sean Martin — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spmartin/

Join the NewClub community
🌍 Website: https://www.newclub.golf
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newclubgolf/
🐦 X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/newclubgolf
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@newclubgolf
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newclub

Links & Partners
🐝 NewClub: https://www.newclub.golf
🏌️ Titleist: https://www.titleist.com
🌐 Golf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.com

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Connect with Matt & The Professor
🎙️ Matt Considine — 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/consequential85 | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consequence18/ | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-considine-103bb21/
📚 Dr. Kevin Moore ("The Professor") — 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/kevcmoore | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevcmoore | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-moore-177b30b3/

Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Fall Golf Enthusiasm
02:42 Golf Seasons: Preferences and Experiences
05:36 Ryder Cup Anticipation and Content Creation
08:13 Highlighting Underrated Golfers in the Ryder Cup
11:12 Obscure Ryder Cup Heroes and Their Stories
19:54 Seve’s Heartbreaking Ryder Cup Experience
21:27 Memorable American Players in Ryder Cup History
23:15 The Unique Journey of Jeff Overton
24:54 Exploring Lesser-Known Ryder Cup Heroes
27:02 The Impact of Nicolas Colsaerts
28:33 The Molinari Brothers’ Legacy
30:35 The Rise of Ben Curtis and Ryan Moore
32:26 Future Cult Heroes of the Ryder Cup
34:15 Predictions for the Upcoming Ryder Cup

What is NewClub?
Founded in 2017, NewClub is the premier private golf society in the United States. It blends the community and access of a private club with the variety and affordability of public golf. Members enjoy thousands of reserved tee times, competitions, and events at exceptional partner courses across our local chapters, as well as signature trips and exclusive perks. NewClub is revolutionizing golf membership, making the game more meaningful for those who love it.

What is The Bag Drop?
The Bag Drop features weekly stories from the culture, community, and characters shaping golf today. Produced by NewClub Golf Society, each episode blends authenticity and expert insights for passionate golfers at all levels. Special guests from clubs, courses, and every corner of the changing landscape join us for thoughtful, in‑depth discussions on all things golf.

Creators and Guests

Matt Considine
Host
Matt Considine
Founder of NewClub and our resident feel player. Matt’s junior golf career led him to the University of Akron where he met our co-host. During his junior year, Matt Studied abroad in Ireland and discovered golf societies. Subsequent trips to Scotland fed his passion for the history, ideals, and culture of accessible, affordable, and sustainable golf, a concept he would later bring to the U.S. with NewClub. Known for his interviewing style, quick wit, and compelling storytelling, Matt brings thoughtful, reflective conversations to The Bag Drop. His professional journey before NewClub included multiple leadership positions in growth-stage startups, where he managed teams responsible for more than $250 million in revenue. Matt actively gives back to the game as a Board Member of the First Tee of Akron and past chair of the Evans Scholar Foundation. Proudly based in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, Matt finds inspiration in family life with his wife, their three children, and their golf dog, Gypsy.
The Professor
Host
The Professor
NewClub's Chief Ambassador and every golf sicko's favorite educator. Kevin is a thoughtful and deeply curious host. His studied, constructivist approach adds intellectual enrichment and balance to the show. As a professor of Math Education at the University of Georgia, Kevin's background in applied mathematics and cognitive psychology uniquely informs his insights on golf strategy and performance. Originally from Ohio, Kevin was a Division I collegiate golfer at the University of Akron, where his passion for understanding mathematical thinking began. After earning his doctorate from Arizona State University, he combined his analytical expertise with his love for golf by co-founding Golf Blueprint, an organization aimed at helping golfers optimize their games through data-driven strategies. Kevin enjoys balancing deep philosophical discussions with simple pleasures, such as indulging his sweet tooth, cheering on college football, and spending relaxed evenings with his friends, his wife, and their beloved dog, Nole.