Scotland in the Bronx

This week: Brackets are live. Race for the Crown Year 4 dropped its full field of 64 this week, and the voting has begun. One qualifying matchup was decided by a single vote. Meanwhile, the 2026 PGA Professional of the Year sat down with Mike, and brought Jim Nantz stories, a Bush 41 mix-up, and Jack Nicklaus links course built on a Bronx landfill.

— The DROP Podcast

#GolfingInTheGardenState

The seeds are in. The bracket is set. And the arguing has officially started.

Year 4 of the DROP's statewide course bracket, now called Race for the Crown — revealed its full field of 64 this week. The seeding wasn't pulled from a hat. Mike built it from real input: superintendents, general managers, serious amateurs, past guests, course data, and a panel of experts who made the final calls on every seed from 1 to 64. True snake format across four regions. No ties, no freebies.

Before we get to the bracket, one qualifying round moment deserves its own paragraph. Ramblewood beat Bowling Green by one vote. 156 to 155. Joe McMahon cast the final vote at the final second. First time in four years of bracket history that a matchup was decided by a single vote. Your vote matters: that's not a slogan this year, it's a fact.

Region highlights from Mike and Chris:

Chris's Cinderella five: Galloping Hill, Knob Hill, Colts Neck, Rutgers, and Heron Glen.

How many PGA Master Professionals exist out of 30,000+ PGA of America members?

A) ~1,200
B) ~440
C) ~2,500
D) ~850

(Answer at the bottom)

Brian Crowell didn't start in golf. He started in advertising — Bachelor of Fine Arts from Syracuse, art director career, the whole thing. Then a college buddy fixed his grip, he hit a draw for the first time with 40 extra yards, and that was it. "I want other people to feel this incredible feeling." He took a massive pay cut, entered the golf business, and never looked back.

Now he's the 2026 PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year, the highest honor the PGA awards to a club professional. He's also one of roughly 440 PGA Master Professionals out of 30,000+ members, a distinction he earned during COVID through 2.5 years of advanced teaching certification in Frisco, Texas.

But the stories are what made this episode. Crowell has been on the CBS Masters broadcast for 16 straight years, calling featured group coverage alongside Smiley Kaufman and Colt Knost. His first year was 2011 — Rory's back-nine collapse. When Rory snap-hooked into the trees on 10, Crowell told his broadcast partner Bobby Clampett: "That is not the cabin he was hoping to visit today." The producers ran in after the round. Jim Nantz had said the exact same line, seven seconds earlier, on the main network feed. They were in different trucks. Neither heard the other.

That's not the only Nantz connection. At the 2007 Presidents Cup in Montreal, Bush 41 waved Crowell over from the stands next to the first tee. Halfway across, the president's expression changed. "This is the moment he knows that I'm not Jim Nantz." Bush was a class act about it — invited him over anyway. Mike confirmed what everyone's thinking: "I can see the resemblance."

Crowell runs Bally's Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx — a Jack Nicklaus-designed links course built on what was once a landfill. Fully public access. The only place in New York City where you can hit a real golf ball 350 yards and watch ball flight. Waterfront restaurant, pizza oven, practice facilities, and a client list that includes Boomer Esiason, John McEnroe, Albert Pujols, and John Starks. Lexi Thompson won the Aramco Series there in 2022. The APGA Tour has been hosted there. And a $4.2 billion Bally's casino with 550 hotel rooms has been approved for construction next door — turning Ferry Point into a true stay-and-play destination.

Crowell calls it "Scotland in the Bronx." Mike's stretching the Garden State border for this one, and Brian appreciated it: "I like you stretching the boundaries of New Jersey to include the Bronx."

The DROP first had Jim Nantz on back in May 2023 — talking about his NJ roots, bringing Freddie Couples to Battleground, and the pizza places he grew up on. Dottie Pepper has been on three times. Both Nantz and Pepper wrote recommendation letters for Crowell's PGA award. The CBS golf family runs deep on this show.

The DROP's first live event is filling up fast. Sixteen teams, two-man better ball, Saturday March 21st from 6-9 PM.

$75 per person gets you simulator golf, pizza, wings, prizes, and a chance to meet Mike in person. only 2 spots remaining.

Register now to claim your spot

Looking to show your Jersey golf pride this season. Check out our selection of shirts, hoodies, and hats in The DROP pro shop. Find quality gear like the DROP rope hat. Lightweight, comfortable, and perfect on or off the course.

The bracket is live and the takes are flying. Chris picked Howell Park to upset Ballyowen. Mike can't see Francis A. Byrne losing the North. One vote decided a qualifying matchup.

Here's the question: fill out your bracket, make your picks, and tell us, which course is your Cinderella to make the deepest run? The #12 seed that nobody sees coming?

Hit “reply” with your picks.

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TRIVIA ANSWER: B) ~440