Ballot of the Heart: Hickories, The Old Course, and The Meaning We Found in St. Andrews

What happens when you chase the Old Course, and Scotland gives you something even better? In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine and cohost Dr. Kevin Moore (a.k.a. “The Professor”) reunite NewClub’s Pilgrimage Three to relive a week in St. Andrews shaped by ballot drama, links golf, hickory clubs, family memories, and the deeper meaning of why golfers return to Scotland in the first place. The conversation explores the thrill and heartbreak of balloting for the Old Course, Steve Pease’s storybook late tee time and birdies on 1 and 18, Hilary’s first true links golf experience, and why Kingarrock Hickories may have stolen the show. Along the way, the group reflects on golf’s civility, creativity, fellowship, and the feeling that even when you do not get exactly what you wanted, golf somehow gives you what you needed. The conversation dives into: Why St. Andrews feels more like a pilgrimage than a trip The emotion of missing the Old Course ballot and leaving fulfilled Steve Pease’s unforgettable Old Course finish Why Hickory Golf became a surprise highlight The creativity, simplicity, and soul of links golf What American golf can still learn from Scottish golf culture Thanks to our Pilgrimage Three crew and esteemed NewClub Members for joining us and sharing their stories: Hilary, Jimmy, Steve, Tyler, Ananth, Michael, Dean, and Bill. Your chapter is now part of The Pilgrimage Tradition, and we're all richer because of it.  Follow The Bag Drop 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebagdrop 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/thebagdropgolf 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBagDropGolf Listen to The Bag Drop 🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf/id1430328006 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xRWtUBJH8RazdLw14oaGH 🎧 Transistor: https://thebagdrop.transistor.fm/ 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 Support our Partners 🐝 NewClub: https://www.newclub.golf 🏌️ Titleist: https://www.titleist.com 🌐 Golf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.com 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/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction  03:33 Professor’s Fact  05:48 Why Scotland feels like a pilgrimage  10:11 Pilgrimage Three reunion begins  11:08 Steve’s storybook Old Course round  20:10 Hilary on first-time links golf and the Old Course  22:44 Missing the ballot and wanting another crack at it  31:45 House of Gods, surprise guests, and Adamson Links  39:30 Why hickories at Kingarrock stole the show  51:02 What Scotland gives back to golfers  57:25 Lightning round for the 2026 pilgrims  01:00:20 Leave with a full heart 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 across the changing landscape join us for thoughtful, in-depth discussions on all things golf. 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, along with signature trips and exclusive perks. NewClub is revolutionizing golf membership, making the game more meaningful for those who love it.