Michaela Morard returns to The Cart Barn with a candid breakdown of her first full year as a professional golfer. She shares what she learned competing on both the Epson and Annika Tours, the mental shift required to make cuts, the story behind her 6-under comeback win, and the unexpected food poisoning that derailed Q-School and led to hip surgery. Michaela talks about rebuilding her game, preparing for a 2025 return, and how faith, friendships, and family support carried her through the season.

Topics Covered:

• Adjusting to life as a professional golfer
• Her first professional win — coming from behind with a 6-under final round
• How cut-line pressure changes your strategy
• Playing both the Annika and Epson Tours
• What she learned about preparation, practice rounds, and course management
• The stress of scheduling, travel, and last-minute alternates
• Her powerful tee-ball numbers — ranked 7th in driving distance at 264 yards
• Hip labrum injury, Q-School food poisoning, and immediate surgery
• Recovery timeline: putting now, wedge play soon, full swings by spring
• Why she joined the Annika players board
• How Bible studies, player friendships, and her parents kept her grounded
• Her goals for the 2025 season and returning as defending champion in April

Listen and follow The Cart Barn for more: stories, players, and the people shaping golf in Alabama.

A remarkable conversation with golf executive Bob Barrett, covering Augusta National, Shoal Creek, the RTJ Trail, Honors Golf, Troon, and more than five decades of inside stories from the people who shaped modern golf.

This week, we welcome Bob Barrett, one of the most influential behind-the-scenes operators in modern golf. Bob’s 52-year journey includes Augusta National, Shoal Creek, the Robert Trent Jones Trail, Honors Golf, and his current role with Troon.

Inside this episode:
• How an Augusta kid became ANGC’s first assistant pro
• Playing with Clifford Roberts, Nicklaus, Weiskopf & more
• Running merchandising & operations during Masters week
• Managing Shoal Creek during major championships
• Navigating the 1990 Shoal Creek controversy
• Building the RTJ Golf Trail from the ground up
• Running the Tiger Woods Skins Game at Rancho La Quinta
• Founding Honors Golf and merging into Troon
• Industry outlook: simulators, growth of junior & women’s golf, private club boom
• Why golf is healthier today than ever

A true masterclass in golf history, leadership, and club operations.

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Summary In this episode, David Mills shares the rich history and craftsmanship behind TP Mills putters, discussing the evolution of golf putters, the impact of technology, and personal anecdotes from his family's legacy in the golf industry. He emphasizes the importance of quality and innovation in staying relevant in a competitive market while reflecting on his father's dedication to the craft. Takeaways David Mills' father started making putters out of necessity and passion. The craftsmanship involved in making putters is a blend of art and science. TP Mills putters were among the first to introduce a black putter design. David Mills emphasizes the importance of stability in putter design. The evolution of golf putters has been influenced by technological advancements. Personal stories highlight the relationships built through the golf community. David Mills continues to innovate while honoring his father's legacy. Quality craftsmanship is key to staying relevant in the golf industry. David Mills has made putters for notable players like Phil Mickelson. The future of TP Mills involves exploring new ideas and designs.

Keywords TP Mills, golf putters, craftsmanship, golf industry, innovation, David Mills, golf history, putter design, golf technology, personal stories
Titles The Legacy of TP Mills: A Journey Through Golf History Craftsmanship and Innovation: The Art of Golf Putters Sound bites "He charged players for the putters." "He made a putter for Phil Mickelson." "He had to charge for the clubs."

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to The Cart Barn
02:23 – The Legacy of TP Mills Putters
03:32 – Introducing Guest: David Mills
04:08 – How TP Mills Began
10:37 – Craftsmanship Meets Innovation
15:59 – The Spalding Partnership & OEM Work
21:44 – Notable Players Using TP Mills
29:57 – David’s Journey into the Family Business
31:17 – Why Stability Matters in Putter Design
35:09 – Understanding Zero-Torque Putters
39:28 – The Science of Weight Distribution
42:55 – Honoring Craftsmanship & Legacy
46:15 – How Putter Technology Has Evolved
49:17 – Staying Relevant in a Competitive Market
53:53 – How to Explore TP Mills Putters Today
54:57 – Closing Thoughts
55:00 – End

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Cart Barn Podcast 02:23 The Legacy of TP Mills Putters 03:32 Teasing the Guest: David Mills 04:08 The Origins of TP Mills Putters 10:37 Craftsmanship and Innovation in Golf 15:59 The Relationship with Spalding and OEM Process 21:44 Notable Players and Their Success with TP Mills 29:57 David Mills: Following in His Father's Footsteps 31:17 The Science of Putter Stability 35:09 Understanding Zero Torque Putters 39:28 The Importance of Weight Distribution 42:55 Craftsmanship and Legacy in Putter Design 46:15 The Evolution of Putter Technology 49:17 Staying Relevant in a Competitive Market 53:53 Introduction to TP Mills Putters 54:57 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes 55:00 Cart Barn.m4a