The Future of the Rocket Classic with Mark Hollis
Release Date: 01/05/2026
Alan Shipnuck Talks All Things RORY
Fore Golfers Network Podcast
Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 511 - Alan Shipnuck Talks All Things RORY Special guest Alan Shipnuck discusses his latest book, which explores the career of Rory McIlroy. The book delves into McIlroy's rise to fame, his struggles, and his recent Masters victory. Alan explained the challenges of writing the biography without McIlroy's direct cooperation and discussed McIlroy's evolving approach to media and sponsorship. You'll hear all about McIlroy's involvement in TGL and his decision to reject the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series. The conversation covered...
info_outline
Inside the Ropes: 31 Years as a PGA Tour Rules Official with Joe Terry
Fore Golfers Network Podcast
Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 510 - Inside the Ropes: 31 Years as a PGA Tour Rules Official with Joe Terry What really happens when a PGA Tour rules official gets called in? In this episode of the Fore Golfers Network Podcast, we talk with longtime PGA Tour rules official Joe to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood roles in professional golf. Joe shares how a simple rules misunderstanding after returning from Vietnam sparked a lifelong passion that turned into a 31-year career officiating at the highest level of the game. From his...
info_outline
The Future of the Rocket Classic with Mark Hollis
Fore Golfers Network Podcast
Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 509 - The Future of the Rocket Classic with Mark Hollis What does the future hold for Detroit’s PGA Tour event—and why does it matter so much to Michigan golf fans? In this episode of the Fore Golfers Network Podcast, host Bill Hobson sits down with Mark Hollis, Tournament Director of the Rocket Classic, to explore the past, present, and very uncertain future of the PGA Tour’s lone stop in the state of Michigan. Hollis pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to run a PGA Tour event, comparing the operation to...
info_outline
Golf’s 2026 Future: Our Crystal Ball and Wish List
Fore Golfers Network Podcast
Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 508 - Golf’s 2026 Future: Golf’s 2026 Future: Our Crystal Ball and Wish List Before you close the books on 2025 and dive into the New Year, join Michigan Golf Live Host Bill Hobson for a peek into his crystal ball and personal wish list as we look ahead to the 2026 world of golf. We start with the annual spectacle that is the PGA Merchandise Show — a place where “game-changing” innovations are unveiled every January. Which new tech will actually help golfers play better, and which will simply be shinier versions of...
info_outline
Sub70 Golf’s Rise: Custom Clubs, DTC Innovation & Supreme Service
Fore Golfers Network Podcast
Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 507 - Sub70 Golf’s Rise: Custom Clubs, DTC Innovation & What Golfers Really Need Sub70 Golf has become one of the most talked-about direct-to-consumer brands in the golf equipment space—and this episode of Fore Golfers Network breaks down exactly why. In this conversation with Host Bill Hobson, Sub70 Golf CEO Jason Hiland shares key insights behind the founding and growth of Sub70 Golf, which launched in 2015 after the successful sale of Diamond Tour Golf. Built on experience, not guesswork, Sub70 entered the market with...
info_outline
Harbor Town Reborn: Davis Love III & The Lowcountry Legends of Hilton Head
Fore Golfers Network Podcast
Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 506 - Harbor Town Reborn: Davis Love III & The Lowcountry Legends of Hilton Head In the finale to our fall special travel-series, host Bill Hobson takes listeners inside one of the most celebrated destinations in American golf — Hilton Head Island — for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the grand reopening of the iconic Harbor Town Golf Links. Recently restored under the leadership of World Golf Hall of Famer Davis Love III, Harbor Town is more than a PGA TOUR stop; it is a masterpiece of Pete Dye’s...
info_outline
Golf in Mesquite - Featuring Wolf Creek, Conastoga, and Eureka
Fore Golfers Network Podcast
Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 505 - Golf in Mesquite - Featuring Wolf Creek, Conastoga, and Eureka Join Michigan Golf Live TV host Bill Hobson on a spectacular golf road trip to Mesquite, Nevada—one of America’s most underrated destination golf regions. Just an hour north of Las Vegas, Mesquite delivers a rare combination of beauty, challenge, and exceptional value that keeps golfers returning from around the world. In this special feature, Bill takes you inside three pillars of the Mesquite golf experience: Conestoga Golf Club, Wolf Creek Golf Club, and...
info_outline
Lee Abbamonte’s Wild Global Golf Adventures
Fore Golfers Network Podcast
Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 504 - Lee Abbamonte’s Wild Global Golf Adventures In this unforgettable episode of the Fore Golfers Network Podcast, host Bill Hobson welcomes — a true global citizen, travel icon, and golf adventurer. Known as the youngest American to visit every country in the world, Lee’s journey from Wall Street executive to world-traveling storyteller is nothing short of remarkable. Lee’s story begins with a simple study abroad trip to London, which sparked an insatiable curiosity for the world beyond the trading floor. What...
info_outline
Road Tripping to Saint George: Sand Hollow, Coral Canyon & The Ledges in Greater Zion
Fore Golfers Network Podcast
Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 503 - Road Tripping to Saint George: Sand Hollow, Coral Canyon & The Ledges in Greater Zion Welcome to the fourth installment of our Fall Travel Series on the Fore Golfers Network Podcast — where we hit the road, explore extraordinary landscapes, and discover exceptional golf destinations. This episode takes us to southern Utah’s stunning golf and adventure destination: the Greater Zion area. Nestled amid red-rock cliffs, expansive desert vistas and dramatic canyons, the region serves up a unique blend of natural beauty...
info_outline
Mackinac Island’s Hidden Gems: Wawashkamo Golf Club and The Inn at Stonecliffe
Fore Golfers Network Podcast
Welcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 502 - Mackinac Island’s Hidden Gems: Wawashkamo Golf Club and The Inn at Stonecliffe Our Travel Series continues with a special journey to a truly magical place - Mackinac Island, MI. This special destination features a pair of most unique destinations where history runs very deep through the fabric and guest experiences. Join us for a tee time on the 2nd oldest continuously operating golf club in Michigan - Wawashkamo Golf Club and then stay a couple nights with us at the spectacular Inn At Stonecliffe. KEY LINKS:...
info_outlineWelcome to the Fore Golfers Network/Michigan Golf Live Podcast Ep 509 - The Future of the Rocket Classic with Mark Hollis
What does the future hold for Detroit’s PGA Tour event—and why does it matter so much to Michigan golf fans?
In this episode of the Fore Golfers Network Podcast, host Bill Hobson sits down with Mark Hollis, Tournament Director of the Rocket Classic, to explore the past, present, and very uncertain future of the PGA Tour’s lone stop in the state of Michigan.
Hollis pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to run a PGA Tour event, comparing the operation to “building a small city” from scratch each summer at Detroit Golf Club. With a newly renovated Donald Ross course, a brand-new late-July tournament date, and major upgrades to fan experience areas like Area 313, the Rocket Classic is positioning itself for a defining moment in 2026.
The conversation dives into corporate sponsorship realities, hospitality demand, and the delicate balance between revenue generation and preserving the walkability and energy that fans love. Hollis also addresses the broader PGA Tour landscape, including the impact of LIV Golf, signature events, escalating purse demands, and how those pressures trickle down to tournaments like Detroit’s.
With the Rocket Classic contract expiring after 2026, Hollis explains what must fall into place for the event to continue—from PGA Tour alignment to sponsor ROI to community impact. He also shares optimism about player recruitment, the advantages of the new schedule window, and why Detroit remains a top-tier market capable of hosting elite golf.
If you care about the future of professional golf in Michigan, the Rocket Classic’s place on the PGA Tour calendar, and how major sporting events shape cities, this is a must-listen conversation.
----------------
Subscribe to the FGN Podcast
Check out our other sports pod: Church Pew Sports
TEXT or CALL (989) 272-2383 to share your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and questions