Chasing Pars Golf Podcast

(Ep 206) Isabella Holpfer

In this episode I was joined by LET Access Series pro Isabella Holpfer after her full debut season last year which came with 4 Top 25 finishes including 3rd at Women's Irish Challenge! 
Isabella is from Vienna in Austria and would participate in 3x European Girls' Team Championships & 5x European Ladies' Team Championships for Austria as well as playing 2022 Espirito Santo Trophy at Le Golf National for her country. Isabella would win 2014 Austrian Matchplay at Salzkammergut GC at 13 years old while winning 2015 Irish Ladies Am, 2018 English Women's Am Strokeplay as well as finishing back to back runner up at R&A Girls' Amateur Championship & representing Europe in 2x Junior Vagliano Trophy's both on the winning side! Isabella would also finish 3rd at VP Bank Ladies Open in 2019 on LETAS as an amateur! 
Isabella would go to University of Georgia and reminisces about her love for her time in Georgia and practicing at Augusta! 
With the LETAS season starting in April, I want to thank Isabella for coming on and wish her all the best for 2026! 
Download via Podbean, Apple Podcasts & Spotify, also on YouTube!

Caddy Series Ep 9 (Ep 205, Giulio Castagnara)

The time finally arrived on the show where I was joined by Ladies European Tour Caddy, TPG Golf Coach, Ex Pro player & The King of Italy, the one and only Giulio Castagnara who those familiar with the show will also remember him as the current partner and caddy of Alessandra Fanali. We struck up a good friendship after the final event of the year when out at Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana in Malaga. Legend!
Giulio is from Pordenone just outside of Udine in North Eastern Italy and would go to Texas Christian University becoming a major player there at TCU contributing to multiple Academic All American first team picks as well as Scholar of the Year. In 2019 Giulio would turn professional and ply his trade on Alps Tour and played some tournaments on Challenge Tour for 4 years before by his own admission losing his love for the game during this time on the Golf Course will Golf evolving from strength to strength.
Since stopping in 2022 Giulio would get his PGA Coaching licenses and would loop on the bag for a few events with Alessandra before going full time on the bag for Ale in 2024 with brilliant results on LET since then with numerous close shaves on tour in terms of being in contention and multiple Top 20 finishes for the Fanali/Castagnara combination with 4 Top 10 finishes on tour last year in 2025 including 2nd placed finish at Ford NSW Open in Woollongong. 
In mid 2025 Giulio would make a big announcement joining the team at TPG Golf to be a qualified Golf Coach with lessons online or getting the chance to go to the States recently to do in person coaching.
Giulio is a true gentleman and a very funny guy with Fanali & Castagnara being one of my favourite duos on tour now! Can't thank them both enough for their generosity! All the best this week guys and for 2026!
Downloads via Podbean, Apple Podcasts & Spotify while the recorded video will be on YouTube if that is your preferred version!

(Ep 204) Alex Huang (Decade Ambassador & Golf Coach)

In this latest episode I was joined by Professional Golf Coach Alex Huang who joined me from freezing called Ohio to chat through his journey into coaching for players such as Caley McGinty, Fatima Fernandez Cano & Carolina Lopez-Chacarra giving out his methods and ethos of getting players where they want to be!
Alex is from Ohio and would enjoy Golf as a hobby such as money matches with his buddies but would make his hand for 18 years playing Poker learning some of the techniques that also work while in the golf space.
Around about 2023 it would be where he would meet owner of the brand Decade in Scott Fawcett while building up a strong friendship evolving around the love for the game of Golf. Alex would join Scott and get his chance at coaching with the College teams in Ohio then onto working with some of the LPGA & LET pro's. 
Alex would also strike a friendship with English LPGA/LET pro Caley McGinty where he would caddy for her at LPGA Q School in helping her become one of the only people to gain LPGA Tour status from back at First Stage a fantastic achievement for Caley. We talk about what it is like on tour when he has occasionally caddied for some talented players. 
I want to thank Alex for taking time out of his busy schedule to come on to chat with me. Enjoyed it and learned a lot more about the art of coaching! Be sure to download via Podbean,  Apple Podcasts & Spotify while the video will also be out on YouTube if you prefer that option! Thanks
 

(Ep 203) Manon De Roey

After a long while of trying, it was a pleasure to finally be joined by 7x Professional title winner & 2x Belgian Olympian Manon De Roey after a solid season stateside reaching CME Tour finals on LPGA Tour. Manon'a trophy collection also includes 3x Ladies European Tour titles at 2022 Aramco Series Bangkok, 2024 Investec SA Women's Open & last year's Australian Women's Classic. 
Manon is from the Schilde Muncipality just outside of Antwerp in Belgium and although she played Hockey for 13 years at a good level, she would start playing the game around about the age of 11. Manon had some success at Junior & Amateur level winning the Belgian Amateur Strokeplay twice in 2013 & 2014, winning the 2014 Belgian Matchplay Championship, receiving the 2009 Annette De Vooght Trophy given to the Best Female Belgian player, would participate in 2009 European Girls' Team Championships for Belgium as well as the European Ladies' Team Championship & Espirito Santo Trophy in Japan during her time at University of New Mexico.
In 2015 Manon would turn professional and between 2018 & 2019 on LET Access Series she would pick up 3 titles winning WPGA International Challenge in back to back years as well as 2019 Santander GT LETAS Valencia. In 2020 in the midst of a weird time De Roey would pick up a mini tour title in Australia at Aoyuan International Moss Vale Pro Am. 
As well as participating at both 2021 & 2024 Olympic Games in Tokyo and Paris respectively some great memories for Manon to reflect on, 2022 would see the maiden title won on Ladies European Tour at Aramco Series Individual in Bangkok by 3 shots (Manon actually brings out the trophy on camera, lovely). She would follow that up in 2024 in South Africa winning by 4 then at last year's Australian Women's Classic at Coffs Harbour playing one of the most clutch 2nd shots in a long time to win by a shot to Cara Gainer. 
In 2025 alone outwith the LET victory would see a 9th placed finish at Chevron Championship major and a host of good finishes contributing to making CME Tour finals at Tiburon, a fantastic achievement.
I just want to thank Manon for being such a great guest. Great player, lovely person and thanks for the privilege of seeing your trophy on the screen! All the best for 2026!
Downloads via Podbean, Apple & Spotify also be sure to check out the video recording on YouTube

(Ep 202) Maddison Hinson-Tolchard

In this episode I was joined by highly talented current Ladies European Tour pro Maddison Hinson-Tolchard who goes into 2026 season with confidence after a very solid rookie season finishing 32nd on LET Order of Merit which included 2 Top 10's & 7 Top 25's in 2025 with the highlights coming at Tenerife Womens Open (T8th) & career best 3rd at La Sella Open. 
Maddison is from Perth, Australia and would pick up her first clubs at the age of 2 with her fathers influence (the classic way to spend quality time together) and would start competing in events round about the age of 8. At 13 Maddy would win Srixon Junior Championship which she would do a three peat winning in 2016 & 2017 too. Junior victories include 2017 Western Australian Amateur, 2018 Australian Girls' Junior Championship & 2018 Victorian Amateur Championship.
Maddison would also represent Western Australia Junior Teams on 6 occasions and would be captain in 2018 & would also play in 4x WA Womens Team & would finish runner up at 2019 IMG Academy Junior World Championships.
In 2020 would see MHT move to Oklahoma State University and in that time has been Big 12 Player of the Year twice & Karrie Webb award winner twice. In 2022 and 2023 Maddison would represent Australia at Espirito Santo Trophy with Kelsey Bennett & Kirsten Rudgeley in France then Justice Bosio & Caitlin Pierce in Abu Dhabi which would see Australia finish 6th in the team & Maddison 8th individually. She would also in 2023 play for International at Palmer Cup, for Asia/Pacific at Patsy Hankins Trophy, play in the Augusta National Women's Amateur & also the chance to play at US Women's Open at Pebble Beach.
Thanks to Maddison for coming on to chat for another great story and definitely a player to keep your eye on in 2026. Be sure to download via Podbean, Apple Podcasts & Spotify!

(Ep 201) Alessandra Fanali

I was delighted to be joined by the fantastic Ale Fanali after another super consistent season on Ladies European Tour finishing 27th which included 4 Top 10's and a 2nd placed finish at Ford NSW Open at Wollongong finishing shy of an inspirational display from Mimi Rhodes and making her Major championship debut at Royal Porthcawl.
After chatting with Ale & partner/caddy Giulio in Spain it was great to have her on for a full episode. A great duo at the moment.
Alessandra is from Alatri in the Lazio district of Italy and would take up the game at round about 9 years old. Ale has had a great junior career which seen her play in 2017 Junior Solheim Cup for Europe, 4x European Ladies' Am Team Championship for Italy but biggest of all was helping Italy make history winning their first ever Gold Medal at 2016 European Girls' Team Championships a memory that has stuck forever. Ale would go to Arizona State University alongside Linn Grant & Alexandra Försterling and would participate in the inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur in 2019.
In 2022 Ale would finish runner up at Italian Ladies Open as an amateur after Morgane Metraux holed for Eagle from 20ft to clinch the title in the playoff.  Since 2023 Fanali has been very consistent performer and has numerous Top 10 & Top 20 finishes on tour including 3 runner ups on LET and would represent Italy at 2024 Olympics Games.
A fun episodes full of laughs and good times. Thanks so much Ale for being great! The win is coming soon. Be sure to download via Podbean, Spotify & Apple Podcasts. 

Chasing Pars turns 200! (Ep 200, Morgane Metraux)

After a tough slog of 5 years on this podcast I finally reached the milestone episode where Chasing Pars Golf Podcast turns 200 it was a pleasure to be joined by 2x Ladies Europran Tour winner, 1x Symetra Tour winner & Swiss Olympian Morgane Metraux from sunny Florida! 
Morgane was brought up in Lausanne, Switzerland and along with Ladies European Tour member sister Kim would start to play the game at the age of 10. Morgane would go to Florida State University receiving All American honours in the process at FSU.
In her Amateur career Morgane has represented Switzerland twice at Espirito Santo Trophy, represented Switzerland 3 times at European Ladies' Amateur Team Championships and participated in 2017 Vagliano Trophy for Europe which they won. Morgane would also shoot (-10) 62 at European Individual Ladies Amateur Championship.
Morgane would make the jump to professional life in 2018 and by her own admission a little bit of a rocky road the first few years which included a long injury, Covid and looking for confidence. In 2021 on Symetra Tour (now Epson) she would win Island Resort Championship by 1 shot to Maude-Aimee LeBlanc. 2022 would see Morgane win her maiden LET title at Italian Women's Open getting the better of Alessandra Fanali (am at the time) & Meg MacLaren in a playoff before winning 2024 Jabra Ladies Open at her favourite place in the world Evian Resort! 
This year Morgane plans to mix up LET & LPGA starts as she looks to have a better year after a poor 2025 from her own standards. I want to thank Morgane for being such a great guest and had a lot of fun recording this!
Be sure to download via Podbean, Apple Podcasts & Spotify! Thank you for the wavering support in reaching 200 episodes! 

(Ep 199) Avani Prashanth

In the first recorded episode of Chasing Pars Golf Podcast it was great to be joined by the talented Indian star Avani Prashanth fresh off a full rookie season on Ladies European Tour where she would finish 36th on LET Order of Merit standings including 2 5th placed finishes at Hulencourt Open where she would be the leader and at her home event at Hero Indian Women's Open at DLF and would also finish the season strong 11th at Andalucia Open de Espana.
Avani is from Bangalore in India and would start playing the game at 3 years of age and would win her first event on IGU Tour at 14 years old in 2021 as an amateur. 
Avani would have some great experiences as a junior and amateur playing in prestigious events such as Patsy Hankins Trophy for Team Asia, 2023 Asian Games in China with India & one of the major highlights being the individual winner of 2023 Queen Sirikit Cup and helping India finish 2nd in the team aspect. Avani would also become the first Indian amateur player to at Augusta National Women's Amateur Championship & the first Indian player to qualify for US Womens Amateur Open.
In 2023 on LET Access Series would see Avani Prashanth win Ahlsell Trophy defeating Matilda Björkman & Isabell Ekström by a shot to further enhance her status as a really promising amateur to be feared. 
Known for her driving distance and accuracy as well as her fearless approach on the golf course it's clear to see how talented Avani is even at 19 years of age! She also is a big advocate for inspiring other young golfers to take up the game!
Thanks Avani for a good chat and wish you well for the start of this season and beyond!
Be sure to download via Podbean, Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Thanks for the continued support!

(Ep 198) Ffion Tynan

In this episode I was pleased to be joined by Ffion Tynan who has just turned professional after gaining Ladies European Tour Category 19 status as well as a full status on LET Access Series for 2026.
Ffion is from Llanharry in Wales and would pick up the game by chance at 8 years old during a holiday in Orlando where she would get spotted and asked to play more after. From age 11 Ffion has represented Wales in all forms something she is extremely proud of and would eventually go to the States at both University of Arkansas & University of Missouri.
Ffion has had some great junior success with taking part in 2x Vagliano Trophy's as well as being the English U14 Champion, IMG World Challenge Champion, Scottish U18 Champion, Welsh Ladies Strokeplay Champion, Sir Henry Cooper Invitional Champion, Welsh Girls' Champion, Welsh Amateur Champion as well as this year's European Club Trophy Individual Champion in Slovakia. 
At Q School on LET Ffion would navigate through to final stage where after R1 she would be near the top of the leaderboard before admittedly struggling but all learning experience as she gains status for next year! 
Thanks Ffion, a bubbly, fun person with immense talent!
 
 
Download via Podbean, Apple & Spotify

(Ep 197) Hannah Holden Golf

I was pleased to be joined in this episode by Social Media & YouTube star Hannah Holden who took time after Christmas shopping to chat with me about a range of topics after some recent controversial sexist takes from another pro went viral.
Hannah is from Yorkshire and is a very good 3 handicap golfer who has represented the county of Yorkshire for the best part of a decade and would finish 7th at Irish Amateur & 17th at British Amateur Championship as well as play at Royal Troon in the Scottish Amateur. 
We chat about the growth in the Women's game with increased prize funds and figure out who out of the LET players that got their LPGA card could go well as well as talk about Jeeno and others.
Recently on Instagram a clip from Thomas Devine a PGA pro surfaced saying that he is sick of so called golf influencers trying to gain attention in response to a video Hannah put up about someone giving her unsolicited putting advice while filming in Majorca so as a result we of course had to talk about the sexism on display with some horrific takes in there from the pro.
In the past year Hannah on her first year on YouTube has amassed over 24 thousand subscribers with some great content including interviewing the great man himself Justin Rose testing his knowledge on Ryder Cup while at Rose Ladies Series event (very nice!). Hannah does some great content on there so be sure to check out her YouTube channel!
Hannah you were great, keep doing what you are doing and all the best for 2026!
Download via Podbean, Apple Podcasts & Spotify!