<![CDATA[Slanted Chalk]]>Slanted Chalk is a podcast where regular dads navigate the intense world of junior athletics from a Slanted point of view. With firsthand experiences, candid conversations, and expert insights, we explore the challenges, sacrifices, and triumphs of raising junior athletes in today’s hyper-competitive sports landscape.

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 28 May 2026 02:48:17 GMTSun, 23 Nov 2025 00:08:27 GMT60Andy E<p>Slanted Chalk is a podcast where regular dads navigate the intense world of junior athletics from a Slanted point of view. With firsthand experiences, candid conversations, and expert insights, we explore the challenges, sacrifices, and triumphs of raising junior athletes in today’s hyper-competitive sports landscape.</p>episodicAndy Eandyeyer15@gmail.comno<![CDATA[We Closed 50 Browser Tabs and Built This Instead | NorCal Junior Golf Blueprint 2026 | SlantedChalk]]>How many browser tabs do you have open with junior golf schedules right now?
If you're a golf parent in NorCal trying to map out a season — what to play, what to skip, what actually matters for recruiting — this one's for you. We built the NorCal Junior Golf Blueprint because we wished it existed when we were starting out.

In this video:
• Why most junior golf parents are spending $10K+ a season flying blind
• How to connect tournament circuits directly to your athlete's recruiting profile
• The tier system we built: National events → Regional Championships → Foundation events → Conditional qualifiers
• A full budget breakdown: entry fees, travel costs, monthly totals, running totals
• The recruiting strategy section — D1, D2, D3 programs, coach contact windows, and what coaches actually look for
• Where to grab the blueprint ($9.99 — boys or girls edition)

🔗 Links: → NorCal Junior Golf Blueprint:
https://slantedchalk.com → Boys & Girls editions available on the Blueprints page → Outside NorCal? Custom blueprints available — email us: slantedchalk@gmail.com

Slanted Chalk is built for sports parents in the thick of it — the recruiting, the cost, the pressure, and everything nobody says out loud. New episodes dropping regularly.
Subscribe for more real talk on junior athletics, recruiting, and what this journey actually looks like.

📧 slantedchalk@gmail.com 🌐 slantedchalk.com

#JuniorGolf #CollegeRecruiting #NorCalGolf #JuniorGolfParent #AJGA #JTNC #USGAJunior #USGA #SlantedChalk #GolfRecruiting #JuniorAthlete #GolfParent #CollegeGolf #D1

]]>2d93f7ff-b857-4faa-b472-89554d1839b7Thu, 02 Apr 2026 23:29:10 GMT<p>How many browser tabs do you have open with junior golf schedules right now?<br />If you're a golf parent in NorCal trying to map out a season — what to play, what to skip, what actually matters for recruiting — this one's for you. We built the NorCal Junior Golf Blueprint because we wished it existed when we were starting out.<br /><br />In this video:<br />• Why most junior golf parents are spending $10K+ a season flying blind<br />• How to connect tournament circuits directly to your athlete's recruiting profile<br />• The tier system we built: National events → Regional Championships → Foundation events → Conditional qualifiers<br />• A full budget breakdown: entry fees, travel costs, monthly totals, running totals<br />• The recruiting strategy section — D1, D2, D3 programs, coach contact windows, and what coaches actually look for<br />• Where to grab the blueprint ($9.99 — boys or girls edition)<br /><br />🔗 Links: → NorCal Junior Golf Blueprint: <br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://slantedchalk.com" target="_blank">https://slantedchalk.com</a> → Boys &amp; Girls editions available on the Blueprints page → Outside NorCal? Custom blueprints available — email us: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:slantedchalk@gmail.com" target="_blank">slantedchalk@gmail.com</a><br /> <br />Slanted Chalk is built for sports parents in the thick of it — the recruiting, the cost, the pressure, and everything nobody says out loud. New episodes dropping regularly.<br />Subscribe for more real talk on junior athletics, recruiting, and what this journey actually looks like.<br /><br />📧 <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:slantedchalk@gmail.com" target="_blank">slantedchalk@gmail.com</a> 🌐 <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://slantedchalk.com" target="_blank">slantedchalk.com</a><br /><br />#JuniorGolf #CollegeRecruiting #NorCalGolf #JuniorGolfParent #AJGA #JTNC #USGAJunior #USGA #SlantedChalk #GolfRecruiting #JuniorAthlete #GolfParent #CollegeGolf #D1</p>no00:06:02We Closed 50 Browser Tabs and Built This Instead | NorCal Junior Golf Blueprint 2026 | SlantedChalkfull<![CDATA[Coach's Corner: What No One Tells The Parents]]>What does it really look like when the coach on your kid's sideline is also a dad in the stands?

In the first ever Coach's Corner, Andy E sits down with Coach Chris (Santa Clara Sporting Girls Academy) and Coach Doug, a volunteer coach who built his club's girls program from the ground up. These two have seen it all — from rec soccer all the way to Surf Cup with 30 college coaches on the sideline.

They get into the four phases of player development, how coaching philosophy changes as players get older, the impossible juggling act of showcasing players while trying to win, and what really goes down when a college coach shows up at the worst possible moment.

Raw, real, and straight from the sideline.

Remember — you can't want it more.

]]>0b3f01ff-e9b2-4a9a-8c85-8646ded09a56Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT<p>What does it really look like when the coach on your kid's sideline is also a dad in the stands?</p><p>In the first ever Coach's Corner, Andy E sits down with Coach Chris (Santa Clara Sporting Girls Academy) and Coach Doug, a volunteer coach who built his club's girls program from the ground up. These two have seen it all — from rec soccer all the way to Surf Cup with 30 college coaches on the sideline.</p><p>They get into the four phases of player development, how coaching philosophy changes as players get older, the impossible juggling act of showcasing players while trying to win, and what really goes down when a college coach shows up at the worst possible moment.</p><p>Raw, real, and straight from the sideline.</p><p><i>Remember — you can't want it more.</i></p>no00:19:252Coach's Corner: What No One Tells The Parentsfull<![CDATA[PSA Jr Golf Rankings - Pay Attention Parents]]>Public Service Announcement for Junior Golf Parents (Especially Classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028)

In today’s recruiting landscape, college coaches heavily rely on ranking platforms like JGS, TUGR, Junior Golf Hub, and AJGA rankings to identify prospects. But what happens when the data is wrong?

We recently found multiple ranking errors including:

  • Incorrect field sizes
  • Missing players in tournament fields
  • Wrong winners not listed at all

If the data is inaccurate, the strength of field calculations, points, and rankings don’t reflect your athlete’s true performance — and that can directly impact recruiting visibility.

This is NOT a passive season.

For rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, this is resume-building season.

As parents, we track swings, equipment, and tournament schedules.

We also need to track ranking data accuracy.

Key Parent Checklist After Every Tournament:

  • Verify field size
  • Confirm final leaderboard accuracy
  • Ensure your player is listed
  • Report discrepancies immediately to ranking platforms

Most ranking systems will fix errors — but only if they are reported.

Trust the rankings.

But verify the data.

Comment “CHECKLIST” and we’ll send you a parent checklist + email template to report ranking errors.

🎙️ Slanted Chalk – Where dads talk about what it really takes to raise elite athletes.

#JuniorGolfRecruiting #GolfParents #CollegeGolf #JuniorGolfRankings #SportsParents #SlantedChalk #TUGR #JGS #AJGA #JTNC #JGANC #TTC

]]>86578d3c-e627-4371-a945-7be6176e2f80Fri, 13 Feb 2026 18:34:00 GMT<p>Public Service Announcement for Junior Golf Parents (Especially Classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028)</p><p>In today’s recruiting landscape, college coaches heavily rely on ranking platforms like JGS, TUGR, Junior Golf Hub, and AJGA rankings to identify prospects. But what happens when the data is wrong?</p><p>We recently found multiple ranking errors including:</p><ul><li>Incorrect field sizes</li><li>Missing players in tournament fields</li><li>Wrong winners not listed at all</li></ul><p>If the data is inaccurate, the strength of field calculations, points, and rankings don’t reflect your athlete’s true performance — and that can directly impact recruiting visibility.</p><p>This is NOT a passive season.</p><p>For rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, this is resume-building season.</p><p>As parents, we track swings, equipment, and tournament schedules.</p><p>We also need to track ranking data accuracy.</p><p>Key Parent Checklist After Every Tournament:</p><ul><li>Verify field size</li><li>Confirm final leaderboard accuracy</li><li>Ensure your player is listed</li><li>Report discrepancies immediately to ranking platforms</li></ul><p>Most ranking systems will fix errors — but only if they are reported.</p><p>Trust the rankings.</p><p>But verify the data.</p><p>Comment “CHECKLIST” and we’ll send you a parent checklist + email template to report ranking errors.</p><p>🎙️ Slanted Chalk – Where dads talk about what it really takes to raise elite athletes.</p><p>#JuniorGolfRecruiting #GolfParents #CollegeGolf #JuniorGolfRankings #SportsParents #SlantedChalk #TUGR #JGS #AJGA #JTNC #JGANC #TTC</p>no00:03:23PSA Jr Golf Rankings - Pay Attention Parentsfull<![CDATA[Jr Golf to Pro: The Hard Truth About Recruiting, Letting Go & Building a Brand | Lucky Cruz]]>Welcome back to Slanted Chalk, where dads talk about what it really takes to raise elite athletes.

This episode is different.

Fred opens up about the side of junior golf and college recruiting that most families never see — the uncomfortable conversations, the closed-door realities, and the moment he realized that talent and 10,000 hours of work don’t always open doors in Division I golf.

From being told that college golf “won’t change,” to watching Lucky represent the United States at The R&A Boys Championship in the UK, to ultimately making the decision to turn professional — this is a story about belief. But it’s also about something harder: letting go.

Fred shares:

- Why Division I recruiting can feel like a roadblock
- The cultural realities many minority families quietly navigate
- Why they chose mini-tours over AJGA events
- What changed when Lucky turned pro
- How their father-son dynamic had to evolve
- Why “success” now means sitting in a cart and just watching

We also go deep into the business side of professional golf:

✔️ Why they created Seven Clovers Management

✔️ How they approach sponsorship differently than most golfers

✔️ Why building a brand matters more than chasing trophies

✔️ What real financial runway looks like in pro golf

✔️ The pressure, anxiety, and cost of chasing a dream ($87K last season — doubling this year)

This isn’t just about rankings or winning the Masters.

It’s about preparing your son to become his own man.

It’s about shifting from coach to supporter.

It’s about redefining success beyond trophies.

If you’re navigating junior golf…

If you’re in the middle of recruiting…

If you’re learning how to step back as your athlete grows up…

This conversation will hit.

---

🎯 Support Lucky’s journey:

Visit https://luckyswing.org

All proceeds support Lucky’s professional career and junior golf initiatives.

---

📌 Subscribe to Slanted Chalk for honest conversations about raising elite athletes.

📲 Share this with another sports parent who needs to hear it.

Because at the end of the day, we’re not just raising athletes — we’re raising men.

#JuniorGolf #CollegeRecruiting #SportsParenting #GolfLife #RaisingAthletes #FatherSon #SlantedChalk #LuckyCruz #SlantedChalkPodcast #podcast

]]>0cd7a3f5-93e7-42fc-a91b-94254d9000e9Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:09:57 GMT<p>Welcome back to <b>Slanted Chalk</b>, where dads talk about what it really takes to raise elite athletes.<br /><br />This episode is different.<br /><br />Fred opens up about the side of junior golf and college recruiting that most families never see — the uncomfortable conversations, the closed-door realities, and the moment he realized that talent and 10,000 hours of work don’t always open doors in Division I golf.<br /><br />From being told that college golf “won’t change,” to watching Lucky represent the United States at The R&amp;A Boys Championship in the UK, to ultimately making the decision to turn professional — this is a story about belief. But it’s also about something harder: letting go.<br /><br />Fred shares:<br /><br />- Why Division I recruiting can feel like a roadblock<br />- The cultural realities many minority families quietly navigate<br />- Why they chose mini-tours over AJGA events<br />- What changed when Lucky turned pro<br />- How their father-son dynamic had to evolve<br />- Why “success” now means sitting in a cart and just watching<br /><br />We also go deep into the business side of professional golf:<br /><br />✔️ Why they created <b>Seven Clovers Management</b><br /><br />✔️ How they approach sponsorship differently than most golfers<br /><br />✔️ Why building a brand matters more than chasing trophies<br /><br />✔️ What real financial runway looks like in pro golf<br /><br />✔️ The pressure, anxiety, and cost of chasing a dream ($87K last season — doubling this year)<br /><br />This isn’t just about rankings or winning the Masters.<br /><br />It’s about preparing your son to become his own man.<br /><br />It’s about shifting from coach to supporter.<br /><br />It’s about redefining success beyond trophies.<br /><br />If you’re navigating junior golf…<br /><br />If you’re in the middle of recruiting…<br /><br />If you’re learning how to step back as your athlete grows up…<br /><br />This conversation will hit.<br /><br />---<br /><br />🎯 Support Lucky’s journey:<br /><br />Visit <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://luckyswing.org" target="_blank">https://luckyswing.org</a><br /><br />All proceeds support Lucky’s professional career and junior golf initiatives.<br /><br />---<br /><br />📌 Subscribe to Slanted Chalk for honest conversations about raising elite athletes.<br /><br />📲 Share this with another sports parent who needs to hear it.<br /><br />Because at the end of the day, we’re not just raising athletes — we’re raising men.<br /><br />#JuniorGolf #CollegeRecruiting #SportsParenting #GolfLife #RaisingAthletes #FatherSon #SlantedChalk #LuckyCruz #SlantedChalkPodcast #podcast</p>no00:25:3623Jr Golf to Pro: The Hard Truth About Recruiting, Letting Go & Building a Brand | Lucky Cruzfull<![CDATA[Skipping college and turning pro at 15 - Lucky Cruz [Part 2]]]>🎙️ Skipping college and turning pro at 15 - Lucky Cruz [Part 2]

In Part 2 of our conversation with Fred Cruz, father of 15-year-old golf phenom Lucky Cruz, we go deep into the emotional battle behind junior golf recruiting — especially for minority families fighting to be seen.

Fred opens up about:

🔹 The fear of handing your son to a system that wasn’t built for families like theirs

🔹 The cultural disconnect between coaches and minority parents

🔹 Why trust is so hard to find in the recruiting process

🔹 How rankings, money, and politics shape which kids get noticed

🔹 The moment Lucky dropped a 66 at Q School and forced the golf world to pay attention

🔹 Life on the road: RVs, long drives, no guarantees… just belief

This is a raw, real father–son story about love, faith, and refusing to let circumstance decide a child’s future.

Chapters

00:00 Challenges in Minority Recruitment in Golf

06:18 The Transition from Junior Golf to Professional

12:30 The Role of a Parent in a Professional Golf Career

13:19 Outro

 

🔥 Watch out for Part 3. Don’t miss it.

🎧 Listen to Slanted Chalk

Subscribe for real stories from dads raising elite junior athletes:

https://youtube.com/@slantedchalk

Instagram: @slantedchalk

Spotify & Apple Podcasts: Slanted Chalk

⛳ Hashtags 

#SlantedChalk #JuniorGolf #CollegeGolf #GolfRecruiting #MinorityGolfers #LuckyCruz #YouthSports #ParentingAthletes #GolfLife

 

]]>3e19f445-eb27-4e03-a694-ac2d46040ec8Tue, 02 Dec 2025 17:39:41 GMT<p><b>🎙️ Skipping college and turning pro at 15 - Lucky Cruz [Part 2]</b></p><p>In <b>Part 2</b> of our conversation with <b>Fred Cruz</b>, father of 15-year-old golf phenom <b>Lucky Cruz</b>, we go deep into the emotional battle behind junior golf recruiting — especially for minority families fighting to be seen.</p><p>Fred opens up about:</p><p>🔹 The fear of handing your son to a system that wasn’t built for families like theirs</p><p>🔹 The cultural disconnect between coaches and minority parents</p><p>🔹 Why trust is so hard to find in the recruiting process</p><p>🔹 How rankings, money, and politics shape which kids get noticed</p><p>🔹 The moment Lucky dropped a <b>66 at Q School</b> and forced the golf world to pay attention</p><p>🔹 Life on the road: RVs, long drives, no guarantees… just belief</p><p>This is a raw, real father–son story about love, faith, and refusing to let circumstance decide a child’s future.</p><p><b>Chapters</b></p><p>00:00 Challenges in Minority Recruitment in Golf</p><p>06:18 The Transition from Junior Golf to Professional</p><p>12:30 The Role of a Parent in a Professional Golf Career</p><p>13:19 Outro</p><p> </p><p>🔥 <b>Watch out for Part 3.</b> Don’t miss it.</p><hr /><p><b>🎧 Listen to Slanted Chalk</b></p><p>Subscribe for real stories from dads raising elite junior athletes:</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtube.com/@slantedchalk" target="_blank">https://youtube.com/@slantedchalk</a></p><p>Instagram: @slantedchalk</p><p>Spotify &amp; Apple Podcasts: Slanted Chalk</p><hr /><p><b>⛳ Hashtags </b></p><p>#SlantedChalk #JuniorGolf #CollegeGolf #GolfRecruiting #MinorityGolfers #LuckyCruz #YouthSports #ParentingAthletes #GolfLife</p><p> </p>no00:13:5822Skipping college and turning pro at 15 - Lucky Cruz [Part 2]full<![CDATA[Road to Greatness with Freddie Cruz - Lucky Cruz]]>What does it really take to raise a pro-caliber junior golfer? In this episode, Andy sits down with Freddie Cruz—dad of Lucky Cruz—to unpack the Cruz household (four kids, ducks, dogs, and all), the moment golf “found” Lucky at age 5, and the wild ride from U.S. Kids and STPGA to Drive, Chip & Putt at Augusta. Freddie shares candid lessons on keeping it fun, navigating early success, and the reality of D-1 recruiting (Power 20 programs, camps, NIL, and tough calls).

If you’re a parent, coach, or junior golfer chasing the next level, this one is packed.
 
🎯 What You’ll Learn
• How to spot genuine passion (and keep it fun) in the early years
• The impact of a special-needs sibling on family rhythms and training
• Why Power 20 programs and camps matter in recruiting
• The story behind Lucky’s Drive, Chip & Putt breakthrough—and why every kid should try it
• How academics + golf science (physics at age 9!) shaped Lucky’s edge


🧑‍🍳 Freddie’s Playbook (Parent Takeaways)
• Keep it joyful first. Two years of zero tournaments built the foundation.
• Do the camps. It’s the best way to build coach rapport within the rules.
• Know your “why.” If it’s purely golf, choose a program that truly develops pros.
• Academics can be an edge. Physics + data literacy = smarter practice.
• Drive, Chip & Putt. Just do it—phenomenal experience for kids and parents.
 
🧾 Resources Mentioned
• Drive, Chip & Putt (sign-ups): drivechipandputt.com
• U.S. Kids Golf + Worlds
• STPGA / TJGT pathways
• Power 20 programs & PGA Tour U context

👤 Guest
Freddie Cruz — father of professional golfer Lucky Cruz; candid storyteller on the journey from junior golf to the pro ranks.
 
🔔 Subscribe & Watch Next
• Part 2 (coming next): Q-School, turning pro vs. college, NIL, and building a support team.
• Subscribe for new episodes: parenting elite athletes, recruiting, rankings, and mental game.
 
💬 Join the Community

Drop your questions for Freddie and Andy in the comments:
• What’s your biggest recruiting mystery?
• Camps: worth it or hype?
• Your family’s best “keep it fun” tactic?
 
🏷️ Keywords

Junior golf, Drive Chip and Putt, U.S. Kids Golf, STPGA, TJGT, Power 5, Power 20, college golf recruiting, NIL, homeschool athlete, physics in golf, BYU golf, UNLV golf, University of Houston golf, Arkansas golf, PGA Tour U, Lucky Cruz
 
#JuniorGolf #DriveChipAndPutt #CollegeGolf #GolfParents #NIL #Recruiting #USKidsGolf #PGAJr #GolfPodcast #SlantedChalk #luckycruz

]]>Buzzsprout-18211614Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:00:00 GMT<p>What does it really take to raise a pro-caliber junior golfer? In this episode, Andy sits down with Freddie Cruz—dad of Lucky Cruz—to unpack the Cruz household (four kids, ducks, dogs, and all), the moment golf “found” Lucky at age 5, and the wild ride from U.S. Kids and STPGA to Drive, Chip &amp; Putt at Augusta. Freddie shares candid lessons on keeping it fun, navigating early success, and the reality of D-1 recruiting (Power 20 programs, camps, NIL, and tough calls).<br /><br />If you’re a parent, coach, or junior golfer chasing the next level, this one is packed.<br /> <br />🎯 What You’ll Learn<br />• How to spot genuine passion (and keep it fun) in the early years<br />• The impact of a special-needs sibling on family rhythms and training<br />• Why Power 20 programs and camps matter in recruiting<br />• The story behind Lucky’s Drive, Chip &amp; Putt breakthrough—and why every kid should try it<br />• How academics + golf science (physics at age 9!) shaped Lucky’s edge</p><p><br />🧑‍🍳 Freddie’s Playbook (Parent Takeaways)<br />• Keep it joyful first. Two years of zero tournaments built the foundation.<br />• Do the camps. It’s the best way to build coach rapport within the rules.<br />• Know your “why.” If it’s purely golf, choose a program that truly develops pros.<br />• Academics can be an edge. Physics + data literacy = smarter practice.<br />• Drive, Chip &amp; Putt. Just do it—phenomenal experience for kids and parents.<br /> <br />🧾 Resources Mentioned<br />• Drive, Chip &amp; Putt (sign-ups): drivechipandputt.com<br />• U.S. Kids Golf + Worlds<br />• STPGA / TJGT pathways<br />• Power 20 programs &amp; PGA Tour U context<br /><br />👤 Guest<br />Freddie Cruz — father of professional golfer Lucky Cruz; candid storyteller on the journey from junior golf to the pro ranks.<br /> <br />🔔 Subscribe &amp; Watch Next<br />• Part 2 (coming next): Q-School, turning pro vs. college, NIL, and building a support team.<br />• Subscribe for new episodes: parenting elite athletes, recruiting, rankings, and mental game.<br /> <br />💬 Join the Community<br /><br />Drop your questions for Freddie and Andy in the comments:<br />• What’s your biggest recruiting mystery?<br />• Camps: worth it or hype?<br />• Your family’s best “keep it fun” tactic?<br /> <br />🏷️ Keywords<br /><br />Junior golf, Drive Chip and Putt, U.S. Kids Golf, STPGA, TJGT, Power 5, Power 20, college golf recruiting, NIL, homeschool athlete, physics in golf, BYU golf, UNLV golf, University of Houston golf, Arkansas golf, PGA Tour U, Lucky Cruz<br /> <br />#JuniorGolf #DriveChipAndPutt #CollegeGolf #GolfParents #NIL #Recruiting #USKidsGolf #PGAJr #GolfPodcast #SlantedChalk #luckycruz</p>no00:26:1821Road to Greatness with Freddie Cruz - Lucky Cruzfull