Winning the Alabama State Amateur doesn’t happen by accident.
Fresh off his victory at the Country Club of Birmingham, Ryley Heath joins The Cart Barn Podcast to discuss the journey that led to one of the biggest amateur titles in the state. But this conversation is about much more than one tournament.
Ryley reflects on growing up at Burning Tree Country Club, learning the game alongside his sister Ginger, and the players and mentors who helped shape him into one of Alabama’s top amateurs. He explains why difficult golf courses helped his game, how practicing every day at Silver Lakes transformed his short game and mental toughness, and why Jacksonville State became the perfect place for his development.
The conversation also revisits the dramatic final round at the Country Club of Birmingham, including the birdie on the 72nd hole that secured the championship, what was going through his mind under pressure, and how that victory earned him a place in this year’s U.S. Amateur Championship at Merion Golf Club.
Whether you’re a competitive golfer, a junior player chasing bigger goals, or simply someone who appreciates the process behind success, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to build a championship mindset.
In this episode:
- Winning the Alabama State Amateur
- The pressure of the final hole
- Growing up at Burning Tree Country Club
- Why Silver Lakes made him a better golfer
- Jacksonville State’s impact on his career
- Preparing for the U.S. Amateur at Merion
- The value of patience, resilience, and confidence
- What’s next as he pursues professional golf
Every golfer has a story worth preserving.
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