Chris Mascaro brings popular golf podcast to the TribLIVE Podcast Network

A new feature that should excite golf enthusiasts has been added to the TribLIVE Podcast Network.

A golf podcast, featuring Penn Hills native Chris Mascaro, will begin airing July 23, joining the likes of the Tim Benz, Mark Madden, Don Rebel and Food podcasts. He has one of the top podcasts in the country.

“We’re always looking for new podcast content, and Chris brings quality and credibility to his episodes that can be enjoyed,” said Justin Labar, general manager of TribLIVE High School Sports Network.

Mascaro, 58, who graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Kingston, Mass., will be talking about various topics pertaining to golf.

He will talk to golf legends, PGA and LPGA players and top golf instructors.

“I record my broadcast ‘NextonTheTee.net’ on Tuesdays, and the podcast will be available to listen to on Wednesday,” Mascaro said. “I’m excited to be heard in my hometown. I’m grateful that Jennifer (Bertetto, Trib Total Media president and CEO) is giving me the opportunity to share my passion for golf to the Pittsburgh area.”

The podcast started in 2010 when a friend, who ran seamheads.com, was looking for reporters to write about baseball.

Mascaro, a Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox fan, volunteered to write about both teams. After a few weeks, an offer to do a baseball podcast surfaced.

The baseball podcast “A view from the lower red seats” was a hit, and then a football podcast, “ThursdayNightTailgate,” came along.

It was so popular that the Armed Forces Radio Network added it to its broadcast. The football podcast also is very popular.

Mascaro then approached the network about doing a golf podcast, and producers initially balked at the idea.

“They told me, ‘Who would listen to golf?’ ” Mascaro said. “Well, they gave me a shot, and my broadcast ended up the third-highest listened event for the week. The rest was history.”

It didn’t hurt that his first podcast included golf legends Billy Casper and Gary Player.

He still does the football podcast, which features NFL and college topics.

“I became very good friends with some of the Steelers legends,” Mascaro said. “We talk everything golf from the weekly headlines to how to make your game better so you can enjoy your experience on the course.”

Mascaro’s passion for golf began when he was 12 years old and playing with his dad. He took lessons from Ken Friend at Tides Golf Club in Seminole, Fla., and has loved the game ever since.