It’s Graduation Day for the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour, with the Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing and Finance unfolding at the French Lick Resort in Indiana. We talk to the winner on the Pete Dye Course, Chandler Blanchet, as well as a handful of other grads heading to the PGA Tour in 2026. We take you behind the scenes of the celebrations, share the full graduation ceremony and look back on the last two years.
Watch SEASON 2 of The Road to French Lick:
Episode 1: https://youtu.be/ve4JrpinpwM
Episode 2: https://youtu.be/nfjjIuESZQM
Episode 3: https://youtu.be/BhPgJF9WWZQ
Episode 4: https://youtu.be/-U08B2NfBAQ
Episode 5: https://youtu.be/j_PDV5hrNZM
Episode 6: https://youtu.be/KQes6MTJ1Is
Episode 7: https://youtu.be/sA7hMYNw7PE
Episode 8: https://youtu.be/a0sG7IPCn_E
Episode 9: https://youtu.be/GjTdSfypbQM
Episode 10: https://youtu.be/6NL4eYN6LeA
Episode 11: https://youtu.be/ObTUq3AxE6o
Episode 12: https://youtu.be/imbFUQs_nGw
Episode 13: https://youtu.be/4BH7g_gABR0
Episode 14: https://youtu.be/Ey_O9i29IBg
Episode 15: https://youtu.be/pEudGJiF7VA
Episode 16: https://youtu.be/yhEu91mX0pg
Episode 17: https://youtu.be/WgbKBkoibkA
Episode 18: https://youtu.be/p-rR97H8b4U
Episode 19: https://youtu.be/tb_c0ojVFYU
Episode 20: https://youtu.be/LKMHcQB6JB4
Episode 21: https://youtu.be/TomFFSUg6J4
Episode 22: https://youtu.be/IuOD9RQY984
Episode 23: https://youtu.be/B-sURkRhA3Y
Watch SEASON 1 of The Road to French Lick:
Episode 1: https://youtu.be/i3HVE6sF_YQ
Episode 2: https://youtu.be/g-cpXXmWnR4
Episode 3: https://youtu.be/Ofli2Lwfvi4
Episode 4: https://youtu.be/vlxUJlgvo_A
Episode 5: https://youtu.be/_zk-4Xqv1wM
Episode 6: https://youtu.be/iKaplacB-dw
Episode 7: https://youtu.be/qLofLnLfAiA
Episode 8: https://youtu.be/G_MF7T8rZ54
Episode 9: https://youtu.be/LquQZfZLLTA
Episode 10: https://youtu.be/cLgBCanqOvs
Episode 11: https://youtu.be/oyH-suXFFp8
Episode 12: https://youtu.be/vPBBiYt7IBc
Episode 13: https://youtu.be/-39IJTl-o4w
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Go ahead. Heat. Heat. It was an incredible week on the Pete Die course at French Lake Resort for the Corinth Fairy Tour Championship presented by United Leasing and Finance. The Sunday finish was compelling with Chandler Blanche, 54 hole leader Baron Boa, and Neil Shipley locked in a battle down the stretch. In the end though, Blanchet picked up the second win of the year with a closing 66 to win by two shots on 14 under 274. We talked to Chandler after the big win. Dude, check this out from friends Indiana. Chandler, we got a logo on his bag. What was it like, dude? You were like pumping and chopping a hot streak. What happened, man? Incredible. I played really well today. I played well all week. guys in front of me. Uh I mean it’s super fairways out here. It’s tight small greens. Uh you guys are going the fairway to hit the greens and man, you know, I just feel like I have the set community behind me. I had it on my bag and it this was just fitting. Great. We’re so proud of you. I mean, your family’s here. You’re going to the show, bro. Yeah. Thank you, man. I mean, it’s words can’t describe like how important and how meaningful this is. Like having here means the world. I mean, regardless with a win or without, uh, having to be here for the tour guard, they’ve been through it all. Um, and then to win this week for it doesn’t get any better than that, dude. University of West Florida, a grinder in the panhandle. I mean, I went to Eastern Illinois, so directional school guys sort of get it, you know? It’s like, you know what? Hey, Gator Nation, you missed us. So, who knows? We’re so proud of you. Congratulations. After the tournament concluded, the party could begin for the top 20 players in the final Cornferry Tour point standings as they graduate to the PGA Tour in 2026. Johnny Kever, congrats, dude. How good is this place? Oh, that’s awesome. Yeah. Unbelievable. I mean, incredible test. No, but you I mean, you had a killer week. You had a killer season. Just spill your gut. I mean, I think it’s just I mean, a lot of emotions going on. Just, you know, gratifications. Um, just a lot going on. You know, I’ve got my whole family here. Oh, congratulations. Yeah. So, it’s a realization of a dream for sure. So, it’s a it’s a special place for sure. Cool. Well, take a big old puff off that stogy. We’re ready to rock and roll on the PGA toe, baby. Got to keep it. Damn. Congratulations, dude. You’re going to man. That’s it. I wore Shamrock today just for you. Very nice guy. He’s a great guy. Absolutely. So, Notre Dame, first guy on tour to get this car. What is that? I mean, that’s his tour. Yeah. It’s crazy to think. hasn’t really sunk in yet. I’m going back there in a month for a football game. So, maybe when I’m there it’ll sink in. Hey, can you give me a hybrid? Let’s do it. Right. Cool. Adrian L. I go, dude. You 22 you won the won the Big 10’s here and now you got your tour card. What do you think of French Indiana? Well, so far it’s been great. Right. I mean, we won a big championship like you said. Just got my car back. Really pumped for 2026. Can’t wait to get going. Well, we’re so proud of you and we can’t thank you enough for your support. Well, thank you. The course is in great shape. Uh, not easy, but thankfully the wind wasn’t there this week. You just make this place a little easier. But yeah, hopefully I’ll never back I’m never back here again, you know. Seriously. Well, no, hopefully you do come back. That’s right. Yeah, I actually had a trip going with uh some of my good friends. They came about 2 months ago 10 buddies. Had a good time. Well, they casino golf course. Come on, baby. 8102. 8102. One under. One under. Craig B got it. Craig B got it. That’s pretty cool. He’s the shortest hitter on tour back in the day. Damn. Cool. He probably played 16 par four. No, he played seven iron. Seven iron. I think you got it. There you go. There he goes. Smart men. Small. We’re so proud of you and we’re so happy for for you and the Ali Nation, baby. Got to love it. Congratulations. We’ll see you. Hey, man. Look at the end of the delivers. Congratulations. The Porter Southern Mox. Another guy on tour. Yes, sir. How’s the week? Unbelievable. It’s good to be here. Glad I’m not going to be here next year. Tour player, but uh No, it feels great. It’s always You’re always welcome back. Well, we appreciate it. You guys take good care of us. It’s always fun to be out here. So, uh, yeah, just pump to be on. Love it, man. Congratulations. United Leasing and Finance CEO Ron Roma reveled in the Southern Indiana partnership without our great host and partners and teams. U, but I want to especially highlight the French Lake Resort and their staff. Dave talked about the superintendent, the head professional, some other folks, but um he left out some very important people and are certainly dear friends of mine and have done so much. We would not be here today were it not for some of these individuals. Chuck France, the CEO of French Lake Resort. Chuck, Steve Ferguson, chairman of the Cookery. Steve, thank you for that. Joe, vice president, resort projects. Cornfairy tour president Alex Baldwin laed the week at French Lick. My gosh, you got 20 great guys going to the PGA tour. What I mean, you’re like the whole thing. So proud. It is a moment that you’ll never forget. Um, they’re just so incredibly talented, but they’re really good people and they care so much and they realize they’re drawn. This is the moment. And it’s an incredible class. We have all over the world, literally. Big colleges, big T1 programs, little colleges, and it is just an incredible representation of what the best in the world look like. Well, we can’t thank you enough for your support and your friendship and everything that you guys do for us here at French Lick. But not only that, but for all the players out here. Well, you guys do an incredible job. This is first class. Every detail involved doing their way around here and um it is just thank you guys for being such wonderful. It’s our pleasure. They’re all tour bound, baby. Let’s do it. And when we return, the corn fairy tour graduation ceremony. French Lick, Indiana. Our little corner of the world has big things waiting. It’s where legends were made on the court and on the course. Walter Hagen, Colin Montgomery, Betsy RS, and Mickey Wright. It’s where life is lived to the fullest, and where unexpected adventures are around every corner. Big things are waiting. Are you in? Visit frenchlick.com and start your escape here in Indiana. And these individuals excelled over the past 10 months, culminating right here at French Lick for the Cornferry Tour Championship presented by the great people at United Leasing and Finance. This 24year-old Pittsburgh native played collegiately at both James Madison and Ohio State and earned two degrees in the process. He completed two dramatic comeback victories to secure PGA Tour membership for the first time. Steel City strong, Neil Shipley, a 31-year-old Southern Methodist University alum. After two victories, he is tourbound for the second time in his career. From Lumis, California and the first key of Greater Sacramento, Austin Smotherman. Our third and final Division 2 graduate, a 29year-old University of West Florida alum. He earned his first PGA Tour card with not only a victory at the Price Cutter Charity Championship, but right here at the Cornferry Tour Championship, a native of Gainesville, Florida, who plays out of Atlantic Beach, Chandler, we’re going to need this guy to walk slow cuz he’s got a long list of accomplishments this year. 24 years old, played collegiately at Baylor. He’s headed to the PGA Tour for the first time after victories at the Veritex Bank Championship in the NV5 Invitational. He also moved into the top 60 in the official World Golf Ranking. And he also broke the Corner Tour record for single season scoring average. And by finishing number one on the Cornfurry Tour points list, we’ll see him at the Players Championship next year in Shinikok Hills for the US Open. from San Antonio, Mr. Johnny Kefir. All right, we wrap up a great week here at Peak Die course. Chandler Blanche is the winner. Second win this year. Yep. Winds up second in the point standings. He’s one of the 20 players to graduate to the PGA Tour for 2026. And a heck of a week here at the French League Resort. I tell you what, it was a true test of uh of of golf skills. Uh these guys grinded it out. 20 guys, life-changing events are going to happen right now. And we’re we are so proud to be part of the French League Resort to have the opportunity not only to meet these guys and watch them develop, but they’re all super cool and super nice to be around. It’s really great to see people have some of the the greatest moments of their professional lives and celebrate with their family and friends and the people who helped them through the entire season. this this enormous adventure, this big undertaking that it takes to get to the PGA Tour. So proud. And uh hey, thanks for everything that you do, Ryan. And it’s been an absolute riot, dude. We’ve had a we we’ve been to a lot of places together. We started off in the Bahamas. We’ve been to Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Illinois, Georgia. Uh it’s just insane. So yeah, watch us and and enjoy it and enjoy the journey of the road to French Lake. enjoy the the players, the passion. I mean, it’s it’s just so hard for these guys to get their card. And now they made it. But guess what? Next year there’s 25 guys dropping down from the PGA Tour and it’s going to be a little tougher. So, and we do this all over again starting in January and we get to celebrate 20 players again at the end of the year, which is going to be awesome. Cool. So, coming from French, Indiana, we can’t thank you enough for your support out there. Enjoy the ride, Rhyno. We had a blast. It’s been awesome. back after the fact. Brenon Tweeny’s with me down in Orlando and back in the DC area and we just kind of wanted to look back on the week and the season that was at French Lick. Uh what an incredible run it was. Uh I want to say thank you to you Brendan and everyone at French Lick Resort. You know, French Lick has kind of become a a second home to me over the years and it really means a lot to have the support of you and your team and to get to know all of you. Uh it’s been fantastic and so many people. associated with the town as well. It has become uh one of my favorite places to be in the world and it’s one of my happy places. So, uh this was a a great way to kind of experience that once again. Oh, thanks, man. We what a what a blast. You know, uh we started the show off, you know, road to French Lick and it’s it’s crazy that when you’re on the road and you wind up in French Lake, the the people you meet along the journey, right? So, we’ve had the last two years. This is what our 40th show. uh some great followers, some great friendships, been to some really cool places, met some really cool people uh you know from this year the Bahamas to Savannah to Ohio to Chicago and the list just keeps on going on and on and on. But I tell you what, Chandler Blanche with a with a victory uh at the Cornferry Championships presented by United E and Finance. What a fantastic champion and it was so cool to see our logo on his bag. I’m like yes. And then Joe Wiler, another guy got third place, you know, French lick logo on his bag. Tyler Duncan, another great French Lick ambassador. Um, and they’re all doing great things. Joe and Tyler will be on Cornferry next year. Uh, hopefully they qualify through some other PGA events to get on the tour, but uh, always look forward to seeing those guys. And Chandler, I mean, this guy’s going to do some damage on the on the PGA tour. He’s he’s a stone cold, you know, shooter. He played well at the die. everything that that we could possibly ask for for an ambassador, he delivered. You know, I I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder. I went to a directional school and learned how to prove myself in in great places. He went to Western Florida and he’s playing with these big boys. So, it’s awesome. Congrats, Chandler. Um I’d also like to thank, you know, it’s it’s our last show this year. Uh we got some more to come but uh for for next year but um you know the people that put together this championship uh I just want to give a shout out you know having I think this is our 18th uh championship that we’ve h we’ve held at the PIA golf course since opening in 2009. Uh just about every tour LPGA senior LPGA USGA uh Big 10 championships everything all comes down to it. But this was the sixth time that the Golf Channel has broadcasted it at the Pete Die course and Pete Espati Pete Espazito and David Graham uh producer director. Um David uh evenson who shot all those killer drone shots. Shout out to him. Dynamite dude. Gotta love it. You know the broadcast team. Shane Bacon, James Netties, uh Brenley Roma. And then we survived a week with Andreas Gonzalez. My god, we should get a t-shirt for that or something. Um, Patrick Nichols and and uh and Dustin Parker Baker and Gar and Charlie uh the rats that the the tournament team that puts us together, Scott Shriber, his brother Rhett by getting the word out. Um, our team at French Slick, uh, Steve Ferguson, Chuck Chuck France, Dave Herner, um, Russ Apple, our head superintendent, his team worked endlessly this week to make the Pete die golf course shine. You know, they were up there at 4:00 in the morning, they left at 9:00 at night. Not one single complaint, not a blade of grass out of place. Rob Coun, our head professional at the PTI Golf Course, PGA merchandiser of the year last year, and then Sarah Dunn and her team by putting together everything with with the catering and whatnot. It all comes down to charity when you come to these things. Uh Jack Pay is a great example of what a guy can do to move mountain for children. the Building Blocks Foundation that that is the charity of choice has changed so many children’s lives in southern Indiana and it’s just going to grow. The the amount of money that that raised, you know, for for the charity is, you know, it was over 150,000 this year so far and it’s all going to go to great things. But it all comes down to one thing. It comes down to a family of people who believe in you. And Ron Roma and his family at United Leasing and Finance gave us the chance to show off the Pete Dai Golf Course in the town of French Lick last year and this year. Ron’s 14th year of being the title sponsor of the Cornferry Championships has literally changed lives and personally gained friendship. He welcomed us with open arms. And Mr. Roma, thank you for everything that you’ve done and everything that you will continue to do, not only for the people of Evansville, but for the people of of the state of Indiana. Ryan, what a trip we you know, what a great season that we’ve had. This is great, dude. Um, looking forward to another great run and uh we’ll catch you down the road on the road to French Lick. You’ve arrived at French Lick Resort here in Indiana. Two hotels you have to see to believe. Legendary Golf by Pete Dye and Donald Ross. Our little corner of the world is like nowhere else. Your French lick getaway starts now at frenchlick.com.
