Golf And Politics

Summary Hosts, Matt Parker and Rob Elsworth discuss their experience at Oak Tree National Golf Course with former democratic Oklahoma State Representative Jason Dunnington and current republican Oklahoma State Representative Anthony Moore. They delve into political predictions regarding the upcoming elections analyzing the vice presidential picks and the state of the presidential race with former...

Matt Parker and Rob Elsworth discuss the recent Solheim Cup held at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. They delve into the significance of the event, the preparations involved in hosting such a prestigious tournament, and the historical context of RTJ as a venue for major golf events. The conversation also touches on logistical challenges faced during the event, the presence of notable figures like...

US political ad spending is expected to reach $12 billion in the 2024 election cycle, triple the amount spent in 2016. The increase in spending is attributed to the rise of outside groups and the ability to raise small-dollar donations. However, the effectiveness of ad spending is limited, as media consumption has become more fragmented, with fewer people watching broadcast television. The challen...

In this special part 2 episode, former Congressman Heath Shuler joins the Golf and Politicspodcast to discuss his incredible journey from professional football player to member of Congress and beyond. Heath Shuler shares insights on the NFL draft process, the importance of playing multiple sports, and the sacrifices required to succeed in both football and politics. Heath also dives into his exper...

In this special first of a two-part episode, former Congressman Heath Shuler joins the Golf and Politics podcast to discuss his incredible journey from professional football player to member of Congress and beyond. Heath Shuler shares insights on the NFL draft process, the importance of playing multiple sports, and the sacrifices required to succeed in both football and politics. Heath also dives...

In this episode, Matt Parker and Cory Toth sit down with former Kansas Governor Bill Graves to discuss his unique experiences from the early days of campaigning with George H.W. Bush to his time in office serving as Secretary of State and Governor of Kansas. Bill shares his perspective on how pragmatism and bipartisanship doesn’t always work in today’s rough and tumble world of politics. Takeaways...

Join Matt Parker, Cory Toth, and Rob Ellsworth as they sit down with the legendary Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz. In this insightful episode, Coach Holtz delves into his upbringing in the Ohio Valley, his illustrious coaching career, and his passion for golf. He shares his life philosophy, emphasizing the importance of making good choices, striving for excellence, and caring for others.   Ta...

In this episode of the Golf and Politics podcast, hosts Matt Parker, Rob Ellsworth, and Cory Toth are joined by Mike McGetrick, the head golf professional at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course in Gainesville, VA. They delve into the essential aspects of golf instruction, the role of technology, and even touch on political topics.   Takeaways Golf Lessons from a PGA Professional: Importance of pers...

In this episode, Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth interview Gerard Burke, the CEO of Ireland Travel Links, about golf trips in Ireland and Scotland. They discuss the differences between private golf clubs in the US and Ireland, the accessibility of championship courses in Ireland, and the benefits of playing links golf. Gerard also shares insights into organizing golf trips and the unique challenges...

Matt Parker and Rob Ellsworth fly solo today without Cory or a guest. They discuss a wide range of topics, including personal experiences, mentorship, the future of the podcast, the Scotty Scheffler incident, authenticity in politics, and the impact of Donald Trump's authenticity on the working class. It also delves into the 2024 election and the influence of grievances, trade, and inflation on po...

In this episode, Matt Parker interviews Justin Clark, a cofounder of National Public Affairs and former senior staffer in the Trump White House. They discuss Justin's transition from being a Democrat to a Republican, the political landscape in Connecticut, and the shift in demographics in certain states. They also talk about their experiences working on political campaigns, including the Foley cam...

In this episode, hosts Cory, Rob and Matt are joined by Drew Ryun, the founder and CEO of Campaign Sidekick. They discuss Drew's involvement in politics, his experience working at the Republican National Committee (RNC), and the relevance of the RNC in today's political landscape. They also touch on the importance of direct voter contact and the role of social media in campaigns. The conversation...

In this episode, hosts Cory, Rob and Matt are joined by Valis Associates Founder and Virginia golfing philanthropist Wayne Valis. After an opening discussion on the dominance of golfers Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda and the comparison between current players and Tiger Woods. The conversation then transitions to the guest, Wayne Valis, a former Nixon and Regan staffer, who shares his experience...

Former Congressman Marty Russo, whom Dan Jenkins, Senior Writer for Golf Digest once called “way too good at golf to be a servant of the People” discusses the changes in Congress over the years even beyond his tenure, the importance of compromise and bipartisanship, and the role of golf in politics and getting things done. Russo also shares his experiences playing golf with various presidents and...

Former Congressman Bob Ney from Ohio is the guest on the first episode of Golf and Politics. Bob Ney has been a mentor and friend to hosts, Rob and Matthew, and played a significant role in their careers. The conversation covers Bob Ney's impact on the steel industry with the ubiquitous ‘stand for steel’ campaign, the infamous St. Andrews golf trip to Scotland and the subsequent investigation that...

Is it possible to bring Republicans and Democrats together? Maybe. Rob Ellsworth, Matt Parker and Cory Toth grew up in the upper Ohio Valley playing junior golf, and today they all work in politics. Rob is a Democratic lobbyist, Matt is a Republican strategist, and Cory is a refining and petrochemical lobbyist. While they rarely all see eye-to-eye on politics, they wholeheartedly agree that golf i...