National Links Trust Podcast

This episode of the National Links Trust Podcast is a recording from a recent edition of the Municipal Golf Network Webinar Program. In this episode, we explore how municipal and daily fee public golf facilities can build and sustain successful junior caddie programs. A junior caddie program not only offers golfers a unique way to experience your course—it also deepens your facility’s impact on th...

This episode of the National Links Trust Podcast is a recording from our most recent edition of the Municipal Golf Network Webinar Program. Learn more about the program here . In this episode, we spotlight the Alamo City Golf Trail (ACGT) - the non-profit organization that oversees San Antonio’s municipal golf facilities with a commitment to affordability and accessibility. Joining NLT co-founder...

In this episode of the National Links Trust Podcast, we are joined by veteran course architect, Mike Young. With a career spanning more than 40 years in the golf industry, today, Mike is best known as the architect and owner of The Fields Golf Club in LaGrange, GA. Built on rolling hills southwest of Atlanta, The Fields has developed a "cult following" as an affordable, architecturally-e...

In this episode of the National Links Trust Podcast, we dive headfirst into public golf in New York City and the role of municipal golf within the game at-large with Richard Johnson of CBS Sports. While Richard’s primary domain is college football - working broadcasts and writing for CBS Sports, as well as co-hosting the popular college football podcast, “ Split Zone Duo ” -  he is also a passiona...

In this episode of the National Links Trust Podcast, we're joined by Ryan Book AKA @BethpageBlackMetal on Instagram. Ryan's account is one of the most interesting in golf as he shares golf course construction and architecture updates from projects big and small around the country. It is a definitive source for all things golf development, and we highly recommend you follow it if you have...

This episode of the National Links Trust Podcast features a recording of a recent Municipal Golf Network webinar highlighting Barrier Free Golf and their first project: The Loop at Chaska . Barrier Free Golf is a nonprofit dedicated to making golf accessible to people with disabilities, veterans, juniors, and beginners of all ages. Their first project, The Loop at Chaska, is a 9-hole short course...

In this episode of the National Links Trust Podcast, we're joined by Tim Gavrich. Tim is a senior writer at GolfPass , and he covers nearly every facet of the game with a focus on golf travel, architecture, and products. A champion of municipal golf, Tim is perhaps best known for his "Munaissance" article series where he highlights municipal golf courses undergoing renovations and r...

In this episode of the National Links Trust Podcast, our host, Will Smith, is joined by Geoff Shackelford. Geoff is one of golf’s most influential writers having authored 11 books and with his work appearing in the Los Angeles Times , Sports Illustrated , Golf Digest , and more.  He is also the publisher of The Quadrilateral , a newsletter that covers the game through the lens of the four majors....

This episode of the National Links Trust Podcast is a recording from the Municipal Golf Network Webinar Program. It features the story of Brookline Golf Course in Brookline, MA and its relationship with the local community. Opened in 1933, Brookline Golf Course (also known as Robert T. Lynch and previously, Putterham Meadows) has elevated its role in the community in recent years largely thanks to...

This episode of the National Links Trust Podcast features a recording of a recent Municipal Golf Network Webinar. In this episode, we head to the Lone Star State to check in with the Dallas Golf Initiative (DGI), a non-profit organization modeled similarly to the National Links Trust. DGI was formed in 2020 in response to the proposed closing of 9 holes at the Glen Course at Tenison Park to make w...

This episode features a recording of our Municipal Golf Network Webinar Series on the upcoming restoration and renovation of the Great Dunes Course at Jekyll Island Golf Club in Jekyll Island, Georgia National Links Trust Co-Founder, Will Smith, is joinred by thee panelists. Jeffrey Stein and Brian Ross - the course’s co-architects, and Noel Jensen- the Deputy Executive Director for the Jekyll Isl...

In this episode of the National Links Trust Podcast, we introduce a new National Links Trust Ambassador - Epson Tour player, Samantha Wagner.  Samantha grew up playing public golf and had a successful junior and amateur career before turning pro in 2017. Since then, she has played on the Epson and LPGA Tours. We’re really excited to have Samantha aboard our team. To support National Links Trust an...

In this episode of the National Links Trust Podcast, we welcome on Micaa' Thomas. Micaa' is a professional golfer who grew up at Langston Golf Course. After an accomplished amateur career, today, she plays mini-tour events while chasing her dream to play on the LPGA Tour. In her spare time, she is a talented artist who has produced an award-winning short film, Our House is on Fire , and...

In this episode of the National Links Trust Podcast, we welcome on Stephanie Tran and Tyler McKeever - winners of the Women's and Men's Division Champions at the inaugural National Links Trust Championship last fall. The National Links Trust Championship is a national mid-am tournament for public golfers held at Washington, DC's historic Blue Course at East Potomac Golf Links. In th...

This episode features a recording of our Municipal Golf Network Webinar on San Francisco's Golden Gate Park Golf Course. Opened in 1951, this 9-hole, par 3 golf is coming out of a 6-month temporary closure that will see improved turf conditions, a brand new irrigation system and an expanded practice facility that will increase the course's environmental sustainability while expanding acc...

This episode of the National Link Trust Podcast features a recording from the 2023 Symposium on Municipal Golf. Azucena Maldonado, Founder of the Latina Golfers Association, moderates a discussion on Partnerships and Community Engagement. National Links Trust's Andrew Szunyog, who oversees our volunteer and sustainability programs, is one of the panelists, and is joined by Dave Andrews, Direc...

This episode of the National Link Trust Podcast features a recording from the 2023 Symposium on Municipal Golf.  Michael Stachowicz of the National Park Service moderates a discussion on Agronomy and Course Maintenance with a panel of golf course superintendents. These superintendents are Rich Shilling from Jeffersonville Golf Club (PA), Len Curtin from George Wright Golf Course (MA), and Clay Pay...

This episode of the National Link Trust Podcast features a recording from the 2023 Symposium on Municipal Golf. Bill Potter, Vice President of Communications and Engagement at First Tee - Greater Richmond , moderates a discussion on Fundraising and Marketing. Joining Bill are Marty Elgison, Co-founder and President of the Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation (GA) , Tim Andersen, Founder of Barrier F...

This episode of the National Link Trust Podcast features a recording from the 2023 Symposium on Municipal Golf. Rachel Carter,  Senior Membership Director at the National Golf Course Owners Association , moderates a discussion on Municipal Golf Governance and Management. She is joined by Steve Leary, former mayor of Winter Park, FL who was instrumental in the renovation of Winter Park 9 , Michael...

This episode of the National Link Trust Podcast features a recording from the 2023 Symposium on Municipal Golf. Garrett Morrison of Fried Egg Golf is joined by Jay Blasi ( Chambers Bay ), Mike Young ( Warmouth Sands ), and Troy Miller ( Charleston Municipal Golf Course ). All three of these architects have vast experience in the architecture business, but their experience in municipal and public g...

In this episode of the National Links Trust Podcast, our host, and National Links Trust (NLT) co-founder, Will Smith is joined by his fellow co-founder, Mike McCartin. Mike and Will provide a number of updates on NLT including the state of the Rock Creek Park Golf rehabilitation project, ongoing work at Langston Golf Course, a new Director of Agronomy for our three Washington, DC courses, and more...

In this episode of the National Links Trust Podcast, we are joined by Coach Arielle Dawson.  Coach Dawson is the assistant golf coach at Howard University, working with both the men’s and women’s programs. Her background in golf is unique having served as a caddie at various clubs and an instructor at a Topgolf facility, before breaking into college coaching at Howard. In this interview, Coach Daw...

This episode of the National Links Trust Podcast is a special edition featuring a discussion from the latest Municipal Golf Network Webinar Program about The Park in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Park was opened to widespread acclaim this past spring. The renovated property features a Gil Hanse-designed 18-hole regulation course, 9-hole par 3 course, putting course, driving range, and The Path - a...

In this episode of the National Links Trust Podcast, we welcome on Chuck Wilson, the CEO of Babygrande Global and founder of Babygrande Records. Chuck is a veteran in the entertainment industry who also has a passion for golf in Washington, DC having grown up playing the city’s courses.  Chuck’s latest venture, Babygrande Golf, is the title sponsor of the upcoming Babygrande D.C. Classic - an AJGA...

In this episode of the National Links Trust Podcast, we are joined by The Fried Egg 's Andy Johnson who discusses golf course architecture and development within the scope of municipal golf.  As part of this, Andy shares his thoughts on The Park, PGA Frisco, Augusta National's investment in The Patch, and more. National Links Trust is supported by members of the Capital Club - our annual...