In this wide-ranging episode of Golf and Politics, Rob sits down with Tony Russo—a top Washington lobbyist, former collegiate golf standout, and the undisputed No. 1 golfer in American politics. From playing alongside Michael Jordan, Jack Nicklaus, and Greg Norman, to his early days on Capitol Hill working for Senator Joe Biden, Tony shares unforgettable stories from a life that’s crossed paths with legends in both golf and politics.

Tony opens up about his personal journey—surviving leukemia in law school, leaving pro golf behind, and finding purpose through family, faith, and bipartisan friendships. They also discuss the LIV Golf vs. PGA Tour divide, the future of course design, the golf ball rollback, and how the game still brings people together in a divided D.C.

Key Topics Covered:

Playing college golf with Steve Stricker and caddying for Jack Nicklaus

How golf shaped bipartisan relationships on Capitol Hill

Inside scoop on LIV Golf Virginia and course setup at RTJ

Tony’s thoughts on the rollback debate and golf architecture trends

Why more golf in politics could solve real-world gridlock

Bonus: Dream foursomes, Augusta vs. St. Andrews, and MJ’s short game

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This week on Golf and Politics, co-host Rob Ellsworth sits down with Scott Furlong, longtime superintendent of the iconic Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, to talk turf, tournaments, and the truth behind maintaining a world-class course. Recorded on the eve of LIV Golf Virginia, Scott shares what it takes to host back-to-back global events like the Solheim Cup and LIV Golf, and how weather, politics, and even immigration policy affect the game from the ground up.

With over 25 years at RTJ, Scott blends stories of mentorship, grit, and perfectionism with a behind-the-scenes look at how agronomy is evolving in the face of rising expectations and economic pressure.

Key Topics Covered:

LIV Golf Virginia: course setup, green speed, and player readiness

RTJ’s role in hosting world-class tournaments like the Solheim Cup and LIV

Building a career in turf: mentorship, immigration policy, and labor challenges

How Kyle Phillips’ design vision has shaped RTJ’s evolution

The “Augusta Effect” and its impact on member expectations

Tariffs, supply chain issues, and the rising costs of course maintenance

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In this episode of Golf and Politics, Matt sits down with Mitch Marczewski, founder of the Nightbirde Foundation, to explore how charity golf tournaments are a force for good—and a model for effective fundraising. Inspired by the legacy of his sister Jane “Nightbirde”, a breakout star from America’s Got Talent, Mitch shares the emotional journey of turning tragedy into tangible hope for women battling breast cancer.

They break down what it really takes to host a profitable charity golf outing, from securing sponsorships to managing logistics at top-tier courses like The Virtues Golf Club. Whether you’re a political candidate planning a fundraiser or a nonprofit looking to grow your donor base, this episode delivers practical insights on creating events that raise serious money and lasting impact.

Key Topics Covered:

The story behind the Nightbirde Foundation and Jane’s inspiring legacy

How to structure a successful charity golf tournament

Using golf outings as top-of-funnel donor engagement tools

Tips on securing silent auction items, golf course partners, and sponsors

Why consistency, storytelling, and community matter in fundraising success

Visit nightbirdefoundation.org to support their mission.

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In this episode of Golf and Politics, Matt breaks down Scottie Scheffler’s dominant win at the PGA Championship and what it means for his trajectory toward golf greatness. Is Scheffler the next to complete the career Grand Slam? Matt makes the case. He also takes on critics of LIV players, defending Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau from what he calls lazy media narratives.

Plus: a deep dive into the Parker Improvement Project—Matt’s personal mission to reach scratch by year’s end. He shares his stats, setbacks, practice plan, and lessons learned from battling inconsistency off the tee.

On the politics side, Matt previews potential future debates with co-host Rob, teases hot-button topics like Trump’s tariff strategy, the Qatari jet, and the Biden health cover-up, and introduces the official launch of the Marty Russo Political Golfer of the Year Award.

Key Topics Covered:

Scottie Scheffler’s PGA dominance & rising place in golf history

The flawed “LIV guys can’t win majors” argument

Parker Improvement Project: distance, discipline & driver woes

Political topics heating up: tax cuts, Biden’s health, Trump controversies

Launching the Marty Russo Political Golfer of the Year Award

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In our 50th episode of Golf and Politics, we celebrate the milestone with tech entrepreneur and longtime friend of the show Jake Ward. From his time on Capitol Hill to founding multiple companies and trade associations, Jake brings a rare mix of policy savvy, startup hustle, and serious golf chops.

We dive into Jake’s golf life—his game, his favorite courses, and the rise of club culture in places like Daniel Island and Bandon Dunes—before shifting into a wide-ranging conversation on technology in golf, the future of AI, and how data privacy and digital policy affect everything from PGA broadcasts to political messaging.

Key Topics:

How AI and digital tools are transforming golf and small business

Jake’s top underrated golf courses and caddie culture

A heated debate on Trump’s trade policies, immigration, and the state of conservatism

The future of golf broadcasts and technology’s role in pace of play

Jake’s journey from Senate staffer to startup founder and what’s next in tech and policy

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts—and thank you for helping us hit 50 episodes!

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Golf and Politics is back with 9 Holes, 9 Questions as co-host Rob Ellsworth joins Matt Parker on the Par 3 course at LaFortune Park in Tulsa. Rob opens up about his lifelong love of golf, his bond with his late father, his battle with stage 4 cancer, and his journey from Republican Hill staffer to Democratic lobbyist.

As Matt and Rob trade shots and stories, they dive into the personal, the political, and the power of saying “yes” to life’s second chances. You’ll also hear Rob’s thoughts on the changing landscape of American politics, municipal golf’s role in community development, and what it means to live life with gratitude after hardship.

Key Topics:

Rob’s origin story in golf and politics

Lessons from losing a father and surviving cancer

The importance of municipal golf courses and public investment in the game

Why Rob believes cancer made him better, not bitter

A rare inside look at how politics has changed—and where it's going next

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts—and don’t miss Rob’s dream foursome at the end!

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In this episode of Golf and Politics, Rob and Matt are at Tour Quality Golf in Tulsa, joined by returning guest Jefferson Thomas, founder of The Synapse Group and a seasoned political strategist with a passion for golf. Jefferson opens up about his early days in Missouri politics, working with high-profile campaigns and initiatives across the country, and how golf has become a vital part of his professional and personal life.

The episode dives into the changing landscape of field campaigns, how targeted canvassing works today, and the rising cost of political signature gathering—especially in light of proposed changes to Oklahoma's ballot initiative laws.

Then, things heat up as the crew dives into a spirited political debate on the Trump 2.0 administration’s trade policies, the impact of tariffs, immigration strategy, and whether the U.S. is heading toward free trade—or economic isolation.

Key Topics:

Jefferson’s journey through GOP campaigns, college football, and entrepreneurship

The real work behind canvassing, petition gathering, and modern campaign ground games

A lively debate on Trump’s tariffs, immigration policies, and trade strategy

Reflections on American values, free speech, and social division

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts—and don’t forget to subscribe for more golf-fueled political discourse!

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In this episode of Golf and Politics, we go behind the scenes at Tour Quality Golf in Tulsa with owner and longtime golf industry pro Ross MacDonald. From how he got his start in golf to what it’s really like running one of the region’s top club fitting shops, Ross opens up about the grind of golf entrepreneurship, the state of golf tech, and his insights into the future of the indoor game.

We talk golf ball rollback, custom fittings for LIV Tour winner Eugenio Chacarra, and the rise of indoor golf culture. Plus, we dive into how political conversations have become so commonplace and the shift in how people view politics today. 

Key Topics:

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

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In this episode of Golf and Politics, Rob and Matt welcome Rich Levine—world traveler, elite club member, and golf connoisseur—who’s played nearly 1,000 courses, including nearly every entry on multiple Top 100 lists. From Shanqin Bay in China to Trump International in Florida, Rich shares wild stories of golf around the world, elite club hospitality, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Rich also opens up about playing regularly with President Trump, sharing what it’s like inside Mar-a-Lago, and why the former president is one of the most generous and engaging hosts in the game. Political perspectives fly as Rob pushes back with tough questions and Rich defends Trump’s golf legacy and leadership style—with more laughs than you'd expect.

Key Topics Covered:

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts—and don’t forget to subscribe!

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Rory McIlroy finally completes the career Grand Slam with a dramatic victory at the 2025 Masters—and the Golf and Politics crew is here to break it all down. In this special recap episode, Matt and Rob relive Rory’s rollercoaster performance, from jaw-dropping mistakes to clutch shot-making, including one of the most iconic playoff shots in tournament history.

The hosts debate the mental side of Rory’s win, what it means for his legacy, and how Bryson, Rose, and others shaped a wild Sunday leaderboard. They also dig into the LIV vs. PGA tension, the future of major championships, and the broken state of the Official World Golf Rankings.

Key Topics:

🎧 Tune in now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts—and relive one of the most memorable Masters finishes ever.

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