National Links Trust Podcast

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 way for a paved walking and biking trail that connects to the larger trail network within the City of Dallas. Knowing what was coming, DGI worked diligently around a vision for a golf facility that honored Tenison’s rich history while creating a more inclusive, engaging, and accessible business model that included a two-story driving range, a par 3 course, and an urban golf park.

DGI Executive Board members Brett Messerall and Benton Payne join moderator Will Smith to provide updates on the Tenison Glen project and DGI’s vision for the future of the property, navigating the difficulties (and disappointment) of creating change within the City of Dallas Park and Recreation system, and how everyday municipal golf enthusiasts, like themselves, can get involved in their own communities and apply the lessons learned from Brett’s and Benton’s experiences over the past 4 years.

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 Island Authority. The group discusses the preservation of Travis’s architectural design as they transform the 9-hole golf course to an 18-hole facility, the installation of a saltwater irrigation system and saltwater tolerant turfgrasses to improve climate resiliency and sustainability, and the restoration of the great dunes that once attracted Walter Travis to the site nearly 100 years ago.

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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.

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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 written a children's book, Penny and the Peanut: A Story About Food Allergies.

With her background in Washington, DC and her passion for growing the game and making golf accessible, NLT recently signed her as an Ambassador. As part of this, she will sport an NLT logo on her bag when she competes in tournaments around the country this year.

To support National Links Trust and our mission to positively impact local communities through municipal golf, we encourage you to join Capital Club by tapping here.

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Learn more about Micaa' at micaathomas.com (golf) and themicaathomas.com (art).

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 this pair of interviews, Stephanie and Tyler talk about their background in the game of golf and competing in the inaugural Championship.

To support National Links Trust and our mission to positively impact local communities through municipal golf, we encourage you to join Capital Club by tapping here.

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 accessibility and inclusion for golfer's of all abilities. Course architect Jay Blasi (Chambers Bay) and other key stakeholders discuss different aspects of the project from design, construction, financing and utilizing public/private partnerships to reach their goals.

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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, Director of The Path at The Park West Palm (FL) and Maria Stroup, Senior Vice President of Education, Social Responsibility and Community Engagement at the Cobbs Creek Foundation (PA). This group uses their diverse experiences in golf, non-profits, and education to have an insightful discussion on how municipal golf facilities can better serve and engagement with their local communities. 

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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 Payne from Buffalo Dunes Golf Course (KS). All three of these properties have undergone renovation projects overseen by their respective superintendents and are now amongst the most noteworthy municipal courses in the country. 

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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 Free Golf, and David Wagner, Board Member of the Highland Park Golf Foundation (OH). These panelists have relevant experience in planning and executing municipal golf renovation projects across the country, making for an interesting and valuable discussion. 

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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 Raby, Director of Golf for the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, and Daryl Crawford, General Manager of Papago Golf Course. The group discusses a number of issues related to navigating stakeholder relationships within municipal golf management structures, best practices in management and governance, and more.

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