Golf Sustainability | Environmental Solutions to Keep the Game of Golf Sustainable for Future Golfers
John Failla
32 episodes
2 months ago
On a mission to drive positive change in the golf industry for a greener future!
We focus on advancing the sustainability of both the environment and the game of golf for generations to come through valuable insights, meaningful connections, and inspiring stories.
Join us as we bring together industry leaders and organizations, such as Greg Nathan, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Golf Foundation (NGF), Graeme Beatt, the Course Manager at Royal Portrush Golf Course in Ireland, and Dave Barton, the executive director of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf, united by a shared commitment to the cause.
Tune in to be part of the movement!
All content for Golf Sustainability | Environmental Solutions to Keep the Game of Golf Sustainable for Future Golfers is the property of John Failla and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
On a mission to drive positive change in the golf industry for a greener future!
We focus on advancing the sustainability of both the environment and the game of golf for generations to come through valuable insights, meaningful connections, and inspiring stories.
Join us as we bring together industry leaders and organizations, such as Greg Nathan, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Golf Foundation (NGF), Graeme Beatt, the Course Manager at Royal Portrush Golf Course in Ireland, and Dave Barton, the executive director of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf, united by a shared commitment to the cause.
Tune in to be part of the movement!
How Neglected Public Courses Could Shape the Future of Golf
Golf Sustainability | Environmental Solutions to Keep the Game of Golf Sustainable for Future Golfers
38 minutes 44 seconds
9 months ago
How Neglected Public Courses Could Shape the Future of Golf
Most people don’t think twice about the public golf courses in their city—until they start disappearing. Across the country, historic municipal courses have been neglected for decades, leaving behind a patchwork of underfunded, undermaintained spaces that struggle to serve their communities. But there’s a shift happening, and it’s reshaping the future of the game.
Will Smith, co-founder of the National Links Trust, has been at the center of that shift. He and his team took on the ambitious task of restoring three historic municipal courses in Washington, D.C., securing a 50-year lease and enlisting some of the best architects in the game. These aren’t just renovations; they’re a rethinking of what public golf can be. With a focus on accessibility, sustainability, and financial viability, the work being done is proving that municipal courses don’t have to be stuck in a cycle of decline.
The way forward for public golf isn’t just about fixing tee boxes and bunkers—it’s about creating spaces that truly serve their communities. The changes happening in D.C. offer a roadmap for how cities everywhere can reclaim their public courses and make the game more welcoming for generations to come.
Topics covered:
The neglected state of municipal golf and why it matters [00:50]
The National Links Trust and the fight to restore public courses [03:00]
Rethinking what a municipal golf course can be [08:10]
The business model behind municipal golf’s comeback [11:10]
The future of public golf and what’s at stake [16:30]
How municipal golf courses can secure funding for long-term success [20:00]
The national movement to restore and protect municipal golf courses [28:10]
Final thoughts: The lasting impact of municipal golf restoration [36:00]
Resources & People Mentioned
National Links Trust – Revitalizing historic municipal golf courses.
Troon – Management partner bringing sustainability to public golf.
Gil Hanse & Tom Doak – World-class architects restoring D.C.’s muni courses. Doak’s site.
Connect with Will Smith
Connect with Will Smith on LinkedIn
Connect With Golf Sustainability
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram
X (Twitter)
Email
Subscribe to Golf Sustainability
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Note: Timestamps provided are approximate.
Thank you for listening to the Golf Sustainability podcast. If you found this episode interesting, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! For more insights and updates on sustainable energy solutions, visit our website and follow us on social media.
Audio, Video, and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK
Golf Sustainability | Environmental Solutions to Keep the Game of Golf Sustainable for Future Golfers
On a mission to drive positive change in the golf industry for a greener future!
We focus on advancing the sustainability of both the environment and the game of golf for generations to come through valuable insights, meaningful connections, and inspiring stories.
Join us as we bring together industry leaders and organizations, such as Greg Nathan, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Golf Foundation (NGF), Graeme Beatt, the Course Manager at Royal Portrush Golf Course in Ireland, and Dave Barton, the executive director of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf, united by a shared commitment to the cause.
Tune in to be part of the movement!
