Episode 88 - Can Golf Stay Affordable? The Story Behind National Links Trust

Episode 88 - Can Golf Stay Affordable? The Story Behind National Links Trust

In this episode of Golf & Politics, we dive deep into one of the most important—and overlooked—stories in the game today. We sit down with Will Smith, co-founder of the National Links Trust, to explore the intersection of golf, history, and power in Washington, DC. From restoring historic municipal courses to preserving access for everyday golfers, this conversation goes far beyond fairways and greens. We cover: * The mission to keep golf affordable and accessible * The untold civil rights history of DC’s municipal courses * How golf became a rare space where politics doesn’t matter * The rise of the Outpost Club and modern golf culture * The growing tension between public golf and elite development * What happens when politics enters the game This episode isn’t just about golf—it’s about community, opportunity, and who the game is really for. If you care about the future of golf, you need to hear this. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Episode 86: A Brutally Honest Talk About 2026

In this episode of Golf & Politics, Matt and Rob sit down with Sean O’Brien — former congressional chief of staff, Obama campaign operative, Pentagon speechwriter, and former speechwriter for Joe Biden. Sean shares what it was really like working in Rahm Emanuel’s office during the 2006 wave, running a rebellious Blue Dog-style congressional operation, writing speeches aboard Air Force Two, and serving at the Pentagon under both Democratic and Republican administrations. The conversation digs into: * Whether 2026 is shaping up to be a wave year * The strength (and limits) of Donald Trump’s influence in GOP primaries * Candidate quality vs. national mood in midterms * Redistricting, the Latino vote, and the hidden battlegrounds * Early 2028 Democratic possibilities, including Mark Kelly and Mitch Landrieu It’s candid, and it’s a rare behind-the-scenes look at how campaigns and power actually work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Episode 85 – Anthony Kim’s INSANE Comeback + Presidents Who Loved Golf

This week, we start with one of the wildest comeback stories in modern sports. Anthony Kim — after disappearing for a decade, battling addiction, injury, and mental health — shoots 63 in Australia and beats Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. For a guy who didn’t even own clubs for 10 years, it was electric. Not just a golf story — a life story. We also break down: * Scottie Scheffler’s absurd consistency and why he’s not flashy… just relentless. * Pebble Beach looking incredible — and the bigger question of whether modern equipment is making historic courses obsolete. * LIV drawing 115,000 fans in Australia and what that means for the future of pro golf. * And whether the PGA Championship is quietly losing relevance. Then we pivot to presidential golf history. From Woodrow Wilson playing 1,000 rounds, to Eisenhower practically living at Augusta National… to JFK’s talent, LBJ using golf to pass legislation, Nixon quitting for optics, Clinton rebuilding the White House putting green, Obama’s smack talk, and Trump’s serious game. Golf has always been a great tool fr connecting with others. If you love the game beyond just the leaderboard, this one’s for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Episode 84 – Finding the Fairway in a Divided America

In this episode of Golf and Politics, we sit down with Cori Kramer, longtime Washington insider and President of Center Forward, to talk about something increasingly rare in American politics: building trust across divides. Cori shares her journey from Capitol Hill staffer to leading one of DC’s most influential bipartisan organizations, where she’s spent the last 15 years convening lawmakers, chiefs of staff, and policy leaders from both parties—often off the record and far from the cameras. Why? Because governing without trust doesn’t work. We dig into: * How primary elections, fundraising, and social media are warping incentives in Congress * What Center Forward’s voter behavior study reveals about compromise, values, and civil discourse * Why most Americans actually live in the center—but don’t show up for primaries * How personal relationships (and yes, golf) can break down political walls * The real human cost of politics, friendship, and showing up for people during life’s hardest moments Plus, Kori opens up about her path to DC, mentors who shaped her career, lessons on leadership and listening, and even her growing connection to the game of golf—including a Ryder Cup experience and a young golfer in the family. This is a thoughtful, honest conversation about politics as a process, not just an outcome—and why disagreement doesn’t have to mean division. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Episode 83 – The Biggest Mistakes Political Candidates Are Making Right Now

What does golf teach us about winning elections? In this episode of Golf & Politics, we play nine holes at Split Rail Golf Club outside Fort Worth with Drew Ryan, founder of Campaign Sidekick, to break down what actually wins campaigns: discipline, ground game, calculated risk, and authenticity. As the Texas wind kicks up, Drew shares lessons from building Campaign Sidekick from scratch, working on high-profile races like Ron DeSantis (2018) and Brian Kemp, and why most candidates still misunderstand voter contact. We cover: * Why the ground game still decides elections * The biggest mistakes candidates are making right now * How Trump reshaped the GOP — and what comes next * Entrepreneurship, faith, and taking smart risks * Advice for young people who want a career in politics Plus: clutch putts, tough lies, and a momentum-changing eagle. If you care about campaign strategy, conservative politics, entrepreneurship, or golf, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]