NATIONAL LINKS TRUST SYMPOSIUM ON MUNICIPAL GOLF

From November 8-10, National Links Trust (NLT) will be bringing together people from across the country to discuss the future of municipal golf. Participants will come away with a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing municipal golf and the impact they have on local communities. Participants include Seth Waugh, Suzy Whaley, Beau Welling, Erik Mitchell, Michael Low, Erik Anders Lang, Aubrey McCormick and so many more. Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America, will deliver a keynote address on Tuesday, November 9th from 5:30PM – 6:15PM.

Symposium Pillars: Experts in the field will participate in panel discussions covering important topics that are crucial to long term success of municipal golf:

• Architecture – How investing in quality restorations featuring engaging architecture can revive help courses, attract more players and increase course revenues.
  • Monday, November 8th:
    3:00PM-4:30PM Join Tom Doak, Beau Welling & Jay Blasi at the InterContinental | The Wharf for a panel discussion and Q & A session on “Architecture in Golf” moderated by Andy Johnson (The Fried Egg)
• Growing the Game – How municipal courses are successfully increasing rounds and bringing new golfers into the game.
  • Tuesday, November 9th:
    9:00AM -10:15AM Panel Speakers: Brent Schneider, First Tee Richmond, Erick Mitchell, Ivy Planning Group, Michael Lowe, Youth on Course moderated by Glenn Gray, Buffalo Group
    o Tuesday, November 9th:
    12:00PM -1:00PM “Women in Golf” Panel discussion between Suzy Whaley, PGA of America and Renee Powell, Clearview Golf Club and moderated by Abby Liebenthal, USGA
• Sustainability – How municipal course mangers are working to improve the sustainability of their operations
  • Tuesday, November 9th
    10:30 AM -11:45 AM Panel Speakers: Parker Anderson, Greener Golf, Pam Smith, Director of Agronomy, Denver, CO, Aubrey McCormick, Black Sheep Design, Michael

Lee, GCSAA, Moderated by Dave Aznavorian, USGA and Coordinated by Andrew Szunyog, Driving The Green

• Community Impact – How municipal courses deliver positive benefits to surrounding communities.
  • Tuesday, November 9th:
    1:15PM – 2:30PM Panel Speakers: David Gang, Perfect Sense & Bright Spot Adam Reny, First Tee of Toledo, OH, Azucena Maldonado, The Latina Golfers
    Association. Moderated by Ashleigh McLaughlin, Youth on Course, Daniel Shoy, East Lake Foundation, Gerry Barousse, Bayou District Foundation. Coordinated by Tari Cash,
    City Swing
  • Tuesday, November 9th:
    4:15 PM -5:15PM Community Partnership Roundtable
• Alternative Programming – How municipal courses have used non-traditional golf experiences and other programs to enhance and broaden use of their facility.
• Tuesday, November 9th:
  2:45PM – 4:00PM Panel Speakers: Alex Van Alen, Fling Golf, Alison Pleva – Topgolf, Kris Strauss – Troon Golf, Matt Hughes – City of Hobbs New Mexico, Sandy Reid – St. Andrews Links, Scott Dawley – SpeedGolf USA. Coordinated by Josh Heptig, Golf Superintendent, County of San Luis Obispo

At the Symposium, the National Links Trust also plans to announce the winners of the inaugural NLT awards. These awards will be given to courses or programs that have shown innovative thinking and success in the pillar categories. Winners would likely be muni facilities or municipalities themselves but could also be organizations that engage the community or grow the game through their involvement at a municipal course. NLT will also be giving out a “Lifetime Achievement” award.

Symposium on Municipal Golf November 8-10
Washington, DC Intercontinental Hotel, The Wharf
Media interested in attending either in person or virtually need to email media@nationalinkstrust.com for final schedule and access.