Talking GolfGetaways: Your Golf Getaways Podcast

This episode of Talking GolfGetaways features one of the most respected voices in sports, ESPN's Michael Eaves, who not only anchors the Sportscaster desk but who has become the guiding figure for ESPN's coverage of both The Masters and the PGA Championship. In a fascinating half-hour discussion, Michael joins hosts Mitch Laurance, Darin Bunch and Kris McEwen to recap his recent Masters coverage, from pre-tournament intro shows to post-round player interviews. He then details an experience most golfers will never have, winning the media lottery and not only being able to play Augusta National, but hitting the first tee shot on the Monday morning following Hideki Matsuyama's win at The Masters the day before. It's an emotional story, one that brings in Michael's own journey in golf, as well as his father's place in that journey and in that dream-like day at Augusta National. Michael also touches on his experience of being a part of the re-opening of the historic Augusta municipal course The Patch, detailing the importance of a course that for decades served as a home for black golfers and for the caddies of Augusta National, now a new home for public golf in Augusta, with design work by Tom Fazio and Tiger Woods, and with the support of Augusta National and the City of Aiken.Finally, Michael gets us ready for the next major, The PGA Championship, to be held at historic Aronimink Golf Club outside of Philadelphia, where he will again guide us all through another exciting major week for the game we love. 

We love us some David McLay Kidd — both the man and the golf courses he and his design company build. On this episode of Talking GolfGetaways, DMK stops by to discuss the lofty honors (including Best New Public Golf Course from Golf Digest) for his new Scarecrow at Gamble Sands Resort in Washington as we take another deep dive into the mind of a strategic magician, hitting on his other upcoming projects as well plus having a wee bit of fun with Mitch’s fescue fetish. Enjoy the conversation. 

Anyone who’s listened to Talking GolfGetaways over the years knows that Scotland is Mitch Laurance’s soul home. Not only for its connections to the game and its history, but for its welcoming, kind and wonderful people who are so willing to share Scotland’s gifts. On this special episode of Talking GolfGetaways, co-hosts Mitch Laurance and Darin Bunch and Producer Kris McEwen are joined by Scotsman Greg McCrae, who has spent all but his first 5 years living and working on the Isle of Arran, is responsible for sharing the joys of golf and community with a rapidly growing social media base, and who, along with others talked about on the pod, helped guide Mitch on his most recent and first-time trip of discovery to the west of Scotland and to the Isle of Arran and down Kintyre. A week of memorable days that every golf traveler would relish when visiting Scotland.Read the full blog post about the episode here.Here you’ll find a list of terrific people and content who find Arran as wonderful as Mitch did. Please use it to explore more about Jim Hartsell, Greg McCrae, Robbie Wilson,Troon, Kimarnock Barassie, Arran and Dunaverty, and to plan what will hopefully be your next Scotland GolfGetaway.On Instagram:https://instagram.com/JimHartsell: @JimHartsellhttps://instagram.com/GregMcCrae: @GregMcCraehttps://instagram.com/linksrobbie: @linksrobbiehttps://instagram.com/barassie_kbgc: @barassie_kbgchttps://instagram.com/pierslandhotel: @pierslandhotelhttps://instagram.com/GolfArran: @GolfArranhttps://instagram.com/VisitArran: @VisitArranhttps://instagram.com/ArranIceCream: @ArranIceCreamhttps://instagram.com/thedouglashotel: @thedouglashotelhttps://instagram.com/corriegolfclub: @corriegolfclubhttps://instagram.com/shiskinegolfclub: @shiskinegolfclubhttps://instagram.com/DunavertyGolfClub1889: @DunavertyGolfClub1889On YouTube:Destination Golf / Kilmarnock Barassie David Addison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpbVhNisGgY&pp=ygUmRGVzdGluYXRpb24gR29sZiAvIEtpbG1hcm5vY2sgQmFyYXNzaWU%3DBogeyTrain.Films Arran (95 Holes with Greg and host Pete McLachan): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhneeawokmYNo Laying Up Films (Shiskine with Tron, Jim, Robbie and Greg): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cibyi3JEjoE&pp=ygUVU2hpc2tpbmUgbm8gbGF5aW5nIHVwThe Average Golfer “Ferry Golf” Shiskine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL2_PrW0Lfs&pp=ygUsVGhlIEF2ZXJhZ2UgR29sZmVyIOKAnEZlcnJ5IEdvbGbigJ0gU2hpc2tpbmU%3DOn Spotify:The Waggle Golf Journal Podcast wi Host AJ MacVie: https://open.spotify.com/show/2fuL96C5cxmewIW0hMgqjt

A short drive from Augusta, GA is the quaint, beautiful town of Aiken, SC, known for its iconic horse businesses of breeding, training, and showing. It's also home to one of the truly great, historic golf courses in the Southeast, Aiken Golf Course, which in the past couple of years has gone from "Hidden Gem" to "Must Play" for anyone who loves the game., One week after playing, and being enthralled once again by, AGC, Mitch (and Darin and Kris) are joined by AGC owner Jim McNair, Jr., who, along with his father Jim, Sr. before him, have shepherded this affordable, welcoming, and challenging municipal course for 65+ years, and are finally getting the recognition for a lifetime of passion and service to the golf community they so richly deserve. Jim shares the history of his beloved golf course, which dates back to 1912, as well as his father's involvement which began in 1959. He discusses the various challenges and iterations of AGC, leading up to the late '90s and his decision to completely "reawaken" the course, a journey that continues with Jim at the helm on a daily basis. He also shares his involvement with the First Tee and USC Aiken in designing a short-course and pracitce facility wonder, the Chalk Mine 9, a legacy project that serves not only First Tee kids and the USC Aiken golf team, but the AIken community as well.

Mitch Laurance, Darin Bunch, Kris McEwen and podcast friend Joe Sas talk about planning return trips to Gamble Sands, the skyrocketing Pacific Northwest golf destination where David McLay Kidd’s new Scarecrow course opens Aug. 1.

The final Talking GolfGetaways podcast of 2024 is a most inspirational one, as Mitch, Darin and Kris connect with Isaiah Mwesige, CEO of the Afriyea Golf Academy in Uganda. It's a wonderful hour spent with someone who's life story is one of turning a heartbreaking beginning into a passionate, dedicated life of service, spreading the joy and lessons of golf to thousands of children and their parents across Uganda and beyond. Isaiah also talks about a new and exciting endeavor, Visit Uganda Golf & Safari, that will offer golfers an ultimate GolfGetaway to "The Pearl of Africa." Truly an unforgettable podcast. 

Darin, Mitch and Kris hit all the hotspots — from the Pacific Northwest (Gamble Sands, Chambers Bay, Bandon Dunes and more) to a Michigan buddies trip plus a very cool experience in Pinehurst with two future stars of the game — in this hourlong Summer Recap episode of Talking GolfGetaways that covers courses, food, friendship and all kinds of fun.

On this episode of Talking GolfGetaways, Mitch, Darin and Kris talk with Robbie Wooten, golf and destination marketer extraordinaire, about his relationship with Mike Strantz, with incredible stories about the architect and his courses, including Tobacco Road and Tot Hill.

Looking for a value option for your next buddy trip? “Talking GolfGetaways” discusses Tucson, Arizona as a place to save a few bucks and find some great golf and gambling when the weather turns warm each year. Plus: An update on Grass Clippings night golf in Scottsdale; an unbelievable golf house in Flagstaff; and an unforgettable trip to Black Jack’s Crossing on the Texas-Mexico border. 

Longtime GolfTripExperts team member (and prolific list-maker) Eric Hart joins “Talking GolfGetaways” to discuss his latest project — transitioning from the golf-content world to running Wild Marsh Golf Club in Minnesota. Eric, Mitch, Darin and Kris discuss the rewards and challenges of golf operations in this episode with a unique “behind the scenes” insight into what it takes to create and sustain a successful, affordable golf experience.