McKellar Golf Podcast #143 The National Links Trust Shambles

This week Geoff Shackelford and Lawrence Donegan discuss the US government's efforts to take control of muni golf in Washington DC and wonder aloud - doesn't it have more important more important things to do?Also, the Golf Games gets a tentative 'thumbs up".#NOTEUse MCKELLAR40 to get 40% off at the McKellar magazine store.Mckellarmagazine.com/shop

Our hosts Shackelford and Donegan look back at a thrilling 2025 Australian Open week at Royal Melbourne - the course, the crowds, the winner, Rory's appearance - what was there not to love? Nothing much, according to these days. They also decode Tiger's comments on the coming changes to the PGA Tour.

The 2025 Australian Open has started at Royal Melbourne. Shackelford and Donegan discuss Rory McIlroy's participation in the event and his remarks about the quality of the course itself -is it really all it's cracked up to be? The hosts also discuss PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp's impressive appearance at CNBC's business forum, Justin Thomas's comments on the USA Ryder Cup loss at Bethpage, and the surge in the numbers of great young European pros (in contrast to what's happening in the US).

Delayed by technical issues but finally Geoff Shackelford and and Lawrence Donegan sit down and look back at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage - the golf course, the captains, the players and the crowd.

On the eve of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage, Shackelford and Donegan are joined by the Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post to discuss golf's biggest team event.

In this week's show, Shackelford and Donegan discuss a wide range of topics, including the increasing in average driver distance on the PGA Tour, failed pros dominating on the mid-Am circuit, preparations for the Ryder Cup and what Augusta National GC might be up to with the its new deal for Masters coverage with Amazon Prime.

There is only one show in town this week. Shackelford and Donegan look back on an incredible weekend at Cypress Point, where the US beat GB&I to retain the Walker Cup. It's a long one, clocking in at 114 minutes. But also a good one.

After a two-month hiatus, Geoff Shackelford and Lawrence Donegan return with a look at the forthcoming Walker Cup at Cypress Point Club and Ryder Cup at the end of the month. They reflect on the surprising (and wonderful) extent to which elite players, both amateur and professional, place so much store on these team events.

This week Geoff Shackelford and Lawrence Donegan take at explaining the apparent comeback by the PGA Tour - terrific TV ratings,and the continuing descent of LIV into golfing irrelevance - and conclude it's all down to the Rory bounce. There also a look ahead to this week's event at Philadelphia Cricket Club , the weird DPWT event just announced at Trump International in Scotland. Who is paying for that? Not Donald, we bet. Finally, Donegan has a rant about the British government's disgraceful behaviour in trying to force the R&A to stage the 2028 Open at Turnberry in order to stay in Trump's good books.

Packed show this week. Shackelford and Donegan look ahead to the first women's major of the year and look back on Justin Thomas' victory at Harbour Town. They briefly touch on McIlroy's return to Belfast and nominate the Daily Mail's coverage of his personal life for an award for being the world's worst journalism. All this and more!