LINKS Golf Podcast
The LINKS Golf Podcast is hosted by Al Lunsford and George Peper, both passionate golfers and members of the LINKS staff. The podcast discusses a wide range of topics pertaining to golf travel, course reviews, interviews with leaders of the game, and more.
You can subscribe to the LINKS Golf Podcast in iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. We also want to hear from you about topic suggestions, thoughts on episodes, and ideas for interviews. Reach out to us on social media at Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram! Additionally, you can send us an email at letters@linksmagazine.com.
Episode 56 – A First-Timer’s Guide to Bandon Dunes
It’s all things Bandon Dunes in the final episode of Season 5 of the LINKS Golf Podcast. LINKS contributor Erik Matuszewski joins Digital Editor Al Lunsford to break down Erik’s first-ever trip to Bandon, which aligned with the June 1 opening of the resort’s newest course, Sheep Ranch.
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Episode 55 – Golf Course Architect Mike DeVries
On this episode of the LINKS Golf Podcast, Digital Editor Al Lunsford is joined by internationally acclaimed golf architect Mike DeVries, who is featured in the Summer 2020 issue of LINKS Magazine. DeVries talks about growing up in Michigan and working at Alister MacKenzie’s Crystal Downs, his crown jewel at Cape Wickham in Australia (ranked 21st in Golf Digest’s World Top 100), lessons learned from Tom Doak, and his “boots-on-the-ground” approach to course design.
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Episode 54 – 10 Ways the Pandemic Has Improved the Game
LINKS Editor George Peper gives a sneak preview of his column in the Summer 2020 issue of LINKS Magazine where he opines on 10 things that the global pandemic has made better about the game.
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Episode 53 – Eric Sedransk (aka @member4aday)
On this episode of the LINKS Golf Podcast, Digital Editor Al Lunsford sits down with Eric Sedransk (aka @member4aday on Instagram), the man who led a three-week individual effort to auction off rounds at some of the world’s greatest golf courses with all proceeds going towards meals for frontline medical workers in New York City. Sedransk talks about how the idea got started, the clubs that agreed to join on, the feeling of raising $100,000 in charitable contributions, and ideas for the future. Later, Al asks Eric about his favorite personal golf course experiences.
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Episode 52
LINKS Editor George Peper is back on the podcast to tackle the age-old debate: Who is the greatest golfer of all-time? George and Digital Editor Al Lunsford run through George’s “Goat Herding” piece from the Winter issue of LINKS Magazine in which he established a criteria to give a definitive answer when comparing golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. George also talks about his interactions with each player from over the years.
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Episode 51
LINKS Insider contributor and native Canadian Adam Stanley joins Digital Editor Al Lunsford on this episode of the LINKS Golf Podcast to detail the best golf destinations around the Great White North. Adam gives tips on what things any traveler needs to know when considering a golf trip to Canada. The hosts speak to some of the country’s underrated areas that should be on every golfer’s travel wish list, including Ontario, Calgary, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia—home to the highly regarded courses of Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs.
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Episode 50
LINKS Digital Editor Al Lunsford caught up with legendary World Golf Hall of Famer Gary Player on this episode of the LINKS Golf Podcast. The Black Knight fills us in on what he’s been up to during quarantine, the importance of fitness, and his thoughts on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Later, Player goes into detail on some of the answers from his “My Courses” interview in the Winter 2020 issue of LINKS Magazine and talks about how his golf course design philosophy has evolved over the years.
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Episode 49
Class is in session on this episode of the LINKS Golf Podcast. LINKS Senior Editor Jim Frank rejoins Digital Editor Al Lunsford on the show to discuss his “Template Holes” piece from the Spring 2020 issue of LINKS Magazine. Jim breaks down the details of the most iconic hole designs, like the Redan, the Biarritz, and the Punchbowl. The pair also elaborate on why these holes serve as great examples of great golf course architecture, and what architecture is supposed to do—create challenge with alternatives and test golfers of all abilities.
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Episode 48
Erik Matuszewski joins Digital Editor Al Lunsford on the LINKS Golf Podcast to talk about the various efforts, initiatives, and ideas that have been spawned in the golf world amid the Coronavirus pandemic. The pair go in-depth on ClubsHELP, a now-national 501(c)7 foundation that started to connect golf clubs with their local hospitals to provide much-needed supplies for health workers on the front lines. Later in the show, they talk about the current restrictions in place on golf courses that may become part of the norm and reveal the first golf destination they’re looking forward to traveling to.
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Episode 47
In this episode of the LINKS Golf Podcast, Digital Editor Al Lunsford is joined by LINKS contributor and first-time guest David DeSmith. The pair run down David’s list of golf-related activities as part of his recent column for LINKS, “An At-Home Survival Guide for Golfers,” and Al takes a turn at his own ideas inspired by the piece.
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Episode 46
In this episode of the LINKS Golf Podcast, LINKS Editor George Peper details the moments that stick out in his mind among the 35 Masters tournaments he’s attended. Digital Editor Al Lunsford talks to George about the creative process behind his interview with the Sarazen Bridge in the Spring 2020 issue, and George reveals his favorite and least favorite holes at Augusta National. The duo also discuss the recent shakeup in the 2020 major championship schedule on the PGA Tour.
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Episode 45
The LINKS Golf Podcast is back with its first episode of Season 5. Digital Editor Al Lunsford is joined by recurring guest and LINKS Insider contributor Ryan Asselta to discuss Ryan’s second installment of his “Dream Nine” series. Al and Ryan take turns listing the nine holes they would include on their “Dream Nine” layouts made entirely of par fours from around the world.
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Episode 44
Inspired by Senior Editor Jim Frank’s “Consummate Cabo” piece in the Winter 2020 issue of LINKS Magazine, Digital Editor Al Lunsford brings Jim on to discuss golf on the Baja Peninsula in the Season 4 finale of the LINKS Golf Podcast. Jim gives perspective on what makes Cabo a “slam-dunk, bucket-list destination,” why there has been so much golf and resort development of late, and what any prospective traveler to the area needs to know. Jim also walks us through the courses he was able to visit during a week-long trip where he played five rounds in six days.
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Episode 43
LINKS Editor George Peper joins Digital Editor Al Lunsford to discuss what it has been like to introduce golf to his son and watch him grow up with the game. George shares some of his fondest father/son memories and alludes to the various life lessons that any golfer can apply to other areas of their life. Later in the episode, Al gives the opposite perspective from a son’s point of view in an interview with his father, Greg, and the two mull over their favorite golf travel experiences together.
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Episode 42
At the 2020 PGA Merchandise Show, LINKS Digital Editor Al Lunsford caught up with Gordon Dalgleish (below, left), one of the founding directors of PerryGolf—a leading provider of international golf tours and cruises to dozens of the world’s most memorable destinations. Gordon reveals how PerryGolf came to be, how the business works, the different tours available to golf parties, and his favorite places to travel.
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Episode 41
LINKS Digital Editor Al Lunsford recounts his recent trip to the Hawaiian island of Maui where he played more than 100 holes of golf in six days. Al is joined by LINKS Insider contributor Erik Matuszewski who also enjoyed a trip to Maui to play the rejuvenated Plantation Course at Kapalua. Later in the episode, Al interviews Kaanapali Director of Golf Sutee Nitakorn.
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Episode 40
LINKS Editor George Peper and Digital Editor Al Lunsford expound upon the legacy that legendary golf course architect Pete Dye leaves after passing away at the age of 94. George offers some of his personal memories with Pete and Alice Dye and the hosts discuss the great impact Pete has created in the game of golf.
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Episode 39
Digital Editor Al Lunsford is joined by LINKS Insider contributor Ryan Asselta (Sports Illustrated, GOLF.com) on this week’s episode of the LINKS Golf Podcast to discuss Ryan’s recent “Dream Nine” piece featured digitally in the LINKS newsletter. Al and Ryan take turns listing the nine holes they would include on their “Dream Nine” layouts made entirely of par threes from around the world.
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Episode 38
In this episode of the LINKS Golf Podcast, Senior Editor Jim Frank once again joins Digital Editor Al Lunsford to talk about his extensive golf travel over the years. Jim offers recommendations as to where the well-traveled golfer should consider making their next international journey, including Vietnam, Thailand, Wales, and New Zealand. Later in the show, Jim provides answers for the podcast’s recurring “My Courses” segment.
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Episode 37
LINKS Senior Editor Jim Frank joins the LINKS Golf Podcast in this episode to detail his recent round-trip exploring several of the newest renovation projects around the U.S. Jim and Digital Editor Al Lunsford discuss the idea of building new courses versus modernizing existing ones, and outline the different reasons that courses undergo renovations.
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Episode 36
In this episode of the LINKS Golf Podcast, LINKS Editor George Peper reviews his list of 100 things every golfer should try to do before they hang up their sticks, which he recently reexamined and updated. George and Digital Editor Al Lunsford talk about some of their favorite items on the list and reveal what pieces to the puzzle George has remaining.
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Episode 35
In this episode of the LINKS Golf Podcast, the hosts discuss some of the new features ahead on the 2020 LINKS Magazine editorial calendar. First, they introduce a series written by Planet Golf’s Darius Oliver on ranking the world’s golf nations outside of the United States. Later in the show, the hosts detail “My Courses,” a feature in which interviewees are given different categories and choose the courses that they feel fit best—meanwhile, LINKS Editor George Peper and Digital Editor Al Lunsford take turns sharing their answers.
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Episode 34
In this episode, George details and expands upon his published columns from the 2019 Fall Issue of LINKS Magazine. Al and George talk about Thousand Greens, a new social network expanding access to the world’s top 100 golf courses. George discusses his golf trip to Iceland and what he learned about the closest European neighbor to the United States.
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Episode 33
Season 4 begins with Al and George talking about their personal experiences at Casa de Campo. The hosts cover Teeth of the Dog, George’s honeymoon, and George’s encounter with course designers Pete and Alice Dye. Al sits down for two interviews recorded live in the Dominican Republic with Casa de Campo Director of Golf Operations Robert Birtel, as well as Tony and Kena Foreman who have played in the LINKS Invitational every year since its inception.
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Episode 32
The hosts round out the second half of the South Carolina road trip in this episode, resuming in Greenville and passing through Columbia on the way back to Beaufort in the state’s Lowcountry region. This leg presented a different flavor of experiences than the first, such as racing high-performance sports cars to passing through an armed security gate en route to the trip’s final round of golf.
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Episode 31
In this episode, the hosts dive into what makes Aiken Golf Club such a special place in golf. From the course’s fascinating history and strong ties to Donald Ross to its laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere, Aiken shines in every way while boasting one of the most fun and interesting courses we’ve ever played.
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Episode 30
In this episode, the hosts begin their road trip through the back roads of South Carolina, seeking out the best golf, food, and sights along the way. This leg of the trip takes them through the rolling, sandy hills in the middle part of the state near Aiken to the mountains just north of Greenville.
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Episode 29
In this episode, the hosts examine the ways to get around once you’re at your destination during an overseas golf trip. The hosts weigh the pros and cons of a variety of options from bus travel to train transport to help you pick the option that will fit your trip best.
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Episode 28
The hosts go through a wide variety of golf trip mistakes (many of which they have made themselves) and how to avoid them when planning your next golf trip. From mistakes made while planning to those made while on the trip itself, this episode has you covered to make your next trip as painless as possible.
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Episode 27
In this episode, the hosts discuss Graylyn’s recent trip to the Australian Sandbelt. They go in depth on the strength of the courses in the area, the nuts and bolts of how to get there, and why Graylyn believes it’s one of the world’s most underrated golf destinations.
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Episode 26
In this episode, the hosts divulge their favorite underrated golf destinations from around the world. They go into detail about why they believe each destination deserves more praise and encourage listeners to consider incorporating the areas into their next golf trip.
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Episode 25
In this episode, the hosts discuss a recent golf trip that Graylyn took to London. The hosts go into detail about how to travel to each course, the shocking accessibility of the top-tier clubs in the area, and why this underrated golf destination should be on every golfer’s list.
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Episode 24
Ian and Graylyn discuss central Oregon and the city of Bend, which is surrounded by stellar golf in an unforgettable landscape. Destinations such as Tetherow, Sunriver, Pronghorn, and Black Butte are on the table, plus more from one of the west coast’s great underrated golf areas.
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Episode 23
The hosts discuss Graylyn’s recent trip to the UK where he split a week between golf in Scotland and a wedding in England. Playing the St Andrews New Course, St Andrews Jubilee Course, Muirfield, Crail (Balcomie), and Elie, Graylyn explains how he managed to see many courses in a short period of time in one of his favorite places on earth.
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Episode 22
The hosts discuss Graylyn’s recent trip to England where he played in an event that tracks the footsteps of Walter Hagen. The story goes that Hagen played 54 holes in one day across Prince’s Golf Club, Royal Cinque Ports, and Royal St. George’s—three courses that almost touch one another on England’s southeast coast.
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Episode 21
In this episode the hosts sit down with Nick Edmund. Nick is a golfer and four-time cancer survivor who has used the game to raise awareness about his plight and that of millions more.
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Episode 20
Hosts Graylyn and Ian discuss the news that Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is adding a new course to its lineup. The duo got a sneak peek of the course from a distance on their last trip to Oregon and in this episode they describe the details of the project.
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Episode 19
In this episode, Ian talks with PGA Tour Agent and expert golf traveler Michael Wolf about his “golden ticket” to Augusta National during the Masters, his underrated golf travel destinations, how to plan an overseas golf trip, the impact of social media on golf, and more.
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Episode 18
The hosts address the anonymous golf questions you were embarrassed to ask your friends or club professional. Ian and Graylyn touch on topics that range from packing to the rules of golf and how to deal with a bad caddie on the course.
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Episode 17
In this episode, the hosts enjoy the high end of Myrtle Beach golf. Over a three-day golf trip Ian and Graylyn play some of the best golf courses in the area, stay in a premium hotel, and enjoy stellar food, all for significantly less money than many other golf trips.
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Episode 16
Ian and Graylyn recently traveled to Bandon Dunes and recorded this episode while on the road. In part 1 they discuss flights, planning, the best time of year to visit, where they played, and a breakdown of the courses. They also choose their favorite and split 10 rounds among the four main courses at the resort.
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Episode 15
The hosts discuss Hilton Head Island where LINKS Magazine has been based for over 30 years. Ian and Graylyn talk about the golf options on the island, where to stay, where to find the best deals, and where to eat and drink.
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Episode 14
In this episode Ian and Graylyn interview LINKS Editor George Peper about his experience living full time in St. Andrews, Scotland. George shares stories from his time in the town and compares thoughts with Graylyn, who lived in St. Andrews for four years as a student.
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Episode 13
In this episode, Ian sits down with Secession Golf Club’s legendary head professional Mike Harmon. They discuss the “Old Pro’s” 30+ year tenure at Secession, his extensive golf travels to the UK and the rest of the world, his affinity for links golf, and the few courses he has yet to play.
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Episode 12
The hosts noticed a trend over the last few years. Golfers are embarrassed or scared to ask basic questions on social media for fear of ridicule. Prior to this episode they asked for reader questions via email and direct message to answer anonymously on this podcast.
