Episodes

  • 195: Aiken Golf Course owner Jim McNair tells all

    195: Aiken Golf Course owner Jim McNair tells all
    Apr 26 2025
    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.
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    56 mins
  • 194: Talking Gamble Sands and the upcoming Scarecrow course

    194: Talking Gamble Sands and the upcoming Scarecrow course
    Mar 17 2025
    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.
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • 193: Afriyea Golf Academy CEO Isaiah Mwesige inspires worldwide from Uganda

    193: Afriyea Golf Academy CEO Isaiah Mwesige inspires worldwide from Uganda
    Dec 26 2024
    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.
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • 192: Talking GolfGetaways Super Summer Recap!

    192: Talking GolfGetaways Super Summer Recap!
    Oct 10 2024
    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.
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    58 mins
  • 191: Mike Strantz, Tot Hill and more stories with Robbie Wooten

    191: Mike Strantz, Tot Hill and more stories with Robbie Wooten
    Jul 13 2024
    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.
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • 190: Talking Tucson with Trip Planner Joe Sas

    190: Talking Tucson with Trip Planner Joe Sas
    Jul 1 2024
    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.
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • 189: Eric Hart: From Travel Editor to Director of Golf

    189: Eric Hart: From Travel Editor to Director of Golf
    Jun 17 2024
    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.
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • 188: Talking St. George and Beyond with the Original ‘Essential Destinations’ Team

    188: Talking St. George and Beyond with the Original ‘Essential Destinations’ Team
    May 3 2024
    Mitch Laurance, Darin Bunch, Vic Williams and Brian Oar (golf photographer extraordinaire - drink) reunite for the first time in 10 years to visit one of the true under-the-radar golf destinations in the United States — St. George, Utah (with a stop in Mesquite, Nevada along the way). From the brand-new megaresort at Black Desert to the 27 holes (and amazing condo) at Sand Hollow to the David McLay Kidd-reimagined Entrada to the video-game-fever of Wolf Creek, this foursome of longtime friends (along with an appearance from producer extraordinaire Kris McEwen) discuss the ins and outs of creating a high-desert buddies trip in one of the most picturesque inland settings you’ll find anywhere.
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    1 hr and 44 mins