Washington, DC, April 27, 2023 – The National Links Trust (NLT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to positively impacting local communities across the United States by protecting and promoting accessible, affordable, and engaging municipal golf courses, today announced it has named Damian Cosby, PGA as its new Executive Director. Cosby will provide top level management for the organization with specific focuses on operations, fundraising, and strategic planning. He will report to NLT’s Board of Directors.
Cosby comes to NLT with more than two decades of experience in the golf industry, as well as Class A PGA Professional membership. Most recently, he served as the Director of Golf Operations for Cleveland Metroparks where he oversaw the system’s eight golf courses including Manakiki Golf Course, a Donald Ross design, and Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, a Stanley Thompson design. Prior to this, he served as Chief of Golf Operations & Park Maintenance for Anne Arundel County in Maryland where he was instrumental to the highly lauded, sustainability-focused renovation of The Preserve at Eisenhower Golf Course.
This hiring comes at a busy time for NLT as the organization continues to work towards the full-scale renovation projects at Rock Creek Park Golf, Langston Golf Course, and East Potomac Golf Links – coined “The Nation’s Capital Project”. The Rock Creek Park Golf portion of the project will be the first leg of this undertaking. Additionally, NLT is tackling numerous interim course improvement and community engagement projects, as well as leading national initiatives including the annual “Symposium on Municipal Golf”.
Will Smith, co-founder of NLT, commented: “From the minute we first discussed municipal golf with Damian, it was obvious we shared similar values and a vision for a sustainable, equitable future of the game. His track record in leading both day-to-day and long-term projects at municipal facilities is extremely valuable to NLT, and we are excited to welcome him aboard.”
Cosby added: “I am honored to lead NLT as we enter a pivotal time for the organization. I believe that municipal golf facilities can play a key role in positively impacting their local communities, and to have the opportunity to demonstrate that with NLT is an exciting opportunity.”
About National Links Trust
The National Links Trust is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to positively impacting local communities across the United States by protecting and promoting accessible, affordable, and engaging municipal golf courses. Under a 50-year lease with the National Park Service, NLT manages Washington, DC’s three historic, publicly-accessible golf properties – Rock Creek Park Golf, Langston Golf Course, and East Potomac Golf Links. They are currently working towards the rehabilitation of all three properties in partnership with three of golf’s most prominent architects: Gil Hanse, Beau Welling, and Tom Doak. In addition to this, NLT is committed to positively impacting the local Washington, DC community through initiatives like the Jack Vardaman Workforce Development Program. Nationally, NLT aims to be a leader in the municipal golf space by connecting key stakeholders and sharing best practices. Founded by Michael McCartin and Will Smith, both experienced in golf course design and Washington, DC natives, NLT is funded by private donors and governed and supported by a team of business and civic leaders from the DC area and beyond.
