National Links Trust Names Sinclair Eaddy, Jr First Executive Director
Washington, DC – The National Links Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established to promote and protect affordable, accessible and engaging golf course architecture at municipal courses throughout the United States, today announced it has named Sinclair Eaddy, Jr. as its first Executive Director.
Mr. Eaddy’s hiring follows the September signing of a 50-year lease with the National Park Service under which National Links Trust (NLT) assumed responsibility for a comprehensive multi-year, multimillion-dollar renovation of the three public golf courses in Washington, DC: East Potomac, Langston and Rock Creek. Mr. Eaddy will manage the plans, programs and partnerships for this project, and have lead responsibility for financial performance, fundraising, marketing, partnerships, and community engagement. He will serve on and report to NLT’s Board of Directors.
Sinclair Eaddy, Jr. is a former President and Executive Director of the First Tee of Greater Baltimore, a not-for-profit created by the PGA Tour and the World Golf Foundation to promote life skills and educational opportunities for young people. Under Eaddy’s leadership, the Baltimore chapter received The First Tee’s highest award for excellence for 4 consecutive years. Eaddy was also Regional Director of Up2Us Sports, a non-profit that trains sports coaches to serve as mentors and role models to youth living in some of America’s most underserved communities. Eaddy has also had a successful career in the private sector at Legg Mason Global Asset Management and Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.
Eaddy serves on the boards of the Maryland State Golf Association and the Middle Atlantic Golf Association, where he has led the expansion of junior golf initiatives including Youth on Course. He is currently a Director of the Western Golf Association, home of the renowned Evans Scholars Foundation, a United States Golf Association (USGA) committee member and a volunteer rules official at the regional and national level.
Will Smith, co-founder of NLT, commented: “After a rigorous search process that attracted interest from across the country, we are pleased to announce Sinclair Eaddy as our Executive Director. His personal values, professional and volunteer experiences, and enthusiastic support for NLT’s mission will help us achieve a renaissance in DC public golf while making sure these facilities enhance the lives of the community, golfers and non-golfers alike.”
Mr. Eaddy added: “I am honored to have been named Executive Director for National Links Trust. This role aligns with my passion for making the recreational and social benefits of golf available to an ever wider audience by making it affordable and accessible to all. I am also eager to begin working with community leaders and NLT partners on projects that will benefit not just the communities surrounding these parklands but the city of Washington as a whole.”
About the National Links Trust
The National Links Trust is a 501(c)(3) organization formed to promote and protect affordability, accessibility and engaging golf course architecture at municipal golf courses throughout the USA. NLT has signed a 50-year lease with the National Park Service to improve the golf courses and enhance the facilities at three historic properties in our nation’s capital: East Potomac, Langston, and Rock Creek. Founded by Michael McCartin and Will Smith, both experienced golf course designers and Washington, DC natives, the Trust is funded by private donors and governed and supported by a team of business and civic leaders from the DC area and beyond.
