LinksDAO Launches Community Token to Elevate Crypto Golf Club
LinksDAO is set to introduce its very own community token, creating a highly tradable asset that will complement its nearly 10,000 membership non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This innovative crypto golf club is on a mission to fulfill its ambitious mantra: “We’re gonna buy a golf course.” While NFTs may not be as trendy as they were in early 2022, when LinksDAO successfully sold its membership tokens for a staggering $10 million, the enthusiasm surrounding the market has undeniably shifted.
The NFT market has seen a dramatic decline, with CryptoSlam’s NFT Index plummeting nearly 97% since its inception in January 2022. This stark drop highlights how market interest has moved away from NFTs, with memecoins now capturing crypto enthusiasts’ short attention spans—evident even with the launch of a memecoin associated with former President Trump. Now, LinksDAO is poised to enter this arena with its new token, LINKS.
During a community call late Tuesday, LinksDAO founder Mike Dudas emphasized the significance of this new coin: “We are going to be launching a community token that has deep culture, that’s embedded in the game of golf, that’s embedded in the community, and that’s permissible under the regulations that we have to deal with.” The token is anticipated to launch in the coming months on the Base blockchain, with a third of its supply designated for LinksDAO NFT holders. Smaller allocations will also be made available to members of other prominent NFT communities, including Pudgy Penguins and Bored Ape Yacht Club.
In the ever-evolving crypto landscape, the success of any coin often hinges on its viability as a financial instrument, despite assurances from its promoters—right up to the President of the United States—that it is not speculative nor an investment. In this case, LinksDAO’s leadership is positioning LINKS as a community “enhancer.” Their aim is to broaden the reach of a crypto club that has managed to navigate the bear market, not solely due to the enduring allure of NFTs but more so because of the growing popularity of golf itself.
Cooper Sherwin, the head of community and co-founder, stated, “The goal is to have every single golfer have LINKS in their crypto wallet.” In a notable development, LinksDAO acquired a golf club in Scotland in mid-2023 and recently signed an agreement to become a partial owner of a second course in Kansas City. This deal is currently under consideration and will require a vote from LinksDAO’s NFT-holding members, as explained by Sherwin.
Hillcrest Golf Course, an 18-hole course designed by renowned architect Donald Ross in 1915, has a storied past. Ross once dubbed it the finest course in the world, but over the decades, the course fell into disrepair, presenting a unique opportunity for LinksDAO. The current owner, Robb Heineman—a Kansas City businessman and owner of the city’s Major League Soccer team—had closed the course for several years in pursuit of a $30 million renovation project. Heineman expressed in a press release that LinksDAO “shares our forward-thinking vision for what a golf club can be.”
Under this agreement, LinksDAO will become a minority owner of Hillcrest and secure a seat on the board. However, specific financial details of the deal remain undisclosed. It’s important to note that while LinksDAO members can vote on proposals, they do not hold full legal power over all project decisions. Approximately 200 members attended the dual announcement of the course acquisition and the token launch on Tuesday night, highlighting that LinksDAO is more of an affinity club for those at the intersection of crypto and golf rather than a fully decentralized autonomous organization.
As LinksDAO moves forward with its national membership program at Hillcrest, it will be exclusively accessible to holders of its NFTs, further intertwining the realms of golf and cryptocurrency.
