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December 2024

043 – First Green with Jenny Bledge. PLUS Badger Merch is live!

2025-06-03T17:02:42+00:00December 6th, 2024|Golf Badgers, Podcasts|

This episode is particularly important. We heard in the previous episode (042 with Scott Reeves) how one of the biggest issues faced in the greenkeeping industry is recruitment. Well, fortunately Bledge's much better half Jenny Bledge is out there working on a solution. First Green is a wonderful initiative that BIGGA has brought over the Atlantic from the GCSAA. It's all about introducing golf, and particularly careers in this part of the golf industry, to school kids of different ages. It might not help recruitment today, but it could make an enormous difference for tomorrow. Additionally, after literal [...]

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November 2024

277 – Nigel Edwards

2024-12-10T06:43:31+00:00November 19th, 2024|Golf History, Players, Podcasts|

After a chance encounter at The Curtis Cup, Tom sits down with Nigel to discuss his career as one of the most decorated amateurs in British golf. Nigel isn't just one of the most successful Duncan Putter winners in the history of Southerndown, he’s also: Represented GB&I in 4 Walker Cups (01, 03, 05 & 07) Holed the winning putt at Ganton in 2003 Captained GB&I in the Walker Cup in 2011, 2013, and was reappointed captain at Lytham in 2015 Represented Wales in seven European Team Amateur Championships Played for GB&I in 3 St Andrews Trophies and [...]

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275 – Coul Links

2024-11-19T18:13:00+00:00November 19th, 2024|Behind the Scenes, Golf Course Architecture, Podcasts|

 Sam & Tom get together with Chris Haspell & Gordon Sutherland on the eve of the hearing that is taking place this week.The ongoing planning and permissions for this exciting Bill Coore design has been the subject of a lot of coverage over the last 7 years, and the passionate locals who have taken on the mantle - ‘Communities for Coul’ - have led it to this point. It’s a fascinating insight into the sustainability considerations that go hand in hand with any new development, as well as what this development would mean for the local residents of Sutherland.   [...]

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042 – Making BIGGA better? – Scott Reeves

2025-06-03T17:05:02+00:00November 14th, 2024|Golf Badgers, Podcasts|

Welcome back Badgers, This week we’ve been joined by Scott Reeves, Head of Membership for BIGGA. We try and get to the bottom of what problems the Greenkeeping Industry is facing in Britain - but more importantly, Scott wants to know what you think. Whether you’re a BIGGA member or not, please do follow the link above and fill out the survey. Thanks for listening, Sam & Bledge Latest Products

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October 2024

041 – Part 2 – What’s Been Happening At Birkdale? – Sean McClean

2025-06-03T17:06:07+00:00October 29th, 2024|Golf Badgers, Podcasts|

Last week we heard from Royal Birkdale's Course Manager Sean McClean. This week he's back to talk in some detail over the course changes that many of us watched develop over social media. It was an extraordinary amount of work, especially for a course hosting the world's oldest Major Championship in 2026. This year, Sean and his indefatigable team and back at it - completing Phase 2 of an ambitious project. We hope you enjoy the second half of this conversation and, as ever, please do share with anyone else who might too. [...]

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269 – Course Diaries: Knighton

2024-10-16T19:42:02+00:00October 16th, 2024|Course Diaries, Podcasts|

A few announcements on the website and merch front, as well as a recap of our afternoon at Sunningdale Heath. We also get into Knighton Golf Club. Based over on the Welsh border in Powys and dating back to 1906, the club has only 70 members and runs a straightforward honesty box for its visitors. Square greens and a motto, "Far & Sure," might be where the similarities with Chicago Golf Club start and end, but this little community-run club deserves for anyone to stop by and see it for themselves. Latest Products [...]

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040 – What’s Been Happening At Birkdale? Part 1 of 2 with Sean McClean

2025-06-03T17:07:40+00:00October 16th, 2024|Golf Badgers, Podcasts|

Guest from episode 6 of this podcast (December 2022!) joins us again to discuss first his preparation for Royal Birkdale's Open Championship in 2026, but also the extraordinary suite of changes to the famous links last winter and next. I also give a shameless plug for Volume 1 of my Links from the Road series. It's been a labour of love (and sometimes despair) over the past couple of years, but today is publication day. Fortunately a lot of talented people have been working on the series, and I have them all to thank. If you like this [...]

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268 – Course Diaries: St. Anne’s Old Links

2024-10-16T12:13:59+00:00October 16th, 2024|Course Diaries, Podcasts|

Founded in 1901, St Anne's Old Links - or 'Old Links' as it was known in the early days and still is by the locals, is a George Lowe / Sandy Herd links gem on the Fylde Coast, a stones throw from Royal Lytham & St Anne's. The course used to be occupied by the club that would become 'Royal Lytham' and has a fascinating history of its own! Latest Products

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267 – 10 Seconds of Hang-Time

2024-10-05T20:47:21+00:00October 5th, 2024|Golf Course Architecture, Podcasts, Tom's favourites, Tour Takes|

Sam and Tom are live from The Fairmont Hotel in St Andrews, catching up on a busy few weeks on the road, including some of the country’s lesser-known amateur foursomes events, the Presidents Cup, and the upcoming Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Don’t miss the special segment at the end, where Tom shares what’s required to achieve 10 seconds of hang-time! Latest Products

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