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So far Jack has created 14 blog entries.

November 2025

061 – From Cattle Stations to Toro: Bradley Taylor’s Greenkeeping Rise

2026-04-29T18:30:46+00:00November 10th, 2025|Golf Badgers|

Sam and Bledge sit down with newly crowned Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Bradley Taylor to unpack a whirlwind few years: Australia’s outback, a Belfry apprenticeship, tournament stints from Celtic Manor to Yas Links, and a move to Beau Desert Golf Club. They dig into a tough winter of disease and snow, the sand-heavy recovery, the switch to creeping bent, and the power of transparent comms with members. Plus the small matter of axe throwing and archery at the finals. Latest Products [...]

060 – From Valderrama to Blackwell: Ben Lovett’s Greenkeeping Adventure

2026-04-29T18:30:47+00:00November 10th, 2025|Golf Badgers|

Bledge and Ben sit down in the boardroom at Blackwell GC to unpack a life in turf— from junior days at Trevose and Valderrama to East Lake, Troon North, Australia, Spain and the Turkish Airlines Open. Ben lifts the lid on Blackwell’s quirks: port and brandy in the clubhouse, the legendary 12th “snake” bunker, and a downhill par‑3 on 13 that inspired Bobby Jones. We get into widening fairways to ~15 hectares, clever tee moves that flip hole angles, drought realities with limited irrigation, and a thoughtful tree plan with Frank Pont and co. It’s proper strategic parkland [...]

October 2025

Christmas Party 2025

2026-02-09T12:04:30+00:00October 29th, 2025|Events|

Join us this festive season for the Cookie Jar Golf Christmas Party at Skratch Golf in Birmingham. On Thursday 11th December, from 6:30 to 8:30, we’ll take over the bays (and bar) for an evening of golf, booze, and our annual festive chinwag. Afterwards, we’ll move on to a few bars nearby for more action, if you're brave enough. It’s a relaxed way to wrap up the year - some friendly competition and great conversation, all rolled into one evening. No cost, just good vibes. Please RSVP below and share with the other golf nuts in [...]

Golf Architecture Graveyards

2025-10-30T09:52:02+00:00October 27th, 2025|Blog|

Golf has its fair share of ghost stories — some rooted in history, others in the landscape itself. From churchyard greens to fairways shaped by ancient battles, the game’s connection with the past runs deep. Simon Barrington and Sam Williams explore “Golf Architecture Graveyards” - a look at the most haunted holes in golf and the stories that continue to linger in the turf. Table of Contents 1 - BALLYBUNION OLD 405 YARDS - PAR 4 Architects: Jo McKenna, Lionel Hewson, Tom Simpson, Molly Gourlay, Tom Watson. [...]

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