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So far sam has created 462 blog entries.

January 2025

Afternoon Tee at Formby Ladies – 22nd August 2025

2025-10-29T15:35:28+00:00January 30th, 2025|Events|

Our day at Formby Ladies was everything we hoped for and more. The course, a 5,300-yard heathland gem, was in brilliant condition. Fast greens, firm fairways, and that unmistakable Formby charm around every corner. We kicked things off in the newly refurbished clubhouse with a proper afternoon tea, which set the tone perfectly for a relaxed and friendly day out. Out on the course, there was plenty of good golf, a few heroic escapes from the heather, and a lot of laughs along the way. A reminder of exactly why Formby Ladies is one of our absolute favourites. Welcoming, [...]

Autumn Meeting at Little Aston – 24th September 2025

2025-10-29T15:38:49+00:00January 30th, 2025|Events|

Our visit to Little Aston was one for the books. The Colt/Vardon layout was in superb condition and served up just the right balance of challenge and charm. After the morning round, we settled into the clubhouse for a proper jacket-and-tie lunch. The food was spot on, the conversation even better, and the atmosphere exactly what you’d hope for from a classic golf club. The day wrapped up with our much-anticipated putting knockout on Little Aston’s famous green. It was competitive, hilarious, and surprisingly tense at times. A huge thanks to everyone who joined us. Great golf, great company, and [...]

Afternoon at Sunningdale Heath – 3rd October 2025

2025-10-29T15:28:13+00:00January 30th, 2025|Events|

Sunningdale Heath may be a par 58, but don’t be fooled – it’s a real long iron test and far from easy despite the yardage. Designed by Harry Colt, this charming course offers a quick round, typically wrapped up in just 2.5 hours, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the best bacon roll in the game and a bit of cornhole afterwards. The event was so much fun last year, we had to do it again. All this for just £50 – a perfect afternoon. For a taste of what’s in store, check out our last year’s event here. [...]

December 2024

283 – James Braid – Part 3: The Professional w/ Philip Truett

2025-01-20T13:57:35+00:00December 26th, 2024|Golf Course Architecture, Golf History, Podcasts|

In this third and final instalment of podcasts about the life of James Braid, we finish up at Walton Heath talking about his life as the club's professional, a position he held for nearly 50 years. Braid took up the role in 1904 when the club was only just starting off, and continued in post until his death in 1950. We couldn't think of anyone better than Philip Truett to help us bring this season to a close; A lifelong member of Walton Heath and one of the most passionate historians in the game, Philip has spent countless [...]

280 – Lottie Woad

2024-12-10T06:49:57+00:00December 10th, 2024|Bruce's favourites, Golf Course Architecture, Players, Podcasts|

This week, Bruce and his better half—‘Cookie Jar Lady Captain’—Grace, found some time to catch up with Lottie Woad to talk about her truly stellar year in the game, with her win at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA), ascension to the top of the Women’s Amateur Golf Rankings, and, of course, being part of the GB&I side's victory in The Curtis Cup at Sunningdale. Lottie’s career has been one of the great stories of 2024, and it was great to have her on the pod to talk us through it all! Latest [...]

278 – Bobby’s Open: The 1926 Open Championship with Dr Steven Reid

2024-12-10T06:53:56+00:00December 10th, 2024|Golf History, Player Profiles, Players, Podcasts, Sam's favourites|

Sam & Tom sit down in the members' bar at Royal Lytham & St Anne's Golf Club to meet with Dr Steven Reid, lifelong member at Lytham and author of Bobby's Open, charting the tale of how Bobby Jones came to win his first Claret Jug. He would go on to defend it successfully in 1927, as well as winning at Royal Liverpool in 1930 on his way to completing the 'impregnable quadrilateral'. Steven's book - foreworded by Jack Nicklaus - is a captivating read and brings to life in viivd detail the struggles Jones went through, not [...]

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 [...]

Secret Diary of a Club GM: vol. III – Course Closures

2024-12-06T11:56:44+00:00December 5th, 2024|Blog, Diaries of a GM|

He's at it again. Our mystery General Manager has found some time to tap out some musings on a sensitive topic... Course Closures! Winter Golf: Course Closed? Table of Contents Winter Golf: Course Closed? Ah, winter golf in the U.K. The days are shorter, the temperatures are lower, and the courses? Well, let’s just say they’ve entered “hibernation mode.” For the avid golfer, it’s like being handed a box of Ultras at Christmas when you asked for Pro V 1’s. Disappointing. But before you toss your clubs into the [...]

November 2024

The Berrie Portrait, words by Dr Steven Reid

2024-12-10T06:54:50+00:00November 29th, 2024|Blog, Golf History, Uncategorized|

Dr Steven Reid is a lifelong member of Royal Lytham & St Anne's Golf Club, an author and historian with more than a slight interest in the life of Bobby Jones. After our podcast discussing the 1926 Open Championship (brilliantly chronicled in his book; 'Bobby's Open', talk turned to the famous Berrie portrait which was commissioned by Wallasey member and ex-captain Sir Ernest Royden, and painted by John A.A.Berrie. In this excellent article, Steven takes us closer to how a portrait from 1930 came to become the most iconic image of Bobby Jones and one that we all [...]

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