August 2025

055 – From North Wales to Deal: Ben Williams’ Linksland Journey

2025-08-26T11:04:16+00:00August 26th, 2025|Golf Badgers, Podcasts|

Bledge and Ben Williams sit down to trace Ben’s path from a golf‑mad childhood in North Wales to course manager at Royal Cinque Ports—via ultra‑exclusive Double Eagle in Ohio, an overseed bootcamp at Sea Pines, and a love affair with New South Wales GC. They dig into mentorship, the FTMI programme, and why a touch of spring granular on the fairways can be a links lifesaver. Expect talk of dunes, dogs, and doing the little things right. Latest Products

054 – Alistair Beggs – Practical Greenkeeping and the Art of Sustainable Golf

2025-08-15T12:35:41+00:00August 15th, 2025|Golf Badgers, Podcasts|

Sam and Bledge sit down with Alistair Beggs for a deep dive into a lifetime in golf course agronomy, from growing up at Hoylake to consulting on multiple Open Championships. They discuss the legendary Jim Arthur, the evolution of greenkeeping, tales from the driest Open in history, and why sustainable practices are shaping the future of the game. Latest Products

053 – Team Culture, Turf, and Tour Standards: Inside John McLoughlin’s Career

2025-08-07T09:36:10+00:00August 7th, 2025|Golf Badgers, Podcasts|

Sam and Bledge sit down with John McLoughlin to trace his 30-year career in golf, from Gleneagles to Royal Melbourne, and onto leading Wallasey’s greenkeeping team. They dive deep into tour-level course setups, team culture, and the management philosophies that have transformed clubs into championship venues. Latest Products

July 2025

049 – Solo Greenkeeping at Durness with Ali Morrison

2025-07-03T10:37:51+00:00July 3rd, 2025|Golf Badgers, Podcasts|

Sam and Bledge sit down with Ali Morrison, head greenkeeper of Durness Golf Club, to uncover what it takes to run one of the most remote and dramatic golf courses in the UK. From sheep grazing on fairways to the possibility of Coore & Crenshaw dropping by, they explore the quirks, history, and breathtaking beauty of this nine-hole wonder on the edge of the Highlands. Latest Products

June 2025

048 – Architectural Match Play – Royal St. Georges vs Royal Cinque Ports – pt2

2025-06-26T08:48:37+00:00June 26th, 2025|Golf Badgers, Podcasts|

Sam and Bledge sit down for the second half of their course-by-course duel between Royal Cinque Ports (Deal) and Royal St. George’s (Sandwich), resuming at the 7th hole with the match all square. With tales of seawall tees, mega green complexes, and historic anecdotes, they bring their usual blend of architectural insight and pub-style golf chat to the back nine. Below are two youtube links for the two courses: https://youtu.be/C3tAaJ6fkQ0?si=VdwHJAm9RRW7IJyy https://youtu.be/BLs-mQ3MpB8?si=KvSt6GSqn8NWwV9X Latest Products

047 – Architectural Match Play – Royal St. Georges vs Royal Cinque Ports – pt1

2025-06-26T08:47:39+00:00June 26th, 2025|Golf Badgers, Podcasts|

Sam and Bledge sit down in the sweltering heat of Badger HQ to debate two of their favourite links courses—Royal St. George’s (Sandwich) and Royal Cinque Ports (Deal). From punchbowl greens to first-tee nightmares, they go head-to-head hole by hole in a playful yet passionate playoff steeped in nostalgia, course architecture, and plenty of sneezes. Latest Products

046 – McDonnell & Cooper w/ Joe McDonnell

2025-06-26T08:46:18+00:00June 26th, 2025|Golf Badgers, Podcasts|

Joe McDonnell joins Sam & Bledge to discuss the formation of McDonnell & Cooper, a new golf course architecture firm with our very own Sam Cooper. The formation of this company was part of the excuse of the 6 month break, so sit back and listen to their thoughts on the next generation of golf course architecture Latest Products

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