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 [...]

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282 – James Braid – Part 2: The Architect w/ Simon Barrington

2025-01-20T13:57:30+00:00December 23rd, 2024|Golf Course Architecture, Golf History, Podcasts, Sam's favourites|

In Pt II of our series exploring the life of James Braid, we look at his contributions as a Golf Course Architect. With over 500 courses shaped in some way by Braid, his legacy on the British Golfing landscape is undeniable, and while the likes of Simpson, McKenzie or Colt are often lauded above Braid, his approach to building thought provoking designs which were strategic in nature is something worthy of more celebration. Huge thanks go to Simon Barrington, an independent researcher of historical architecture, for his hard work in helping us bring this episode to life, and [...]

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281 – James Braid – Part 1: ‘The Player’ w/ Simon Barrington

2025-01-20T13:57:08+00:00December 23rd, 2024|Golf Course Architecture, Golf History, Podcasts, Sam's favourites|

Pt I of our exciting new series, exploring the life of James Braid. James Braid was part of the great triumvirate which also included Harry Vardon & JH Taylor. In his career he would go on to win 5 Open Championships. Growing up in Earlsferry, before emigrating south of the border, Simon Barrington brings to life his playing career in vivid detail. Huge thanks go to Simon Barrington, an independent researcher of historical architecture, for his hard work in helping us bring this episode to life, and we look forward to releasing part two about the courses which [...]

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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 [...]

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279 – 2024 Eclectic 18

2024-12-10T06:48:21+00:00December 10th, 2024|Golf Course Architecture, Podcasts, Tom's favourites|

Sam & Tom chat through the courses they have visited this year, and look at their composite Eclectic 18 scorecards in a straight up matchplay format. Who has made the best selection, you'll have to listen to the end to find out! Latest Products

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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 [...]

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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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