Guests of the Pod
208 – David Bonsall
From our time up in St Andrews for the Walker Cup, Sam & Bruce sit down with David Bonsall to talk about his work in the game, from university golf, to working on the R&A rules committee and bringing in a modernised version of the rules back in 2019. in addition to an impressive legal and finance career, David has dedicated a number of years to helping the game of golf in administrative capacity and was also the referee responsible for the 17 minute long episode on the range at Royal Birkdale back in 2017, when Jordan Spieth went on to win the Claret Jug. Latest Products
CJG x Sounder Golf Retro Extravaganza: West Byfleet Golf Club
People from all over the country descended on West Byfleet Golf Club on the 19th October for our second Retro Event. Everyone playing took things seriously, carefully curating their sets with persimmon, blades, wands and clubs of special meaning. West Byfleet is a wonderful course for such an event, playable and relatively generous off the tee, but with all the intricacy to ensure players wishing to be in the prizes needed all the shots. Huge congratulations to ex Touring Pro Josh White for his 67 and winning the gross, as well as nearest the pin leaving it inside an inch. Bernie Scotland won the nett, despite his son Zane playing with 'his irons' in the event! Thanks again to West Byfleet and Sounder Golf for helping make this event possible, as well as everyones generosity for providing clubs to Entebbe Golf Club in Uganda to help support the growth of [...]
Top Hat Tens
Tom Simpson used to say the best holes were the ones that caused the tiger (scratch man) pain and the rabbit (bogey golfer) pleasure. I play my golf at Portmarnock Golf Club (PGC) in Dublin and when I play alone, I often start on the 10th, my favourite hole on the course. Royal St. George’s (RSG) 10th hole has often been my starting hole in matches at RSG. Walking up the 10th at RSG I remember admiring the magnificence of the green with my opponent Dr. Alistair Wells (uncle of Nicola - 5* podcast guest) which falls off mostly on all sides, with some reprieve on the right. The green is hard to hit - cold and blustery conditions are the staple accompaniments of holes like this and make the hitting of the green a celebration. Both holes are an allegory for links golf really - freedom is achieved when [...]
Portstewart Golf Club and a Dance with Dunes
“I think the golf course is amazing. It’s probably one of the most beautiful golf courses I’ve ever seen, if not the most.” – Jon Rahm I’ve often heard that Portstewart Golf Club is a ‘hidden gem’. Yet having had the privilege to play at this magnificent golf course twice this year, there is absolutely nothing ‘hidden’ about it. Sam’s feeling that it was miles away from Portrush may be a common misconception, however in reality it is a mere 10 minute drive up the road. Indeed, it’s one vertex of the colloquially known ‘Triangle’ – made up of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine. For us, the journey to Portstewart Golf Club was a quick hop across the county border from Portrush into County Londonderry, an area replete with holiday homes and hugely popular with visitors, surfers and golfers throughout the year. The arrival at Portstewart is nothing short of breath-taking. [...]
207 – Course Diaries: Portstewart
On a recent visit to Northern Ireland, Sam, Tom & Charlie dropped by Portstewart. Often known as something as a 'hidden gem', the club now sits firmly in the itinerary for the travelling golfer only 10 minutes from Royal Portrush. Regarded as having the possibly the most dramatic opening nine in golf, Portstewart is a club with a lot of history, 3 courses and has played host to The Irish Open in 2017 when a cleanly shaven Jon Rahm won. For more on Portstewart head over to our website for a recent blog article. Shoutout to our official unofficial sponsor of todays episode: EasyJet for their antics at the departure gate! Latest Products
Premium Inclusive: The Family Experience at Sunningdale Heath
Since 2018, when Wentworth professionals Kristian Baker and Tom Reid had a bright idea to revitalise and transform this charming plot of land adjacent to Sunningdale Golf Club, I have often heard about its remarkable inclusivity and warm atmosphere. Such an image, for many, might seem surprising considering its proximity to its revered and distinguished neighbour. Yet, originally formed in 1902 as Sunningdale Ladies Golf Club, this Harry Colt design has been providing golf in a shorter format for over a century. A couple of weeks ago, I spent some time up at Sunningdale Heath for the very first time, and took with me my mum, Elaine, who’s relatively new to the game. Playing off a handicap of 23, I was really interested to find out more about what Sunningdale Heath can offer to the golfer that is looking to improve and sharpen their game. There is no doubting that [...]
