Guests of the Pod
The Story of Kington: The spotlight that never aired…
Sam & Tom made the trip back to Kington Golf Club, 12 months after being completely fogged off, to visit one of the highest 18-hole courses in England. While Kington might sit alongside other hilltop courses, there is a genuine and lasting sense of quality throughout — both in its setting and in the way the golf asks questions of you. The course was originally laid out by Major Cecil Key Hutchison, part of a broader Golden Age cohort that will feature in another video in the coming weeks, with later revisions attributed to the great James Braid. The result is a course that feels natural, thoughtful, and remarkably resilient to time and fashion. Tom arrived with the intention of filming an 18-hole course vlog (a Spotlight), but plans quickly began to unravel as we crested the hill at the 1st tee and were met by a strong, swirling breeze. [...]
354 – Jean van de Velde
Sam talks to Jean van de Velde about his career in the game, which began as a six-year-old in Mont-de-Marsan, in the Pyrenees in south-west France. Growing up in the era of persimmon drivers and balata balls, Jean turned professional in 1987 and went on to compete at the highest level of the game for several decades. He is perhaps best known for his performance at the 1999 Open Championship at Carnoustie, where he slept on a five-shot lead going into the final round. Jean has also been involved in the administration of the game and was instrumental in bringing The Ryder Cup to France in 2018. A huge thank you to Jean for his time on the podcast. His reputation as one of the game’s great characters — and as a wonderfully honest, funny, and brilliant storyteller — remains fully intact after this epic episode. [...]
353 – Kington Course Diaries
Sam & Tom sit down to discuss their recent trip to Kington in Herefordshire. The highest course in England, Kington offers spectacular views and great architecture from C. K. Hutchison. We talk tangential historic tidbits and the style and playability of the course. Latest Products
068 – Mowers, Mayhem & Milestones: Part Two with Lee Strutt
Bledge and Lee sit down for a nostalgic dive into turf machinery—from ancient Matadors to modern marvels like the Baroness Core Collector. The pair reflect on machines that made them sweat, laugh, and sometimes swear, all while sharing tales from storied clubs and wet winter days. Latest Products
How Tom Doak Designed Old Petty: The New Course at Cabot Highlands
Filmed over three years, this documentary follows the creation of Old Petty, the new Tom Doak course at Cabot Highlands. We go back to the earliest discussions around routing, the breaking of ground, the construction process, the provenance of the site, the architecture and subtle differences with Castle Stuart, and the grow-in of this much-anticipated addition to one of Scotland’s most exciting golfing destinations. Old Petty will not only enhance the Cabot Highlands experience but also strengthen the wider region, attracting golfers for longer stays and contributing to the local economy. A huge thanks to the outstanding team at Cabot Highlands, who have been custodians of this land since long before the Cabot involvement and whose vision and stewardship have shaped this remarkable project. https://youtu.be/2dK3HXMarSc
067 – Jim Croxton on BTME, BIGGA’s Big Year, and Why Greenkeeping Needs a Bigger Voice
Bledge and Jim sit down to talk all things BIGGA—from Jim Croxton’s journey through the PGA and into 14+ years as CEO, to what’s changed behind the scenes over the last 18 months. They dig into membership growth (and the honest “warts and all” survey), how BTME continue to learn keep evolving, why some of the most valuable sessions aren’t always the ones that sell out first, and how a first-timer at Harrogate can get “hooked” for life. Latest Products
