Golf Badgers: Recent Episodes
Sam Cooper
Golf Badgers (ɡɒlf bæʤə) - noun: A group of golfers obsessed with the game. Does this sound like you? If so, you're in the right place.
Sam Cooper (Associate with Clayton, DeVries & Pont) and James Bledge (Course Manager @ Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake) invite some of their friends from across the architecture and green keeping industries to join them for a deep dive on all things golf.
Feasting on a gluttonous diet of golf course architecture, greenkeeping, agronomy and all of the topics usually too dull for polite conversation.
We hope you'll enjoy spending some time with us.
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Sam and Bledge sit down with newly crowned Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Bradley Taylor to unpack a whirlwind few years: Australia’s outback, a Belfry apprenticeship, tournament stints from Celtic Manor to Yas Links, and a move to Beau Desert Golf Club. They dig into a tough winter of disease and snow, the sand-heavy recovery, the switch to creeping bent, and the power of transparent comms with members. Plus the small matter of axe throwing and archery at the finals.
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Bledge and Ben sit down in the boardroom at Blackwell GC to unpack a life in turf— from junior days at Trevose and Valderrama to East Lake, Troon North, Australia, Spain and the Turkish Airlines Open. Ben lifts the lid on Blackwell’s quirks: port and brandy in the clubhouse, the legendary 12th “snake” bunker, and a downhill par‑3 on 13 that inspired Bobby Jones. We get into widening fairways to ~15 hectares, clever tee moves that flip hole angles, drought realities with limited irrigation, and a thoughtful tree plan with Frank Pont and co. It’s proper strategic parkland golf—firm, fast, fun.
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Bledge and Graeme sit down at Royal Portrush after a dawn ferry crossing to dig into Graeme’s journey from Scotscraig and Kingsbarns to course manager at one of the world’s great links. Covering fescue-first green conversions, managing anthracnose and dollar spot, reimagining bunkers, and the build-out ahead of Portrush’s Open where Scottie Scheffler lifted the Claret Jug.
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Sam and Bledge sit down to kick around what golf might look like in ten years’ time: fewer tired 18s, more brilliant 9s and 12s, and multi‑use hubs with sand‑capped, fescue‑forward turf that stays open when the rain never stops. Spurred by Alistair Beggs’ warning on chemicals and heavy soils, the lads pull apart a model that turns a failed 18 into a free‑draining nine plus a range, 3G football, padel, a Himalayas‑style putting green, nature trails and a buzzy food court—keeping green fees closer to £35 than £350 by letting the profitable bits subsidise the golf. Along the way: reversible routing, spreading wear, bunkers as a maintenance cost, and why Topgolf is a gateway—not the game.
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Sam and Bledge sit down with young Fletcher Bledge to talk growing up 200 yards from the 7th at Royal Liverpool, bagging two aces on the club’s pint-sized par-3, and why towering bunkers are the ultimate kid kryptonite. They dig into the mini-course with holes named Natterjack, Liverbird, Pineapple and Racing Horse, the Husqvarna robots that keep it buzzing, and the apprentice-led maintenance project that doubles as a training ground. LIV vs The Open gets a junior verdict (music on tee shots? pass), plus the case for screens-off golf, GS3 ball rolling, and a dream hole involving… bamboo and alligators.
https://youtu.be/2gqPnp1LeHs?si=ainjx86u4WGnHKMd
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James Bledge and Lee Strutt sit down on the banks of Loch Lomond to reflect on Struttie’s unique journey through golf course management—from grassroots beginnings to directing a world-class estate. They dig into leadership, trials, robots, and how to engineer not just a golf course, but a culture.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Sam and Bledge sit down to reflect on the growing extremes in UK weather and how this affects course maintenance and playability. From rainfall stats to reservoir builds and soil importation, it’s a deep dive into the future of sustainable golf course management.
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Sam and James sit down to chat about why golf courses aren’t just about perfect turf—they’re thriving ecosystems. Join them as they explore how managing gorse, trees, and ponds can support nesting birds, red squirrels, toads, and more, plus how modern agronomy balances playing quality with environmental stewardship.
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Sam and Bledge sit down and take listener questions, kicking off with a cracker about how to toughen up a golf course. From the science of rainfall to the sorcery of seaweed, it’s a deep dive into maintenance, architecture and a wee bit of punk rock nostalgia from Dumfries.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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Sam & Bledge sit down to reflect on their latest adventures at the Blackwell Foursomes and RNGC. They explore how golf course architecture — from bunkering to subtle design shifts — continues to evolve, challenging both everyday golfers and the game’s elite.
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Sam & James sit down to discuss their much anticipated return after their hiatus with some exciting news! Now part of the Cookie Jar Golf, the team will be helping with editing and publishing of episodes, while still keeping the same great insight and lo-fi jazz intro that listeners will be familiar with.
In this episode, Sam & James talk about what's been going on with them, the exciting news and of course the rdrought which has taken many courses to the edge this spring.
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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 years of people asking, I am delighted to report we now have Badger Merch!!
There's only a week or so to get orders in that'll definitely land before Christmas, so to help some impulsive stocking filling you can enter the code BADGER10 at checkout to get 10% off anything/everything.
I'll keep adding bits and pieces to the store over the weekend, so keep checking back!
Thanks again for listening and we'll be back with another episode soon,
Sam (and Bledge)
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Link to survey 👇👇👇
https://www.bigga.org.uk/news-listing/greenkeeper-survey-amazon-voucher.html
Welcome back Badgers,
This week we’ve been joined by Scott Reeves, Head of Membership for BIGGA. We try and get to the bottom of what problems the Greenkeeping Industry is facing in Britain - but more importantly, Scott wants to know what you think.
Whether you’re a BIGGA member or not, please do follow the link above and fill out the survey.
Thanks for listening,
Sam & Bledge
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Last week we heard from Royal Birkdale's Course Manager Sean McClean. This week he's back to talk in some detail over the course changes that many of us watched develop over social media.
It was an extraordinary amount of work, especially for a course hosting the world's oldest Major Championship in 2026. This year, Sean and his indefatigable team and back at it - completing Phase 2 of an ambitious project.
We hope you enjoy the second half of this conversation and, as ever, please do share with anyone else who might too.
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Guest from episode 6 of this podcast (December 2022!) joins us again to discuss first his preparation for Royal Birkdale's Open Championship in 2026, but also the extraordinary suite of changes to the famous links last winter and next.
I also give a shameless plug for Volume 1 of my Links from the Road series. It's been a labour of love (and sometimes despair) over the past couple of years, but today is publication day. Fortunately a lot of talented people have been working on the series, and I have them all to thank.
If you like this podcast, I think you'll like the series. You can get a Golf Badgers discount on ordering Volume 1 by following the link here: https://linksfromtheroad.com/discount/BADGER10?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fvolume-1Or else, linksfromtheroad.com and enter the code BADGER10 for 10% off Volume 1.
Thanks for listening!
Sam & Bledge
Our loyal Badgers, you might have wondered where the promised second half of Episode 36 ended up.
After a few weeks on the road, travelling up to the Arctic Circle in our camper van, I must admit to the grievous crime of forgetting to post it. Logging into the podcast dashboard, there it was - ready to entertain and educate our legions of Badgers.
So I can only apologise for the oversight. Even with the delay, I hope it doesn't reduce your enjoyment of Graeme's experience. It was so interesting to compare the set up of an Open Championship with a US Open, and Graeme was the perfect person to discuss the similarities and differences between the two events.
We happen to have another couple of podcasts in the chamber, so as an autumnal chill returns to the golf courses of Great Britain, we hope you'll all find some warmth in these upcoming conversations.
Thanks, as ever, for listening.
Sam & Bledge
I think most of you are aware that over the past 3 weeks I (Sam Cooper) have been on a trip in my campervan to the Arctic.
You'll remember the previous episode with Jerry Mulvihill about Lofoten Links, but perhaps you've also seen the YouTube Vlog series that Bledge and I discuss in the pod.
If not, you can find the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PKP4wyE1K8&list=PLm3MFP6NZX3DsZbWVhJE-WI1rZLv_ETL0
In the pod, Bledge and I also discuss the exciting Norvangr project I've been working on alongside Joe McDonnell, Will Eagar and James Day. It's a rather different style of architecture to the one I'm usually involved in, but I find it incredibly interesting. You should go and listen to the Cookie Jar Pod with Joe McDonnell on it - essential listening (after you've finished here, of course).
Cookie Jar podcast episode with Joe McDonnell.
Hopefully our Swedish interlude won't be permanent and Bledge and I can meet up again in the real world soon.
Thanks for listening,
Sam
Badgers,
It's been a little while since our last conversation, but I've been a bit preoccupied.
I think most of you will be aware that poor Producer Harriet has been persuaded to go on another adventure in our trusty campervan. This time, we've gone north.
About as far north as you can go really. It took almost 2 weeks but we finally drove from our home in Hoylake to the Arctic Circle, and then on to the famous course of Lofoten Links.
I've been doing daily vlogs on my YouTube Channel, so please subscribe here to catch up on the vlogs to date and to see the rest of the journey. We've still got a long way before we're back in Blighty!
But while up there I was delighted when Jerry Mulvihill, the course manager of Lofoten, agreed to sit down and record an episode of the podcast.
I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation about one of golf's most extraordinary places. Jerry is such a terrific bloke, so passionate about the course and his beautiful corner of the world. I think his passion comes through so clearly and hopefully it'll inspire you to put Lofoten on your golfing bucket list.
Thanks as ever for listening, sharing, subscribing to and supporting the podcast in every way you do.
We've got some good episodes lined up for when I'm back off the adventures so keep tuned in.
Speak soon!
Sam
We are delighted to welcome Graeme back to the podcast for the third time. We discuss the challenges he faces with the weather at Hayling Golf Club and the trade-off between meeting membership expectations and managing the golf course ecosystem.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we talk more about his experience on the voluntary support team for the US Open at Pinehurst.
As always, thanks for listening!
Sam and Bledge
Sam's video of Hayling Golf Club
Bledge and I do tend to agree on things. So much so one of you guys asked us to put it to the test.
In reality, we tend to bicker and disagree on many things. But both value an other perspective and share many of the same philosophies that underpin golf (and, indeed, life).
So Producer Harriet put us to the test. Here we discuss some of our favourite things. Some, in typical Golf Badger fashion, are inane and inconsequential. Our favourite Instagram accounts, beers, spike bars. Others are a bit more relevant to our listeners. What are our favourite holes and, crucially, what makes them special?
As ever, please do write in with questions to hello@golfbadgers.com. We will continue to answer them - whether they are technical and detailed or more aimed at the Greenkeeping for Dummies series which, incidentally, seems to have been shared by many a course manager to their greens committee. We hope the podcast title didn't cause any rifts...
Thanks all for continuing to tune in. We appreciate all of your support.
Sam (and Bledge)
Bledge and I started this podcast to whitter away about not much in particular, meet some interesting folk, and share the odd bit of insight into the greenkeeping and architecture that underpins British golf.
We are always so humbled by the number of you who tune in to the pod, and especially those who write in to ask questions or simply offer some feedback.
In typical Badger fashion, we blunder around trying to re-introduce one another, mainly for the benefit of some of our more recent listeners. While many of you work in the industry, we are always mindful a growing portion are 'normal' golfers (if such a thing exists!) with a growing interest in the subject. Perhaps you're a recent addition to your club's green committee, or just someone with insomnia looking for something to fall asleep to.
If either of these things is true of you, we hope this episode will be of particular interest. This is aimed squarely at those who want an intro into the subject matter. What is greenkeeping, really? How does it affect my golf course? Why can't we just cut the greens really short, and expect the greens to be perfect all year?
As ever, there's more to the subject than first meets the eye. We hope this will get you thinking and, if it does, please do write in to us at hello@golfbadgers.com to give us another topic to cover in a similar way.
Thanks again for listening, and please don't forget to share us with your friends (or, enemies).
S(&B)
A few weeks ago, Bledge and I were lucky enough to sit down with Jim Price of MJ Abbott.
Jim will be well known to anyone who has completed an irrigation project in recent years - and offers a great insight into the contractor's perspective. Things have undoubtedly changed in recent years, especially with more dramatic droughts and wet seasons. We talk about this, how Covid and Brexit have affected the landscape and his own career at MJ Abbott.
Welcome back, Badgers.
This week is the first of our new style of podcast.
Most importantly this week, Bledge pays tribute to friend to many in the greenkeeping industry in Bobby McDougall. A poignant reminder of how trivial many of the day to day things that occupy our minds actually are.
Bledge and I discuss the freakish weather that continues to plague the UK, before entering into the first of our question topics.
This week, Dominic Absolon asked us how each of us would approach a golf course - both from the point of view of an incoming course manager and of an architect. Obviously there's more to it than can possibly be covered in an hour, but we tried our best!
Please continue to send your questions, be they technical or general, to hello@golfbadgers.com - and don't forget to continue to share the podcast far and wide!
It's safe to say that Scoosh is one of the industry's characters. Known by many for his humour and individuality, he's also a fiercely loyal and talented member of the greenkeeping industry.
We hope you enjoy this (overdue) conversation with Scott as much as we enjoyed recording it.
After a few weeks of bringing you the insight of our wonderful guests, Sam and Bledge are back to chat away about this and that, and ask for your ideas on future episode ideas.
We also have a new email address! Please do get in touch with us: hello@golfbadgers.com
We can't wait to hear from you!
Scott and Graeme Roberts' really couldn't have been anything but greenkeepers.
The brothers' grew up 'on the tools' at Hankley Common Golf Club, where their father Gareth was Course Manager for almost thirty years.
Now, they are both Course Managers themselves. Scott is currently overseeing the multi million pound reconstruction of Basingstoke Golf Club's new golf course, while Graeme (a repeat guest of the pod) is now the Course Manager at Hayling Golf Club (a personal favourite of Sam's).
The brothers' joined Bledge for a deep dive on growing up in the industry and their respective roles leading courses of their own.
We hope you all enjoy.
Adrian says he's a specialist, not an expert. We'll let you settle on the semantics.
However you badge him, Adrian Mortram has helped design countless irrigation systems throughout the world. Not just golf, his CV is as rich and varied as they come.
We talk about his career, how irrigation systems have changed and how they might change still. We also touch on his passion for adventure and his plans down the line.
We really hope you enjoy this episode. It was a pleasure to have Adrian on the show.
Andy Ewance has had a fascinating career.
Andy joins James Bledge and Sam Cooper to share anecdotes and insights from his previous role at the Buckinghamshire, including persuading the club's Japanese owners to invest in a significant overhaul.
Now, Andy is at Woking - helping to enhance one of the most architecturally significant courses in England.
From improving the agronomy of the site, managing the woodland and restoring the heathland, we hope you find this interview as interesting to listen to as we did recording it.
January is never a great month in Britain, even less so if you work on a golf course.
Fortunately, it's the time of year for the big trade shows and conferences. Bledge and Sam give their thoughts and recollections of a packed BTME in Harrogate and GCSAA show in Phoenix, Arizona.
The importance of attending, what they can both get out of it, technology and advancements worth keeping an eye on as well as what they were both up to in America.
One of the things we discussed was the Husqvarna autonomous fairway mowers. Have a look at it in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ehYRXFaWcQ
Hope you enjoy a longer pod on this important time of year.
There are few couples out there who have contributed more to the greenkeeping industry than Lee and Sami Strutt.
Lee, a previous guest on this pod, is the Director of Agronomy at Cabot Cape Breton. Sami has spent over 30 years working for the greenkeeping association, BIGGA. She joined the association in 1993 as an admin assistant but is leaving it in 2024 as its' Chief Operating Officer for a new role as Education Director at the Bernhard Academy.
Lee and Sami discuss not just their remarkable careers, but how they have been able to manage and work as a couple against such demanding and varied roles.
With BTME almost upon us, we thought it prescient for Sami - such an integral part in growing the Continue to Learn element of the week - should join Bledge ahead of her last week in Harrogate as part of BIGGA.
Lee also discusses the remarkable addition to the Cabot portfolio with the Coore & Crenshaw course opened in St Lucia, Cabot Point Hardy. Watch the hole by hole fly through here: Youtube vid of Cabot St. Lucia
Thanks to Sami and Lee - we wish you the continued success you both deserve! See you at Harrogate!
Bledge & Sam
While Sam has been locked away in a dark room trying to finish Volume 2 of his upcoming book series, Bledge sat down with old friend Phil Helmn to discuss his enormous passion for managing teams in the greenkeeping world.
Phil is a Master Greenkeeper and has managed a wide range of courses throughout his distinguished career. Now, he specialises in writing, speaking and educating on the intricacies of managing a greenkeeping team.
Phil is the author of 'The Power of People', which can be ordered by clicking here. One of the few books Bledge has been able to read cover to cover.
Those who are soon coming to BTME at Harrogate can also sign up to Phil's workshop on Day 2 of the Continue to Learn Conference here.
Thanks again for listening, and please remember to share the podcast with any other badgers out there.
The second half of our Season 2 kick off.
Bledge and Sam discuss the Bernhard Academy, upcoming trips to BTME in Harrogate and GCSAA in Phoenix as well as take a few questions sent in to the studio.
Bledge also discusses an archaeological find he made on the course at Deal, and the video we discuss in the episode can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/g16XgGh44zU?si=peyisUMmNtZxEszq
Information on the Bernhard Academy can be found here: https://bernhardacademy.co.uk/
Thanks all for listening and we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and successful New Year.
Badgers - welcome to the first episode of Season 2 of the podcast. James Bledge (Links Manager, Royal Liverpool Golf Club) and Sam Cooper (Architect, Clayton, DeVries & Pont) are back home on the Wirral, hunkered down for the winter and ready to pod.
This is the first half of a general catch-up. Talking about our respective 2023 autumns and what's been keeping us busy. The second half, where we'll also look to answer some of your questions, will follow soon - before getting into a new roster of guests over the coming months.
We hope you enjoy, and please remember to share the podcast with the sad badger in your life. We do appreciate all of your support.
Thanks,
Sam & Bledge
Hello Badgers,
Today is 'thank a greenkeeper day'. What better way to mark the occasion than to release our Open question special. A few weeks ago, Bledge and I asked for your questions on the championship - and here are the answers.
We hope you enjoy the episode, and thanks to everyone who submitted a question.
Don't forget to watch the excellent Cookie Jar film showcasing some of Bledge and the team's hard work during the week here: Preparing for an Open Championship
Welcome to this quick catch up episode, recorded on top of the tallest grandstand at Hoylake. The rain of Sunday has disappeared, replaced with a beautiful sunset. But there is a bit of wind in the background - we hope you don't mind.
We will do a proper debrief in the fullness of time, but I wanted to check in with the main man in the meantime.
The Open Championship is less than 2 weeks away now, and Bledge and Sam discuss what they've been up to and what preparations Bledge has been making.
Hope you enjoy! And if you want to catch up on the Golf Badgers podcast back catalogue of episodes, you can do so here.
Thanks!
snapthestimp
Sam @links_from_the_road & @sd_cooper and Bledge @jamesbledge
Sam sits down in a busy Loch Lomond restaurant to speak to David Jones, better known as the UK Golf Guy.
David's journey into golf is truly unconventional. From a highly successful corporate background to one of the most successful inward, luxury tour operators in just a few short years. This is an episode not to be missed, as we discuss how to approach a career in golf, golf course ranking lists, favourite trips to go and much more.
A slightly different podcast to the course maintenance and architecture perhaps, but hopefully one you'll enjoy.
Welcome back to Part 2 of Question Badgers.
In the previous episode, Sam and Bledge took questions from you lovely listeners. So many, where there, that we thought breaking it into two parts might be better.
Of course, the second part has the better questions in. The Badgers' discuss the best new course in GB&I, career advice and how to get top level experience as a greenkeeper. They also take up other sides of the Course Presentation vs Design debate. Finally, a serious note about an inspirational figure in Nick Edmund. Shout out to : Global Golf 4 Cancer.
As ever, please do followor subscribeto the podcast. If there's a Golf Badger in your life, perhaps you might share the podcast with them too.
Thanks for all of your support. We appreciate it enormously.
Sam @links_from_the_road & @sd_cooper and Bledge @jamesbledge
Welcome back to another question and answer special of Golf Badgers.
The first version of 'Question Badgers' was one of the most listened to episodes we've done so far. Last week, we asked for you to send in some more questions for the Badgers' and this is Part 1 of the answers. Part 2 will follow shortly, before we bring a more regular schedule of upcoming guests to the podcast.
As ever, please do follow or subscribe to the podcast. If there's a Golf Badger in your life, perhaps you might share the podcast with them too.
Thanks for all of your support. We appreciate it enormously.
Sam @links_from_the_road & @sd_cooper and Bledge @jamesbledge
Welcome back, Badgers!
If you have been following us for some time, you might be familiar with the name Jim Croxton. We released a short podcast with him back in January, which was recorded at BTME. Jim is the CEO of BIGGA - the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association and is hugely passionate about the greenkeeping industry. In this episode, we dive deeper into the greenkeeping industry, its future prospects and all BIGGA do to support it. If you are a greenkeeper, this could be a particularly interesting episode for you. As always, thank you for listening.
Sam@links_from_the_road
Those of you who have followed my Links from the Road Tour will already know my thoughts on Hayling Golf Club.
I made an 'under the radar' film on Hayling called 'The Ground Game'. As you'll hear, it's an incredibly difficult site to manage, but Course Manager Greig - ably assisted by deputy Graeme - manage to present a wonderful links experience in the face of it all.
The film can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5kVKcWNjok
We hope you enjoy this episode. We learn about their respective careers, James Bond filming secrets, how to eat a sandwich in Kirkcaldy and, perhaps even more importantly than that, have a wide ranging discussion on pragmatism in sustainably managing links turf.
We hope you enjoy and, if you do, you'll share this episode with another Golf Badger in your life.
Thanks,
Sam
A slightly different episode this time round. We asked for a few questions for Bledge and myself and you kindly obliged.
We've ended up with a diverse episode, covering all manner of topics. Releasing on Masters (and Easter, but mainly Masters) Sunday means we naturally compare Augusta to links courses. But we also discuss our favourite courses and where we'd both love to work. Bledge gets technical talking about fertiliser and I learn a few things.
Please do let us know what you think of it and if you want some more of this style.
Thanks, as ever, for listening! We really do appreciate it.
Welcome back, Badgers!
It's been a busy few weeks in the Badger Sett. Bledge has been getting his course ready for Spring, while I've been incredibly busy at CDP in the architecture world. Just as we like it!
Fortunately, spring is on its way. The nights are lighter and we're slowly warming up.
This episode was recorded a little while back, at BTME in Harrogate. It will almost conclude the episodes we recorded there. I'll be getting the last few out soon.
Hope all is well with you all and, as ever, thank you for listening. We hope you enjoy Epiosde 12.
Sam
@links_from_the_road
Hello Badgers,
Welcome to Episode 11 of Golf Badgers.
Its been a busy start to the year. We've been to Harrogate for BTME and then to Orlando for GIS. We thought we'd have a catch up together to talk about our experiences at them both and give you some of our thoughts.
It was meant to only be short, but we got a little distracted at times. We discuss the architecture and maintenance side of bunkers, and find out the firmness of Bledge's office floor.
Hope you enjoy and don't forget to get in touch with your thoughts on the pod.
Thanks!
Sam
@links_from_the_road @golfbadgers @jamesbledge
Episode 10! A bit of a milestone for Golf Badgers. Please forgive the self indulgent intro but Bledge and I would like to thank you all for listening to the podcast so far. It has been enormous fun putting this together, and we'll certainly be carrying it on.You find us back at BTME in the quietest corner of the hotel we could find. A hive of activity, it's not quite 'recording studio' standard - but hope that doesn't detract from what I am convinced is a fascinating conversation.Matt Plested has had a particularly interesting career to date, and in recent years has undertaken one of the most significant refurbishment of any Course Manager in Britain. Stoneham Golf Club has been significantly refurbished, while the club have pursued a scheme of Soil Importation to invest in the practice facilities and quality of the course as a whole that has generated well over £2m.This will not be the only scheme of this type. We are looking at a number of projects with CDP where strategically taking on inert soils to the site, perhaps to enhance a landscape, as well as generate significant cash enhancements. Matt is at the cutting edge of Course Managers to have gone down this route and we believe all Course Managers would learn from his experiences in this field.Thank you Matt for taking the time. It was a pleasure to learn from you.
Welcome back Badgers,
Bledge and I have just got back from an excellent week in Harrogate for BTME 2023.
We managed to record a few episodes which we'll release over the coming weeks, but thought we'd share with a brief overview of BTME with Jim Croxton.
Jim is CEO of BIGGA - the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association. BTME is the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition, held each year in Harrogate.
As I found out over the week, it's far more than just the exhibition itself. Jim's team arrange hours of structured educational seminars and conferences, and thousands of like minds descend on Harrogate to nerd out over the golf industry.
As my first time there, I thought it was absolutely wonderful. Looking forward to returning year on year.
Thank you to Jim and the whole BIGGA team for looking after us. We hope you enjoy this little chat recorded on the Monday of the event.
BIGGA website: https://www.bigga.org.uk
BTME website: https://www.btme.org.uk/
Welcome back Badgers!
It's been a long time since our Christmas special, but we're back! With BTME on the horizon, Bledge and I will be taking our microphones down and recording a bunch of episodes - so hopefully plenty to come.
We hope you enjoy this chat with Lee Strutt.
Bledge worked for Lee when he was a young greenkeeper. Lee's one of the most experienced guys out there, working in a broad range of roles over his years in the industry.
It's a little longer than usual, but we got into the weeds towards the end. Hope you enjoy it and please do keep on messaging us with your feedback and thoughts!
Cheers,
Sam
Merry Christmas, Badgers!
We hope everyone's had a great Christmas. Between the snow storms in the UK, some technical issues and a big dose of man flu for Bledge, we've been a little quiet recently.
Well we're back with a bang for our Christmas special, and were delighted that Zac Blair and Kye Goalby joined the pod to discuss (amongst other things) The Tree Farm.
Enjoy the rest of this weird spell between Christmas and New Years where every day feels like a Sunday, and we'll be back in the New Year!
Best wishes,
Sam
Welcome back Badgers.
This week we're joined by a few special guests. First, Sean McClean the 'new' Course Manager at Royal Birkdale Golf Club.
Birkdale is one of the most famous links courses in the world, and both Bledge and I were looking forward to speaking to Sean and asking his opinions, ideas and plans for this great Open venue.
We also talk about his career to date, including 13 years at Princes with guest of episode 2, Rob McGuirk.
Sean was also asked a couple of questions by Fletcher and Jesse, Bledge's next generation of course managers. Undoubtedly the hardest hitting questions of the episode.
We are so grateful to everyone who listens. We hope you enjoy this week's episode and please do keep sharing the podcast with other golf badgers out there who enjoy our nerdy niche.
Thanks,
Sam
This week Bledge and I were joined by Ryan Noades of The Addington.Ryan's family have owned this exceptional heathland course for a while now, and it is currently going through a multi-year restoration process with my firm of CDP. We talk about Ryan's life, when he realised The Addington was special, how far it had fallen and the work ongoing to bring it back.It's a truly special place and Ryan's knowledge of architecture is matched by his enthusiasm for the project.We hope you enjoy episode 5 and please do carry on sharing the podcast with like-minded Badgers out there in the wild!Sam
Welcome back Badgers.
For a change of pace, Mr Bledge is interviewing me (Sam Cooper) on my transition into the golfing industry, thoughts on architecture and the culmination of my 2 year road trip around the coastline of Great Britain.
We hope you enjoy and, as ever, please feel free to tell us how we're doing on our respective social media accounts.
Thanks for listening!
Sam
Welcome back to the Podcast, Badgers.
I'm on the road this week, and I've left Bledge back in Hoylake. I popped into Ganton Golf Club to play their esteemed 'inland links' (more on that later) and meet Course Manager, Simon Olver.
As you'll hear, Simon is another intelligent, passionate and ambitious course manager. I asked him about his career to date and plans for the historic course at Ganton.
I hope you enjoy the conversation and as ever, don't forget to get in touch with me on Instagram or Twitter (@links_from_the_road and @sd_cooper respectively).
Thanks for listening!
Sam
Badgers, welcome back to the podcast.
This week, we're in conversation with our great friend Rob McGuirk.
Rob's family have owned the famed links of Princes for a good while now, and recently acquired Chart Hills Golf Club.
We have a wide ranging chat about his career, particular interests within the game, the evolution of Princes and their work at Chart Hills. We wanted to provide a slightly different perspective on the industry, so were delighted Rob was able to provide the owner and GM's angle.
Please let us know what you think! We're both on Twitter (@sd_cooper & @jamesbledge) and Instagram (@links_from_the_road & @jamesbledge).
Golf Badgers (ɡɒlf bæʤə) - noun: A group of golfers obsessed with the game.
Episode 1 is a chat between the hosts. Sam Cooper is a golf architect with Clayton, DeVries & Pont whilst James Bledge is Links Manager at Royal Liverpool Golf Club (Hoylake).
With 9 months to go until the 151st Open Championship returns to Hoylake, Bledge tells us about his career to date and gives his feelings on how preparations are going.
We hope you enjoy our ramblings!