Golf Badgers

Send us a text

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 profit...

Send us a text

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...

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

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...

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

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

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

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. 

Send us a text

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 a...

Send us a text

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. 

<...

Send us a text

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...

Send us a text

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...

Send us a text

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 G...

Send us a text

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...

Send us a text

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...

Send us a text

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 Ha...

Send us a text

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 ac...

Send us a text

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 o...

Send us a text

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. 

Send us a text

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...

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

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!

Send us a text

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).

Send us a text

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...

Send us a text

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...

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

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...

Send us a text

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 b...

Send us a text

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...

Send us a text

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...

Send us a text

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...

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

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