Golf Badgers – Details, episodes & analysis

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

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.