This is the final instalment focussing on Sir Anthony Babington's reminisences. In this episode he remembers his great friend Harry Shapland Colt. They were first introduced in 1919 by the Secretary of The Royal Dublin Golf Club, Cecil Barcroft. The relationship would prove fruitful for both men over the following decades.
Many thanks for tuning in.
Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound
A Single Dance - Jon Bjork
In this episode Sir Anthony shares his memories of the purchase of the the Holyrood Hotel and its transformation into the current clubhouse at Royal Portrush. He also details the R&A's decision to host the 1951 Open Championship at Royal Portrush which was won by Max Faulkner.
Many thanks for tuning in.
Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound
A Single Dance - Jon Bjork
In this episode Sir Anthony details the modernisation of the Royal Portrush Links under the combined efforts of HS Colt, JSF Morrison, Franks Harris, ABB & Hugh McNeill.
Many thanks for tuning in.
Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound
A Single Dance - Jon Bjork
In this episode of the continuing series, we learn about Sir Anthony's early golfing days on the North Coast of Portrush. He also covers the consequential matters of extended tenure, security and opportunity that access to additional golfing grounds to the east of the town afforded the wider membership.
The thorny history of Sabbatarianism also raises its head through a golfing lense as he teases out how this matter was resisted, debated and resolved over the course of the mid 1920's.
Many thanks for tuning in.
Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound
By Your Side (Instrumental Version) - Ten Towers
Over the course of the next number of short episodes we wilI take a look at another character that influenced the early development and growth of golf in Ireland.
Anthony Babington was a native of Co. Derry, educated at Glenalmond in Perthshire and Trinity College Dublin.
Babington was introduced to golf at Lisfannon in Donegal and Royal Portrush. He was a scratch player of some repute, competing extensively in the elite national amateur championships of the day. However, it was in the administration of the game that he really excelled, influencing golf at Trinity College, Dollymount, Portrush, Belfast and beyond.
Through the medium of his recently uncovered memoirs and historical writings I'm pleased to introduce you to the long golfing life of A.B. Babington and the positive influence that he brought to bear throughout the island of Ireland.
I hope you enjoy his recollections!
Many thanks for tuning in.
For more information on the history of Ireland please click here for a link to The Empire podcast referenced in this epiosde. Please see episodes 236 - 246 which relate to same.
Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound
A Single Dance - Jon Bjork
Chris Breen has been the Superintendent at Rosapenna Golf Resort since 2019. A recent trip to Downings enabled us to sit down for a chat that we've been meaning to have for the past 12 months or so.
We take a look at how he's ended up back home in Donegal overseeing the 63 hole, 1200 acre property.
The importance of getting "your homework right" from a course setup perspective.
How an easterly wind is less than optimal for growing grass early in the season.
Why he's not praying for rain.... just yet.
Grass paths and golfer expectations.
The many changes that have occurred at the resort over the past 6 years and much more.
Many thanks to Chris for his time, we hope you enjoy the listen.
Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1
Special Guest: Chris Breen.
Thomas Gilroy contributed greatly to the growth of the game of golf in Ireland over the period from 1885 to 1895.
During his time in Ireland he was recognised as the best player in the country, holding a handicap between scratch and +6.
Gilroy was a founding member at Dollymount, Portrush, Mornington & Baltray.
A serial winner and course record setter, he spread the gospel a gift from Scotland.
I hope you enjoy his story!
Many thanks for tuning in.
Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound
Sweet Embrace (Instrumental Version) - Go For Howell
In celebration of St. Patricks Day it seemed fitting to feature the story of Michael Moran (1886-1918).
To this day, Moran, holds the record for the number of wins in the Irish Professional Golfers Championships.
That he did this all before turning 27 is all the more remarkable.
His story is indelibly linked to that of my home club at Dollymount,
I hope you enjoy the story. Thanks for tuning in and Happy St. Patricks Day!
Episode music supplied under licence from Epedemic Sound
I Want You to Stay/Victor Lundberg (Instrumental Version)
Mike Morrison joins us on this episode to introduce the upcoming R&A Heritage Conference which will take place in St. Andrews on March 11th & 12th 2025. The event has been organised through the longstanding partnership between the R&A and the British Golf Collectors Society.
'History is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of the fire' - Philip Truett (Founding Member of BGCS.).
The Conference is focussed on providing Historic Golf Clubs with the tools, resources and support to further the collection, documentation, preservation and presentation of their unique histories some of which may have been forgotten or misremembered through time.
We hope we've cast a little light on some of the interesting sessions scheduled for attendees over the course the two days in St Andrews.
Please follow this link for the full Heritage conference agenda.
Mike also gives us an introduction to some of his own research, writing and current research interests.
If you would like to order a copy of Mike's book, The Great English Golf Boom, please contact him directly via email at mike.morrison57@outlook.com.
Stephen Proctor's book, The Long Golden Afternoon (mentioned as a great companion piece to The Great English Golf Boom) can be purchase directly from the Publisher, Birlinn Books.
Please also find links to Mike's 3 part series on Tom Dunn below for which he was awarded the 2023 BGCS Presidents Medal
Through the Green September 2023
Thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy our chat!
Episode music supplied under license from Epedemic Sound
Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1
Special Guest: Mike Morrison.
Mat Goggin joins us on this episode to chat all things 7 Mile Beach.
Listeners will undoubtedly be aware that Mike De Vries and Mike Clayton of CDP Golf Architects have been toiling away on Mr Goggin's behalf over the last few years massaging a sandy waterfront site into one of the most eagerly anticipated golf developments of the past few years.
Mat fills us in on the three years that have passed since his last appearance on the show, providing us with updates on the ongoing grow in, a likely opening timeline, an interesting story of Mr De Vries and his bullet cut - unsurprisingly this particular shot type works quite well around the course that he built! We also get the low down on the North course development that King Collins Dormer are planning on the city side of the 7 Mile Beach site.
It was great to welcome Mat to the pod again, thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy the chat.
The 7 Mile Beach proshop can be visited by clicking here.
Episode music supplied under license from Epedemic Sound
Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1
Special Guest: Mat Goggin.
Neil Crafter and Dr John Green published the definitive biography of Alex Russell in 2016. Neil joins for this episode to delve into the life and times of arguably Australia's greatest home-grown golf architect.
We take a look at the Russell family's Scottish heritage and what prompted their subsequent move to Australia. Alex's education in Geelong, Glenalmond and Cambridge, his service during WW1 & WW2, his exploits as a Champion Golfer, partnership with Dr. Mac & utilising the undoubted construction talents of Mick Morcom... plus the design of a few decent golf courses for good measure..
Thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy the listen!
A link to Neil's recent update of the Alister MacKenzie Chronology can be found here
You can also find more information on Neil's books below
The Good Doctors Prescriptions
Episode music supplied under license from Epedemic Sound
Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1
Special Guest: Neil Crafter.
Ryan Noades joins us today to take a look at what may very well be JF Abercromby's design opus. The Addington was of course a collaboration between Abercromby and Harry S Colt, expertly routed to circumnavigate a sand and gravel hilltop heathland site some 9 miles due south of central London.
The Noades' have owned the Addington since 2006 and have lovingly curated the course ever since. Over the years it became apparent to Ryan and his family that a world class golf course was hiding in plain site beneath the organic detritus that had invaded playing corridors, reduced strategic options and hampered firm and fast playing conditions.
In 2019 in conjunction with the design firm Clayton De Vries & Pont a course correction was undertaken to commit fully to a faithful restoration of The Addington to its' former glory.
We endeavour to explore a small part of this journey today, hopefully leaving you with a better feel for both the place and indeed a driven individual who is equally besotted, energised and excited by all of the possibilities that The Addington represents.
Thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy the show!
I've visited The Addington twice thus far and took some time to write about what I've found, please click on this link to have a read.
Episode music used under license from Epedemic Sound
Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1
Special Guest: Ryan Noades.
Scotsman Iain Forrester has been a golf professional since 1983, moving to The Netherlands to become the Head Professional at Hoenshuis Golf & Country Club in Limburg.
Iain believes that
“……a PGA Professional needs to have a diverse skillset – a jack of all trades and a master of one or two. That’s what I’ve tried to do with my career, to be as flexible as possible, learn as many skills as possible and then have a niche that separates you from others.”
Iain’s particular niche of choice focusses on maintaining and preserving the history of golf, in particular the way it was played in the past with wooden hickory clubs.
Iain repairs and restores hickory equipment for fellow collectors while also suppling sets for hickory events throughout Europe.
As if that’s not enough he has also written extensively about hickory golf and golf history in general. Safe to say he’s a great man to have on the pod to talk about on all things relating to hickory and Dutch golf.
Iain's website can be found here
The Golfika article on the history of British Handicapping mentioned in the show can be found here - pages 6 - 11.
Thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy listening.
Episode music supplied under license from Epedemic Sound
Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1
Iain Forrester is a Scottish Golf Professional who has been based in The Netherlands since 1988. He joined me recently for an extensive chat about Hickory Golf, Golf in the Netherlands and his life in golf. This is a story he forgot to tell us, thankfully I managed to press record again before we ended our time together. The preceding conversation was most enjoyable and will be released over the coming days... keep an eye out for it!
If you're enoying the pod, I would be very grateful if you could submit a review on your podcast hosting platform of choice. It really would be appreciated.
Trailer sound track supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound
Earthbound (Instrumental) by Victor Lundberg
Special Guest: Iain Forrester.
Aspiring honorary Irishman, Richard Pennell, joins us on this episode to reminisce about four golf trips he undertook to Ireland over the past 12 months.
The North Coast & Donegal featured heavily and rightly so. The intrepid traveller also found time to schedule two whistle stop visits to County Mayo on the very Wild Atlantic Way, while also visiting a smattering of what the Dublin area has to offer from a golfing perspective.
It amounted to a links overload which left Richard energised and plotting an imminent return. We hope the pod may give you some ideas as to where you might travel to in 2025, however, word of warning it might also make you a little envious that Richard passes these visits off as 'work'.....
Either way, many thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy our chat!
One of the last few copies of Richard's first book Grass Routes can be purchased by following this link
Richard has written some great pieces on his @pitchmarks substack account and elsewhere. Please find a few links below to musings on some of his travels around Ireland:
County Louth - currently a blank piece of paper.... he has promised us one, just as soon as inspiration arrives
Royal Dublin - a work in progress, early 2025 methinks
#71 - Portmarnock
#50 - Ballyliffin
The North Coast - an Article that appeared in Golf Today
Episode music used under license from Epidemic Sound
Special Guest: Richard Pennell.
Mike Clayton joins me on this episode to provide us with an update on grow in at 7 Mile Beach, The Sandbelt Invitational, the Australian Summer of Golf and some local projects that Clayts, Harley Kruse and Lukas Michel have been working on recently.
We also explore; the challenges that flatter sites present to the course designer, the relative under appreciation of English Golf, Tom Simpson, CDP in France, why routing and flow are important elements in course design and some bucket list design projects.
Many thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy the show!
Pic credits - CDP Golf & 7 Mile Beach
Episode music used under license from Epidemic Sound
Special Guest: Mike Clayton.
After a summer break filled with a research project (which is almost assuredly going to translate into an episode), F&F are back with a new episode recently recorded with Colin Byrne...
Many listeners will recognize Colin's name as bag man supremo with more than 40 years logged thus far as a globe trotting golfing sherpa. He has caddied for many of the modern greats including Retief Goosen, Ernie Els, Louis Oosthuizen, Darren Clarke and Fred Couples.
We take a trip down memory lane with Colin to explore writing, winning US Opens at Shinnecock Hills, bad bahaviour and Q school amongst other topics.
We hope you enjoy the chat.
As mentioned during the show, copies of Bagman 1 & 2 are available online via the links below (you can also access them through an Irish Times online subscription)
https://www.amazon.com/Bagman-Inside-Exclusive-World-Professional/dp/0954865308/ref=sr_1_11?sr=8-11
https://www.amazon.com/Bagman-Inside-Ropes-Leading-Looper/dp/0954865383/ref=sr_1_13?sr=8-13
Colin has also released another book, entitled The Little White Ball, which is full of practical advice on improving your game, link below
https://www.amazon.com/Little-White-Ball-score-ability-ebook/dp/B01JBHUPSE
Episode music used under license from Epidemic Sound
Special Guest: Colin Byrne.
A recent trip to Walton Heath afforded me an opportunity to meet with Philip Truett at his home at Walton on the Hill. Philip recently co-authored a biography on William Herbert Fowler, entitled 'A Matter of Course'. The book paints a brilliant picture of a life well lived, not without a modicum of drama. Fowler by all accounts was a by-product of his time and social standing, who undoubteldy left an indelible mark on golf both in the UK and the USA.
We mainly stay on topic or at the very least always return to the vicinity of where we meandered away from it.... please enjoy the chat, it was great fun to put it together for our collective enjoyment, engaging with someone as knowledgable as Philip has been a real treat.
Episode music used under license from Epidemic Sound
Special Guest: Philip Truett.
Recorded 1/5/2024
Nathan Bennett comes from counrty Victorian farming stock, so he's not afraid of hard yakka ('hard work' for non Australians). His can do approach has seen him on a green keeping journey which started in Murray Downs and would go on to include Metropolitan, Moonah Legends, The Sands and finally Royal Adelaide Golf Club.
We take a look at Nathan's journey while also lingering upon the Royal Adelaide story, since the clubs foundation back in 1892. The clubs centenary book is a great read (if you can get your hands on it.... its out of print for many years btw but there are a limited number of copies available from Abe Books - see link below) and through its auspices we tease out some of the ongoing historical and modern challenges that maintaining a world class golf course in a dry and arid climate, such as Adelaide, represents.
Nathan is a great guest and I really enjoyed my time with him. We hope you enjoy the conversation!
The Royal Adelaide Golf Club - By Michael Cudmore - 1892 to 1992
Please feel free to check out an article on our Substack account that profiles Royal Adelaide Golf Club and the delights of Adelaide
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Music used under license from Epidemic Sound
Episode Imagery - credit Gary Lisbon (provided through RAGC)
Special Guest: Nathan Bennett.
The stars finally aligned recently in providing me with an opportunity to spend some time with Angela Moser - golf course architect, shaper and world traveller!
There was no sign of either a dozer or a digger.... although I am absolutely sure that one of those is undoubtedly in her immediate future.
In this episode we take a deep dive on Renaissance's only current Irish course, St Patricks Links @ The Rosapenna Golf Resort, where Angela, Tom Doak, Eric Iverson, Clyde Johnson, Brian Schneider, Brian Slawnik, Blake Conant, Don Placek & Co. have created what in all likelihood will probably be the last great links to be built in Ireland.
We take a look Angela's back story in golf, which started by chance when her parents enrolled her in a three day golf summer camp for kids in her home town of Augsburg, Germany.
The golf bug bit, ultimately leading her towards a degree in Landscape Architecture at the Munich Univeristy of Applied Sciences, followed by a year long Erasmus scholarship in Sheffield. This UK sojourn, afforded Angela both the encouragement and opportunity to immerse herself in disciphering the myriad puzzles that many of the great UK courses afford golfers.
After graduation, Angela worked in Greenkeeping and Golf Course Design in Germany and Austria.
An internship with Renaissance Golf Design would follow in 2011 and the rest as they say is history.
We take a look at some of this history, while also looking at a few of the upcoming projects that are on the drawing board and one that our interview subject might be inclined to put there, should the opportunity every arise.
Many thanks to Angela for graciously affording me the time to speak with her. We both very much hope you enjoy our chat.
If you want to find out more about The Olde Glen Bar, Glen Village, Co. Donegal, please click on the following link
Additional details on the Rosapenna Golf Resort stay and play packages can be found by clicking on the following link
Angela mentions Norderney Golf Club during the course of the episode, you can visit the Norderney Golf Club website by clicking here, alternatively you can read a little more about it on the Good Sundays Website.
Angela Moser Socials
[Moser Golf Website](moseronadozer.com)
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The Firm & Fast Golf Podcast Occasional Newsletter on Substack
Episode Music provided under license from Epidemic Sound
Special Guest: Angela Moser.
