Episode 129: TGH 129: Matchless with Stephen Proctor

We welcome back Simon Barrington to continue the fascinating history of James Braid - from his role in the establishment of the British PGA, to the meaning of his 4 British PGA News of the World Match Play Championships and finally we start to tell the story of James Braid, the golf course architect.

Join us for Part 1 of a three part series into the Life and Legacy of James Braid- one of golf's true pioneers. In this episode, I am joined by golf historian, Simon Barrington as we explore the remarkable career, innovations and enduring impact of the great Scottish Champion whose contributions to the game are too often overlooked. The History of James Braid Part 1

We conclude our three part series on the famed Oakmont Country Club with our special guest, Oakmont Historian, Dave Moore. We kick off today's show with the 1962 US Open and a generational rivalry and we end our final Oakmont special discussing the amazing collection of antiquities within Oakmont's collection. Thank you for joining us on this journey that has been seven years in the making!

We are proud to bring you Part 2 of our three-part series on the storied history of Oakmont Country Club. In this episode we are joined once again by Oakmont Historian, Dave Moore, as we dive into the early major championships that helped shape Oakmont's legendary status. From iconic victories to lost trophies to unforgettable drama, we explore the moments and players that defined one of golf's most revered venues.

In this first installment of our deep dive into the storied history of Oakmont Country Club, we're joined by club historian Dave Moore to explore Oakmont's formative years - before the US Opens, before the national spotlight. We uncover the vision of founder HC Fownes, the bold architectural principles that shaped the course, and how Oakmont's fierce identity was forged long before it became a championship icon. This is the origin story of one of golf's most revered venues.

The week leading into the 2025 PGA Championship, I thought I would reshare one of our fan favorite podcasts titled, "They Won for Everyone." This podcast tells the story of golf's systematic discrimination and the events that led to the striking of the PGA's Caucasian Clause. Next week the TalkinGolf History podcast will have a brand new podcast on the History of James Braid. For the US Open we will cover the History of Oakmont Country Club.

Today on the podcast I interview author Michael Arkush about his new book, The Golf 100: A Spirited Ranking of the Greatest Players of All-Time. I think you will really enjoy this show - we took a slightly different route and focused on some of the lesser known golfers and in the end I debate Michael a bit on his Top 10. Listen to the podcast and let me know what you think - who is in your Top 10 of all-time? Let me know on twitter @shistorians

Episode #130 is this year's Masters podcast and boy do we have a doozy! On today's podcast we are joined by Augusta Historian, Greg Lamb and we are going to take you inside the gates of Augusta National, inside the clubhouse and share with you some of the great relics of Augusta National's past. There are things we are about to discuss that I would bet not every Augusta National member knows about - in short you are in for a real treat!

Stephen Proctor's latest book, Matchless" is due out October of 2025 and in it he makes an argument for the match piting USA's Glenna Collett vs the UK's Joyce Wethered going down as the Match of the Century. These two Titans of the Green propelled the women's game into the international spotlight and laid the groundwork for what would become the LPGA Tour. Matchless marks Stephen's third golf history book and quite frankly its a trilogy that every golf history lover needs to have on their shelves. We hope you enjoy this preview of MATCHLESS!

I’m thrilled to introduce a podcast that has been on my mind for seven years. Allan Robertson, the King of Clubs and the original Champion Golfer, is one of golf’s most fascinating yet untold stories, until now. I’m deeply grateful to Bill Williams for igniting this journey and to Roger McStravick for bringing it to completion. For the next hour and a half, let me borrow your ears. I promise you’ll learn, you’ll laugh, and you’ll be captivated by the legend who has long waited in the shadows. If you’re in North America, you can purchase Roger McStravick’s book, Allan Robertson: The King of Clubs, at Auld Grey Toun Golf Books & Collectibles: www.auldgreytoungolf.com.