Episode Fifty - Metro/Huntingdale merger, Five Mile Beach update & other news

A massive Christmas holiday edition for you to take in over a long festive season car trip, or during relaxing lie down in the sun during the break. This episode starts with a little rundown on the recently completed Sandbelt Invitational to kick things off before sinking our teeth into the discussion with Ross Flannigan.  Ross will be well known to many through his photography and his long-running podcast – My Love of Golf. He joins us from Scotland to talk about his beloved Peninsula Kingswood, his time in golf retail, recent move to Edinburugh and loads more.  Ross was the franchisee at the Drummond Golf Melbourne city store for years, and shares his experiences from the world of Big Box retail golf, and more. His perspectives on the courses at PK from before and after the landmark renovation are really interesting too.  Ross is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guy with a ton of experience in golf. We know you’ll enjoy listening to him! He mentioned Steve Smith’s podcast (The Golfing Greenkeeper) with PK super Glenn Stuart – link is below: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ep-101-keeper-of-the-greens-glenn-stuart/id1511508487?i=1000680428136 Our new supporter Seed Golf has provided an introductory 20% off for listeners to Australian Golf Passport.  Click on the link - https://seedgolf.com.au/discount/AGP  - to get your mits of some premium golf balls as a crazy low price point.  Thanks so much to Dean and all at Seed. We look forward to sharing more about them in 2025.  In short – their golf balls are excellent and the fast, easy, direct to consumer purchasing method has now kicked off in Australia. Do yourself a favour and grab some! As always – special thanks to Angus & Grace Go Golfing. Check their website for some pre Christmas specials. The recently released AAGGG long sleeve polos are light and breathable and sun smart – and they look great! Visit their Instagram page, or bricks and mortar store (William Street Paddington) to get your hands on some of the best golf apparel around. Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me - Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠www.epidemicsound.com

We thought we'd get on our bikes and up the rate at which we publish, as the finish line for 2024 nears. After having recorded a long episode in which we quickly review the goals for the year, this episode features heaps of responses to a great range of listener questions. During the edit process - Matt spilt a coffee over his laptop, and was offline for a fortnight. The episode was saved, but late to air. So the stuff about Black Friday & the Australian Open? - Expired (obv). Thanks to those who provided all the stimulating topics for discussion. We enjoyed mulling over all the questions. As usual - the AGP Pod audience remains undefeated in the mailbag department - you're a discerning and intelligent bunch. Don't forget the Sandbelt Invitational is being staged in the week before Christmas. December 16-19 inclusive, over Commonwealth, Yarra Yarra, Woodlands, and Royal Melbourne's famed West Course. Block the days out in your calendar and take in one of the best events in the country. As always – special thanks to our podcast supporter Angus & Grace Go Golfing. Check their website for any remaining sale items, and some new garments fresh for summer. Eyelet polos are heavily discounted, along with loads of other fantastic apparel. Visit their Instagram page, or bricks and mortar store (William Street Paddington), and get your hands on some of the best golf apparel in the world. And who could forget the last few Australian Golf Passport caps. 😊 Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me - Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com⁠

Hot on the heels of the release of a plan by the Save Moore Park Golf Course alliance to keep the course at 18 holes, we chat with the driving force behind that alliance, Jared Kendler. Jared talks us through the issues and the plan that the golf community is hoping will be embraced by the NSW Government, which owns the site. His group has proposed a sophisticated, thorough, sensible and economically sustainable proposal to manage the issue of recreational space and the existing golf course in central Sydney.  Go support this group's push to retain 18 holes and realise a proper solution to the issues raised for the broader public space in Moore Park. Visit the website below and sign the petition: https://savemooreparkgolfcourse.com.au/ Prior to chatting with Jared about Moore Park and the broader issue of public golf, Matt & Scott chat about a range of topics. Not least of which is a little member unrest at Metropolitan, regarding proposed changes to their 16th hole. Young phenom Jeffrey Guan and his tragic injury are briefly discussed - click below to donate to his gofundme - any assistance in covering medical expenses would be dearly appreciated. https://asf.org.au/projects/jeffrey-guan/support-for-jeffrey-guan The reworking of Huntingdale continues apace. Below is the link to the Vimeo of continuing construction, along with Mike Cocking's narration. https://vimeo.com/1011896112/0008ced89f The Australian Open is on the horizon - visit the link below for tickets, You won't want to miss the chance to see Kingston Heath and Victoria with a good field over both courses. https://www.golf.org.au/ausopen/tickets/ Lastly - don't forget the Sandbelt Invitational is being staged in the week before Christmas. December 16-19 inclusive, over Commonwealth, Yarra Yarra, Woodlands, and Royal Melbourne's famed West Course. Block the days out in your calendar and take in one of the best events in the country, As always – special thanks to our podcast supporter Angus & Grace Go Golfing. Check their website for the latest on Black Friday sale items - including 60% off their world famous shorts and pants. Eyelet polos are heavily discounted, along with loads of other fantastic apparel. Visit their Instagram page, or bricks and mortar store (William Street Paddington), and get your hands on some of the best golf apparel in the world. They have some brilliant pieces in stock currently – including limited remaining stock of the Australian Golf Passport caps. 😊 Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me - Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠www.epidemicsound.com

The longest episode we've ever done! There was a lot to discuss... The keenly anticipated chat on one of the most dramatic, and visually striking courses in the land. Following on from Scott's whirlwind trip to Melbourne a fortnight back, we do a deep dive on PK North. More than a good looker, this course is a gem in every way. Playable and strategically engaging with artful hazards, and intricate greens. No wonder this is a crowd favourite - we're happy to finally discuss PK North with you. It's a high quality, fun and memorable layout. Scott & Matt talk about all facets of the course - routing, greens, vegetation, mix of holes, topography, turf and conditioning (which was remarkable considering the deluge that fell the day before we played!).  Where does it sit in relation to other high-end Australian courses?  What are the standouts and what really left a mark with us? We hope you like the discussion - feel free to leave a comment if there's something you disagree with, or want more detail on when we next record. The PK website's course tour of North - https://www.peninsulakingswood.com.au/cms/course/hole-1/ Visitor information for those wanting to visit Peninsula Kingswood - https://www.peninsulakingswood.com.au/cms/visitor-golf-enquiries/ As always – special thanks to our podcast supporters – Angus & Grace Go Golfing. Check their website for latest apparel and product drops. You can also visit their Instagram page, or bricks and mortar store (William Street Paddington), and get your hands on some of the best golf apparel in the world. They have some brilliant pieces in stock currently – including remaining stock of Australian Golf Passport caps. 😊 Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me - Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠www.epidemicsound.com

Three days, five rounds, two course walks, 65,000 steps each. We're cooked. But before Scott gets on a plane home, we've got a quick recap of our rounds at Peninsula-Kingswood North and South, and a hotly anticipated lap of the newly renovated Commonwealth. Shoutout Angus & Grace Go Golfing. Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me - Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠www.epidemicsound.com

A quick debrief on the first day of our Melbourne Sandbelt golf trip. Not the day we had planned thanks to a 50mm drop of rain, but we still saw plenty and had a lot to discuss. As always – special thanks to our podcast supporter – Angus & Grace Go Golfing. Check their website for latest apparel and product drops. You can also visit their Instagram page, or bricks and mortar store (William Street Paddington), and get your hands on some of the best golf apparel in the world. Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me - Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠www.epidemicsound.com

A super special guest for the long overdue next episode of the podcast. Chris Solomon from No Laying Up joins us to share his views on all things golf Down Under. Soly has travelled here several times over the years, with his visits bookended by Tourist Sauce Seasons #1 and #9. Between those visits he got to play the Composite course at Royal Melbourne at the time of the most recent Asia Pacific Amateur Championship. Links to all these on YouTube are below.   Soly shares his views on what he loves about great golf, and touches on Aussie golf’s highlights – the people and culture, turf conditions, strategy, and courses. We chat about Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath, Cape Wickham, Barnbougle, and others. We pick his brains on what he’s not yet seen but would like to when he next travels this way.  The chat surrounding his own game and improvements despite burgeoning career demands, and escalating fatherhood duties will no doubt strike a chord with many of you.   Links to the Premiere episodes of Tourist Sauce Australian series Season #1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x90o8J8cQy8 Season #9 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x90o8J8cQy8   Ben takes on Soly around Royal Melbourne Composite - https://youtu.be/qxPZMqqOmqI?si=D72QaL3mM0ytMKRM   This link to John Sabino and his reviews - https://www.top100golfcourses.com/reviewer/8318?page=1   We thank Angus and Grace Go Golfing for their continued support. Matt and his team at AAGGG have been working hard on a small run of Australian Golf Passport hats – we’re really pleased with them and hope you are too! Check them out at – https://www.angusandgracegogolfing.com/product-page/australian-golf-passport-cap-navy-nylon   While you’re browsing – take a look at the apparel, including polos and shorts, and a full range of mens and womens wear for golf as the days get longer and the sun shines. The No Laying Up range of apparel and accessories is superb.   And as per the ad read in the episode - we’re sad to share the news that Burnley Brewing has ceased operations. In a tough market, with many small brewers closing up shop, Burnley have unfortunately brought an end to their multi-year operations. We thank all the guys there for the support of the podcast, and urge those of you who love their stuff to take your last chance and grab what little of their stock remains on retail shelves wherever you see it. Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me - Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠www.epidemicsound.com

Brendan James, long-time editor of Golf Australia magazine is our special guest for this episode. Brendan is a doyen of the Australian Golf Media landscape, spending more than quarter of a century at the helm of Golf Australia magazine.  He’s now concluded his time there, doing his own thing under the banner of Snap Hook Media – https://snaphookmedia.com/ We chat with Brendan about his start in journalism, and the changing landscape of publishing throughout his working life. We talk all things golf – equipment, players, regional golf, premier courses, media, six foot ladders, drones, rankings and more. Brendan’s recently released a book – as discussed in this episode – a fantastic addition to any golfer’s library. https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Great-Golf-Courses-Australia/Brendan-James/9781922662101 As always – special thanks to our podcast supporters – Angus & Grace Go Golfing and Burnley Brewing. Visit the Angus and Grace Go Golfing website, Instagram page, or bricks and mortar store (William Street Paddington), and get your mits on some of the best golf apparel in the world. They have some fantastic stuff in stock – and will soon be selling a small run of Australian Golf Passport caps. 😊 Burnley Brewing are closing their tap room in Bridge Road Richmond, and selliing everything in stock at really reduced prices. Get there and grab some before it sells out. Situated at 648-650 Bridge Road Richmond. If you can't get there soon, you can buy online - Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me - Instrumental / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

A thrill to speak with Josh McFadden and Gil Hanse of Hanse Golf Design. Both are visiting our country to complete renovation of the course at Royal Sydney Golf Club.  This exciting development is entering the home stretch, after years of planning and work.  Gil’s work is world-renowned, and we hope this commission in Sydney is the first of more projects for he and his team in times to come.  Gil and Josh speak about their work at Rose Bay, how they see the project shaping up, and more broadly, their impressions of Australian golf.  A great insight from two erudite minds. For those who may have missed it – episode #28 of the podcast featured Melbourne-born Hanse Design associate Ben Hillard – he spoke about his time in golf construction and touched on the Royal Sydney project.   Take a listen here -https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-twenty-eight-ben-hillard/id1641420804?i=1000625219776   As always – special thanks to our podcast supporters – Angus And Grace Go Golfing, and Burnley Brewing.   Visit the Angus and Grace Go Golfing website, Instagram page, or bricks and mortar store (William Street Paddington), and get your hands on some of the best golf apparel in the world.  Three button pocket polos are back, while pants and shorts are on sale. Matt is also working on an Australian Golf Passport podcast cap. More details and some giveaways there soon.   Burnley Brewing have fridges and taps brimming with some of the best IPAs you’ll ever taste. Get in to Bridge Road Richmond (or visit their online store) to pick some up. Situated at 648-650 Bridge Road Richmond, it’s a great place to visit for a feed and a sip. Check them out at www.burnleybrewing.com.au or on insta. You’ll be pleased you did.   Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators where applicable. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me - Instrumental / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

We've made it to 50 episodes! Metropolitan and Huntingdale are planning to merge, the Aussie Open is back on the sandbelt, some news about the likely architect of Five Mile Beach, two more courses for King Island (?!) and Royal Sydney is taking shape... Shoutout Angus & Grace, shoutout Burley Brewing, shoutout Will Drew!