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

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.   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.

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!

Following on from our previous episode examining why course architcture is an important part of the game of golf, we rip through 20 listener questions on the topic: Should short par threes have small greens or big wild ones? Where would an Aussie Pinehurst be located? What will the sandbelt look like in 50 years? Are there too many blind holes at Kingston Heath? What's the best course redesign in Aussie history? And a lot more. Angus & Grace has a massive sale underway. Check out the website or go see Matt and Antonia on William Street in Paddington, Sydney. Burnley Brewing as always has some great new beers in the rotation -- find them online or hit up the tasting room on Bridge Road in Richmond, Melbourne.

Following on from a listener DM regarding course design issues, we devote an entire episode to the topic of golf architecture. Why does it matter? Why is the Old Course important, and why is Alister MacKenzie revered? How is it so many people long for firm and fast course conditions? All this, analytics, the wind at Cape Wickham, and more in a long discussion on one of our favourite topics. Below are a few links to great books on the topic of course design - snoop around online for better pricing if you're keen. Golf Architecture For Normal People Geoff Shackelford https://www.amazon.com.au/Golf-Architecture-Normal-People-Sharpening/dp/1732222754/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JYr823PROs8km2_HczuMwS9hmvLJJdhvk9kNxoW2XQo2s8GOEi3Nb5yVAFArjXe_.wQ_UZeRXWktLYCMFWDKWsaWSgVwks1-_UPnirCVS2m4&qid=1718145743&sr=1-1 Anatomy Of A Golf Course Tom Doak https://www.amazon.com.au/Anatomy-Golf-Course-Art-Architecture/dp/1580800718/ref=monarch_sidesheet Grounds For Golf Geoff Shackelford https://www.amazon.com.au/Grounds-Golf-History-Fundamentals-Course/dp/031227808X 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 hands on some of the best golf apparel in the world. The winter range is superb, and as usual, fabrics, fits and colours are first class. Burnley Brewing have a range of new and exciting beers available as winter sets in – get there and grab some before it sells out. Situated at 648-650 Bridge Road Richmond, their tap room is a great place to visit. And if you can't get there, check out Burnley Brewing online or on insta. Our proud supporter has something for everyone’s taste. 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 recap Scott's win in the 2024 New South Wales GC A-Reserve club championship final, joined for the discussion by his opponent's caddie, NSWGC head teaching pro Warwick Dews. Warwick and Scott recap the shots that made a difference, discuss what each camp was thinking in some key moments and Warwick casts a professional's eye over the mistakes Scott and his opponent Evan Nguyen made along the way, with lessons any golfer can benefit from learning. Want to book a lesson with Warwick in NSWGC's state-of-the-art teaching facility? Click here: https://newsouthwalesgolfclub.gettimely.com/ Southout Angus & Grace, shoutout Burley Brewing.

Steve Keipert, editor of Australian Golf Digest joins us to chat about the magazine's latest rankings edition - with the Top 100 list of Australian courses controversially featuring a new #1. Cape Wickham sits atop the rankings for the first time. Steve goes through the nitty gritty of the process, and talks all things rankings, course architecture, and Aussie golf in a stimulating discussion. We're really appreciative of his time and insight, and hope you enjoy this episode. 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 hands on some of the best golf apparel in the world. Burnley Brewing have a new Belgian Trapist beer available as the temps drop – get there and grab some before it sells out. Situated at 648-650 Bridge Road Richmond, their tap room is a great place to visit. And if you can't get there, check out Burnley Brewing online or on insta. Our proud supporter has a brilliant range of locally brewed beers – with something for everyone’s taste. 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

Ever wondered what pure euphoria sounds like? Matt phoned in fresh from 12 hours walking the grounds of Augusta National to debrief on his day at The Masters. Just a quick episode, with regular programming to resume once Matty is back from his travels. Shoutout Burnley, shoutout Angus & Grace.

Lukas Michel joins the pod for a second time to chat about playing in the 2020 Masters Tournament: what he learned about the course; favourite shots, holes and greens; playing practice rounds with OWGR Top 10 studs; social distancing in The Crow's Nest, why food at The Masters tastes better & more. We also discuss his amateur career, his internal wrestle with the decision to ultimately not turn pro, his blossoming career as a golf course architect & how he keeps the game sharp now with a full-time job. You could listen to Lukas read the phone book for four hours and not grow tired, but you'll have to make do with this 90 minutes of gold from one of our favourite people in Aussie golf. Shoutout Angus & Grace. Shoutout Burnley.