002 - Rob McGuirk - Owner, Princes & Chart Hills

Bledge and I started this podcast to whitter away about not much in particular, meet some interesting folk, and share the odd bit of insight into the greenkeeping and architecture that underpins British golf. We are always so humbled by the number of you who tune in to the pod, and especially those who write in to ask questions or simply offer some feedback. In typical Badger fashion, we blunder around trying to re-introduce one another, mainly for the benefit of some of our more recent listeners. While many of you work in the industry, we are always mindful a growing portion are 'normal' golfers (if such a thing exists!) with a growing interest in the subject. Perhaps you're a recent addition to your club's green committee, or just someone with insomnia looking for something to fall asleep to. If either of these things is true of you, we hope this episode will be of particular interest. This is aimed squarely at those who want an intro into the subject matter. What is greenkeeping, really? How does it affect my golf course? Why can't we just cut the greens really short, and expect the greens to be perfect all year? As ever, there's more to the subject than first meets the eye. We hope this will get you thinking and, if it does, please do write in to us at [email protected] to give us another topic to cover in a similar way. Thanks again for listening, and please don't forget to share us with your friends (or, enemies). S(&B)

A few weeks ago, Bledge and I were lucky enough to sit down with Jim Price of MJ Abbott. Jim will be well known to anyone who has completed an irrigation project in recent years - and offers a great insight into the contractor's perspective. Things have undoubtedly changed in recent years, especially with more dramatic droughts and wet seasons. We talk about this, how Covid and Brexit have affected the landscape and his own career at MJ Abbott.

Welcome back, Badgers. This week is the first of our new style of podcast. Most importantly this week, Bledge pays tribute to friend to many in the greenkeeping industry in Bobby McDougall. A poignant reminder of how trivial many of the day to day things that occupy our minds actually are. Bledge and I discuss the freakish weather that continues to plague the UK, before entering into the first of our question topics. This week, Dominic Absolon asked us how each of us would approach a golf course - both from the point of view of an incoming course manager and of an architect. Obviously there's more to it than can possibly be covered in an hour, but we tried our best! Please continue to send your questions, be they technical or general, to [email protected] - and don't forget to continue to share the podcast far and wide!

It's safe to say that Scoosh is one of the industry's characters. Known by many for his humour and individuality, he's also a fiercely loyal and talented member of the greenkeeping industry. We hope you enjoy this (overdue) conversation with Scott as much as we enjoyed recording it.

After a few weeks of bringing you the insight of our wonderful guests, Sam and Bledge are back to chat away about this and that, and ask for your ideas on future episode ideas. We also have a new email address! Please do get in touch with us: [email protected] We can't wait to hear from you!

Scott and Graeme Roberts' really couldn't have been anything but greenkeepers. The brothers' grew up 'on the tools' at Hankley Common Golf Club, where their father Gareth was Course Manager for almost thirty years. Now, they are both Course Managers themselves. Scott is currently overseeing the multi million pound reconstruction of Basingstoke Golf Club's new golf course, while Graeme (a repeat guest of the pod) is now the Course Manager at Hayling Golf Club (a personal favourite of Sam's). The brothers' joined Bledge for a deep dive on growing up in the industry and their respective roles leading courses of their own. We hope you all enjoy.

Adrian says he's a specialist, not an expert. We'll let you settle on the semantics. However you badge him, Adrian Mortram has helped design countless irrigation systems throughout the world. Not just golf, his CV is as rich and varied as they come. We talk about his career, how irrigation systems have changed and how they might change still. We also touch on his passion for adventure and his plans down the line. We really hope you enjoy this episode. It was a pleasure to have Adrian on the show.

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