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  • Leo Barber the GM and Course Manager at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club on the Kapiti Coast of the North Island of New Zealand joins us for this episode.
    I have had the great pleasure of playing the links at Paraparaumu Beach on a number of occasions, over the course of 4 rounds there, thus far, the washboard fairways and associated dunescapes really resonated with this self confessed links junkie.
    Leo recently marked the 75th anniversary of Alex Russell's arrival at Paraparaumu with a presentation to the members of the club and joins us today to recount both the story of the links and his own journey which began a mere 15 minutes down the road from the club in Pukerua Bay.
    We hope you enjoy our chat!
    Please check out the following links for some additional supporting content
    Leo Barber's pictorial history of PBGC (https://youtu.be/8qH4NAj0Qe0)
    Ran Morisset's course tour of PBGC on Golf Club Atlas (https://golfclubatlas.com/countries/paraparaumu-beach/?portfolioCats=249%2C250%2C251%2C252%2C253%2C254%2C255%2C256%2C257%2C258%2C259%2C260%2C261%2C262%2C263%2C264%2C265%2C266%2C267%2C268%2C269%2C270%2C271%2C272%2C273%2C274%2C275%2C276)
    Christian Cullen best try's link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ9EYiDQYsk)
    Clyde Johnson website - Book on North Island Country Golf in NZ (https://www.cunningolfdesign.com/writing)
    Intro and outro music - _Shoreline Serenade by Dye O _- under license from Epidemic Sound Special Guest: Leo Barber.

  • In this final instalment of my chat with Pat Ruddy we take a look at his work in County Donegal - revising Eddie Hackett's work at both Murvagh and Ballyliffin, revising Morris, Vardon and Colt at Rosapenna, creating muscular modern links courses at Ballyliifin (Glashedy) and Rosapenna (Sandy Hills) and a revitalisation project at the Colt and Alison designed County Sligo Golf Club.
    Apologies for the, at times, slightly stratchy audio, we hope it doesn't detract too much from the conversation.
    We hope you enjoyed this series, many thanks to Pat for his time and to you for listening.
    Intro and outro music - _Shoreline Serenade by Dye O _- under license from Epidemic Sound Special Guest: Pat Ruddy.

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  • This is part two of my chat with Pat Ruddy (final part due in a few weeks), we hope you enjoy our conversation!
    In this episode we focus on the origin story of The European Club which is located in Brittas Bay in County Wicklow - how the site was eventually found, the opening day, a course of 20 holes, sleeper shod bunkers and a 127 yard green..... it's a cracking story.... well told!
    Apologies for some scratchy audio throughout, we hope it doesn't detract too much from the content.
    Intro and outro music - _Shoreline Serenade by Dye O _- under license from Epidemic Sound Special Guest: Pat Ruddy.

  • Pat Ruddy may be known to many of you as the owner and course designer of The European Club located at Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow.
    That association is central to his story, however, it does not tell the full tale. In addition to course design Mr Ruddy is a Golf Journalist, Author, Bibliophile, Historian and Magazine publisher.
    A native of Ballymote, Co. Mayo, Ruddy would often cycle 20 miles from his home in Ballymote to play the great coastal links of County Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point, where he was a member.
    His early days in Ballymote fueled his love of the game of golf and those that wrote about it like Longhurst, Warren-Wind and Darwin.
    He completed his first design for Castlecomer GC in 1969 and would go on to make revisions at Ballyliffin (Old), Rosapenna (OTM), County Sligo (Championship) and Donegal (Murvagh) in addition to new courses at Rosapenna (Sandy Hills), Ballyliffin (Glashedy), Druids Glen, Druids Heath, St Margarets and 36 at Club de Golf de l'Île de Montréal in Canada.
    This is part one of the Pat Ruddy story, we hope you enjoy our chat!
    Intro and outro music - _Shoreline Serenade by Dye O _- under license from Epidemic Sound Special Guest: Pat Ruddy.

  • Mike DeVries joins us from a wintery Michigan in advance of what may be his final construction visit to the 7 Mile Beach Golf Development that he is currently building for Mat Goggin in Hobart, Tasmania.
    We discuss his early influences at Crystal Downs in Michigan, restoration work at the Meadow Club, The Addington & Royal Dublin. We take a quick look at both the Addington in London and the 7MB project, get an elevator pitch for golf in Michigan and finally Mike shares some of his bucket list golf courses and golf book recommendations.
    We hope you enjoy our chat.
    Please find a few links below relating to some of the book recommendations mentioned towards the end of the episode:
    The MacKenzie Reader - edited by Joshua Pettit (https://alistermackenzie.org/store/mackenziereader)
    Paul Daley's series, entitled Golf Architecture : A Worldwide Perspective (https://www.finegolfbooks.com/pages/author/618/paul-daley/) , now extends to 7 Volumes, some of which are available through Fine Golf Books. Volume 7 can also be purchased directly form Paul Daley (email him at : [email protected]).
    Earlier editions can also often be found through pre-owned book resellers such as Abebooks, World of Books or Thrift Books.
    Intro and outro music - _Shoreline Serenade by Dye O _- under license from Epidemic Sound Special Guest: Mike DeVries.

  • Gordon Hobson joins us in this episode to focus upon a story, arguably unprecedented in the world of golf.
    Calvin Peete was born into to a family of migrant laborers in 1943, dropping out of school in the eighth grade he went to work picking crops....not a familiar springboard for PGA Tour success, particularly when you realise that he played his first game of golf at the age of 23!
    Dedication and hard work contributed to Peete's rise to the top of worldwide golf throughout the 1980's. His success was very much an extension of the golfing legacies of men such as boxing champion Joe Louis and forebears such as Spiller, Rhodes, Sifford and Elder the real pioneers of the UGA and the struggle aginst the PGA Tour's caucasian only policy.
    Gordon's biography of Calvin Peete, entitled - Golf's Forgotten Star - will be published by Rowman & Littlefield on the 6th of February 2024. Please click on the link below should you wish to place an order
    Amazon Order Link (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Calvin-Peete-Golfs-Forgotten-Star-ebook/dp/B0C9WDMS41/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=calvin+peete&sr=8-1)
    Links to some additional background reading and information on Peete and his can be found by following the links below:
    Joe Louis - from World Heavyweight Boxing Champion to socking it to the PGA Tour (https://andscape.com/features/the-day-joe-louis-became-the-first-black-golfer-to-play-a-pga-sponsored-tourney/)
    Laz Versailles' Fire Pit Collective Article on Spiller & Rhodes Case v PGA Tour (https://firepitcollective.com/bill-spiller-beats-segregation/)
    Luke Kerr-Dineen's Golf Digest Article on Calvin Peete (https://www.golfdigest.com/story/calvin-peete-broken-arm-accuracy-ball-striker)
    Intro and outro music - _Shoreline Serenade by Dye O _- under license from Epidemic Sound Special Guest: Gordon Hobson.

  • Ally McIntosh joins us for a slightly delayed review of our respective 2023 golfing years.
    We catch up on renovations at Strandhill and Ally's plans at Carne Golf Links in 2024. Take a look at some of the Irish golfing highlights to come over the year to come and compare notes on various courses that we have visited over the course of the past year and locations we are eyeing up for the year to come.
    Many thanks to you, for returning to the show throughout 2023. Here's to great golf in 2024.
    Intro music - Wait Up Sundown by Arch Tremors (Instrumental) - published under license from Epidemic Sound. Special Guest: Ally McIntosh.

  • Over the course of researching the history of golf in the Netherlands two golf related stories have really resonated with me.
    In this episode we are joined by Stephen Zivin and to investigate the initial history of a Charles Hugh Alison design at De Wildhoeve in The Hague, now the home of the Royal Hague Golf Club. The story is intertwined by its' original owner, a gentleman by the name of Daniel Wolf
    Robin Bargmann makes one final cameo to tell us the story of Kennemer Golf & Country Club during and after WW2.
    We also take a quick look at the effects of WW2 on Domburgsche and Noordwijkse.
    Stephen has written a great article on this subject matter for McKellar Magazine (https://www.mckellarmagazine.com/) #7.
    Featured music by Victor Lundberg, under license from Epidemic Sound Special Guests: Robin Bargmann and Steve Zivin.

  • Robin Bargmann joins us for the final time, as we explore how the game of golf in the Netherlands started on the private estates of the aristocratic and mercantile families of Holland. We take a look at some of these early pioneers, that brought the game to the dunescape and heathland of the lowlands.
    Over time the custodians of the first clubs, engaged notable names such as Harry Colt, Hugh Alison and John Morrison to revise, extend and design some of the countries best courses. In future episodes we will catch up with some of the modern day custodians to see how history and heritage is still harnessed to the benefit of members and guests at these golfing institutions.
    A number of pre-loved copies of Robin's book, The Serendipity of Early Golf, appear to be available from the link below for those that may be interested.
    https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/f/serendipity-of-early-golf/9200000049113765/
    The book of writings by John Sutherland, Golf Causerie, mentioned in the episode, can be purchased directly from the Royal Dornoch proshop - link here (https://royaldornochproshop.com/product/golf-causerie-the-forgotten-articles-by-john-sutherland-2/)
    Featured music by Victor Lundberg, under license from Epidemic Sound Special Guest: Robin Bargmann.

  • 'I think you always have to go to the context, to understand something' R. Bargmann.
    Robin Bargmann joins us for the second instalment on the back story to dutch golf.
    Today we touch on some Dutch history including the Spanish Armada, the fall of Antwerp and subsequent rise of Amsterdam, the Dutch masters and the Burghers, the demise of the game of colf, not to forget the foundation of the Dutch Republic, Waterloo, the Dutch East India Company and much more.
    Thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy the journey!
    Links to a few of Robin's articles published in the British Golf Collectors Societies periodical Through the Green can be found below
    Golf in Holland (https://www.golfcollectors.co.uk/u/cms/ttg_113_2015_june.pdf#page=35)
    Bobby Boreel (https://www.golfcollectors.co.uk/u/cms/ttg_137_2021_june.pdf#page=36)
    More than a Textbook (https://www.golfcollectors.co.uk/u/cms/ttg_136_2021_march.pdf#page=38)
    The Serendipity book is now out of print, however, used copies can often be found on Abebooks (https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?kn=serendipity%20of%20early%20golf&sts=t&cm_sp=SearchF-_-topnav-_-Results) if you are interested in augmenting your golfing library.
    Featured music by Victor Lundberg, under license from Epidemic Sound Special Guest: Robin Bargmann.

  • Robin Bargmann joins us on this episode to begin an exploration of early golf and the influence that the European lowlands had on the modern game of golf, founded in Scotland in the 15th century.
    Robin is widley recognised as one of the leading golf scholars in The Netherlands and has written a number of books including Serendipity of Early Golf which traces the many connections between Holland and Scotland.
    The breadth of his research as impressive as it is extensive, we trust that you enjoy what is the first of three instalments with Mr. Bargmann.
    The Serendipity book is now out of print, however, used copies can often be found on Abebooks (https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?kn=serendipity%20of%20early%20golf&sts=t&cm_sp=SearchF-_-topnav-_-Results) if you are interested in augmenting your golfing library.
    Links to one of Robin's articles published in the British Golf Collectors Societies periodical Through the Green can be found below
    Golf in Holland (https://www.golfcollectors.co.uk/u/cms/ttg_113_2015_june.pdf#page=35)
    Featured music by Victor Lundberg, under license from Epidemic Sound Special Guest: Robin Bargmann.

  • In this second installment of our docupod series we take a look at the creation of the grounds for golf in the Netherlands. Stepping into a geological time machine with the help of Robert Hack we take a look at the geography, geology and underlying history of the low countries and how natural forces and the hand of man have conspired to create a dunescape, sandy interior and polderland that is utilised in its' myriad forms for the 250 Dutch golf courses.
    We also get a sneak peek of episode 3 in this series with a short cameo appearance from the Robin Bargmann the golf historian and author of the Serendipity of Early Golf. Robin's book follows on, in a contrapuntal direction, from Steven van Hengels book from the 1980's entitled Early Golf.
    Please see a youtube link below for some more information on a few of the topics covered in this episode
    A dry southern north sea - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DECwfQQqRzo
    The Sandmotor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1H-58W7QDk
    An interesting read in advance of the next episode - https://www.golfcollectors.co.uk/u/cms/ttg1062013_september.pdf#page=28
    Featured music by Victor Lundberg, under license from Epidemic Sound Special Guests: Robert Hack and Robin Bargmann.

  • Inspired by a relatively recent golf trip to the Netherlands, this is episode #1 trying something slightly different. In this episode we take an introductory look at golf in Holland getting a feel for what you might expect in a golfing sense with assistance from some of our friends, namely Mike Clayton, Frank Pont, George Waters & Jasper Miners.
    We also take a sneak peak at what to expect to from the remainder of the docupod series.... please be mindful that most of it is as yet unrecorded (but I do know who I need to talk to).... I will get it published .... however, it may take some time (if putting this relatively short episode is anything to go by!).
    Thanks for tuning in, I hope you enjoy the different format!
    Featured music by Victor Lundberg, under license from Epedemic Sound. Special Guests: Frank Pont, George Waters, Jasper Miners, and Mike Clayton.

  • We are releasing a new format docupod series tomorrow which will take a deep dive into golf in the Netherlands. This snippet was too good to leave out so I have included here as sneak peak of my recent chat with Mike Clayton...sage advice as to why you should consider a golf trip to the Netherlands, Belgium & France.
    I hope you enjoy tomorrows release.
    Special Guest: Mike Clayton.

  • Jeff Mingay joins us from Nova Scotia for a varied discussion on the life and times of Arthur Vernon Macan (1882-1964).
    Macan was born in Ireland but is better known in his adopted homeland of Canada. An accomplished amateur golfer, AV was a qualified lawyer who became a prolific golf course architect throughout the Pacific Northwest of Canada and the USA. We explore Macan's back story, his influences and notable courses which include the original iteration of The California Club in San Francisco.
    Jeff also gives us a flavour of his restoration work on Macan courses, his design/build philosophy, some commentary on why the setup at LACC was right on the money and an assessment of the recent PGA Tour Commissioners repudiation of the Model Local Rule ball related proposal from the R&A/USGA.
    We hope you enjoy the show!
    Please find some links below of items mentioned in the show
    Concerning Golf (1903) by John J. Low (https://evalu18.com/book/concerning-golf/)
    Score Golf Article by Jeff Mingay on LACC (https://scoregolf.com/features/golf-course-architecture-is-not-about-hard-or-easy-its-about-intrigue/)
    Anatomy of a Golf Course by Tom Doak (https://evalu18.com/book/anatomy-golf-course-tom-doak/)
    The Links by Robert Hunter (https://evalu18.com/book/the-links-robert-hunter/)
    Just Call me Mac - by Mike Riste (https://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/michael-riste-july-2011/)
    History of Essex Golf & Country Club - by Jeff Mingay (https://golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/opinionmingay/)
    Classics of Golf Library (https://classicsofgolf.com/)
    Intro and outro music - _Shoreline Serenade by Dye O _- under license from Epidemic Sound Special Guest: Jeff Mingay.

  • With the Open Championship quickly approaching Joe McDonnell, member of RLGC for over 30 years, joins us to explore the seemigly ever changing faces of Hoylake. Many thanks to Joe for his time and expertise.... this should whet your appetite in advance of the 151st staging of golfs' original and greatest major.
    Links mentioned in the episode
    Richard Latham's golf history books (https://www.richardlathamgolfbooks.com/)
    The Updated version of Scott MacPherson's Evolution of the Old Course (https://www.scottmacphersongolfdesign.com/media-releases-more/books/st-andrews-the-evolution-of-the-old-course/)
    Joe McDonnell's Time Machine
    Please click here (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15kNL3eWHmM4YdfN7UQglFzbAIojKR0eV?usp=sharing) to see some imagery from Joe's bucket list, time machine - Royal Birkdale, St. Andrews Old Course and Royal Liverpool
    Please check out a video of Brancaster (https://youtu.be/IRkSnSrwtwA?) at high tide and Elgar's_ Nimrod _as the sound track.... wonderful!
    Episode imagery credits - Joe McDonnell, Simon Haines, Royal Liverpool Golf Club & Kevin Murray
    Intro and outro music - _Shoreline Serenade by Dye O _- under license from Epidemic Sound Special Guest: Joe McDonnell.

  • Richard Pennell makes a long overdue return to the pod, I am honoured that he decided to favour F&F as the medium to announce the imminent publication of his new book - Grass Routes - a collection of some of his @pitchmarks pieces (https://pitchmarks.substack.com/).
    Grass Routes Website (pitchmarks.bigcartel.com)
    Richard has launched a new website (pitchmarks.bigcartel.com) to launch his book, the first edition has a limited run and will undoubtedly be a collectors item in the years to come. Through the medium of words, Richard, has an unrivalled ability to tanatlise the senses in transporting you to first tees, final greens and matchplay battles throughout the golf courses of England, Wales, Scotland and beyond. This is an opus worth investing in.
    Competition
    In celebration of Grass Routes publication, Richard has kindly agreed to provide a lucky winner with a signed copy of his new book. All you have to do is to follow either of the links below to Twitter or Instagram, follow the F&F accounts and then successfully name the course where the hole in question is located.
    F&F Twitter Link (https://twitter.com/firmandfastgolf/status/1674551074412281857)
    F&F Instagram Link (https://www.instagram.com/p/CuF4ucZtFhh/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
    *Grant Books * (https://www.grantbooks.co.uk/)
    Grant Books (https://www.grantbooks.co.uk/) are publishing Grass Routes (pitchmarks.bigcartel.com) for Richard Pennell, Grant Books (https://www.grantbooks.co.uk/)has been publishing the finest golf books since 1971. Their portfolio includes architectural, historical and club-specific volumes, all produced to the highest standards. Click here (https://www.grantbooks.co.uk/) for more details of their extensive range.
    The Smell of Rain
    Towards the end of this episode I completely lost the run of myself :) and challenged RP to write a piece for the F&F listeners on the smell of rain. Alas as the pod dropped the creative juices are still flowing so you will have to wait a little longer to see what he comes up with, as soon as he sends it to me, a link will be posted here to the F&F substack blog!
    Richard Pennell Esq
    Richard's First Blog Post via Cookie Jar Golf - Rank Outsiders (https://cookiejargolf.com/rank-outsiders/)
    Richard Pennell's @pitchmarks Substack Blog (https://pitchmarks.substack.com/)
    Alistair Cooke
    Letter from America - Alistair Cooke on BBC Sounds (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b00f6hbp)
    Harry Rountree Watercolour Prints
    A link to the sumptuous Harry Rountree Prints from Darwin's Golf Courses of the British Isles can be found here (https://shop.evalu18.com/collections/harry-rountree)
    F&F Blog - Netherlands pieces
    #1 - Initial Observations on Dutch Golf (https://shanederby.substack.com/p/initial-thoughts-on-golf-in-the-netherlands)
    #2 - The Links Valley - a Reversible 9 (https://shanederby.substack.com/p/summer-break-diary-2023-1-the-links)
    Further pieces are currently being developed (slowly :)) on Utrecht de Pan, Royal Hague, Kennemer, Noordwijk and Hilversum will be released over the coming weeks.
    If you so desire, you can subscribe to the Firm & Fast Occasional Newsletter at the bottom of all posts.
    Other content well worth exploring
    McKellar Journal (https://www.mckellarmagazine.com/)
    The Golfers Journal (https://www.golfersjournal.com/)
    Contours Golf (https://contours.golf/) - Will Watt formerly of Caddie Mag
    The Quadrilateral (https://quadrilateral.substack.com/) - Geoff Shackleford
    The Albatross (https://thealbatross.substack.com/)- Bill Fields
    The Duffers Literary Companion (https://open.spotify.com/show/2G3yhN4E2fU4nAAtSfy86k) - Podcast with Stephen Proctor & Jim Hartsell
    Links for below to some favourite writers, a few of whom are also friends of the F&F pod
    John Low
    Concerning Golf (https://evalu18.com/book/concerning-golf/)
    Bernard Darwin
    The Golf Courses of the British Isles (https://evalu18.com/book/golf-courses-british-isles/)
    Playing the Like (https://www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/title/playing-the-like/author/bernard-darwin/)
    Alistair Cooke
    The Marvellous Mania (https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9780713999969/Marvellous-Mania-Alistair-Cooke-Golf-0713999969/plp)
    Geoff Shackleford
    Golf Architecture for Normal People (https://www.geoffshackelford.com/)
    Mike Clayton
    Preferred Lies (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Preferred-Lies-Other-True-Stories/dp/1743794673)
    Golf from The Inside (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Golf-inside-Mike-Clayton/dp/1920769072)
    Stephen Proctor
    Monarch of the Green (https://birlinn.co.uk/product/monarch-of-the-green-2/)
    The Long Golden Afternoon (https://birlinn.co.uk/product/the-long-golden-afternoon/)
    Jim Hartsell
    When Revelation Comes (https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Revelation-Comes-Journey-Scotland/dp/1956237097#:~:text=Scottish%20golf%20and%20golf%20writing,of%20Sweetens%20Cove%20(2021).)
    Roger McStravick
    All of Rogers' books can be purchased from Fine Golf Books (https://www.finegolfbooks.com/searchResults.php?action=browse&category_id=632)
    Many thanks for including us on your playlist - if you get a chance, please leave us a review on apple itunes, it would really be appreciated!
    Happy Golfing!
    Intro and outro music - _Shoreline Serenade by Dye O _- under license from Epidemic Sound Special Guest: Richard Pennell.

  • Firstly, please excuse the somewhat spotty audio - there were gremlins in the system which were beyond my control - must do better Mr. Zoom...grrrrr.
    Jasper Miners from Evalu18 is back by popular demand - to say that the Evalu18 story has picked up pace of late would be somewhat of an undersell. Jasper shares the recently announced news that Evalu18, in association with Renaissance Golf Design, have been appointed to prepare a masterplan to restore both courses at St Georges Hill Golf Club in Webridge, Surrey.
    We then take a magical mystery tour through Jaspers travels in Ireland, USA, Australia and New Zealand. We could have gone on for a few more hours - and actually did another 45 minutes or so when the record button was depressed.
    It's always great to catch up with him and this episode was no different, we hope you enjoy the blether!
    Please find a selection of links below that we mentioned in this episode:
    Geoff Shackleford's new book - Golf Architecture for Normal People (https://quadrilateral.substack.com/p/normal-people-my-new-book-is-out)
    McKellar Journal (https://www.mckellarmagazine.com/)
    Olde Glen Bar (https://oldeglen.ie/) - Glen Village, Co. Donegal
    Torbreck Winery (https://torbreck.com/), Barossa Valley, South Australia
    Special Guest: Jasper Miners.

  • Ally McIntosh joins us on this episode to take a dive into the golf course design career of Eddie Hackett. A name synonymous with golf course design in Ireland from the mid 1960's until his death in 1996.
    Over the course of his career, Hackett would hold many roles within the golf space - apprentice, golf club maker, teacher and head professional - he even owned a tobacconist in the 1950's before he was reincarnated as a course designer through the auspices of an invitation from Bill Menton, the President of the Golfing Union of Ireland, to consider offering course design services to member clubs.
    For the final 35 years of his life, Eddie Hackett extended and revised well over 100 golf courses, many of which were on virginal linksland on the West Coast of Ireland.
    Over the course of the episode we will take a look at his approach to design and commonalities between projects. We also linger on some of Hackett's better known course, exploring how they started and how they are going now.
    Please find a link a number of videos below, introducing you, should you need an intro, to some of the courses that we discuss
    Connemara Golf Links (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbduitydJmA)
    Enniscrone Golf Club (https://www.airswing.com.au/project/enniscrone-golf-club-ireland/)
    Waterville Golf Links (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMeXQCrOLiw)
    Donegal Golf Club (https://www.airswing.com.au/project/donegal-golf-club-ireland/)
    Carne Golf Links (https://www.airswing.com.au/project/carne-golf-links-ireland/)
    Many thanks for tuning in, we hope that you might consider adding some of Hackett's course to your bucket list - you definitely will not be disappointed! Special Guest: Ally McIntosh.

  • In November 2019 The Royal Dublin Golf Club appointed the design firm Clayton DeVries & Pont to undertake a bunker study in an effort to reconnect with their Harry Colt design heritage.
    Since the Colt revisions in 1920 Royal Dublin has been revised, lengthened, toughened and tinkered with by some of the great and good - including Eddie Hackett and Dr. Martin Hawtree.
    CDP initially developed a proposal for member consideration revisiting Colt's original design principles while focussing on positioning that contributes to the overall aesthetic. Once member approval had been granted, CDP, under the auspices of Frank Pont and his colleague Hendrik Hilgert, coordinated the renovation of a significant number of bunkers returning their style to one more in keeping with the clubs' design heritage. CDP also restored elements of Colt’s asymmetric design which had been lost over time.
    The Royal Dublin bunker project commenced in November 2022 and is now fully complete..... the members are very happy and cannot wait for the full reopening of the new bunkers and surrounds which is currently planned for May 2023...
    Over the course of this episode we initially take a look at Frank's circuitous route to golf course design, we take an in depth look at the renovation process at Royal Dublin and further possible areas for consideration. We also get an update on the renovation works at The Addington, we find out more about Frank's Links Valley project in The Netherlands and get an elevator pitch for a golf trip to Amsterdam or Utrecht.
    Additional Resources
    For your further enjoyment please find a link below (to my googledrive) the folder includes some additional pieces of content (historical aerials, course imagery, before/afters and how the specific CDP propsals developed over time) that will allow you to follow the conversation in some greater detail ..... should you so wish.
    Episode #23 - Royal Dublin Additional Content Link (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1P8qpv8lA589gKRuenxzOPI2di1CUpOPZ?usp=sharing)
    Many thanks for tuning in! Special Guest: Frank Pont.