The Firm & Fast Golf Podcast

Bradley Klein joins us today to take a look at the life and times of one of Dornoch's favourite sons.... none other than Donald Ross.

Over the course of our conversation we explore young Donald's early days in the Scottish Highlands and in the East Neuk of Fife under the guidance of OTM. His appointment as keeper of the green and professional at Dornoch GC and the chance visit of a well connected Harvard Professor to Dornoch in late 1898 which led to life altering opportunities in Boston and later throughout the USA.

We take a look at some early projects, the Ross influence in North Carolina, a Colt collaboration at Old Elm, Seminole & the host of this years PGA Championship Aronimink in Philadelphia.

We assess the importance of key associates, explore his design tendancies and how the formation of the Donald Ross Society has facilitated and assisted with restoring many Ross courses to their former glories.

Many thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy the chat!

Episode music - Nectar by Dye O

Supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Special Guest: Bradley Klein.

Ally McIntosh joins us for another adventure down the rabbit hole of golf course architecture.

Over the course of this past winter Ally and his design partner James Coughlan have been busy overseeing the implementation of their Strandhill masterplan. They also commenced phase one of significant improvements to Carne Golf Links.

Ally runs us through the specifics of the work at both sited and explains how they utilise specific site specific solutions to fit the needs of these cery different coastal sites.

We also pay tribute to Pat Ruddy, look at some new course developments in the southeast of Ireland, compare and contrast the Top100golfcourses and Irish Golfer Magazine rankings, try to disect Ally's suspicion of 'fun' golf and explore possible upcoming course works at Portmarnock Golf Club.

Thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy our chat.

Episode music - Nectar by Dye O

Supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Special Guest: Ally McIntosh.

Joe McDonnell from McDonnell Cooper joins us to discuss the recent improvements to the 7th hole at Formby Golf Club which has recently reopened for member play. Please click on the link for an instagram video where Joe & Sam give us a sneak peak of the fruits of their labour. You can also check out this link where they detail the issues that the club asked McDonnell & Cooper to address.

Joe also walks us through some of the holes that have been lost to coastal erosion, please click on this link to a video that has been lovingly created by our friends at the Cookie Jar with input from Sam & Joe.

Finally Joe takes us on a magical mystery tour of some of the bright lights of Englands Golf Coast which stretches from The Wirral in the South to the Fylde Coast.

It's always great to catch up with Joe, we hope you enjoy our chat.

Episode music - Nectar by Dye O

Supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Special Guest: Joe McDonnell.

David Normoyle is a respected golf historian who works closely with heritage golf clubs to harness the story telling power of their historical assets.

Over the course of our chat, David makes a case for the significance of golf heritage and history - emphasising the need for active conservation of club histories.

We look at the distinct difference between tradition and traditionalism, the role of myths and proven fact in golf culture, the danger of recency bias and how the development of a deep understanding a club's past informs and supports future direction. Our conversation also touches on the importance of playing promptly, the distance debate and the influence and importance of literature on the game.

Finally David provides actionable advice for clubs looking to preserve their history while engaging with members and visitors.

Many thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy our chat.

Episode music - Nectar by Dye O

Supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Special Guest: David Normoyle.

Gavin Caldwell joins us on this episode to take a look at the history of golf at Trinity College Dublin.

Over the course of this episode we explore the main drivers of the foundation of both the Dublin University Golf Club and later the Society for Alumni that was first established in 1909.

We also profile many of the elite amateur golfers who were associated with Trinity through their studies and afterwards as part of the DUGS alumni.

Gavin has been associated with Trinity Golf for the past 60 years and co-wrote College Courses and Lasting Links detailing the history of Golf at Dublin University.

For anybody interested in purchasing a copy of the book please contact the Honorary Secretary of the Dublin University Golf Society (Mark Murnane) who can be reached via email at dugshonsec@gmail.com.

Episode music - Nectar by Dye O

Supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Special Guest: Gavin Caldwell.