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Golf Badgers: Daily Summaries Delivered
by By Cookie Jar Golf
Golf Badgers (ɡɒlf bæʤə) - noun: A group of golfers obsessed with the game.Does this sound like you? If so, you're in the right place.Sam Cooper (Golf course architect) and James Bledge (Course Manager @ Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake) invite some of their friends from across the architecture and green keeping industries to join them for a deep dive on all things golf.Feasting on a gluttonous diet of golf course architecture, greenkeeping, agronomy and all of the topics usually too dull for polite conversation.We hope you'll enjoy spending some time with us.
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- 4 days ago55 min
087 - Sophie Olejnik
We speak with ecologist Sophie Olejnik about how she moved from an ecology degree and traineeship work on nature reserves into golf course ecology, and how her role now is almost entirely focused on golf. She explains that she first came into the sector through a job at STRI, encouraged by her father, and that her early experience included visiting Montrose with Bob and learning about gorse management, coppicing and fungi. We discuss the ecological value of links and heathland courses, with ...
- 2 weeks ago38 min
086 - Walker Cup Volunteering with Bledge and Jason Meersman
In this episode we are in Flanagan’s Pub in Lahinch during the 2026 Walker Cup, setting the scene for a week of volunteering and course work. We describe the pub, the atmosphere in town, and the contrast between the old, dark setting and the event taking place nearby. We introduce Jason Meersman from the Patterson Club in Connecticut, who comes from a family of golf course superintendents. He explains his background, his club, and the recent renovation there, including the long hours, the co...
- 3 weeks ago53 min
085 - Drought with Graeme Roberts
Tune in as we speak with Graeme Roberts about the extreme drought affecting his links course and the impact on day-to-day course management. We discuss how little rain has fallen, how high evapotranspiration has been, and how wind, sand, and shallow soil make it difficult to retain moisture. We cover the club’s water supply, including the lake, its abstraction limits, mains water backup, tank capacity, pump issues, and the practical limits of irrigation during the hottest period. We also tal...
- Aug 13, 20261h 6m
084 - Firm, Fast & Dry
In this episode, we speak about Bledge’s return to golf after struggling with serious back problems. He explains how gym work and a different treatment approach have helped him recover, and how much better he feels both physically and mentally after being able to play again. We also discuss his summer golf trips, starting with visits to Ganton and Alwoodley in Yorkshire. We talk about the character and conditioning of both courses, the sand-based ground at Ganton, and the heathland style and...
- Jul 23, 20261h 14m
083 - gWest
Bledge and Sam begin by discussing the current state of the golf course. After some mixed weather, it’s in good condition. The rough is more defined, the playing surfaces are firm and fast and preparations for the season’s key events are well underway. Next, they focus on the Amateur Championship coming to Royal Liverpool. They explain the qualifying and match play format, practice and championship dates and mention that the event will be open to spectators and televised. They also dis...
- Jun 26, 20261h 0m
082 - Amateur Championship Reflections
We discuss the Amateur Championship at Hoylake and reflect on the conditions across the week. The course was as dry, firm, windy at times, and very consistent, with good weather throughout and strong television conditions. We explain how the greens were prepared and measured using GS3 ball data, with regular recording of moisture, firmness, speed, trueness and smoothness. We also talk about using wind tunnels to get accurate readings when the wind affected the roll, and how irrigation adjust...
- Jun 12, 20261h 15m
081 - The Return of the Amateur Championship
Bledge & Sam discuss the Amateur Championship’s return to Hoylake, its history at the club, the match-play format, qualifying and knockout rounds, its role for top amateurs, and preparations, schedule, and spectator access for the event. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.
- May 29, 202655 min
80 - Q & A
In this episode, Bledge takes center stage to tackle a massive range of questions submitted by our Instagram community. Bledge shares his wealth of experience on everything from the fine details of turf management and the realities of life on the course to career advice for the next generation of greenkeepers. This is a masterclass in the industry from a man who lives and breathes it. Whether you're in the industry or just love the behind-the-scenes of the game, this is a great listen. Send ...
About Golf Badgers
Golf Badgers (ɡɒlf bæʤə) - noun: A group of golfers obsessed with the game.Does this sound like you? If so, you're in the right place.Sam Cooper (Golf course architect) and James Bledge (Course Manager @ Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake) invite some of their friends from across the architecture and green keeping industries to join them for a deep dive on all things golf.Feasting on a gluttonous diet of golf course architecture, greenkeeping, agronomy and all of the topics usually too dull for polite conversation.We hope you'll enjoy spending some time with us.
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