About the show
We're on a golfing quest of sorts, looking to increase our golfing I.Q.'s in the process.
Our aim is to speak to expert guests at the intersection of golf design and construction, green keeping and history…...to name but a few topics.
This podcast is not about us, it's about the guests, what they know and how that can influence the sustainable future of the game of golf that we all cherish.
Suspend what you know about the game of golf for a moment and join us on this journey, we promise great guests, different takes and a few laughs along the way.
Many thanks for considering us for a listen!
The Firm & Fast Golf Podcast on social media
Episodes
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Episode 46: F&F Spring Break #4 - Reimagining the County Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point
May 17th, 2024 | 1 hr 4 mins
The membership at Co. Sligo Golf Club have recently approved a Course Master Plan from MacKenzie & Ebert to revise, improve and rationalise their Championship Course at Rosses Point. David Dunne has been tasked with liaising directly with M&E on scoping, approval and ultimately delivery of the project over the coming years.
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Episode 45: F&F Spring Break 2024 #3 - Mark Millar - Course Manager at County Sligo GC
May 10th, 2024 | 1 hr 14 mins
Course Manager Mark Millar started his green keeping life thumbing a lift on the road from Newtownstewart to Omagh Golf Club. He would then move though stints in Portrush, the Australian Golf Club in Sydney, Lough Erne Golf Resort, The Verdura Resort in Sicily, Castle Dargan and ultimately where he finds himself today - County Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point.
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Episode 43: F&F Spring Break 2024 #1 - Sligo & Mayo
May 7th, 2024 | 1 hr 3 mins
The first episode chronicling the inaugural F&F Spring break to some of the best golf that the West of Ireland has to offer. A first timer and a somewhat more experienced traveller convene to chew the fat on 4 days of golf in Sligo and Mayo.
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Episode 44: F&F Spring Break 2024 #2 - The History of County Sligo Golf Club
April 30th, 2024 | 40 mins 20 secs
This episode explores some of the history of County Sligo Golf Club with long standing member Tony Cunningham. The Sligo Militia, The Campbell's, Colt & Company and the creation and history of the West of Ireland Championship are all covered in some detail
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Episode 42: Paraparaumu Beach Golf Links with Leo Barber
April 10th, 2024 | 1 hr 41 mins
Exploring the rich history of Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club with General Manager and Superintendent Leo Barber. It's 75 years since Alex Russell's arrival in New Zealand to revise the links at Paraparam - we delve into the backstory of the golf course while learning a wee bit more about Leo Barber in the process.
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Episode 41: An Afternoon with Pat Ruddy - Part 3 of 3 - Murvagh, Ballyliffin, Rosapenna and County Sligo
March 20th, 2024 | 1 hr 22 mins
This is the final episode with Pat Ruddy, we take a look at his enduring relationship with the County of Donegal and it's coastal links courses. Pat has worked on the links at Murvagh, Rosapenna, Ballyliffin, Rosapenna and Northwest over the years, he shares with us the how, why and what of those seaside adventures.
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Episode 40: An Afternoon with Pat Ruddy - Part 2 of 3 - The European Club
March 6th, 2024 | 47 mins 55 secs
Part 2 of 3 of our fireside chat with Pat Ruddy the owner and designer of The European Club located in Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow.
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Episode 39: An Afternoon with Pat Ruddy - Part 1 of 3 - Ballymote to The Point and Beyond
February 21st, 2024 | 1 hr 3 mins
Part 1 of 3 exploring the life and times of Pat Ruddy - golf course architect, golf journalist, author, bibliophile, historian and publisher. Pat has designed or revised 50 golf courses in Ireland including The European Club, Druids Glen, The Glashedy at Ballyliffin, Sandy Hills at Rosapenna, Donegal Golf Club, Portsalon Golf Club,
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Episode 38: Mike DeVries of CDP Golf & DeVries Design
February 13th, 2024 | 1 hr 53 mins
Mike DeVries of CDP Golf and DeVries Designs joins us today for a long overdue chat. Mike updates us on some of CDP's ongoing projects including 7 Mile Beach on Hobart as well as The Addington in London. We also explore some of his early influences at Crystal Downs in Michigan.
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Episode 37: ODG Series #5 - Calvin Peete - Golf's Forgotten Star
January 24th, 2024 | 1 hr 1 min
We return to our ODG series in this episode to focus on Calvin Peete - a forgotten star of 1980's golf. Calvin would overcome significant obstacles to become a winner on the PGA Tour on 12 occasions. He truly was one of the best golfers in the world during from 1982 - 86. The story of how he qualified for the 1983 Ryder Cup is worth a listen by itself.
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Episode 36: 2023 Firm & Fast Year in Review with Ally McIntosh
January 3rd, 2024 | 1 hr 9 mins
2023 Year in Review
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Episode 35: Dutch Golf Series #6 - Rockets Over Wild Farm & The Atlantic Wall
December 23rd, 2023 | 52 mins 27 secs
charles hugh alison, daniel wolf, de haagsche golf club, domburgsche golf club, koninklijke haagsche golf & country club, noordwijk golf club, robin bargmann, royal hague golf club, steve zivin, the atlantic wall, the first v2 rocket, the kennemer golf club, world war 2
This episode explores the story of Daniel Wolf as he hurriedly rushed to get a new golf course constructed upon his personal estate in The Hague. We also look at how construction of the Atlantic Wall effected golf properties along the coast of the Netherlands during and after WW2.
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Episode 34: Dutch Golf Series #5 - Robin Bargmann #3 - Nascent Modern Dutch Golf
December 9th, 2023 | 1 hr 6 mins
Our final episode with Robin Bargmann focuses on foundation of the first Dutch golf clubs. Many of these courses no longer exist in their original locations, now being located on comparatively better grounds for golf. The early course development pioneers also had the fortune and foresight to engage the services of both master designers in Colt & Company and the local course building contractor H. Copijn & zoon.
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Episode 33: Dutch Golf Series #4 - Robin Bargmann #2
November 17th, 2023 | 57 mins 35 secs
batavia, colf, dutch east india company, dutch golf, robin bargmann, the burghers, the dutch masters
Robin Bargmann joins us again for part 2 of our 3 part chat about his research into the dutch influence on the early days of golf in Scotland and early golf in the Netherlands.
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Episode 32: Dutch Golf Series #3 - Robin Bargmann #1
October 29th, 2023 | 1 hr 12 mins
Robin Bargmann joins us for the first instalment of an exploration of early golf. The historical influences that have been forgotten through time and the pollination across borders of people, language, games and culture that influenced the modern game of golf.
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Episode 31: Dutch Golf Series #2 - Grounds for Golf in The Netherlands
October 22nd, 2023 | 46 mins 7 secs
dutch golf, dutch grounds for golf, geography, geology, history, sociology
Exploring the geology, geography, history and sociology underpinning the creation of the grounds for golf in The Netherlands.