The Firm & Fast Golf Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Golf Course Architecture”

Episode 72: Utrechtse Golf Club 'de Pan'

Shane Derby — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Roderick Ritchie, the current course chairman at Utrechtse Golf Club, joins us today to explore the evolving story of 'de Pan' and what can be learned from the sort of careful and considered custodianship on show at Bosch en Duin.

UGC is one of Europe's best golf courses... hidden away amongst a sandy expanse of heather and pine in the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, a nature reserve of some 120 hectares, originally formed by glacial sand deposition during the last ice age.

'de Pan' was Harry Colt's second design commission in the Netherlands. Initially opened in 1929 as a 9 hole course which was extended to 18 in 1932.

Listeners who have sampled the delights of the Greater London Heathlands will recognise and appreciate the golfing charms that await them at UGC.

We hope you enjoy our chat!

Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1

Special Guest: Roderick Ritchie.

Episode 4: Bradley S Klein

Shane Derby — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 01:00:00 +0000

Bradley Klein fell in love with golf as a young man, beginning his golfing adventures as a caddy on the fairways of Rockaway Hunting Club in New York. He would go on to caddy on the PGA tour, most notably as Bernhard Langer's first caddy in the USA.

An academic career soon followed focussed on politics and international relations. Bradley earned a Phd and authored a book on nuclear deterrance while also moonlighting as a golf writer.

In 1999 he swapped academia for full time writing, this decison ultimately saw him create the Golfweek magazine ratings system and imbue panel members with a further appreciation of what makes great golf courses great.

Bradley has authored 9 books on golf architecture and history, most notably his seminal work entitled Discovering Donald Ross which won the USGA's International Book Award in 2001.

Bradley has served as a consultant on numerous course development and restoration projects, including Old Macdonald at Bandon Dunes; Olympia Fields in illinois; and Jack Nicklaus’ boy-hood course at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio.

We hope you enjoy our conversation with the always enlightening Bradley S. Klein.

Special Guest: Bradley Klein.

Episode 2: Mike Clayton

Shane Derby — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 22:00:00 +0000

Mike Clayton joins us on this episode to explore his early days in golf at Eastern Golf Club in Melbourne. His ascent to become an Australian Amateur Champion which led to a professional career in both Europe and Asia.

Mike then tells us about how he became a writer and his first forays into restoring some of the golden age greats of Australia, the creation of a modern masterpiece with Tom Doak at Barnbougle and perhaps a new one with Mike De Vries at 7 Mile Beach.

He also covers many of his party pieces such as rollback, scale and the importance of MacKenzie's design principles.

Have a listen, he is always great value! It's a long one, but well worth the investment.

We hope you enjoy this episode. Many thanks for tuning in.

Special Guest: Mike Clayton.