Podcast
The Firm & Fast Golf Podcast
Hosted by Shane Derby · EN
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!
19episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 79: ODG Series #8 - Discovering Donald Ross with Bradley S. Klein
4w ago01:34:41Tap to summarizeBradley 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 SoundSpecial Guest: Bradley Klein.
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Episode 78: Winter works at Strandhill, Carne & More with Ally McIntosh
Apr 2301:12:56Tap to summarizeAlly 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 SoundSpecial Guest: Ally McIntosh.
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Episode 77: England's Golf Coast with Joe McDonnell of McDonnell & Cooper
Apr 401:28:28Tap to summarizeJoe 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 SoundSpecial Guest: Joe McDonnell.
Transcribe →Golf History & Heritage with David Normoyle
Mar 500:49:48Tap to summarizeDavid 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 SoundSpecial Guest: David Normoyle.
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Golf at Trinity College Dublin with Gavin Caldwell
Feb 501:18:00Tap to summarizeGavin 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 SoundSpecial Guest: Gavin Caldwell.
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Episode 74: Common Grounds with Richard Pennell
Dec 2301:35:47Tap to summarizeFriend of the pod Richard Pennell returns to chat about his new book Common Grounds. Over the course of the episode we chat about Richard's focus on slightly more rustic golfing adventures throughout the UK, Ireland and farther afield. Common Grounds is published by those lovely people at Grant Books, if you are interested in purchasing the book, please follow the link below: https://pitchmarks.bigcartel.com/category/books Remember to enter the competition to be in with a chance of winning one of two copies of Common Grounds that we are giving away. Details on how to enter are included in the introduction to the episode. Images can be found on the following channels X Instagram Bluesky For listeners interested in purchasing Eamon Mangan's book on building Carne Golf Links, please follow the link below. https://www.mayobooks.ie/Building-Carne?search=building%20carne A link to the Cookie Jar Course Diaries feature on Royal Worlington & Newmarket can be found below: https://www.cookiejargolf.com/315-course-diaries-royal-worlington-newmarket/ By no means least a link to Richard's Pitchmarks substack account can be found below https://pitchmarks.substack.com/ Episode music - Nectar by Dye O Supplied under license from Epidemic SoundSpecial Guest: Richard Pennell.
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Terry Thornton - Close & Uncertain Irish Golfing Adventures
Oct 2001:06:27Tap to summarizeIn this episode I am joined by Royal Adelaide member and all round good egg Terry Thornton, our chat today focuses on his first trip to Ireland for golf during this passed summer which included 22 rounds over 27 days. Over the course of the episode we discuss favourite Irish courses and holes from his recent trip in addition to many other rabbit holes that come our way, Many thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy the show. Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1
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Episode 72: Utrechtse Golf Club 'de Pan'
Aug 2901:00:30Tap to summarizeRoderick 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.1.1Special Guest: Roderick Ritchie.
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Episode 71: Matchless - The Rise of Womens Golf with Stephen Proctor
Jul 2201:18:47Tap to summarizeStephen Proctor returns to F&F to chat about Matchless, his new book, which charts the rise of formal womens golf from the late 1860's until the 1930's. The title of the book refers to the titanic battle between England's Joyce Wethered and Glenna Collet of the USA in the 36 hole final of the British Ladies Championship of Great Britain in 1929. This Championship was held at St. Andrews where the two premier players of the competed in what is widely considered to be the Greatest Women's golf match ever played. Prior to a précis on the 1929 final, Stephen introduces us to some of main characters who influenced the evolving game on both sides of the Atlantic as both suffrage and war would present challenges and opportunities to the gane of golf and wider society. Many thanks to Stephen for joining us again, we do hope you enjoy our chat. Please find links to Stephen's publisher, Birlinn Books, below where you can order from his back catalogue or preorder his new book Matchless - Joyce Wethered, Glenna Collet and the rise of Womens Golf Long Golden Afternoon - Golf's Age of Glory, 1864-1914 Monarch of the Green - Young Tom Morris, Pioneer of Modern Golf Richard Pennell @ pitchmarks Substack link Matchless pre-orders (for customers in the USA) are now also available by clicking on the following link - bookshop.org Many thanks to Stephen for joining us again, we do hope you enjoy our chat. Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1Special Guest: Stephen Proctor.
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Episode 70: Tea & Biscuits with Sam Williams from the Cookie Jar Golf Podcast
Jul 901:13:45Tap to summarizeSam Williams from the [Cookie Jar Golf Podcast](www.cookiejargolf.com) joins us on this episode to explore how CJG have grown from a crumb trail in 2020 into one of the largest UK golf podcasts. Over the course of an hour or so we take a look back through some highlights, recurring guests, expansions and look forward to what the future might hold for Sam, Tom, Bruce & Cal. It was great to finally catch up with Sam properly, we hope you enjoy our chat. Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1Special Guest: Sam Williams.
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