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!
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 71: Matchless - The Rise of Womens Golf with Stephen Proctor
Jul 22, 202501:18:47Tap 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 9, 202501:13:45Tap 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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Episode 69: James Bledge - Links Manager @ Royal Liverpool Golf Club
Jun 24, 202501:21:18Tap to summarizeJames Bledge the Links Manager at Royal Liverpool joins us in this episode to talk about his love for links golf, vocational green keeping, RCP @ Deal, Hoylake, drainage & irrigation, technology, STEM and inspiring the next generation. It was great to catch up with him again, we hope you enjoy the episode. Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1Special Guest: James Bledge.
Transcribe →Episode 68: ODG Shorts - A.B. Babington - Part 5 - Remembering Harry Colt
May 29, 202500:19:57Tap to summarizeThis is the final instalment focussing on Sir Anthony Babington's reminisences. In this episode he remembers his great friend Harry Shapland Colt. They were first introduced in 1919 by the Secretary of The Royal Dublin Golf Club, Cecil Barcroft. The relationship would prove fruitful for both men over the following decades. Many thanks for tuning in. Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound A Single Dance - Jon Bjork
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Episode 67: ODG Shorts - AB Babington Part 4 - New Clubhouse & 1951 Open Championship
May 21, 202500:19:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode Sir Anthony shares his memories of the purchase of the the Holyrood Hotel and its transformation into the current clubhouse at Royal Portrush. He also details the R&A's decision to host the 1951 Open Championship at Royal Portrush which was won by Max Faulkner. Many thanks for tuning in. Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound A Single Dance - Jon Bjork
Transcribe →Episode 66: ODG Shorts - A.B. Babington Part 3 - Harry Shapland Colt at Royal Portrush
May 7, 202500:31:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode Sir Anthony details the modernisation of the Royal Portrush Links under the combined efforts of HS Colt, JSF Morrison, Franks Harris, ABB & Hugh McNeill. Many thanks for tuning in. Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound A Single Dance - Jon Bjork
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Episode 65: ODG Shorts - A.B. Babington Part 2 - Early Days at Portrush
Apr 29, 202500:18:11Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the continuing series, we learn about Sir Anthony's early golfing days on the North Coast of Portrush. He also covers the consequential matters of extended tenure, security and opportunity that access to additional golfing grounds to the east of the town afforded the wider membership. The thorny history of Sabbatarianism also raises its head through a golfing lense as he teases out how this matter was resisted, debated and resolved over the course of the mid 1920's. Many thanks for tuning in. Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound A Single Dance - Jon Bjork
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Episode 64: ODG Shorts - A.B. Babington Part 1 - Trinity & Dollymount
Apr 21, 202500:14:35Tap to summarizeOver the course of the next number of short episodes we wilI take a look at another character that influenced the early development and growth of golf in Ireland. Anthony Babington was a native of Co. Derry, educated at Glenalmond in Perthshire and Trinity College Dublin. Babington was introduced to golf at Lisfannon in Donegal and Royal Portrush. He was a scratch player of some repute, competing extensively in the elite national amateur championships of the day. However, it was in the administration of the game that he really excelled, influencing golf at Trinity College, Dollymount, Portrush, Belfast and beyond. Through the medium of his recently uncovered memoirs and historical writings I'm pleased to introduce you to the long golfing life of A.B. Babington and the positive influence that he brought to bear throughout the island of Ireland. I hope you enjoy his recollections! Many thanks for tuning in. For more information on the history of Ireland please click here for a link to The Empire podcast referenced in this epiosde. Please see episodes 236 - 246 which relate to same. Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound A Single Dance - Jon Bjork
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Episode 63: Chris Breen - Superintendent at Rosapenna Golf Resort
Apr 8, 202501:27:34Tap to summarizeChris Breen has been the Superintendent at Rosapenna Golf Resort since 2019. A recent trip to Downings enabled us to sit down for a chat that we've been meaning to have for the past 12 months or so. We take a look at how he's ended up back home in Donegal overseeing the 63 hole, 1200 acre property. The importance of getting "your homework right" from a course setup perspective. How an easterly wind is less than optimal for growing grass early in the season. Why he's not praying for rain.... just yet. Grass paths and golfer expectations. The many changes that have occurred at the resort over the past 6 years and much more. Many thanks to Chris for his time, we hope you enjoy the listen. Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1Special Guest: Chris Breen.
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Episode 62: ODG Shorts - Thomas Gilroy - an evangelist of golf
Mar 29, 202500:26:27Tap to summarizeThomas Gilroy contributed greatly to the growth of the game of golf in Ireland over the period from 1885 to 1895. During his time in Ireland he was recognised as the best player in the country, holding a handicap between scratch and +6. Gilroy was a founding member at Dollymount, Portrush, Mornington & Baltray. A serial winner and course record setter, he spread the gospel a gift from Scotland. I hope you enjoy his story! Many thanks for tuning in. Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound Sweet Embrace (Instrumental Version) - Go For Howell
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