079 - Preparing Royal Birkdale for an Open with Sean McLean

We discuss Bledge’s golf trip to Philadelphia and New Jersey with friends John and Sean. The trip was originally planned around Pine Valley, and connections through golf clubs and greenkeepers helped shape the itinerary after the initial plans changed. We describe Pine Valley as a standout experience, from its pine-framed holes, sandy areas in place of conventional rough and fast greens to its caddies, clubhouse and practice facilities. We also discuss the course’s history, its named feature...

In this episode we are without Bladge, so we answer listener questions on our own and begin by explaining what we have been working on. We describe our architectural work since leaving our previous firm, including consulting for more than a dozen clubs, work on links and heathland courses, projects tied to Harry Colt and Tom Simpson, and new courses in the UK and abroad. We also say that we prefer to keep the details quiet and let the finished work speak for itself. We then discuss whether A...

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 ...

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...

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...