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 talk about water pricing, pressure, and the difference between greens, fairways, and paths when water is scarce.

We then look at the course’s condition, the areas that have browned off, and the recovery plan for autumn. That includes topdressing, pot seeding, aeration, wetting agents, and the choice of seed mixes, with a focus on balancing fescue, ryegrass, and hardier grasses for links conditions.

Finally, we discuss the mental strain of managing drought damage and the value of speaking with other greenkeepers. We also talk about Graeme's recent volunteer trip to Merion for the U.S. Amateur, the work he did on bunkers and hand rollers, and what he learned from seeing another major championship setup firsthand.

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In this episode, we speak about Bledge’s return to golf after struggling with serious back problems. He explains how gym work and a different treatment approach have helped him recover, and how much better he feels both physically and mentally after being able to play again.

We also discuss his summer golf trips, starting with visits to Ganton and Alwoodley in Yorkshire. We talk about the character and conditioning of both courses, the sand-based ground at Ganton, and the heathland style and historic design influence at Alwoodley, including Alister MacKenzie’s role there.

A major part of the conversation focuses on measuring firmness and the move away from Clegg readings toward USGA-style numbers. We talk through why firmness numbers can be harder for people to understand than stimp readings, but also why they are important and how golfers and greenkeepers begin to interpret them through repeated use.

We then turn to the weather and the long dry period affecting the northwest of England. We discuss rainfall totals, evaporation and water budgets, the difficulty of replacing lost moisture, and the practical limits of irrigation on courses with restricted water sources or mains supply.

We also cover how drought is changing agronomy and course management. James explains the impact on different fescue cultivars, the importance of aeration and rooting, the use of wetting agents, and how overseeding choices are being adjusted toward more drought-tolerant grasses.

Finally, we discuss Royal Birkdale and the Open Championship setup. We talk about the brown, firm conditions, the way the course played, the importance of bounce and variety, and how the event was presented. We also touch on the broader idea that golf courses need to adapt to changing climate conditions, and James closes by describing a recent combine harvester ride and the appeal of that kind of machinery.

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Bledge and Sam begin by discussing the current state of the golf course. After some mixed weather, it’s in good condition. The rough is more defined, the playing surfaces are firm and fast and preparations for the season’s key events are well underway.

Next, they focus on the Amateur Championship coming to Royal Liverpool. They explain the qualifying and match play format, practice and championship dates and mention that the event will be open to spectators and televised. They also discuss how amateur golf differs from other major events due to the pressure, format and need to play several strong rounds in a row.

The conversation then shifts to gWest, the unfinished golf course project. They explain that it was started during the recession as part of a larger estate plan combining golf and residential plots. However, the housing market collapse impacted the wider business model. They describe the course’s location on exceptional land near Gleneagles and its intended scale, similar to other high-end golf developments.

They delve into the construction process and the work involved on site. They detail the heavy machinery, drainage, soil stripping, reshaping, tree planting, turf preparation and repeated problem-solving required to build the course. They also mention the heather translocation work, where mature heather was harvested and moved onto bunker faces and rough areas.

Finally, they reflect on how gWest represents a different era of golf course development and business planning. They compare it to modern projects, noting changes in golf economics and land use. They conclude by emphasising the significant effort put in by those involved despite the course never opening.

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