Re-visting Royal Birkdale...

In this episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin is joined by Richard Weeks, General Manager of Royal Birkdale, to explore the extensive preparations underway ahead of hosting The Open Championship.

They dive into the thinking behind recent course changes, how the team balances tradition with modern championship demands, and what it really takes to present one of the world’s most iconic links at its absolute best. From agronomy and conditioning to logistics and player experience, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at staging golf’s oldest major.

Whether you’re a course architecture enthusiast or just love The Open, this is an insightful conversation on the challenges and craft of preparing a world-class venue for the global stage.

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With The Open returning to Royal Birkdale, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy take an in-depth look at one of golf's most iconic championship venues ahead of the year's final men's major.

The pair break down the dramatic changes made to the course since Jordan Spieth's memorable victory in 2017, discussing the brand-new holes, redesigned layouts, and whether the updates will make Birkdale a better test for today's longest hitters. They also explore how The Open is evolving, why The R&A is asking more from its venues than ever before, and what fans can expect from a record-breaking championship on England's Golf Coast.

Plus, plenty of chat about links golf, favourite Open memories, and why Royal Birkdale remains one of the game's greatest stages.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are so many golf clubs cutting down trees? Are trees essential to the beauty and character of a course, or have they become obstacles to great golf course design?

In this episode of the Top 100s Podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy tackle one of the most debated topics in modern golf architecture: trees. Inspired by a famous quote from legendary architect Alister MacKenzie, they explore the role trees play in shaping strategy, aesthetics, sustainability, and the long-term health of golf courses.

Drawing on their experiences as golfers, course observers, and editors covering golf course management, Tom and Dan discuss the rise of restoration projects, the growing trend of tree removal at leading clubs, and why opinions on the subject are often deeply divided. From heathland restoration and agronomy to championship golf and environmental concerns, they examine how trees can both enhance and hinder the game and why the debate is more relevant than ever.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.