Afleveringen

  • In this episode of The Process by The Greenprint, golf course architect and shaper Brett Hochstein joins hosts Leighton Walker and Thad Layton for a deep conversation on golf architecture, shaping philosophy, and the importance of reading the land. Brett reflects on discovering golf architecture at just four years old and shares how his early shaping work alongside architects like Tom Doak helped form his design instincts and understanding of construction.

    A major theme throughout the discussion is site-specific design and the idea that golf courses should feel naturally connected to their environment. Brett explains how geology, erosion, wind, vegetation, and local history all influence his approach to shaping and strategy. The conversation explores everything from the sand dunes of Nebraska to the rugged common land courses of England, including places like Painswick Golf Club and Royal Worlington & Newmarket Golf Club, which Brett sees as some of golf's purest and most authentic experiences.

    The episode also dives into Brett's restoration work at courses including Pasatiempo Golf Club, Hadley Wood Golf Club, and Lake Merced Golf Club. He shares the painstaking process of rebuilding lost Alister MacKenzie features from historic photographs, along with the challenge of balancing artistry, construction efficiency, and historical accuracy. Brett and Thad also discuss current architectural trends, from naturalistic design to the renewed interest in bold early Golden Age shaping and contour-driven strategy.

    Beyond architecture, the conversation becomes surprisingly personal as Brett opens up about the pressures of the industry and the value of therapy and personal growth in building confidence and resilience. The episode closes with a quick-fire discussion on design features ranging from blind shots and centerline hazards to fall-away greens and revetted bunkers, offering a revealing look into Brett's architectural preferences and philosophy.

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  • It's an agronomy based episode of The Greenprint, and Leighton Walker is joined by Scott Roberts, Course Manager at Hindhead Golf Club in the UK, alongside Mark Shaw and Will Bowden from PGG Wrightson Seeds in New Zealand. Together they explore the fascinating world of cool-season turfgrasses, uncovering the science, research and long-term planning that underpin the playing surfaces golfers often take for granted. There's also a strong emphasis on how these grasses effect playability of Golf Courses

    The conversation begins with an introduction to PGG Wrightson Seeds and their role within DLF, one of the world's largest seed companies. Mark and Will explain how New Zealand has become a global centre for turfgrass breeding, particularly for colonial browntop, and discuss how genetics collected from golf courses and natural environments are used to develop new cultivars capable of meeting the demands of modern golf.

    Scott shares his journey through the greenkeeping profession, including his involvement in the complete redevelopment of Basingstoke Golf Club before moving to Hindhead. His experience provides valuable insight into the practical challenges of selecting grass species during construction projects and balancing performance, maintenance requirements and golfer expectations.

    A major theme throughout the episode is the complexity of turfgrass breeding. Mark and Will explain that developing a new cultivar can take more than a decade, from identifying promising parent plants and carrying out controlled crosses through to years of evaluation, seed multiplication and commercial production. They discuss the constant challenge of improving turf quality while simultaneously increasing resilience to drought, disease and wear.

    The group also examines the differences between creeping bentgrass, colonial browntop and fine fescues, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each species. While creeping bentgrass offers exceptional playing quality and recovery, browntop and fescues often require fewer inputs and can provide greater sustainability in the right environment. The discussion highlights that there is rarely a universal solution, with successful grass selection depending heavily on climate, soil conditions, maintenance budgets and the overall vision for the golf course.

    Sustainability features heavily in the conversation as the panel explores the impact of declining pesticide availability, increasing pressure on water resources and changing climatic conditions. The guests explain how breeding programmes are increasingly focused on disease resistance and drought tolerance, helping golf courses adapt to future challenges while maintaining acceptable standards of play. They also discuss examples from Europe and New Zealand where golf courses are operating with significantly reduced chemical inputs, providing a glimpse into the future direction of turf management.

    The episode concludes with a discussion around the importance of collaboration between breeders, architects, agronomists and course managers. Through examples including Tara Iti, Te Arai Links, Jack's Point and Royal Melbourne, the guests demonstrate how early involvement in the design process can help ensure the right grass species and cultivars are selected to deliver both exceptional playing conditions and long-term sustainability.

    This episode offers a fascinating look behind the scenes of turfgrass development and highlights the crucial role that genetics will play in shaping the future of golf course management. It also sets the stage for the next instalment in the series, which will focus on warm-season grasses, including Bermuda and Zoysia, and their growing relevance in an increasingly unpredictable climate.

    Hindhead Golf Club

    PGG Wrightson

    Will Bowden

    Mark Shaw

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  • In this episode of The Process by The Greenprint, Leighton and Thad sit down with legendary golf course architect Bruce Charlton of Robert Trent Jones II to explore the design philosophies and creative process he has developed over more than 40 years in the industry.

    Bruce reflects on his early fascination with golf course design - including sketching golf holes during church services, and explains how that passion evolved into a career shaping courses around the world. The conversation dives into his instinctive approach to routing, why he prefers to "follow the water," and how listening to the natural movement of the land remains central to his philosophy.

    Leighton and Thad also discuss Bruce's experiences working alongside Bobby Jones Jr., the creative freedom and trust he has been given throughout his career, and the incredible variety found across the courses he has designed. Bruce shares insight into how golf architecture has evolved over the decades, particularly when revisiting courses originally built 30 or 40 years ago and modernising them for today's game while respecting their original character.

    The conversation also touches on the realities of balancing an extensive global career with family life, and how Bruce has managed the demands of constant travel and long-term projects while maintaining perspective away from the golf course.

    A thoughtful and engaging conversation with one of the most respected figures in golf course architecture.

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  • On this episode of The Process, we sit down with the thoughtful and highly respected golf course architect and shaper Riley Johns. Riley's path through the game is a rare one — having worked alongside both Bill Coore and Tom Doak, he has been shaped by two of the most influential modern design philosophies in golf. Those experiences, combined with years of hands-on shaping work around the world, have helped form Riley's own distinctive perspective on architecture, creativity, and restraint, culminating in Rhebb & Johns Design.

    Our conversation explores the experiences and influences that continue to shape Riley's process today. He reflects on his upbringing in the Canadian Rockies and how growing up surrounded by dramatic landscapes sharpened his appreciation for terrain, movement, and scale. Riley also shares stories from his time working with some of the game's most respected operators and architects, discussing the importance of observation, patience, and learning through travel.

    Part of the discussion centers around Riley's long-standing partnership with Keith Rhebb and the collaborative dynamic that has made their work so admired throughout the golf world. We also dive into the art of routing — one of the most critical and misunderstood aspects of golf course architecture — as Riley explains how he walks and studies a piece of land repeatedly to uncover the best possible golf holes. Rather than forcing ideas onto the landscape, he discusses the discipline of letting the land guide the process and why great routing often comes from careful observation more than ambition.

    Riley also shares his thoughts on the ideal golf facility — one built around far more than just golf itself.

    This episode is a thoughtful look into the mindset behind great golf architecture and the experiences that continue to influence one of the industry's most respected modern craftsmen.

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  • A very collaborative episode at the recent EIGCA Annual Meeting in Utrecht, where we joined our partner Toro to record a wide-ranging and insightful conversation with a fantastic group of guests, including:

    Andy Brown from Toro

    Toby Ingleton of Golf Course Architecture Magazine

    Golf course architects:

    Jeff Lynch of Re:Golf

    James Edwards of EDI

    Bruce Charlton of RTJ2.

    The discussion which was not always a deep "architecture" conversation, began with reflections on three exceptional courses played during the meeting: Kyle Phillips' Bernardus, along with Hilversumsche and De Pan. These courses provided the perfect backdrop to explore the strength of golf in the Netherlands, a country with a rich golfing history where courses are often seamlessly integrated into the natural landscape and foster a strong sense of community.

    From there, the conversation expanded into how the setting of a golf course influences perception, not just in terms of scenery but in how it interacts with architectural intent. The group also explored the challenges facing golf in the Netherlands, particularly around increasing regulation. The country is often seen as a bellwether for future trends in areas such as biodiversity, chemical use, and water management, raising important questions about how these issues may shape the future of golf globally.

    The evolution of golf clubs was another key theme, with discussion around opening facilities up to become more inclusive, mixed-use spaces that appeal to a broader audience. Alongside this, the value of practice and short-form facilities—such as short game areas, driving ranges, and putting courses—was highlighted as an increasingly important part of modern golf operations.

    We also delved into length of Golf Courses and the question of; do we need to reduce the length of courses to appeal to a larger number of Golfers.

    It was a thoughtful and engaging conversation throughout, and we are grateful to all of our guests for their time and insights.

    Toro Golf

    EIGCA

    Golf Course Architecture Magazine

    ReGolf

    EDI Golf

    RTJ2

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  • Dana Fry joins The Process by The Greenprint for a deep dive into his design philosophy, influences, and the journey that shaped him into one of golf architecture's leading figures.

    From his early days learning the craft, through his time working under Tom Fazio, and alongside influential figures like Andy Banfield and Mike Strantz, Dana shares an honest account of how he evolved from shaper to designer. Now, as co-founder of Fry/Straka alongside Jason Straka, he sits at the forefront of major projects across the U.S. and internationally.

    The conversation explores standout projects, including Miakka in central Florida - a bold and distinctive development with shades of Shadow Creek Golf Course, as well as the contrasting coastal challenge of Curracloe Links in Ireland.

    Dana also opens up about the realities of golf course architecture: the types of land designers are given, the constraints they face, and how great architects maximize every site's potential.

    Candid, thoughtful, and deeply passionate, Dana delivers an insightful look into the mindset behind world-class golf course design.

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  • We catch up with Jasper Miners of Evalu18 and Top 100 Golf Courses.

    Jasper has a deep passion for golf course architecture, and he's become widely respected for helping clubs uncover and understand their history. This work plays a crucial role in guiding future course design, ensuring that any renovations or restorations retain the original spirit and integrity of the course.

    We dive into his current involvement with St George's Hill in Surrey, where an exciting renovation/restoration project is about to begin under the direction of Brian Schneider and his team. Jasper will play a central role in shaping that process.

    The conversation also broadens into general course discussion, starting with Streamsong, which Jasper recently visited. We look at Golf in Australia and also Ryder Cup and Open Championship venues. With his extensive experience playing courses all over the world, Jasper brings a unique perspective to the game and to his work with Top 100 Golf Courses and he talks us through the success and philosophy behind the Top 100 Golf Courses website, and how it has grown into a valuable resource for golfers everywhere.

    An engaging and insightful chat with Jasper—we hope you enjoy it.

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  • Leighton and Thad sit down with the inimitable David McLay Kidd of DMK designs to unpack the process behind his remarkable career designing some of golf's most iconic courses.

    They explore how David evolved his approach early on—taking on the role of general contractor on many of his projects to gain greater control over execution—and how that decision has shaped the consistency and quality of his work. The conversation dives deep into his creative philosophy, particularly how he transforms diverse and often challenging landscapes into compelling golf experiences through meticulous routing and design.

    David shares insights from recent projects including River Ranch and Loraloma, before turning the spotlight to Streamsong's fourth and newest course, Bone Valley. As the "fourth cab off the rank," David explains the unique challenges and opportunities of building alongside three established courses—and how he approached carving out something distinctive.

    Great chats also including an analogy with filmmaking and balancing elite and amateur players in his design.

    This is a rare, in-depth look at David's thinking, as he goes further than usual in breaking down the principles and process that define his work. The results speak for themselves—and you won't want to miss this one.

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  • On the Tee is our round-up of golf course projects taking shape across the globe, from new openings to developments under construction and recently announced designs. In this episode, we're joined by Toby Ingleton of Golf Course Architecture for our own take on a "Florida Swing," focusing on a cluster of exciting projects in the region and beyond.

    We begin with Apogee's Summit Course in Florida, designed by Kyle Phillips, which is already open and setting a high benchmark. From there, we move to Ireland, where Phillips is also leading the transformation of Brittas Bay, formerly known as the European Club, bringing a fresh vision to a well-known links landscape.

    Staying in the U.S., we explore the much-anticipated "Bone Valley" course at Streamsong Resort, designed by David McLay Kidd, alongside his work at River Ranch, another project generating significant interest for its scale and ambition.

    The episode also highlights the work of Dana Fry and Jason Straka, with two notable developments: Miakka in Florida and Curracloe Links at Ravenport Resort in Ireland. Both projects showcase their distinct design approach across very different environments.

    With most of these courses scheduled to open in late 2026 or early 2027, there's a great deal to look forward to as these designs come to life. For more detail on all of these projects, visit Golf Course Architecture Magazine.

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  • In Episode 2 of The Process we sit down with Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie & Ebert to explore the philosophy and thinking behind his approach to golf course design. Strategy sits at the heart of Tom's work, with a clear focus on creating the best possible playing conditions while offering engaging strategic choices for as many golfers as possible.

    Strategy can take many forms, and in the episode Tom shares examples from several projects. At North Hants Golf Club the design approach included reducing the number of bunkers while still maintaining strategic interest and visual clarity. At New South Wales Golf Club a previously overlooked stone wall was discovered during the design process and incorporated as an out-of-bounds feature, creating a distinctive strategic element that now influences how the hole is played.

    We also discuss the company's philosophy of producing highly detailed designs before any construction begins. This careful planning helps ensure that the strategic intent of a course is clear from the outset, while still leaving room for adjustments and creative decisions once work begins on the ground. The balance between precise planning and on-site flexibility is a key part of the firm's process.

    With the firm involved at a number of venues associated with The Open Championship, Tom reflects on the responsibility that comes with helping to care for some of golf's most historic courses. While he doesn't feel overwhelmed by the role, he does acknowledge the importance of protecting the character and heritage of these storied venues.

    The conversation touches on work at a range of notable clubs including West Sussex Golf Club, Nairn Golf Club, Victoria Golf Club, Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Royal St George's Golf Club and North Hants.

    It's an insightful conversation with one of the game's most thoughtful architects, offering a deeper look into the strategic thinking and design process that shape some of the world's most respected golf courses.

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  • On this Toro Partnership episode, we visit the stunning Lofoten Links in Norway and speak to Jerry Mulvihill (Superintendent) and Tekla Kvachadze

    Jerry and Tekla share how they manage turf in one of the world's most remote and visually striking locations, dealing with short growing seasons, harsh weather, limited access to resources, and the unique challenges of midnight sun and polar night. They also explain some of the benefits and advantages of living in this beautiful part of the world. The course goes from strength to strength and continues to attract Golfers from all over the world.

    This episode covers:

    Maintaining turf in extreme cold

    Adapting agronomy to the unique climate

    Equipment, staffing, and logistics in remote locations

    The shared problem-solving mindset required to deliver top-level playing conditions

    The joys of working in Lofoten, but also with a fantastic team

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  • We're excited to bring you The Process by The Greenprint, a new sub-series that digs deep into how golf course architects think, work, and create.

    Hosted by Leighton Walker and joined by Thad Layton of Thad Layton Design, the series explores the processes that shape great golf design.

    In this first full episode, we sit down with Nick Mills, a Melbourne-born golf course designer whose introduction to the game began caddying at Capital Golf Club. That early exposure—combined with hands-on maintenance work and formal study in Landscape Architecture—laid the foundation for a career defined by curiosity, experimentation, and a deep respect for the land.

    The conversation traces formative projects across New Zealand and the United States, including early restoration work at Titirangi Golf Club alongside Clyde Johnson, a transition into U.S. construction at Cedarbrook, the influential Old Sandwich short-game area, and ongoing large-scale work at The Patterson Club. Along the way, we explore how small projects can have outsized influence, and why restraint and scale—particularly around bunkering—are essential tools in design.

    We also discuss the architects, mentors, and creative thinkers who have shaped Nick's perspective, including French gardener and writer Gilles Clément, and his concept of the "third landscape." The episode highlights the importance of looking beyond the golf architecture echo chamber, and how collaboration—especially in shaping—drives the best outcomes.

    The conversation closes with reflections on sustainability as a natural byproduct of good design, and why the greatest golf holes should ultimately make you feel something.

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  • Following the successful launch of The Greenprint, the podcast dedicated to golf course design, sustainability and agronomy has announced a new sub-series titled "The Process by The Greenprint." The series will focus exclusively on golf course architecture, offering an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at how architects think, work and create.

    The new sub-series will feature and be co-hosted by, Thad Layton of Thad Layton Design, who brings on-the-ground expertise and extensive knowledge of golf course architecture to the conversations. The Process will take listeners deep into the philosophy, history, vision and—most importantly—the process behind modern golf course design.

    Unlike traditional interviews, The Process is designed to go beyond surface-level discussion. Each episode will explore what truly drives architects creatively, using real-world examples from their portfolios to examine how ideas evolve from initial concept through to completed courses.

    The format will remain relaxed and conversational while delivering genuine technical insight. Listeners can expect candid discussions, practical examples and thoughtful reflections from respected names within golf course architecture, providing rare insight into the creative and strategic decisions behind course design.

    Here in this episode, Leighton and Thad sit down at the wonderful Streamsong to preview the show and get into what will be explored, including subject matter and some early guests.

    Episodes of The Process by The Greenprint will be released a minimum of once per month, alongside the main Greenprint schedule.

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  • Episode 24 of The Greenprint is produced in partnership with Toro and takes the form of a wide-ranging panel discussion, recorded at BTME, on how modern machinery and technology are reshaping golf course design. The episode brings together three leading architects—Tim Lobb of Lobb & Partners, Caspar Grauballe of By Caspar, and Paul Kimber of Kimber Glen International—alongside industry expert Andy Brown from Toro. Each architect approaches the subject from their own design perspective, while Andy adds insight from the machinery, irrigation, and innovation side of the game.

    The conversation explores how advances in construction equipment, irrigation systems, and maintenance technology are influencing what can be built, how courses play, and how design intent is delivered on the ground. The panel digs into themes such as firmness, green speeds, and how modern practices can reintroduce and enhance the ground game. They also discuss autonomous mowing, bunker construction and maintenance, and the evolving relationship between technology and course labour. Along the way, the discussion touches on less obvious influences, including GPS and social media, and how they are beginning to shape both design decisions and golfer expectations. It's a thoughtful, candid exchange featuring some of the sharpest architectural minds in the UK and Europe, offering a clear picture of where golf course design is heading and why.

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  • This episode takes a deep, topic-led look at golf course design for the slower swing speed player. We use this term deliberately, because swing speed is what really determines distance and ball flight, and a large proportion of the golfing population fits into this category. Slower swing speed players can be young or old, male or female, beginners or lifelong golfers.

    It is also worth remembering that most golf courses are, in reality, home to slower swing speed players. The 7,000-plus yard course is the outlier, not the norm.

    We are joined by Kari Haug of Kari Haug Planning & Design, alongside Giulia Ferroni of Leeds Golf Design, to explore how course design can better serve this majority of golfers. The conversation goes well beyond simply adding forward tees. We dig into how hazard placement affects playability, realistic carry distances from the tee, and how green complexes can be designed to challenge better players while still remaining accessible for those with slower swing speeds.

    Kari shares insights from her extensive research into this subject, with a clear focus on how modern course design can better incorporate these principles to improve inclusion, enjoyment, and long-term accessibility for all golfers. Giulia brings a practical knowledge from having helped several courses work through this in their course design.

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  • We're delighted to welcome the ever-thoughtful and well-travelled author and golfer Richard Pennell to the show.

    Following his acclaimed debut Grass Routes, Richard has recently released his second book, Common Grounds, a fascinating exploration of lesser-known yet deeply compelling golf courses found on common land across the UK and Ireland. These courses often play a vital role in their local communities and occupy a unique place in the game, defined by quirky, characterful designs that consistently delight and surprise those who discover them. Many of them designed by names such as Colt, Simpson, Fowler, Braid, Abercrombie and J.H Taylor.

    Richard has a rare gift for telling the stories of these places, articulating their history, culture, and charm with great skill and sensitivity. But it's not all romance and idiosyncrasy, as some of the architecture found on these courses has drawn the attention of architects from around the world, eager to study the ideas and inspiration that can inform their own design philosophies. (See, for example, Thad Layton's discussion of Minchinhampton Old, Painswick, and Cleeve Hill in Episode 16.) Click here to listen

    The courses featured in Common Grounds span England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Some you'll recognize instantly; others you may struggle to pronounce, but all of them have stories worth hearing and form a great topic of architectural conversation.

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  • Glenelg Golf Club has been completely reshaped through a long, multi-year redevelopment that in 2021 brought architects, Neil Crafter and Ryan Van Der Veen together to modernize the course while protecting the character that makes it memorable. Neil Crafter started the process back in the late 1990's and more recently, with Ryan from 2021 to it's recent completion and opening. The guiding design philosophy and a big part of this story is to challenge golfers through strategy and interesting green complexes rather than sheer length, creating holes that reward smart decision-making. That approach also includes embracing "quirk" as an intentional design element—features that give the course personality and make individual holes stand out.

    Sustainability sits at the center of the club's future direction. A major upgrade to the irrigation system has improved water efficiency and course conditioning, while a broader push to integrate natural landforms and native vegetation reinforces environmental responsibility. Reducing the number of bunkers has also been a strategic choice, aimed at improving playability without diluting the tactical challenge.

    Throughout the process, Glenelg has relied heavily on member engagement, using feedback to refine decisions and maintain alignment with the club community. As a result, the course remains one of Australia's highest-regarded golfing experiences—challenging, enjoyable, and now better adapted for long-term environmental and design sustainability.

    https://www.glenelggolf.com/cms/

    https://www.golfstrategies.com.au/

    A big thanks to our Show Partner - Toro

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    https://www.golfclubtalk.uk/the-green-print/

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  • We're really pleased to welcome Paul Jansen to The Greenprint. Paul has built an impressive career in the world of golf architecture, and we kick things off by exploring his early journey in the industry, including a formative stint with Faldo Design.

    From there, we dive into two of his standout ventures: @himalayasgolf and @golfinsmallspaces, both developed in collaboration with Sir Nick Faldo. Paul shares insights into the growing demand for innovative short-game practice areas, short courses, and state-of-the-art putting greens. His designs focus on thoughtful detail and authentic playability, allowing golfers to train in conditions that closely mirror real-world scenarios.

    We then shift to the spectacular Ponta do Pargo project in Madeira — a long-term passion for Paul. Leighton recently visited the site during the GCAE conference and had the privilege of touring the in-progress course alongside Paul and Sir Nick themselves. Paul explains the dramatic nature of the landscape, the design opportunities it offers, and the challenges the team has navigated along the way. Set to open in 2027, Ponta do Pargo is shaping up to be something truly special.

    Learn more about Paul's work at Himalayas Golf: https://himalayasgolf.com/

    A big thanks to our Show Partner - Toro

    Check them out here!

    https://www.golfclubtalk.uk/the-green-print/

    https://www.instagram.com/thegreenprintgolf/

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  • Brought to you by Toro

    In this episode, we head to the striking Island of Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal located off the northwest coast of Africa. While Madeira isn't traditionally thought of as a golf destination, it carries nearly 100 years of golfing history and features three courses across two islands—Palheiro, Santo da Serra, and Porto Santo. The islands have also played host to the Madeira Open on the European Tour for many years. And with a fourth course under construction at Ponta do Pargo, Madeira's golf future looks brighter than ever. (Stay tuned for an upcoming episode on that spectacular project.)

    This episode focuses on "Golf in Madeira"—both the golf experience itself and the company of the same name.
    Our first guest, Andre Rodriguez, owner of Golf in Madeira, shares insights into:

    The unique character of golf on the island

    What makes each course distinct

    Why Madeira offers much more than a stand-alone golf holiday

    Beyond golf, Andre highlights Madeira's incredible range of activities, including whale and dolphin watching, surfing, hiking, mountain biking, and more.

    We're then joined by Henrique Duarte of Irrimac, the Toro distributor for the region, and Ricardo Abreu, CEO of Santo da Serra. They take us through the story of Santo da Serra's history and the extraordinary challenge they faced when trying to create an irrigation solution for the course—and the surrounding community—when it was believed no workable solution existed. Together with Toro, they found one.

    If you're searching for an exciting, evolving, and authentic golf destination, Madeira deserves a spot on your map.

    https://www.golfinmadeira.com/

    https://www.palheironatureestate.com/palheiro-golf.html

    https://santodaserragolf.com/

    https://portosantogolfe.com/

    A big thanks to our Show Partner - Toro

    Check them out here!

    https://www.golfclubtalk.uk/the-green-print/

    https://www.instagram.com/thegreenprintgolf/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-greenprint-golf/?viewAsMember=true

    www.golfclubtalk.uk

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  • We're really lucky to be joined by Clyde Johnson of Cunnin' Golf Design. Clyde brings an extensive knowledge of golf course design and construction, built through his time working with Tom Doak at Renaissance Golf Design and, for the past decade, through his own practice.

    Learning from and collaborating with some of the best in the business, Clyde takes great pride in crafting natural golf courses on great sites—and in helping clubs enhance their existing layouts through thoughtful master planning.

    In this episode, we explore Clyde's career journey, as well as some of the courses that have shaped him—and those he's helped shape in return. These include:

    Tara Iti in New Zealand

    The Hotchkin at Woodhall Spa

    St Enodoc in England

    Old Petty at Cabot Highlands, where Clyde served as lead designer/associate

    This is a great conversation with one of the most insightful and talented voices in modern golf course design.

    https://www.taraiti.com/

    https://www.woodhallspagolf.com/hotchkin_course

    https://www.st-enodoc.co.uk/

    https://cabothighlands.com/golf/old-petty

    A big thanks to our Show Partner - Toro

    Check them out here!

    https://www.golfclubtalk.uk/the-green-print/

    https://www.instagram.com/thegreenprintgolf/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-greenprint-golf/?viewAsMember=true

    www.golfclubtalk.uk

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