The Firm & Fast Golf Podcast

This 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

In 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

Over 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

Thomas 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

Mike Morrison joins us on this episode to introduce the upcoming R&A Heritage Conference which will take place in St. Andrews on March 11th & 12th 2025. The event has been organised through the longstanding partnership between the R&A and the British Golf Collectors Society. 'History is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of the fire' - Philip Truett (Founding Member of BGCS.). The Conference is focussed on providing Historic Golf Clubs with the tools, resources and support to further the collection, documentation, preservation and presentation of their unique histories some of which may have been forgotten or misremembered through time. We hope we've cast a little light on some of the interesting sessions scheduled for attendees over the course the two days in St Andrews. Please follow this link for the full Heritage conference agenda. Mike also gives us an introduction to some of his own research, writing and current research interests. If you would like to order a copy of Mike's book, The Great English Golf Boom, please contact him directly via email at mike.morrison57@outlook.com. Stephen Proctor's book, The Long Golden Afternoon (mentioned as a great companion piece to The Great English Golf Boom) can be purchase directly from the Publisher, Birlinn Books. Please also find links to Mike's 3 part series on Tom Dunn below for which he was awarded the 2023 BGCS Presidents Medal Through the Green March 2023 Through the Green June 2023 Through the Green September 2023 Thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy our chat! Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1Special Guest: Mike Morrison.

Neil Crafter and Dr John Green published the definitive biography of Alex Russell in 2016. Neil joins for this episode to delve into the life and times of arguably Australia's greatest home-grown golf architect. We take a look at the Russell family's Scottish heritage and what prompted their subsequent move to Australia. Alex's education in Geelong, Glenalmond and Cambridge, his service during WW1 & WW2, his exploits as a Champion Golfer, partnership with Dr. Mac & utilising the undoubted construction talents of Mick Morcom... plus the design of a few decent golf courses for good measure.. Thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy the listen! A link to Neil's recent update of the Alister MacKenzie Chronology can be found here You can also find more information on Neil's books below Discovering Alex Russell The Good Doctors Prescriptions Episode music supplied under license from Epedemic Sound Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1Special Guest: Neil Crafter.

Scotsman Iain Forrester has been a golf professional since 1983, moving to The Netherlands to become the Head Professional at Hoenshuis Golf & Country Club in Limburg. Iain believes that “……a PGA Professional needs to have a diverse skillset – a jack of all trades and a master of one or two. That’s what I’ve tried to do with my career, to be as flexible as possible, learn as many skills as possible and then have a niche that separates you from others.” Iain’s particular niche of choice focusses on maintaining and preserving the history of golf, in particular the way it was played in the past with wooden hickory clubs. Iain repairs and restores hickory equipment for fellow collectors while also suppling sets for hickory events throughout Europe. As if that’s not enough he has also written extensively about hickory golf and golf history in general. Safe to say he’s a great man to have on the pod to talk about on all things relating to hickory and Dutch golf. Iain's website can be found here The Golfika article on the history of British Handicapping mentioned in the show can be found here - pages 6 - 11. Thanks for tuning in, we hope you enjoy listening. Episode music supplied under license from Epedemic Sound Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1