Australian Golf Passport

A special one for our AGP audience this time around. Commemorating perhaps the most important moment for the game of golf in Australia. This edition of the podcast is the first of three dedicated to the life and times of Dr. Alister MacKenzie. Published to coincide with the centenary of his Australian visit in the last months of 1926, we take a deep dive into Alister’s life – starting with schooling years, the Boer War, progressing to his work with camouflage during World War I, and his transition from medicine to golf. His marriage, work at Alwoodley, Moortown and elsewhere, association with Colt and his map of The Old Course – it is all covered. We conclude the episode with a look at Melbourne, Australia and the world in 1926, setting the stage for the time in which MacKenzie’s Australian voyage is confirmed. We explore a few rabbit holes and take the odd detour along the way for good measure. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed the research and presentation.

A huge thank you to all of those who assisted – our bibliography for this episode is long and illustrious. Full details of all the source materials are found on Instagram, along with all the images we discuss during the episode. We’ve also uploaded this episode to YouTube for those who want to look instead of just listen.

Australian Golf Passport podcast is supported by:

⁠⁠Currents Golf⁠⁠ golf booking software

⁠⁠Angus and Grace Go Golfing⁠⁠ apparel

⁠⁠Seed Golf⁠⁠ balls

Images related to this episode can be found on our ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠.

Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing WithMe-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

A few little snippets to discuss before we focus on the headline act for this episode. Scott and Matt discuss the imminent opening of some new holes at Newcastle Golf Club, with the work by Scott Champion and Bob Harrison looking really good.

Lovedale Farm comes in for some discussion – specifically the ongoing issue of who is actually at the helm from a design perspective. Read the Planet Golf article addressing this.

And most importantly – we discuss Barwon Heads, in all its old school glory. Situated in a gorgeous seaside village, the course is close to the beach and enjoys wonderful terrain. An enjoyable mix of short and long holes, the course is so reminiscent of so much high calibre UK golf. The closest thing to an East Coast English or Scottish links in the southern hemisphere.

As promised in the episode – the link to enquire about stay and play packages in the glorious and recently refurbished Barwon Heads clubhouse.

Australian Golf Passport is supported by:

⁠Currents Golf⁠ golf booking software

⁠Angus and Grace Go Golfing⁠ apparel

⁠Seed Golf⁠ balls

Images related to this episode can be found on our ⁠Instagram⁠.

Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

This week's episode is a chat between Scott and our guest Mark Panopoulos. We cover his pursuit to play every golf course in Australia - inspired by an epiphany in Kakadu National Park, sand greens golf, his upbringing on the NSW South Coast and life as a professional golfer in Australia.

Australian Golf Passport is supported by:

Currents Golf golf booking software

Angus and Grace Go Golfing apparel

Seed Golf balls

Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram.

Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

A few topics covered on this episode – ranging from Royal Park Golf Course, social media activity of golf clubs, and hickory golf. Firstly we touch on the community consultation process and impending change in the Royal Park precinct of Melbourne, which may have ramifications for the golf course. We touch on a couple of examples of social media activity from local golf clubs and discuss how badly it is so often done, and how social media activity by golf clubs could be done better. We round out the episode with a discussion of hickory golf. The clubs, the history, the makers, and the mode of play. Courses suited to hickory and more. This stems from Matt’s recent participation in the 2026 Victorian Hickory Shaft Championships, staged at Barwon Heads, and is the springboard into our next episode in which we focus exclusively on Barwon Heads Golf Club.

As discussed in the episode –

The State Government & Melbourne City Council’s plans for the Royal Park precinct here -

https://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/royal-park-master-plan-review/project-overview

Erik Anders Lang returns to Melbourne in October and will berevisiting Royal Park – the site of the first ever Random Golf Club event. For those interested in participating in the event scheduled for late October a link is here.

https://randomgolfclub.com/en-au/products/royal-park-melbourne-mad-scramble?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web&fbclid=PAdGRleAUZUb5mdHNoBP4LvXBkb2YCZmRpZBZQ1TG-bcZtrWeM36ZSP_u5X3m38uV4ZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPMTI0MDI0NTc0Mjg3NDE0AAGnU1zCrAG-aLuG9cn_k7H0ELfFmvDnQjS9_FJ8H00FHg0zCxMp0sPq6fG40tA_aem_OY-MjUM1IE6i6ms6c4JRIQ

 The link to follow for the 2027 Australian Hickory Shaft championships (including multi-day sandbelt play) is below

https://australianhickory.golfsocietyaust.com

The Australian Golf Heritage Society - http://www.australiangolfheritage.org.au/index.html

Golf Society of Australia –

https://golfsocietyaust.com/

You can follow GSA on Facebook too…

Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their insta page and website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. It's shorts season already in Sydney - but still time for sweaters and trousers in Melbourne. Grab what you need and look stylish on the course. We thank Matt – our OG partner.

Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – doyour wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf.

Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagrampage (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators when photos or video is not captured by Scott or Matt.

Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop PlayingWith Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

A long-awaited chat with an under the radar figure in golfarchitecture in Australia. And a sensational, humble guy on top of that! Mic spends an hour with us, chatting about his start in the design and construction business, and the many projects he’s been a part of over the last two decades. From his beginnings when submitting competition entries to Tom Doak and Tony Cashmore, to working on master plans, course routings and more. We talk about Mic’s time on the ground at Tara Iti, National (Gunnamatta), Mallacoota, Flinders, 7 Mile Beach and others. He shares his love for understated countrygolf courses, particularly those down in the south east of Victoria. He sheds a little light on some hidden gems such as Loch Sport and Tambo Valley too! Construction, lessons learned from working with some wonderful colleagues and great projects and more. Thanks so much to Mic for chatting with us – a really fun and illuminating discussion.

Mic’s site for those who want to know more –

https://holesintheground.com/

The website for the golf course & club at Tambo Valley -

https://www.tambovalleygc.com/course.htm

And a link to Loch Sport too -

https://lochsportgolfclub.com.au/

Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their insta page and website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. Some warmer layers are on the shelves now, ensuring you will b stylish and warm during your round – and after! We thank Matt – our OG partner.

Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – do your wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf.

Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators when photos or video is not captured by Scott or Matt.

Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

A review of the All-Australian Composite Courses we unveiled in Episode 100. We tackle audience feedback, some reflections on each of our courses two weeks on and some holes that were unlucky to miss out.

We mull over the process of compiling such a course and touch on a range of issues related to the eclectic layouts. Do people tend to favour photogenic holes? Are our courses full of our favourite holes ? Do they layouts work as balanced and playable (albeit in an imaginary sense) courses?

We then go on to look at a different kind of 18, selecting an Anti-All-Australian 18 featuring weak holes from the top 18 courses in the land (according to our inaugural AGP course rankings). We discuss why some of these holes are less memorable than their colleagues and highlight the fact that even stellar courses have low spots.

Bryson's fescue stomping rules snafu during The Open comes in for a little discussion, as does Ryan Fox's win and the upcoming Aussie Open at Kingston Heath, which Corey Connors is confirmed for...

We briefly mentioned an old book written by Peter Thomson titled "Classic Golf Holes of Australia" It features some great old images of some of our best holes. There's a copy or two on eBay currently - going cheap.

Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their William St Paddington store if you’re in Sydney, or visit their insta page or website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. Splurge on yourself and be the best dressed golfer at your club – grab an AAGGG cashmere sweater while they’re still available. You can thank us later.

Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – do your wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf.

Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators when photos or video is not captured by Scott or Matt.

Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

One hundred episodes! We've come a long way from that nervous first recording in August 2022.

We have been looking forward for a while to selecting our ultimate Aussie 18s, and it felt like the right fit for this milestone recording.

One hole per course and it had to slot in on our All-Australian layout that the same hole number it occupies on the course it was taken from. We also threw in our favourite clubhouse, halfway house, locker room, post-round feed and drink as well.

Matt's course changed regularly from when we embarked on the process of selecting holes, while Scott's course stayed the same until a panicked two hours before we hit record.

Thanks as always to our fantastic partners Angus & Grace Go Golfing and Seed Golf. We couldn't think of better teammates than Matt Burns and Dean Klatt.

Thank you for listening, it means the world to us.

Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators when photos or video is not captured by Scott or Matt. Special thanks to Will Watt of Contours.

Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing WithMe-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

Not a nervous single nudged to mid on as we near the century – the 99th episode of AGP podcast is a great chat with Charlie Mercer – one of New Zealand’s finest, and host of The Yardage Book Podcast. Charlie recently visited Australia and played some of our best courses. We talk about his views on golf in Australia and New Zealand. The similarities and differences, the good and not so good points, and so much more. Thanks so much to Charlie for speaking with us. Go and take a listen to his back catalogue including his interviews with Jim Rohrstaff, Ryan Fox, Will Kay, Tom Doak, and his latest episode with Leo Barber and Michael Goldstein discussing NZ’s bestpar 3 holes.

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/architecture-spotlight-the-par-3s-of-nz/id1714222287?i=1000772601220

Some courses and other stuff we discussed

Clyde Johnson’s book - https://www.blurb.co.uk/b/7548667-the-golf-courses-of-new-zealand-s-north-island

Te Arai Links - https://tearai.com/

And an old review from Matt’s first Titirangi visit back in2009.

https://golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/titirangi-golf-club/

Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their William St Paddington store if you’re in Sydney, or alternatively visit their insta page or website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. Splurge on yourself and be the best dressed golfer at your club – grab an AAGGG cashmere sweater while they’re still available. Youcan thank us later.

Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – doyour wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf.

Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators when photos or video is not captured by Scott or Matt.

Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

Back to the mailbag to answer listener questions. Almost two hours' worth, ranging from travel advice, hot takes, favourites and some wild hypotheticals.

Shoutout to Bryson, you're probably fine company on the golf course but we're just not that fussed to find out.

Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their insta page and website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. Some warmer layers are on the shelves now, ensuring you will be stylish and warm during your round – and after! We thank Matt – our OG partner.

Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – do your wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf.

Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators.

Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

Part 2 of our recap of our recent trip to King Island focuses on Ocean Dunes.

OD was our first round of the trip and made an enormous impression. We go chapter and verse on 1-18, answer some listener questions about the course and there's inevitable comparisons to Cape Wickham.

But first, a chat about last week's news that the Aussie Open for both men and women will be headed to a new course in Adelaide on a regular basis over the coming decade. There's a lot about this issue and announcement that brings to mind the Alonzo Mourning gif.

Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their insta page and website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. Some warmer layers are on the shelves now, ensuring you will be stylish and warm during your round – and after! We thank Matt – our OG partner.

Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – do your wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf.

Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators.

Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com