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There are few couples out there who have contributed more to the greenkeeping industry than Lee and Sami Strutt.

Lee, a previous guest on this pod, is the Director of Agronomy at Cabot Cape Breton. Sami has spent over 30 years working for the greenkeeping association, BIGGA. She joined the association in 1993 as an admin assistant but is leaving it in 2024 as its' Chief Operating Officer for a new role as Education Director at the Bernhard Academy.

Lee and Sami discuss not just their remarkable careers, but how they have been able to manage and work as a couple against such demanding and varied roles.

With BTME almost upon us, we thought it prescient for Sami - such an integral part in growing the Continue to Learn element of the week - should join Bledge ahead of her last week in Harrogate as part of BIGGA.

Lee also discusses the remarkable addition to the Cabot portfolio with the Coore & Crenshaw course opened in St Lucia, Cabot Point Hardy. Watch the hole by hole fly through here: Youtube vid of Cabot St. Lucia

Thanks to Sami and Lee - we wish you the continued success you both deserve! See you at Harrogate!

Bledge & Sam

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While Sam has been locked away in a dark room trying to finish Volume 2 of his upcoming book series, Bledge sat down with old friend Phil Helmn to discuss his enormous passion for managing teams in the greenkeeping world.

Phil is a Master Greenkeeper and has managed a wide range of courses throughout his distinguished career. Now, he specialises in writing, speaking and educating on the intricacies of managing a greenkeeping team. 

Phil is the author of 'The Power of People', which can be ordered by clicking here. One of the few books Bledge has been able to read cover to cover.

Those who are soon coming to BTME at Harrogate can also sign up to Phil's workshop on Day 2 of the Continue to Learn Conference here.

Thanks again for listening, and please remember to share the podcast with any other badgers out there.

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The second half of our Season 2 kick off.

Bledge and Sam discuss the Bernhard Academy, upcoming trips to BTME in Harrogate and GCSAA in Phoenix as well as take a few questions sent in to the studio.

Bledge also discusses an archaeological find he made on the course at Deal, and the video we discuss in the episode can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/g16XgGh44zU?si=peyisUMmNtZxEszq

Information on the Bernhard Academy can be found here: https://bernhardacademy.co.uk/

Thanks all for listening and we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and successful New Year.

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Badgers - welcome to the first episode of Season 2 of the podcast. James Bledge (Links Manager, Royal Liverpool Golf Club) and Sam Cooper (Architect, Clayton, DeVries & Pont) are back home on the Wirral, hunkered down for the winter and ready to pod.

This is the first half of a general catch-up. Talking about our respective 2023 autumns and what's been keeping us busy. The second half, where we'll also look to answer some of your questions, will follow soon - before getting into a new roster of guests over the coming months.

We hope you enjoy, and please remember to share the podcast with the sad badger in your life. We do appreciate all of your support.

Thanks,

Sam & Bledge

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Hello Badgers,

Today is 'thank a greenkeeper day'. What better way to mark the occasion than to release our Open question special. A few weeks ago, Bledge and I asked for your questions on the championship - and here are the answers.

We hope you enjoy the episode, and thanks to everyone who submitted a question.

Don't forget to watch the excellent Cookie Jar film showcasing some of Bledge and the team's hard work during the week here: Preparing for an Open Championship

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Welcome to this quick catch up episode, recorded on top of the tallest grandstand at Hoylake. The rain of Sunday has disappeared, replaced with a beautiful sunset. But there is a bit of wind in the background - we hope you don't mind.

We will do a proper debrief in the fullness of time, but I wanted to check in with the main man in the meantime.

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The Open Championship is less than 2 weeks away now, and Bledge and Sam discuss what they've been up to and what preparations Bledge has been making.Hope you enjoy! And if you want to catch up on the Golf Badgers podcast back catalogue of episodes, you can do so here.Thanks! #snapthestimp

Sam @links_from_the_road & @sd_cooper and Bledge @jamesbledge

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Sam sits down in a busy Loch Lomond restaurant to speak to David Jones, better known as the UK Golf Guy.

David's journey into golf is truly unconventional. From a highly successful corporate background to one of the most successful inward, luxury tour operators in just a few short years. This is an episode not to be missed, as we discuss how to approach a career in golf, golf course ranking lists, favourite trips to go and much more.

A slightly different podcast to the course maintenance and architecture perhaps, but hopefully one you'll enjoy.

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Welcome back to Part 2 of Question Badgers.

In the previous episode, Sam and Bledge took questions from you lovely listeners. So many, where there, that we thought breaking it into two parts might be better.

Of course, the second part has the better questions in. The Badgers' discuss the best new course in GB&I, career advice and how to get top level experience as a greenkeeper. They also take up other sides of the Course Presentation vs Design debate. Finally, a serious note about an inspirational figure in Nick Edmund. Shout out to : Global Golf 4 Cancer.

As ever, please do follow or subscribe to the podcast. If there's a Golf Badger in your life, perhaps you might share the podcast with them too.

Thanks for all of your support. We appreciate it enormously.

Sam @links_from_the_road & @sd_cooper and Bledge @jamesbledge

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Welcome back to another question and answer special of Golf Badgers.

The first version of 'Question Badgers' was one of the most listened to episodes we've done so far. Last week, we asked for you to send in some more questions for the Badgers' and this is Part 1 of the answers. Part 2 will follow shortly, before we bring a more regular schedule of upcoming guests to the podcast.

As ever, please do follow or subscribe to the podcast. If there's a Golf Badger in your life, perhaps you might share the podcast with them too.

Thanks for all of your support. We appreciate it enormously.

Sam @links_from_the_road & @sd_cooper and Bledge @jamesbledge