Stephen Proctor returns to F&F to chat about Matchless, his new book, which charts the rise of formal womens golf from the late 1860's until the 1930's. The title of the book refers to the titanic battle between England's Joyce Wethered and Glenna Collet of the USA in the 36 hole final of the British Ladies Championship of Great Britain in 1929. This Championship was held at St. Andrews where the two premier players of the competed in what is widely considered to be the Greatest Women's golf match ever played.

Prior to a précis on the 1929 final, Stephen introduces us to some of main characters who influenced the evolving game on both sides of the Atlantic as both suffrage and war would present challenges and opportunities to the gane of golf and wider society.

Many thanks to Stephen for joining us again, we do hope you enjoy our chat.

Please find links to Stephen's publisher, Birlinn Books, below where you can order from his back catalogue or preorder his new book

Matchless - Joyce Wethered, Glenna Collet and the rise of Womens Golf

Richard Pennell @ pitchmarks Substack link

Matchless pre-orders (for customers in the USA) are now also available by clicking on the following link - bookshop.org

Many thanks to Stephen for joining us again, we do hope you enjoy our chat.

Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound

Special Guest: Stephen Proctor.

Sam Williams from the [Cookie Jar Golf Podcast](www.cookiejargolf.com) joins us on this episode to explore how CJG have grown from a crumb trail in 2020 into one of the largest UK golf podcasts.

Over the course of an hour or so we take a look back through some highlights, recurring guests, expansions and look forward to what the future might hold for Sam, Tom, Bruce & Cal.

It was great to finally catch up with Sam properly, we hope you enjoy our chat.

Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound

Special Guest: Sam Williams.

James Bledge the Links Manager at Royal Liverpool joins us in this episode to talk about his love for links golf, vocational green keeping, RCP @ Deal, Hoylake, drainage & irrigation, technology, STEM and inspiring the next generation.

It was great to catch up with him again, we hope you enjoy the episode.

Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound

Special Guest: James Bledge.

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

In this episode Sir Anthony shares his memories of the purchase of the the Holyrood Hotel and its transformation into the current clubhouse at Royal Portrush. He also details the R&A's decision to host the 1951 Open Championship at Royal Portrush which was won by Max Faulkner.

Many thanks for tuning in.

Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound

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.

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In this episode of the continuing series, we learn about Sir Anthony's early golfing days on the North Coast of Portrush. He also covers the consequential matters of extended tenure, security and opportunity that access to additional golfing grounds to the east of the town afforded the wider membership.

The thorny history of Sabbatarianism also raises its head through a golfing lense as he teases out how this matter was resisted, debated and resolved over the course of the mid 1920's.

Many thanks for tuning in.

Episode music supplied under licence from Epidemic Sound

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.

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Chris Breen has been the Superintendent at Rosapenna Golf Resort since 2019. A recent trip to Downings enabled us to sit down for a chat that we've been meaning to have for the past 12 months or so.

We take a look at how he's ended up back home in Donegal overseeing the 63 hole, 1200 acre property.

The importance of getting "your homework right" from a course setup perspective.

Many thanks to Chris for his time, we hope you enjoy the listen.

Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound

Special Guest: Chris Breen.

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