Firm and Fast Episode recap 23 - 25
Reinstating the spirit of HS Colt at RD, Ally McIntosh on Eddie Hackett and the return of Jasper Miners from Evalu18
Summer has reached the northern hemisphere over the past few weeks and the rough on our courses is quite literally leaping out of the ground - we wait patiently over the winter for the ground temperatures to rise, the inevitable rain comes and then this strange yellow sphere appears in the sky - an alignment or confluence of perfect grass growing weather inevitably leads to a modicum of thick juicy rough - I seem to have spent an inordinate time in the hay of late, however, I’ve resolved (mostly :)) to suck it up, take joy in the act of recovery leading sometimes to impersonation of escapology, if lady luck reciprocates.
We’ve had a few great guests and have a few more doozies in the works, more of that below, if you haven’t had a chance to listen, please do….if you already have…many thanks!
Episode 23 - Frank Pont on CDP’s reinstatement of the spirit of Harry Colt at Dollymount
http://firmandfastgolfpodcast.fireside.fm/23
Frank Pont from Clayton DeVries & Pont joined me on this episode for a catch up and a deep dive into the reintroduction of the spirit of Harry S Colt at Dollymount in Dublin. Over the course of past winter CDP and Graham D’Arcy of DAR Golf have returned strategic bunkering in the Colt style, asymmetry of defence and general ‘Coltifcation’. The new bunkering has been open for play since May 2023 and everything is really starting to knit in. The course is all the better for the new set of hazards, fun, interest and variety are all particular watchwords - come and see for yourself!
Episode 24 - Ally McIntosh on the life and Times of Eddie Hackett
http://firmandfastgolfpodcast.fireside.fm/24
Ally McIntosh joined me on this episode to take a look at Eddie Hackett the humble golf professional who recovered from severe childhood illness to bring golf courses to the masses in Ireland - just as significantly he was responsible for the original iterations of Waterville, Enniscrone, Donegal and of course Carne Golf Links. It’s a very interesting story - you could listen to Mr McIntosh’s dulcet tones reading the phone book and it would sound great!
Episode 25 - the Annus Mirabilis of Evalu18 founder Jasper Miners
http://firmandfastgolfpodcast.fireside.fm/25
I’ve got to know Jasper Miners pretty well over the last wee while - I always feel like our conversations should all be recorded and this one was. This is the recording that has got short changed by my holiday - the editing is 95% done and will be finished on my return to Dublin on 9/6/23. The chat is great (despite the somewhat patchy service from Zoom - so apologies for that, there was/is nothing I could/can do). We do hope you enjoy our geek out.
Future Episodes
Richard Pennell - the mercurial Richard Pennell returns to the pod, to share some exciting news.
The Netherlands - As I write this I am sitting in a hotel in the Netherlands waiting to play Royal Hague tomorrow. The episode will feature a few conversations with some of the folk I encountered on my travels through Ermelo (Links Valley), Utrecht (De Pan), Den Haag (Royal Hague), Zandvoort (Kennemer), Noordwijk and Hilversum.
Mike Clayton - Clayts has agreed to return over the summer, he’s up on a trip to this side of the world in July so might get a chance to do a face to face chat as due to some new tech it is now possible to do just that.
Sustainable Greenkeeping for Golf Courses - working on enticing a rock star greenkeeper to have a chat about something all golfers should be aware of and care about.
Many thanks for your continued support - I do have a small favour to ask - if you are enjoying the episodes please make a little time to write a review on itunes or spotify - it really helps in growing the audience.
Happy golfing
Shane