The England Golf Podcast

On episode 24 of The England Golf Podcast, R&A Women's Amateur champion Jess Baker reflects on that crazy week in June, playing majors with her rivals and details what lays ahead in 2023 as a newly called up member of the England women's squad. Father and son duo Andy and Riley Banks tell us why golf means so much to them and why family golf club memberships are about so much more than just playing the game. Finally, Jack Lee, winner of the 2022 McEvoy Trophy reveals the moment he got called up to the England boys' squad and why he might be brushing up on his Japanese ahead of next year.

On the latest edition of The England Golf Podcast, we have three cracking guests lined up for you. We hear from the new National Men's Coach, Rob Watts who targets more success for the England team as he takes over the role from the legendary Graham Walker. Stephen Jensen, one of the world's leading senior's, tells us about his season which included a win in the English Senior Men's Amateur Championship at The Leicestershire and a never to be forgotten trip to America for the US Senior Open. Finally, we chat to Rosemary Reed who made the headlines when she won the Central England Mixed Foursome's title at the age of 87.

On this edition of The England Golf Podcast, we hear from England International Hannah Screen who reveals a change in career path.  Kipp Popert, one of the world's leading golfers with a disability, joins us for a wide ranging chat about the direction his career is moving in, his Walker Cup aims, majors and living with cerebral palsy. Finally, listen out for a wonderful conversation with Keith McIntosh of Leyland Golf Club who is doing so much to ensure members of the local community touched by a cruel disease find a spark of joy at their golf club. 

On Episode 21 of The England Golf Podcast, we have a Home Internationals special for you to enjoy as we join up with the England squad taking part in the recent Boys'/Girls' Home Internationals at Downfield Golf Club.  We chat about the ups and the downs of the games against Ireland, Wales and Scotland and get the inside track on the team as we get a behind the scenes look at what it takes to compete in the event.  Later on in the podcast, we follow on from the success of Women & Girls Golf Week as we are joined by Sonia McCarthy of Sandown Park Golf Centre to talk about the fantastic golfing revolution sparked with her enthusiasm for the game. 

On this special edition of The England Golf Podcast, we preview The 150th Open. We caught up with England Men's Squad players Sam Bairstow and Barclay Brown who are bound for St Andrews after coming through the qualifiers. The two amateurs will be flying the flag for England Golf and we sat down with them to chat about what it means to play in the event whilst also putting their knowledge of The Open to the test! In addition, Jim Croxton, Chief Executive Officer at BIGGA, tells us about the role his members will perform on the biggest stage of golf.  Finally, as you sit back and watch the action unfold on the TV or online, have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to bring the greatest championship to life? We're joined by The R&A's Director of Corporate Communications, Mike Woodcock, who explains the logistics of bringing the championship to life for a global audience. 

On Episode 19 of The England Golf Podcast we get the inside track from England Golf coach Steve Robinson on Matt Fitzpatrick's US Open victory at The Country Club. With that win, the Sheffield golfer became only the eighth Englishman in history to lift the trophy and only the third since 1924 (Tony Jacklin 1970, Justin Rose 2013). Matt played for England as an amateur and was ranked number one amateur in the world after winning the US Amateur, also at The Country Club in 2013. We get the lowdown from Robbo on his star pupil's stunning major win. Also on this month's edition of the podcast, we speak with Mum and Daughter duo Martine and Heather Gilks who helped England's golfers with a disability enjoy a fantastic debut in the European Team Championships and Nations Cup in Belgium. Our Director of Championships, James Crampton, also joins us for a chat to discuss his brilliant victory in the European Senior Men's Amateur Championship in what was his first event as a senior.  Finally, we hear from Michael Morrison on golf's boom during the Victorian era ahead of the release of his new book, The Great English Golf Boom (1864-1914).

On Episode 18 of The England Golf Podcast, we're joined by England Golf graduates Danny Willett and Lee Westwood to preview the English Amateur Championships at Lindrick and Worksop. They give us the inside track on what it takes to win around the two courses. Next up, we chat with one of golf's brightest talents, England Girls' squad player Rachel Gourley, who seems to win every time she steps on the course! Her achievements include winning the Sunningdale Foursomes, the Scottish Girls Open, The Rose Ladies Series and the Formby Leveret. Finally, we look back at World Biodiversity Day with Saunton Golf Club's Murray Long to speak about how the club has placed sustainability at the heart of its operations allowing golf and nature to flourish together.

On Episode17 of The England Golf Podcast, England international and Premier League star Jack Butland joins us to talk about his love affair with golf after recently subscribing to our iGolf platform. Young Ambassador Mentor Sam Barker-Sabido tells us why it's important to listen to the voices of junior golf and how they can help shape the future of the game. Pat Manning discusses the gruelling 160 mile charity walk with his friend Bill Ryan in aid of Molly Olly Wishes. Finally, Ben Beagley from Farnham Golf Club gives us his winners' speech after the club were named Tournament Venue of the Year for hosting the ground-breaking English U18 Championships at the recent England Golf Awards.

On Episode 16 of the England Golf Podcast, we catch up with The R&A Amateur champion Laird Shepherd who has gone from working in a Tesco call centre to preparing for his Masters debut at Augusta. We're also joined by England Women's squad player Caley McGinty who talks about what it means to be nominated for two England Golf Awards and what she's most looking forward to about taking part in the Augusta National Women's Amateur. Finally, BIGGA's Sami Strutt tells us why our greenkeepers deserve to be loved.

On Episode 15 of the England Golf Podcast, DP World Tour and Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood tells us why he wants to give back to the sport as an England Golf Ambassador and reflects on key moments from his stellar amateur and professional career so far. England boys' squad player Josh Hill talks us through a remarkable few weeks where he got the chance to play as an amateur in two Rolex Series events on the DP World Tour as well as an Asian Tour event in Saudi Arabia. Julia Regis joins us to chat about International Women's Day and how golf can contribute to this year's theme of breaking the bias. Finally, Andy Gilford and Steve Killick tell us why being a guide for a blind golfer is a win-win situation for both the player and the companion.

On Episode 14 of the England Golf Podcast, LPGA star and England Golf graduate Bronte Law joins us for an in-depth look back at her career and discusses what lies ahead during exciting times for women's golf. Neil Watts from Gloucestershire, lifts the lid on an astonishing achievement after managing 11 holes-in-one in the last six months! We also check in with England Boys' squad member Tyler Weaver, who tells us how sporting achievement runs in the family and why he opted for golf rather than emulating Dad, Jason, a former top jockey and winner of the Ascot Gold Cup. Finally, we catch up with Deputy Championship Director, Toby Thorne to preview the 2022 season.

On Episode 13 of the England Golf Podcast, we're joined by Performance Director Nigel Edwards, who reflects on the 2021 season and looks ahead to 2022. Zach Chegwidden tells us about his unconventional route to the England Men's Squad after what was a breakout year for the Essex golfer. Our Head of Handicapping and Course Rating, Gemma Hunter chats to Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Jamie Blair about the importance of the Rainbow Laces campaign. Finally, Liam Ridgill of Drax Golf Club in Yorkshire reveals how your Christmas tree could end up flanking your favourite hole on the course!

On Episode 12 of the England Golf Podcast, we find out what's in store for Tubes and Ange as we team up with them to shoot seven fun-packed episodes of their ‘Golf Life' series. England Men's squad player Callan Barrow chats about his time in the Manchester United Academy alongside Marcus Rashford as a youngster. Patience Rhodes speaks about the friendly rivalry between her and big sister Mimi and reviews a successful 2021 campaign which saw her win both the English Girls U18 Championship and the Faldo Series. Finally, we hear how Chester Golf Club have been working with Chester Zoo to promote sustainability as they continue to do their bit for the natural world.

Episode 11 of the England Golf Podcast features two players at both ends of the elite amateur golf age spectrum with tales to tell about superstars of the game.  Warren Bladon, new to the senior circuit this year, is no stranger to playing with some of the world's finest and tells us about swapping stories with Tiger Woods at The Open, the truth about him bailing out on Jack Nicklaus and why Arnold Palmer apologised to him. Meanwhile, England boys' squad player Harley Smith reveals what he learnt from Nick Faldo and Justin Rose. Finally, we check in with Mark Bleasdale who speaks about running a golf club in the middle of a pandemic and how the Give It A Shot Membership campaign is helping clubs build for a stronger future.

This edition of The England Golf Podcast features interviews with two recent champions and also taps into the life of a greenkeeper. English Girls U16 champion Maggie Whitehead tells us how she became best friends with The R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers and talks tactics with Jessica Korda at Carnoustie. John Gough reveals how his multi-sport approach served him well as a youngster and how his fantastic year was capped off with victory in the English Men's Amateur Championship.  Following #ThankAGreenkeeperDay, we caught up with Ganton Golf Club's Course Manager Simon Olver, who gave us an insight into the world of greenkeeping and the secrets behind keeping the course in quality condition. 

Episode 9 of The England Golf Podcast features an exclusive interview with England's women following their epic success in the European Ladies' Team Championships at Royal County Down last month.  The triumph is England's 11th in the event's 62-year history – and scarcely has a victory been as richly deserved following a stunning 5-2 win over Sweden. Women in Girls in Golf Week is back for 2021 and we hear from Lauren Spray and Toni Zverblis about the online campaign which aims to promote female participation at all levels and challenge negative perceptions about the game. This year's campaign runs from 16-22 August and we found out how you can get involved by sharing your #WhyIGolf stories.  We also speak to Trevor Foster about England's triumphant treble at the R&A Home Internationals. England pulled off a fantastic clean sweep of the trophies at Woodhall Spa Golf Club as the women, senior men and women and girls' and boys' squads held their nerve and holed the putts to make it a hat-trick of silverware successes. The 2021 GB&I squad for the Curtis Cup was named recently and four England players were selected for duty including; Annabell Fuller, Emily Toy, Caley McGinty and Charlotte Heath. We catch up with captain Elaine Ratcliffe to discuss the selection and her hopes for the tournament which begins on 26 August at Conwy in Wales.  Finally, the annual Golf Week celebration took place this month, where club golfers compete in the national handicap finals at Woodhall Spa Golf Club, in a number of different events that vary from the Australian Spoons, England Golf Captains', Senior Series and the inaugural Race to Woodhall Spa.  

Episode 8 of The England Golf Podcast features an interview with England men's squad player Sam Bairstow who qualified for The 149th Open at Royal St George's. The Yorkshireman battled through final qualifying at St Annes Old Links to take his place in the 156-man field alongside the world's elite. For Bairstow, the chance to play in the world's greatest golf championship is the realisation of a dream that was sparked when he attended two Opens as a kid and set his mind on becoming a top golfer. We also find out more about the highly anticipated iGolf initiative, which will connect non-club member golfers across the country and allow them to receive an official WHS Handicap Index, personal liability insurance and the chance to become part of a golf community. The long awaited Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games get underway this month and there's a strong England Golf connection in the Team GB golf squad as Performance Director Nigel Edwards is heading to Japan.  Finally, we hear from Yorkshire County Secretary Jonathan Plaxton who previews three top England Golf amateur events taking place in Yorkshire this summer including the Men's and Women's Amateur, the English Girls' Stroke Play Championship and the Brabazon Trophy.

Episode 7 of The England Golf Podcast highlights the return of one of the most popular participation programmes in amateur golf with the launch of Girls Golf Rocks in 2021 after the cancellation of the event in 2020 due to the pandemic. With almost 200 clubs up and down the country getting involved this summer it is time to find out from Women and Girls in Golf Manager, Lauren Spray, why the programme is so popular and what it means for clubs and the next generation of female golfers. We also hear from England national squad short game coach Graham Walker on his methods and his background to the game which has seen him spread his expertise into the very top of the professional circuit alongside Tommy Fleetwood. Finally, we hear from England Boys' squad member Will Horne as he prepares for the inaugural English U18 Championships - the first fully mixed sex event run by England Golf, and from Naga Munchetty after a great evening hosting the 2021 England Golf Awards.

Episode 6 of The England Golf Podcast features some behind-the-scenes content with the England Women and Girls squad as they illuminate what goes on during a coaching weekend at The National Golf Centre, Woodhall Spa. We also caught up with English Amateur Champion Jack Cope as he discusses the injury that almost put him out of the game, but actually has seen him elevated to the England Squads after a superb recovery. And we have a couple of other great interviews; firstly with Bob Rodwell as Blackmoor Golf Club prepare to co-host the first England Golf championship of 2021 and secondly with Simon Wooff - the Bolton Old Links player who defeated the odds to net two holes-in-one on a single round.

Episode 5 of the England Golf Podcast celebrates great characters and events; from talking to Stuart Wilson and Ben Schmidt, the captain and one of the eight English players in the GB&I Walker Cup Squad, to Hannah Ingram-Moore, daughter of Captain Sir Tom Moore. We look forward to celebrating the Captain Tom 100 weekend and look back to the jubilation around the country when golf returned after lockdown with former Bolton, Everton and Celtic footballer Alan Stubbs. We also wrap up all of the latest news from a busy month including the announcement of the English Overseas squads for 2021 and details of the launch of the new Slingsby Gin Academy.

Episode 4 of The England Golf Podcast features four engaging interviews with Joe Long, Lily May Humphreys, Chris Mills & Matt Bloor and Jack Dyer.  England national squad players Joe Long and Lily May Humphreys are both set for stardom as they prepare to take on the hallowed turf at August National. Joe will compete in The Masters this April after winning the 2020 Amateur Championship, and Lily May will be embarking on her second Augusta National Women's Amateur.  Chris Mills & Matt Bloor join us to explain the importance of volunteers at English golf clubs, and rising star Jack Dyer reflects on a successful winter in South Africa. 

Episode 3 of The England Golf Podcast features three great interviews with Dr Dan Coughlan, Georgia Hall and Lottie Woad as we delve into the mindset of elite athletes. Dr Dan Coughlan discusses the 'Bryson' effect on junior and amateur golf. Georgia Hall talks about the Majors, the Solheim Cup and growing the game. While England Golf squad member Lottie Woad reflects on an eventful 2020 and her aims for the future.

The second England Golf podcast starts with another update on the hottest topic in golf - unfortunately this is the impact of the latest nationwide lockdown to affect our sport with Chief Executive Jeremy Tomlinson sharing his views on the current situation. Following this, we're focusing on our performance athletes in this podcast, with interviews with England Golf Performance Manager Rebecca Hembrough, women's squad member Annabell Fuller and men's squad player Jake Bolton. We also talk to Championships Director James Crampton on plans ahead of the 2021 season.

The first edition of The England Golf Podcast, published in December 2020. Host Iain Macfarlane welcomes you to the inaugural podcast for the national governing body of golf in England. Set to share updates, insights and interviews from around the organisation. The first episode features interviews from: Jeremy Tomlinson, Chief Executive of England Golf on his first year in charge. Gemma Hunter, Head of Handicapping and Course Rating on the details of the new WHS. Emily Toy, England Golf squad member on her way to play in the Women's U.S Open.