
Free Daily Podcast Summary
by Leighton Walker
"Exploring the art, science, and business of golf course design, sustainability, and agronomy" By focusing on expert insights and a learning journey, the show is designed to provide both golf enthusiasts and industry stakeholders with a deeper understanding of the complexities behind golf course creation and maintenanceLeighton & fellow hosts will blend of interviews with experts, hands-on exploration of golf course practices, and an accessible storytelling style, "The Greenprint" could become a key resource for anyone interested in the world of golf course design, maintenance and preservation.
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In this episode of The Greenprint, Leighton Walker takes a deep dive into the restoration and renovation of Troia Golf Club in Portugal, joined by Bruce Charlton and Mike Gorman of Robert Trent Jones II, Rui Graf of Details and Enrique Duarte of Irimac, Toro's distributor in Portugal. Originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in the 1970s, Troia is undergoing a transformation designed to bring the course back to its links-inspired roots while retaining the character of the original layout. The team discusses the thinking behind the project, the challenges of working on a compact site and the opportunity to rediscover the qualities that made Troia such a distinctive golf course. A key theme throughout the conversation is the decision to open up the landscape and create a more natural, playable links experience. Tree and scrub removal has revealed the surrounding dunes, sand and coastal views, while the original routing has been retained. Mike Gorman explains how historical aerial photography and Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s own writings helped inform the design decisions, with particular emphasis on ground contours, strategic options and encouraging golfers to use the ground rather than simply carry hazards. Larger, more varied greens, carefully shaped surrounds and close connections between greens and tees are all intended to create a course that rewards imagination, offers opportunities for recovery and becomes more rewarding with repeated play. The discussion also explores the agronomy and irrigation decisions underpinning the renovation. With a natural sand base across the course, the team has selected Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass for the fairways and tees to help deliver firm, fast playing conditions, alongside 007 XL bentgrass for the greens. Rui Graf explains the importance of working with the existing landscape, reusing material from the site and introducing native planting to help the dunes mature naturally. Enrique Duarte discusses the challenges of irrigating a course with such varied contours and extensive sandy surrounds, including individually tailored sprinkler coverage, mobile control systems and emerging soil-moisture monitoring technology. The objective is to achieve the desired playing conditions while using water as efficiently as possible. Finally, the team looks ahead to what golfers can expect from the completed course, from the distinctive third hole and the double-dogleg 14th to the seaside par-three 17th and the punchbowl 18th green. The conversation also covers the addition of a four-hole short course and the role Troia could play in strengthening the wider Comporta and Troia golf destination. With the course targeting an opening in the second half of March 2027, the episode offers an insight into the collaboration between architects, agronomists, irrigation specialists and the construction team, and how a sensitive restoration can respect a historic design while creating a fresh and engaging experience for modern golfers. Links Troia Golf Robert Trent Jones II - Architects Irrimac Details Hospitality, Sports & Leisure Follow The Greenprint Follow us/subscribe to receive all episodes straight to your podcast feed. Get in touch: The Greenprint Instagram – The Greenprint Golf The Greenprint on LinkedIn www.golfclubtalk.uk golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com A big thanks to our partners Toro – Explore Toro Golf Himalayas Golf – Visit Himalayas Golf Shorehill Golf – Visit Shorehill Golf Support the show Enjoying The Greenprint? You can support our work here: Buy Me a Coffee Rate & Review Please leave us a 5-star review and share this episode with your golf circle. Help us bring more conversations about golf course architecture, agronomy and sustainability to a wider audience.
In part two of our two-part Cornwall mini-series, Leighton catches up with Nathan Gilpin, General Manager of Perranporth Golf Club, Course Manager Rob Cook and golf course architect Tim Lobb of Lobb & Partners to explore one of the most distinctive and memorable links experiences in the UK. Described by Nathan as one of the rawest and most natural links courses you can play, Perranporth is a James Braid classic where dramatic dunes, rumpled fairways, blind shots and spectacular coastal views combine to create a golf experience unlike almost any other. With the club approaching its centenary in 2027, the conversation explores how to protect that unique character while adapting to the demands of modern golf. With annual rounds increasing from around 18,000–20,000 before COVID to between 35,000 and 40,000 today, the team faces the challenge of maintaining quality playing surfaces and managing wear without compromising the original design intent. Tim, Nathan and Rob discuss the ongoing programme of carefully considered improvements, including expanded tee complexes, additional pin positions, subtle changes to playing lines and the potential development of a reservoir to improve the club's long-term water security. Agronomy and sustainability are central to the discussion. Rob explains his commitment to fine fescue grasses, the challenges of managing a windswept headland with varied soils, and how the right grass species can improve drought resilience while reducing the need for irrigation, fertiliser and other inputs. It's a compelling example of how sound agronomic practice, thoughtful architecture and commercial reality can work together. We also explore what makes Perranporth such a fascinating test of golf. From the dramatic elevation changes and the strategic variety of holes 12, 13 and 14 to the unforgettable finishing hole, this is a course that demands imagination, adaptability and a willingness to embrace the unexpected. The team discusses the importance of helping first-time visitors understand the course, the value of local caddies, and why blind shots and natural landforms should be celebrated rather than designed away. Beyond the course itself, we look at the relationship between golf, the local community and the wider Cornish landscape, including the management of environmentally protected land and the importance of promoting Cornwall as a golf destination worthy of international attention. Following our first episode exploring the improvement programme at St Enodoc, this second instalment highlights a very different expression of links golf. Together, the two clubs demonstrate the variety, heritage and quality of golf on offer in North Cornwall — and why this remarkable corner of the world deserves a place on every travelling golfer's radar. A conversation about authentic links golf, sustainable course management and knowing when the best thing an architect can do is preserve the character of the land. Listen to Part 1 here - St Enodoc Links Perranporth Golf Club https://lobbandpartners.com/ Follow The Greenprint Follow us to receive all episodes straight to your podcast feed. Get in touch: The Greenprint Instagram – The Greenprint Golf The Greenprint on LinkedIn www.golfclubtalk.uk golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com A big thanks to our partners Toro – Explore Toro Golf Himalayas Golf – Visit Himalayas Golf Shorehill Golf – Visit Shorehill Golf Support the show Enjoying The Greenprint? You can support our work here: Buy Me a Coffee Rate & Review Please leave us a 5-star review and share this episode with your golf circle. Help us bring more conversations about golf course architecture, agronomy and sustainability to a wider audience.
In part 1 of a two part "Cornwall mini-series" - Leighton catches up with Clyde Johnson of Cunnin' Golf Design and George Tunbridge, General Manager of St Enodoc Golf Club, to discuss the ongoing programme of course improvements at this James Braid classic on the North Cornwall coast. Now into its third phase of work, the project is a great example of how a golf course can evolve through carefully considered, incremental improvements rather than wholesale change. From bunker restoration and redesigned tee complexes to pathways, irrigation and the management of shared spaces, Clyde and George explain how the team is enhancing the playing experience while protecting the character that makes St Enodoc so special. The conversation explores the challenges of working on a busy links course with public footpaths, significant changes in visitor numbers and increasingly complex requirements around access, safety and course maintenance. We also look ahead to plans for the 16th hole, the use of naturalised sandy areas, and the importance of working closely with the club's greenkeeping team to deliver improvements efficiently and sustainably. Beyond St Enodoc, we discuss the value of long-term relationships between clubs, architects and agronomists, developing greenkeeping talent, and why Cornwall deserves greater recognition as a golf destination. With Perranporth and Trevose offering very different experiences, the region has a remarkable variety of links golf waiting to be discovered. A fascinating conversation about architecture, restoration and the art of knowing what to change — and, just as importantly, what to leave alone. Look out for part two where we feature the wonderful Perranporth Golf Club! Links St Enodoc Golf Club Cunnin' Golf Design – Clyde Johnson Follow us to receive all episodes straight to your podcast feed Get in touch: The Greenprint Instagram - The Greenprint Golf The Greenprint - LinkedIn www.golfclubtalk.uk golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com A big thanks to our partners: Toro - Click here Himalayas Golf - Click here Shorehill Golf - Click here Support us here: Buy Me a Coffee Rate & Review Please leave a 5-star review and share this episode with your golf circle!
In this season finale of The Process by The Greenprint, Leighton Walker and Thad Layton look back on the first ten episodes of the series and reflect on what they have learned from a fascinating group of golf course architects, shapers and designers. From Nick Mills through to Bill Coore, the series set out to go deeper into how architects think, rather than simply what they build. One of the recurring themes has been the sheer diversity of approaches to golf course architecture. Different backgrounds, influences and philosophies can lead architects down very different paths, yet many ultimately arrive at similar principles — working with the landscape, respecting the game and finding the best solution for the site. Leighton and Thad revisit some of their standout conversations, starting with Bill Coore's take on "what golf course architecture means". Leighton highlights Brian Curley, whose willingness to forge his own path and take on projects in unfamiliar markets made a lasting impression. They also discuss Brett Hochstein's extraordinary attention to the landscape and his ability to observe the small details of natural processes and translate them into large-scale golf course features. Riley Johns is another highlight, with his approach demonstrating how inspiration for golf course design can come from well beyond golf — from travel and mountains to surfing, hiking and the wider experience of being immersed in nature. Bruce Charlton provides another perspective, reflecting on how architects evolve throughout their careers and how returning to courses decades later can provide an opportunity to rethink and improve earlier work. Perhaps the biggest lesson from the series is that there is no single formula for designing a great golf course. The architects all have different stories, mentors, influences and ways of seeing the landscape, but that variety is ultimately what makes golf course architecture so fascinating — and gives golfers such a rich diversity of experiences. As the first season comes to a close, Leighton and Thad look ahead to Series Two in 2027, with plans to continue exploring the people, ideas and processes behind golf course design, while expanding the conversation globally and bringing more architects into the series. Please share with a colleague who you feel would benefit from tuning in. Check out all episodes here https://www.golfclubtalk.uk/the-green-print/ https://www.instagram.com/thegreenprintgolf/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-greenprint-golf/?viewAsMember=true www.golfclubtalk.uk golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com Check out Thad: https://thadlaytondesign.com/ A big thanks to our partners: Toro – Click here for more information Shorehill Golf – https://sh-golf.com/ Himalayas Golf – https://himalayasgolf.com/ Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk Rate & Review Please leave a 5-star review and share this episode with your golf circle!
In this Toro Partnership episode of The Greenprint, Leighton talks to Darren Moore, Director of Agronomy at Stonehill in Thailand, about the challenges of maintaining one of Asia's most ambitious new golf courses. Designed by Kyle Phillips and opened in 2022, Stonehill was built on what was originally flat rice-field land and has been transformed into a dramatic golf landscape designed to be played firm and fast. Darren takes us behind the scenes, from the construction and grow-in through to hosting the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok only months after opening. We discuss managing turf to a high level in Thailand's tropical climate, drainage, irrigation, Zoysia and other warm-season grasses, maintaining firm and fast conditions, and the role of Toro technology in managing water across such a large property. Darren also talks about building a team of more than 120 people (over 40% of which are female), many with no previous golf experience, and creating a culture based around teamwork, training and high standards. It's a fascinating insight into the agronomy, people and philosophy behind one of Thailand's most talked-about and best conditioned golf courses. Links Stonehill Golf Club Kyle Phillips Golf Course Design Follow us to receive all episodes straight to your podcast feed Get in touch: The Greenprint Instagram - The Greenprint Golf The Greenprint - LinkedIn www.golfclubtalk.uk golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com A big thanks to our partners: Toro - Click here Himalayas Golf - Click here Shorehill Golf - Click here Support us here: Buy Me a Coffee Rate & Review Please leave a 5-star review and share this episode with your golf circle!
In this episode of The Greenprint, Leighton Walker first catches up with Harry Cloke from Shorehill Golf, one of the show's partners, to discuss how golfer data can help inform golf-course renovation, redesign, maintenance and strategy. Harry explains how Shorehill tracks golfer movements and playing patterns to provide clubs, architects and agronomists with clear evidence on traffic, bunker usage, tee positions, playability and areas requiring attention. Harry also explains how the data can reveal unexpected patterns, from underused bunkers to areas suffering excessive traffic, and how it can be overlaid with architectural plans and historic imagery to help assess proposed changes. The process is straightforward, with golfers simply downloading the app and starting their round, providing a representative picture of how a course is actually being used. Leighton then welcomes renowned golf-course photographer Gary Lisbon to The Greenprint. Based in Melbourne, Gary has photographed more than 700 courses across 37 countries. He discusses how he approaches a course through the lens, from reading the light and shadows to finding the right balance between foreground, background, landscape and the golfer's perspective. He also explains how drones have transformed golf photography while emphasising the importance of ground-level images in capturing the character and movement of a course. The conversation also explores Gary's appreciation of golf-course architecture, his experiences photographing some of the world's great courses, and the layouts that have made the biggest impression on him. He discusses Royal Melbourne and the Melbourne Sandbelt, Lofoten Links, Tara Iti, Barnbougle Dunes and the Cliffs at Kangaroo Island, as well as his books Great Golf Courses of the World and Great Golf on the Melbourne Sandbelt. He also explains the Sandbelt Composite Challenge and his wider golf-travel business, Great Golf Escapes. A big thanks to Harry and Gary for giving up their time! Contact Harry at Shorehill Golf – Click here Gary Lisbon BOOKS Great Golf on the Melbourne Sandbelt View / download here Great Golf Courses of the World View / download here Great Golf Books Book information and sales: www.greatgolfbooks.com Great Golf Escapes www.greatgolfescapes.com Gary Lisbon Golf Photography www.garylisbon.com Instagram – Gary Lisbon Golf https://instagram.com/garylisbongolf Sandbelt Composite Challenge www.sandbeltcomposite.com Follow us to receive all episodes straight to your podcast feed Get in touch: The Greenprint Instagram - The Greenprint Golf The Greenprint - LinkedIn www.golfclubtalk.uk golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com A big thanks to our partners: Toro – Click here Himalayas Golf – Click here Support us here:
In this episode of The Greenprint, Leighton Walker is joined by Mark Mungeam of Mungeam Golf Design, and current President of the ASGCA, to explore a career spanning almost four decades in golf course architecture, and his particular passion for improving public and municipal golf courses. From his early days working in golf course construction to spending 20 years with Cornish & Silva and eventually establishing his own practice, Mark reflects on the experiences and influences that have shaped his approach to golf course design. A major theme of the conversation is Mark's work on public golf courses, particularly across the north-eastern United States. Having made a conscious decision to limit the amount of international travel in order to spend more time with his family, Mark built a practice around working with municipal and publicly owned facilities. He explains why this work can be challenging, with tighter budgets, formal procurement processes and fewer contractors willing to bid on smaller projects, but also why helping these courses improve their facilities, increase revenue and provide better experiences for golfers can be particularly rewarding. Mark and Leighton also discuss the practical realities of renovating golf courses with limited resources. Careful planning, accurate cost estimates and clear tender documentation are essential, while relatively simple design decisions can make a significant difference to both playability and maintenance. Mark talks about using local materials, simplifying bunker construction, improving drainage and circulation, expanding and reconfiguring tee areas, opening up overgrown areas and reducing unnecessary obstacles around greens. The aim is not simply to make a course easier, but to make it more enjoyable, efficient to maintain and accessible to a wider range of golfers. The conversation then turns to two of Mark's most significant projects: Boston's George Wright Golf Course and William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park, both Donald Ross designs. Mark explains the challenges of working with historic courses that now accommodate tens of thousands of rounds and extensive cart traffic, while still respecting their original character. At George Wright, the availability of original plans and historic imagery has allowed a sympathetic restoration, while at Franklin Park the absence of original Ross plans has required a different approach. The projects demonstrate how historic public courses can be carefully improved without turning them into museum pieces, while still responding to modern safety, access, maintenance and playability requirements. Finally, Mark and Leighton look at the future of municipal golf and the wider role that public courses can play in their communities. With golf course closures becoming increasingly common in areas such as Massachusetts, Mark worries about the pressure this places on remaining facilities, potentially leading to higher prices, greater difficulty securing tee times and longer rounds. He believes the answer may partly lie in making golf facilities more community-oriented, incorporating walking, food, entertainment and other recreational activities alongside golf. The discussion also considers the potential for alternative formats and mixed-use facilities to help keep golf accessible and relevant. As current President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, Mark explains why promoting and recognising public and municipal golf has become an important part of his work. His central message is simple: public courses are where the majority of golfers play, and their future matters enormously to the future of the game. A big thanks to Mark for giving up his time! Check out the American Society of Golf Course Architects website here: ASGCA Mungeam Golf Design: Mungeam Golf Design Find out more here about George Wright Golf Course in Boston through these NLU and Fried Egg videos: No Laying Up The Fried Egg Follow us to receive all episodes straight to your podcast feed Get in touch: The Greenprint <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/thegreenprintgolf/?
In this episode of The Process by The Greenprint, Leighton Walker and Thad Layton are joined by legendary golf course architect Bill Coore, whose work with Ben Crenshaw has helped define a modern approach to golf course architecture rooted in natural landforms, strategic interest and a deep respect for the character of a site. Bill reflects on what golf course architecture means to him, describing it as an attempt to create "interesting playgrounds" for a game born of nature. He explains why the early links of Britain and Ireland remain such an important blueprint, and why his approach is centred on working with the land rather than imposing a design upon it. The conversation explores Bill's philosophy of preservation, particularly on fragile sand dune sites, and the lessons learned at Sand Hills and Rodeo Dunes. He explains why doing the least possible does not mean doing nothing, and why the ultimate compliment is creating landforms that look as though nobody ever touched them. Bill also discusses his approach to working with talented associates, giving them the freedom to develop ideas while increasingly seeing his and Ben's role as editors rather than authors. He shares two principles that have guided their work for years: "know what you have when you see it" and "know when to quit." He also explains why they deliberately avoid making decisions on the first day of a site visit, allowing time for ideas to evolve and egos to stay out of the process. The discussion then turns to challenging routing projects including Kapalua, Wicker Point, The Kingsley Club and Friars Head, with Bill sharing the story of how cutting through a dune helped unlock the routing at Friars Head. He also reflects on Pacific Dunes, Tom Doak's influence and the humility that comes from seeing another course and asking, "Could we have done this?" Bill talks about the relationship between architects and owners, why he looks for interesting sites and clients who provide the freedom to create something different, and shares memorable stories from projects including Friars Head and Te Arai Links. He also discusses returning to completed courses and the importance of continuity, particularly with superintendents who understand the original design intent. Colorado Golf Club provides a great example of how a course can evolve when that philosophy is embraced. It's a fascinating insight into the process of one of golf's most influential architects, covering natural landscapes, routing, design-build, collaboration, ownership and the importance of simply spending time on the land. https://www.cooreandcrenshaw.com/ https://www.golfclubtalk.uk/the-green-print/ https://www.instagram.com/thegreenprintgolf/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-greenprint-golf/?viewAsMember=true www.golfclubtalk.uk golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com Check out Thad: https://thadlaytondesign.com/ A big thanks to our partners: Toro – Click here for more information Shorehill Golf – https://sh-golf.com/ Himalayas Golf – https://himalayasgolf.com/ Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk Rate & Review Please leave a 5-star review and share this episode with your golf circle!
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"Exploring the art, science, and business of golf course design, sustainability, and agronomy" By focusing on expert insights and a learning journey, the show is designed to provide both golf enthusiasts and industry stakeholders with a deeper understanding of the complexities behind golf course creation and maintenanceLeighton & fellow hosts will blend of interviews with experts, hands-on exploration of golf course practices, and an accessible storytelling style, "The Greenprint" could become a key resource for anyone interested in the world of golf course design, maintenance and preservation.
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