083 - gWest

Bledge and Sam begin by discussing the current state of the golf course. After some mixed weather, it’s in good condition. The rough is more defined, the playing surfaces are firm and fast and preparations for the season’s key events are well underway. Next, they focus on the Amateur Championship coming to Royal Liverpool. They explain the qualifying and match play format, practice and championship dates and mention that the event will be open to spectators and televised. They also discuss how amateur golf differs from other major events due to the pressure, format and need to play several strong rounds in a row. The conversation then shifts to gWest, the unfinished golf course project. They explain that it was started during the recession as part of a larger estate plan combining golf and residential plots. However, the housing market collapse impacted the wider business model. They describe the course’s location on exceptional land near Gleneagles and its intended scale, similar to other high-end golf developments. They delve into the construction process and the work involved on site. They detail the heavy machinery, drainage, soil stripping, reshaping, tree planting, turf preparation and repeated problem-solving required to build the course. They also mention the heather translocation work, where mature heather was harvested and moved onto bunker faces and rough areas. Finally, they reflect on how gWest represents a different era of golf course development and business planning. They compare it to modern projects, noting changes in golf economics and land use. They conclude by emphasising the significant effort put in by those involved despite the course never opening. Send us a message if you would like anything discussed on the podcast.