The Sports Bench Podcast

In Episode 2 of The Sports Bench Podcast, Marc Millar sits down with one of Scotland’s most respected and recognisable figures in golf, Alan Tait. From winning the Scottish Boys Championship at just 16 to holding the course record at Carnoustie for 23 years, Alan reflects on the highs, near-misses and lessons from a life immersed in the game. He shares candid insights into transitioning from amateur to professional golf, the realities of competing on tour, and the fine margins between success and failure at the elite level. Alan also recounts a remarkable practice round alongside Tiger Woods and Ben Crenshaw, discusses modern technology’s impact on the game, and opens up about the discipline he wishes he had embraced earlier in his career. Beyond playing, the conversation explores his work in growing the game through Golfing initiatives, developing young talent, shaping club culture and ensuring golf becomes more inclusive and welcoming for future generations. Honest and insightful with a few laughs along the way, this episode is a powerful reflection on performance, humility, resilience and the lifelong lessons sport can teach us. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction & Alan’s Career Overview(00:02:45) - Reflecting on Achievements(00:04:15) - Winning the Scottish Boys Championship(00:05:50) - Amateur vs Professional Mindset(00:09:30) - The Standard of Modern Professional Golf(00:10:45) - Technology & Equipment Evolution(00:20:50) - Carnoustie Course Record(00:22:30) - Playing with Tiger Woods & Ben Crenshaw(00:25:00) - The Rangers/Celtic Conversation with Tiger(00:29:40) - Failure, Losing & Competitive Hunger(00:34:30) - Growing the Game: Golfing & Junior Development(00:38:30) - Cost, Accessibility & Barriers in Sport(00:43:00) - When to Introduce Coaching(00:46:00) - Making Golf Clubs More Welcoming(00:51:20) - Committees, Culture & Club Leadership(00:53:30) - Life Skills Through Golf(00:55:30) - Is Golf Still Elitist?(00:58:30) - Broadcasting & Commentating at Majors(01:03:00) - Walking Up 18 at St Andrews with The Open Champion(01:27:00) - Favourite Par 3s & Hidden Gem Courses

In the first episode of the Sports Bench Podcast, host Marc Millar sits down with Graeme Jones, joint assistant manager at Newcastle United, to reflect on a remarkable career in football. From early struggles and a record-breaking season at Wigan to coaching alongside Roberto Martínez at Swansea, Everton and with Belgium’s golden generation, Graeme shares stories from inside some of football’s biggest moments - including an FA Cup win, a World Cup bronze medal and a European silver medal. He also opens up about the realities of management at Luton Town, his coaching philosophy and what it means to work at his boyhood club, Newcastle. A candid and inspiring conversation filled with lessons on resilience, adaptability and the mindset required to succeed at the highest level in sport. Chapters (00:00:00) - Sports Bench Podcast(00:01:53) - Graham Jones(00:06:43) - Adam Ferguson on His Turn to Coaching(00:11:29) - Graham Jones on his early coaching experiences(00:19:27) - Graham Jones on Everton's nervousness(00:23:28) - Belgium vs England(00:27:23) - Australia's World Cup(00:33:13) - Belgium's players on the World Cup(00:35:04) - Gareth Southgate on his appointment as England Coach(00:40:56) - Germany vs France(00:41:07) - Graham Hill on the England and Newcastle jobs(00:45:14) - What did you learn about yourself during your time as a manager(00:49:54) - What was the biggest challenge you faced as a manager?(00:52:38) - Have the game changed for the better?(00:58:04) - Graham Jones on his coaching