We discuss Bledge’s golf trip to Philadelphia and New Jersey with friends John and Sean. The trip was originally planned around Pine Valley, and connections through golf clubs and greenkeepers helped shape the itinerary after the initial plans changed.

We describe Pine Valley as a standout experience, from its pine-framed holes, sandy areas in place of conventional rough and fast greens to its caddies, clubhouse and practice facilities. We also discuss the course’s history, its named features and the 10-hole short course.

We visit Philadelphia Cricket Club, Golf Mills and Philadelphia Country Club. We compare their layouts, turf and rough, and talk about meeting superintendents and seeing maintenance facilities. At Aronimink, we discuss its challenging greens, course preparation and the organization of the maintenance operation.

We compare American course presentation with conditions in the UK, including the effects of climate, irrigation, soil and grass types. We also discuss how very fast greens and thick rough shape the playing experience, while noting the value of variety between courses.

At Merion, we talk about its wicker-basket flags, distinctive features, caddies and the experience of playing the course. We also share memories from the trip, including a memorable putt on the 10th hole, the group’s time in Philadelphia and Bledger’s return to golf after dealing with back problems.

We explain how SubAir systems use the drainage network to move air and water through greens, helping with drainage and firmness. We discuss where the system may be useful and note that its effects on dew are uncertain.

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In this episode we are without Bladge, so we answer listener questions on our own and begin by explaining what we have been working on. We describe our architectural work since leaving our previous firm, including consulting for more than a dozen clubs, work on links and heathland courses, projects tied to Harry Colt and Tom Simpson, and new courses in the UK and abroad. We also say that we prefer to keep the details quiet and let the finished work speak for itself.

We then discuss whether Alister MacKenzie’s idea of naturalism is disappearing in modern links architecture. We argue that it is not, but that it is difficult to achieve. We talk about making golf courses look as though they belong to the land, while actually using careful design, shaping, and working areas to create that effect. We explain that good golf design involves subtle trade-offs, strategic hazards, and the aim of making features appear natural rather than forced.

We also reflect on what makes a golf course feel authentic. We mention the importance of variety, fairness, and the way a course can play differently from day to day. We use the idea of an “uncanny valley” to describe shapes or landforms that look almost natural but not quite right, and we say that true naturalism requires a high level of skill, judgment, and patience.

Later, we answer a question about five courses that represent England. We name Royal North Devon, Royal St George’s, Sunningdale, and Old Woodley, and we explain how each reflects different parts of English golf, from early seaside links to heathland and moorland styles. We also choose municipal golf as a category, stressing its importance in making the game accessible and helping golf avoid becoming only the preserve of the wealthy.

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We speak with ecologist Sophie Olejnik about how she moved from an ecology degree and traineeship work on nature reserves into golf course ecology, and how her role now is almost entirely focused on golf. She explains that she first came into the sector through a job at STRI, encouraged by her father, and that her early experience included visiting Montrose with Bob and learning about gorse management, coppicing and fungi.

We discuss the ecological value of links and heathland courses, with Sophie saying these sites can support a wide range of habitats because of their structural diversity and different stages of succession. She describes Saunton as a particularly special site, and says that good management there, including dune work and sea buckthorn control, has made the course and surrounding landscape more diverse.

We also talk about how golf course ecology has changed. Sophie says biodiversity is now taken much more seriously, and that golf courses are important places to understand, protect and improve habitats. She outlines how species can be monitored through red lists and other conservation lists, and notes that some species are declining while others are shifting their range.

A large part of the conversation covers practical ecology work on courses: surveys, bio-blitzes, habitat records, and the use of apps such as Merlin, iRecord and Picture This to support identification and recording. Sophie stresses that apps should be used carefully and checked against other sources, and says it is useful when records are verified by county recorders.

We also discuss management timing, especially cut and collect, hedgerow cutting, rough management and the need to avoid disturbing nesting birds. Sophie explains why sand scrapes are used on dunes to restore dynamism, create pioneer habitat and support plants and invertebrates, while still leaving enough rough for shelter and golf playability.

Finally, Sophie talks about the role of communication and education, including working with golfers, greenkeepers, natural history groups and the public. She reflects on Bob’s long career and retirement, saying he has been a major mentor and influence on her work, and that continued collaboration will be important for the future.

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