The NCG Top 100s Podcast: Behind the scenes of the best golf courses in England

The NCG Podcast

By Dan Murphy Steve Carroll Apr 15, 2021

As part of our overhaul of the NCG Top 100s England ranking, two of our panel chat with a variety of clubs hoping to make a move in 2022

This year we are updating our NCG Top 100s rankings of the best golf courses in England.

In this series of the NCG Podcast, Dan Murphy and Steve Carroll speak to a variety of clubs – some already in the Top 100 Golf Courses in England list and some looking to get in – for an in-depth discussion about what goes on behind the scenes at some of the country’s finest courses. It’s a great way to learn more about the best courses in England.

The NCG Top 100s Podcast: The Addington

In episode one, Dan and Steve chat with Ryan Noades, managing director at The Addington, to get some insight into the huge changes under way at the Croydon layout.

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The NCG Top 100s Podcast: Prince’s

The 1932 Open venue has been transformed in recent years. In episode two Dan and Steve spoke to Prince’s owner Rob McGuirk about how this historic golfing corner of Kent once again has three must-visit courses following Martin Ebert’s restorations of the Himalayas, Shore and Dunes nines.

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The NCG Top 100s Podcast: Broadstone

Episode three takes us high on the Dorset hills just to the north of Bournemouth. This distinctive course is a combination of parkland, moorland and heathland. It was shaped by, among others, Tom Dunn and Harry Colt. We sat down with Broadstone’s general manager, Ed Richardson, to find out more

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The NCG Top 100s Podcast: Trevose

This holiday favourite was the work of Harry Colt, and is currently the subject of a Mackenzie-Ebert restoration. A tumultuous, rolling links that takes you right to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Trevose is a much-loved course once again on the up. In episode four, Dan and Steve chat with the club’s managing director, Nick Gammon.

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The NCG Top 100s Podcast: Seacroft

One of English golf’s true outposts, Seacroft is on the Lincolnshire coast separated from the great Norfolk links by The Wash.

Designed by Willie Fernie, the club famously failed to act on the subsequent advice of the great Alister MacKenzie. Now the links is being lovingly restored by Clyde Johnson to rave reviews, as we found out in episode five of the NCG Top 100s Podcast.

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The NCG Top 100s Podcast: Ganton

They keep select company at Ganton. Not only was this Yorkshire treasure once the home of Open champions Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, it’s one of only four to have held the majestic trio of Ryder, Walker and Curtis Cups.

But they are not standing still at this venerable course, as we found out in episode six of the NCG Top 100s podcast.

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The NCG Top 100s podcast: Woodhall Spa

A remarkable course requires a remarkable transformation and architect Tom Doak has certainly provided that at Woodhall Spa. The home of England Golf has been through an incredible last couple of years and who better to tell us all about it than the club’s general manager Richard Latham.

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The NCG Top 100s podcast: Seaton Carew

Not much longer than 12 months ago, new course manager Tom Coulson’s first task at this Teesside links was to divot the greens – such was the scarring that afflicted this seaside layout.

But visit the 10th oldest club in England today and you’ll see a remarkable transformation and a membership that is hugely on the up. Coulson, along with the club’s chair of greens Phil Cain, talk about how they’ve rejuvenated this classic links and the exciting times that are coming.