Australian Golf Passport

Scott Warren & Matthew Mollica
  • 4.8 (17)
  • Golf

This is an Australian golf podcast about Australian golf courses, taking listeners on a dream lap of every golf course worth considering for a Down Under bucket list golf visit. We answer the questions that will help you make your dream Aussie golf trip a reality. No Fedex Cup updates, no equipment reviews, no technology debate, no betting-agency-sponsored tipping segment: Just the how, what, when and where of playing great golf in Australia, with the occasional sacred cow sacrificed in the name of frank discussion, and lessons from the mistakes we made along the way, so you don’t have to.

  1. Oct 18

    Ep107: Dr. Alister MacKenzie - Part 2

    Part two of what has become a three-part series commemorating perhaps the most important moment for the game of golf in Australia. This edition of the podcast is another focussed on the life and times of Dr Alister MacKenzie. We explore his 1926 voyage on the RMS Otranto from the UK to Australia, his communication with Australian golf clubs, and the nitty grity of his design work on our courses. Published on the morning of October 19 2026 – 100 years to the day since MacKenzie docked in Fremantle and set foot on Australia to commence this historic visit. We conclude the episode with a focus on his work at NSWGC, and his departure for New Zealand. Our final instalment in this trilogy will explore the final years of Alister’s life and work. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed the research & presentation.   A huge thank you to all of those who assisted – our bibliography for this episode is long and illustrious. Full details of all the source materials are found on Instagram, along with all the images we discuss during the episode. We’ve also uploaded this episode to YouTube for those who want to look instead of just listen.   Thanks also to our voice expert Alan! We think he’s reallybrought the words of the Good Doctor to life.   Australian Golf Passport podcast is supported by: ⁠⁠Currents Golf⁠⁠ golf booking software ⁠⁠Angus and Grace Go Golfing⁠⁠ apparel ⁠⁠Seed Golf⁠⁠ balls   Images related to this episode can be found on our ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing WithMe-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com   Additional music – Highland Hymn by Bonnie Grace / courtesyof www.epidemicsound.com

  2. Oct 10

    Ep106: Dr. Alister MacKenzie - Part 1

    A special one for our AGP audience this time around. Commemorating perhaps the most important moment for the game of golf in Australia. This edition of the podcast is the first of three dedicated to the life and times of Dr. Alister MacKenzie. Published to coincide with the centenary of his Australian visit in the last months of 1926, we take a deep dive into Alister’s life – starting with schooling years, the Boer War, progressing to his work with camouflage during World War I, and his transition from medicine to golf. His marriage, work at Alwoodley, Moortown and elsewhere, association with Colt and his map of The Old Course – it is all covered. We conclude the episode with a look at Melbourne, Australia and the world in 1926, setting the stage for the time in which MacKenzie’s Australian voyage is confirmed. We explore a few rabbit holes and take the odd detour along the way for good measure. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed the research and presentation.   A huge thank you to all of those who assisted – our bibliography for this episode is long and illustrious. Full details of all the source materials are found on Instagram, along with all the images we discuss during the episode. We’ve also uploaded this episode to YouTube for those who want to look instead of just listen.   Australian Golf Passport podcast is supported by: ⁠⁠Currents Golf⁠⁠ golf booking software ⁠⁠Angus and Grace Go Golfing⁠⁠ apparel ⁠⁠Seed Golf⁠⁠ balls   Images related to this episode can be found on our ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing WithMe-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

  3. Sep 30

    Ep105: Barwon Heads, an English links on the Bellarine Peninsula

    A few little snippets to discuss before we focus on the headline act for this episode. Scott and Matt discuss the imminent opening of some new holes at Newcastle Golf Club, with the work by Scott Champion and Bob Harrison looking really good. Lovedale Farm comes in for some discussion – specifically the ongoing issue of who is actually at the helm from a design perspective. Read the Planet Golf article addressing this. And most importantly – we discuss Barwon Heads, in all its old school glory. Situated in a gorgeous seaside village, the course is close to the beach and enjoys wonderful terrain. An enjoyable mix of short and long holes, the course is so reminiscent of so much high calibre UK golf. The closest thing to an East Coast English or Scottish links in the southern hemisphere. As promised in the episode – the link to enquire about stay and play packages in the glorious and recently refurbished Barwon Heads clubhouse. Australian Golf Passport is supported by: ⁠Currents Golf⁠ golf booking software ⁠Angus and Grace Go Golfing⁠ apparel ⁠Seed Golf⁠ balls Images related to this episode can be found on our ⁠Instagram⁠. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

  4. Sep 27

    Ep104: Golf doesn't always love you back, with Mark Panopoulos

    This week's episode is a chat between Scott and our guest Mark Panopoulos. We cover his pursuit to play every golf course in Australia - inspired by an epiphany in Kakadu National Park, sand greens golf, his upbringing on the NSW South Coast and life as a professional golfer in Australia. Australian Golf Passport is supported by: Currents Golf golf booking software Angus and Grace Go Golfing apparel Seed Golf balls Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

  5. Sep 17

    Ep103: From Hickories to Social Media

    A few topics covered on this episode – ranging from Royal Park Golf Course, social media activity of golf clubs, and hickory golf. Firstly we touch on the community consultation process and impending change in the Royal Park precinct of Melbourne, which may have ramifications for the golf course. We touch on a couple of examples of social media activity from local golf clubs and discuss how badly it is so often done, and how social media activity by golf clubs could be done better. We round out the episode with a discussion of hickory golf. The clubs, the history, the makers, and the mode of play. Courses suited to hickory and more. This stems from Matt’s recent participation in the 2026 Victorian Hickory Shaft Championships, staged at Barwon Heads, and is the springboard into our next episode in which we focus exclusively on Barwon Heads Golf Club.   As discussed in the episode –   The State Government & Melbourne City Council’s plans for the Royal Park precinct here - https://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/royal-park-master-plan-review/project-overview   Erik Anders Lang returns to Melbourne in October and will berevisiting Royal Park – the site of the first ever Random Golf Club event. For those interested in participating in the event scheduled for late October a link is here.   https://randomgolfclub.com/en-au/products/royal-park-melbourne-mad-scramble?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web&fbclid=PAdGRleAUZUb5mdHNoBP4LvXBkb2YCZmRpZBZQ1TG-bcZtrWeM36ZSP_u5X3m38uV4ZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPMTI0MDI0NTc0Mjg3NDE0AAGnU1zCrAG-aLuG9cn_k7H0ELfFmvDnQjS9_FJ8H00FHg0zCxMp0sPq6fG40tA_aem_OY-MjUM1IE6i6ms6c4JRIQ  The link to follow for the 2027 Australian Hickory Shaft championships (including multi-day sandbelt play) is below https://australianhickory.golfsocietyaust.com The Australian Golf Heritage Society - http://www.australiangolfheritage.org.au/index.html   Golf Society of Australia – https://golfsocietyaust.com/   You can follow GSA on Facebook too… Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their insta page and website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. It's shorts season already in Sydney - but still time for sweaters and trousers in Melbourne. Grab what you need and look stylish on the course. We thank Matt – our OG partner.   Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – doyour wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf.   Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagrampage (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators when photos or video is not captured by Scott or Matt. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop PlayingWith Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

  6. Aug 31

    Ep102: Mic Henderson

    A long-awaited chat with an under the radar figure in golfarchitecture in Australia. And a sensational, humble guy on top of that! Mic spends an hour with us, chatting about his start in the design and construction business, and the many projects he’s been a part of over the last two decades. From his beginnings when submitting competition entries to Tom Doak and Tony Cashmore, to working on master plans, course routings and more. We talk about Mic’s time on the ground at Tara Iti, National (Gunnamatta), Mallacoota, Flinders, 7 Mile Beach and others. He shares his love for understated countrygolf courses, particularly those down in the south east of Victoria. He sheds a little light on some hidden gems such as Loch Sport and Tambo Valley too! Construction, lessons learned from working with some wonderful colleagues and great projects and more. Thanks so much to Mic for chatting with us – a really fun and illuminating discussion.   Mic’s site for those who want to know more – https://holesintheground.com/   The website for the golf course & club at Tambo Valley - https://www.tambovalleygc.com/course.htm   And a link to Loch Sport too - https://lochsportgolfclub.com.au/   Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their insta page and website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. Some warmer layers are on the shelves now, ensuring you will b stylish and warm during your round – and after! We thank Matt – our OG partner.   Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – do your wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf.   Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators when photos or video is not captured by Scott or Matt.   Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

  7. Jul 29

    Ep101: Clowns (a wrap-up of our All-Australian 18s)

    A review of the All-Australian Composite Courses we unveiled in Episode 100. We tackle audience feedback, some reflections on each of our courses two weeks on and some holes that were unlucky to miss out. We mull over the process of compiling such a course and touch on a range of issues related to the eclectic layouts. Do people tend to favour photogenic holes? Are our courses full of our favourite holes ? Do they layouts work as balanced and playable (albeit in an imaginary sense) courses? We then go on to look at a different kind of 18, selecting an Anti-All-Australian 18 featuring weak holes from the top 18 courses in the land (according to our inaugural AGP course rankings). We discuss why some of these holes are less memorable than their colleagues and highlight the fact that even stellar courses have low spots. Bryson's fescue stomping rules snafu during The Open comes in for a little discussion, as does Ryan Fox's win and the upcoming Aussie Open at Kingston Heath, which Corey Connors is confirmed for... We briefly mentioned an old book written by Peter Thomson titled "Classic Golf Holes of Australia" It features some great old images of some of our best holes. There's a copy or two on eBay currently - going cheap. Our Podcast is published with support from Angus And Grace Go Golfing. Check their William St Paddington store if you’re in Sydney, or visit their insta page or website for some of the best golf apparel on the planet. Splurge on yourself and be the best dressed golfer at your club – grab an AAGGG cashmere sweater while they’re still available. You can thank us later. Thanks to Dean and everyone at Seed Golf – they continue to provide 20% off for Australian Golf Passport listeners via the code AGP at checkout. Get your hands on some premium golf balls at a super low price. Once you’ve tried them you will be so thankful. And if you’re a dedicated Seed player – do your wallet a favour and buy a box of loosies. It’s one of the best bargains in golf. Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators when photos or video is not captured by Scott or Matt. Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

  8. Jul 16

    Ep100! Naming our All-Australian Composite Courses

    One hundred episodes! We've come a long way from that nervous first recording in August 2022. We have been looking forward for a while to selecting our ultimate Aussie 18s, and it felt like the right fit for this milestone recording. One hole per course and it had to slot in on our All-Australian layout that the same hole number it occupies on the course it was taken from. We also threw in our favourite clubhouse, halfway house, locker room, post-round feed and drink as well. Matt's course changed regularly from when we embarked on the process of selecting holes, while Scott's course stayed the same until a panicked two hours before we hit record. Thanks as always to our fantastic partners Angus & Grace Go Golfing and Seed Golf. We couldn't think of better teammates than Matt Burns and Dean Klatt. Thank you for listening, it means the world to us. Images related to this episode can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and on Twitter / X (@AusGolfPassport). Images accompanied by attribution to their owners / creators when photos or video is not captured by Scott or Matt. Special thanks to Will Watt of Contours.   Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing WithMe-Instrumental / courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.epidemicsound.com

See All (107)

4.8
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

This is an Australian golf podcast about Australian golf courses, taking listeners on a dream lap of every golf course worth considering for a Down Under bucket list golf visit. We answer the questions that will help you make your dream Aussie golf trip a reality. No Fedex Cup updates, no equipment reviews, no technology debate, no betting-agency-sponsored tipping segment: Just the how, what, when and where of playing great golf in Australia, with the occasional sacred cow sacrificed in the name of frank discussion, and lessons from the mistakes we made along the way, so you don’t have to.

Information

  • Creator
    Scott Warren & Matthew Mollica
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    107
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Scott Warren & Matthew Mollica
  • Show Website
    Australian Golf Passport

You Might Also Like