402 - Bruce Critchley

This weeks episode is a fascinating interview with broadcaster and commentator, distinguished amateur player, and son of Diana and Alfred Critchley who shares with us his story in the game of golf. Bruce's voice will be familiar to many as the voice of golf for several decades. 

We talk about Bruce's long connection with Sunningdale Golf Club where he has been a member for 70 years next year. He describes how both of his parents were closely involved with the club before and after the war, and how the family’s history there shaped his own life.

Bruce talks about that his mother, Diana Fishwick, both an accomplished golfer and an important figure in women’s golf. She won the British Ladies championship, later served as Curtis Cup Captain, and spent many years on committees and selection panels. He says Sunningdale supported women’s golf from early on, including through the associate ladies section and other club initiatives.

Bruce also discusses his father’s role in golf and in the club’s development and how he came from The Addington, played in the first Masters, and, with Gerald Micklem, helped support Sunningdale financially in the challenging climate of the 1940's. He also describes the connection between Sunningdale, Addington, and a wider network of golfers and club figures in those days. 

He recalls his childhood memories at Sunningdale, including playing in the boys’ championship and winning a match against a Scottish international boy. He says this convinced him he could play the game, although he did not go on to a professional career. 

The interview then turns to his amateur golf career, including winning the Worplesdon Mixed Foursomes with Bunty Stevens and later the Sunningdale Foursomes with Robin Hunter Scott. He describes the match play, the pressure, and the calmness of Stevens and his partner’s influence on his own performance. He also recalls reaching the Walker Cup in 1969 in Milwaukee.

A final major topic is his broadcasting career, especially coverage of the Masters and later work with Sky. He describes working with Peter Alliss, the style of golf broadcasting in earlier decades, and how television coverage became more crowded. He says his last tournament broadcast was the 2016 FedEx Cup in Atlanta, after which he decided to stop. He closes by discussing the ongoing renovation of Sunningdale’s new course, saying it should be opened up and treated as the club’s championship course, while the old course should be carefully preserved.

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