Bunkered

Bunkered (stylised as bunkered) is a golf magazine from Scotland published by DC Thomson. Based in Glasgow, Scotland, the magazine was launched in 1996 and is published ten times per year.

A multi-award-winning, glossy, consumer title, the magazine covers all aspects of golf, from equipment to tuition, travel, interviews and more.

History
The first edition of bunkered was launched in April 1996 and was the first of four issues produced that year by Glasgow-based independent publishing company Pro Sports Promotions (later PSP Publishing and then PSP Media).

In 1998, production was increased to five editions per year and, in 1999, was expanded to six editions. Beginning in 2002, the magazine was published eight times per year. It celebrated the publication of its 100th edition in 2010 at the Open Championship in St Andrews.

In 1999, 'bunkered' became the highest-selling golf magazine in Scotland.

Since 2018, the magazine and all of its assets have been owned by Scottish publishing giant DC Thomson and, in 2023, the decision was taken to increase frequency from eight issues a year to ten whilst also selling on newsstands in England, Wales and Ireland for the first time. Until then, the magazine had been sold exclusively on newsstands in Scotland.

bunkered has interviewed many high-profile golf figures, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Colin Montgomerie, Donald Trump, and many more.

Additionally, 'bunkered' presented the bunkered Matchplay Challenge held in 2004 and 2007. A Ryder Cup-style match, it saw teams representing the Scottish amateur and professional circuits battle with one another.

The bunkered Podcast
In August 2020, The bunkered Podcast was launched. Available to download for free from all major podcast platforms, the weekly show has featured guest appearances from several big-name personalities, including Gary Player, Paige Spiranac, Colin Montgomerie, Rich Beem, Annika Sorenstam, Greg Norman, Jose Maria Olazabal and Ian Woosnam.

Non-golfers to have appeared on the show include Academy Award nominee Michael O'Keefe, tennis star Jamie Murray and former Manchester United and England footballer Teddy Sheringham.

In 2021, the show won the Best Sports Podcast Award at the Publisher Podcast Awards. It successfully defended the title at the same awards the following year.

In September 2023, The bunkered Podcast staged its first-ever live, in-person, ticketed event at Drygate Brewery in Glasgow.

Since April 2022, the show has been sponsored by golf equipment giant Callaway.

Green Fee Savers
In 1999, bunkered launched Green Fee Savers, a discount golf program that enabled recreational golfers to enjoy half-price rounds at hundreds of clubs across the UK and Ireland. The program was discontinued in 2010.

Notable columnists

 * Arthur Montford - 1996–present
 * Paul Lawrie - 2001–2005
 * Colin Montgomerie - 2008–2010
 * Bernard Gallacher - 1998–2008
 * Dougie Donnelly - 2016–2018

Awards
bunkered and its personnel have won a number of PPA Awards.


 * Columnist of the Year: Michael McEwan, 2023
 * Writer of the Year: Michael McEwan, 2023
 * Scottish Publisher of the Year: 2011
 * Consumer Magazine Editor of the Year: Bryce Ritchie, 2010
 * Consumer Magazine Editor of the Year: 2008
 * Scottish Brand Development of the Year: 2009
 * Scottish Publisher of the Year: 2006
 * Scottish Consumer Magazine of the Year: 2004, 2023