Ladies’ Club

When did you first start playing golf?

I was introduced by accident – at an event in Killorglin that I was attending for a different reason,  Caroline Mahony asked me to come and try a ‘Get into Golf’ evening in 2016 and  I never looked back.

What is your favourite course?

To date I would have to say Tralee GC – although the first time I played it, I thought I’d never get through that back nine.  It’s still a huge challenge but so enjoyable.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the game of golf?

The biggest challenge is the membership age profile – most clubs are facing an aging demographic, and we need to find ways of attracting younger adult players and adapting to modern lifestyles …all amid rising costs.

What do you like most about golf?

Impossible to choose… the course, the views, the conversations, the challenge, the variety of shots, the constant unknown of how you’re going to play on any given day or what you’ll face on each hole, the head space and mindfulness of playing on your own, the camaraderie of fellow members, the unexpected connections you make with random people, the fact that I can hopefully keep playing and enjoying it for years to come

What was your lowest & highest handicap?

My initial handicap of 36 and 25 – I’m a work in progress!

Can you remember your best golf shot?

No one shot stands out  – sometimes you hit great putt, sometimes a great drive and other times a save from rough or sand…  I hope my best one is yet to come

Can you remember your worst golf shot?

There’s plenty of those that I try to forget – from knocking a drive on the first tee in a match to hitting a drive from the 8^th as a beginner where it landed down the 9^th and  bounced into Ronan Burke’s bag as he was taking his second shot.  He was Captain at the time and I was mortified – that was the last time I used a driver on the 8^th !

Who is your favourite sportsperson? Why?

I’m a big fan of Rory McIlroy – I love his resilience, his honesty and the fact he wears his heart on his sleeve. And Kerry’s  football teams – with too many heroes over the years to name!

What piece of advice would you offer anyone thinking of taking up the game of golf or just starting out?

Go for it – there are so many benefits!  Get the basics right at the start and just play – don’t worry about the card or what people might think. Everyone is concentrating on their own shots.  Golf is an investment in yourself, and you’ll have it for years to come

What is your favourite golfing memory?

I have so many lovely golfing memories already, it’s hard to choose one.  It’s been great to be part of various competitive teams and playing different courses. There have been lots of firsts, getting my first par, my first birdie, winning my first match, my first competition and lots of lovely times playing with friends and family.