Conor Deegan (Former Down captain and All-Ireland winner)

Club: Castle GC, Dublin

Handicap: plus 4

1 What’s your favourite golf tournament (amateur or professional) and why?

I love the South of Ireland at Lahinch; whole history of the event and list of top players, it’s just fantastic with a great buzz around the town. I tend not to play in too many GUI events because I’m still involved in coaching football. Difficulty is finding the time. The other one has to be the British Open, full of tradition. It’s also golf on a links course that people in Ireland can relate to. Different format, whereas you go to the likes of the Masters and they’re just firing at flags.

2 Best TV golf memory?

I could pick any amount of moments of Seve in his pomp. Seve was golf for so many people. His nine-iron pitch between bunkers, think it was the 1988 Open win at Lytham, just so creative, showed the genius of the man. Nobody like him on the golf course in those situations.

3 Parkland or links? Why?

Good question. Royal County Down all day long, just down the road from me in my younger days.

4 What’s your hidden gem of a golf course and why?

Concra Wood in Castleblayney. The two Christys (Snr and Jnr) designed it and it’s also great value for money. Our place, the Castle, really is a gem too. Jaysus, have to mention my home course, otherwise I’d be shot! It may not be long but nobody tears it apart. Aside from Pádraig Harrington, he turned up and shot 62.

5 How would you deal with someone you suspected of cheating, would you sign their card?

Straight out, I’d just tell them “no, I’m not signing your card”. Sure what else can I say, if I’m 100 per cent sure then they have to be told. There is no ambiguity.

6 If you could introduce one rule how would you combat slow play?

I’ve a real issue with slow play, sometimes it’s atrocious. I don’t think it’s a rule thing, it’s more about common courtesy. Golfers should pay due deference to other players around them on the course. If you’re slow, let people through, simple as that.

7. Has equipment technology had a detrimental effect on genuine golfing talent/ability? If so, what changes would you make?

It struck me when I was playing my old course at Downpatrick. I hit it further and to places than at any time in my younger days. I’m hitting the ball further now at 41 than 20 years ago when I was younger and fitter. There has to be something not right about that. Being realistic, the ball is the big thing and eventually something will have to give.

8 What’s in the bag?

New Callaway prototype irons and wedges, Diablo 3-wood and rescue and Odyssey No 9 pro-series putter. Also have one of Shane Lowry’s drivers, don’t think he knows about that! It’s one of those TaylorMade SuperFast. Shane gave it to his mate Dara Lernihan, who plays out of the Castle, who in turn gave it to me. Think half the country are using hand me downs from Shane Lowry!

9 150-yards from the hole, what’s in your hands?

Flat day, three-quarter nine-iron.

10 Playing amongst friends, would you play for a wager or what type of match?

Nice to have a wee wager, maybe €3, €3, €4, just to keep an interest.

11 Who is the greatest – Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods? Other?

Nicklaus at the moment; he’s got the trophies but maybe he was in an easier era to win. I think Woods is phenomenal and has been but has a long way to come back. He doesn’t hold that fear and intimidation factor anymore. McIlroy’s performance at Congressional was stunning and I like the way he does things with humility, it’s very refreshing. His parents and those around him have done a great job. The sky really is the limit for Rory.

12 If you had one final round of golf who would be in fourball and where?

A few years ago I would have had Gerry Adams, Ian Paisley and probably Paddy Kielty. Seriously, my two brothers, Gerard (scratch handicap) and Gregory (one), and my dad, Paddy, he’s 73 and got cut back to 15 recently. That’s a competitive fourball. We’d play at RCD on a sunny summer’s day.

13 Lowest ever round?

62 at K-Club, Palmer Course.

14 Most difficult course played?

Pat Ruddy’s European Club on a blowy day, no question. Used to be RCD but they’ve cut the gorse back too much now.