By Paul Gallagher
Rory's Ryder reflections
MUCH HAS been made of Rory McIlroy’s throwaway comments at last week’s Irish Open about viewing the Ryder Cup as “an exhibition” and “not a huge goal of mine”.
Rather than stirring it up, his comments should be taken in context, for the 20-year-old certainly isn’t the first to have played down the biennial event.
“Give me a break,” exclaimed Jack Nicklaus when asked about the Ryder Cup at last year’s Memorial tournament. “I mean, it’s a nice event. It’s a great event. Is it different? Absolutely, it’s exciting. But it’s a goodwill event for the bragging rights. You go back and tell me who won the President’s Cup or the Ryder Cup 10 years ago or who the star player was? You couldn’t.”
At the 2004 Ryder Cup Tiger Woods compared the event to major championships.
“I’m sure all of you probably know what Jack’s (Nicklaus) record is in the Ryder Cup, right?” challenged Woods. “Anybody? No? How many majors did he win?”
“An Arthur Scargill” – A great strike but a poor result – In reference to the trade unionist who led the doomed miners’ strike in opposition to Margaret Thatcher’s British government during the early 1980s.
Doonbeg jazzes things up with swing-time by the sea
IF IT’S a bit of jazz and swing – of the golf variety – you’re after, then a visit to the five-star surrounds of Doonbeg over the coming weeks could be the order of the day.
Situated in an idyllic corner of Co Clare, Doonbeg is fast-becoming one of the great outposts in world golf.
The Greg Norman layout is one of the finest championship links in the country, and three years ago this month The Lodge, the focal point of the resort, opened its doors.
Aside from staying in complete luxury in one of the 15 suites at The Lodge or other “home from home” accommodation options, visiting golfers have the chance to hear renowned jazz musician Paddy Cole play on the Doonbeg grounds overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at the end of the month, Sunday May 31st.
To book your concert ticket or for further information regarding all the latest special offer golf and spa breaks at Doonbeg visit: www.doonbeggolfclub.com
Watch yourself while you watch
HAND-HELD TV units will be made available to spectators for at least 50 PGA Tour events over the next four years after a deal was made with suppliers Kangaroo Media.
But surely this concept defeats the whole purpose of attending a live sporting event.
If we wanted to watch the action on the box, is the best place to do it not in the comfort of our homes, practising the luge on the sofa – remote in one hand, cold beer in the other?
Fashion statement
GOLFERS COME in all shapes in sizes, which can be problematic for team captains when it comes to kiting-out their players. Fred Couples and Greg Norman saw the funny side at last week’s President’s Cup news conference.
“I’ve got Anthony Kim and Kenny Perry,” said Couples. “They are 26 or 27 years apart. Anthony wears his pants down by his ankles and Kenny wears his up by his chest.”
Norman was struggling to see Vijay Singh wearing the type of designer gear Camilo Villegas strides the fairways in.
“I want to see Vijay with a pair of spray-on pants,” remarked Norman.
Make a date with Singles Ireland
HOW MANY times have you been dumped or let down by your regular golf partner? Well, fear not, for the solution may have just arrived. Singles Golf Ireland (SGI) is the latest initiative to hit Irish fairways and brings with it a whole new slant to the game.
Founder Ken O’Neill describes his SGI concept as “an active community” that aims to bring “golfers without partners” – that is to say, not in a relationship – together where they have the “opportunity to meet new friends” and share a common interest through golf.
A date for the first Singles Golf Ireland outing is pencilled into the diary for the K Club on Monday, June 1st.
Any single golfers interested in taking part should register at www.singlesgolfireland.net
