Me, my golf and I...

Mister Sifter

The Irish Times did this with Stephen Hunt, the footballer, last week... here goes mine...

Earliest golfing memory? Probably Bernhard Langer's missed putt in the 1991 Ryder Cup.

First victory? Junior medal. Nett 60, playing off 35.

Score on your first card? 116. I was 12 i think.

Last bit of equipment you bought? Ping G10 driver and 3-wood just after the New Year.

Last time you took a cart. Where and Why. When i was in the states, 2003. Not a big fan of them, plus i'm too much of a skinflint, but the course i was playing gave them out free. Was great as you could play 18-holes in just over 2 hours in the evenings.

One last round on earth, where would it be? Old Course, St Andrews

Dress sense. Davis Love or Ian Poulter? Somewhere in the middle probably.

Is a Titleist ProV1 worth the expense? Definitely

Best golf club food. Where? My club back home, Lochmaben Golf Club.

140 yards out from the green. Flat calm. What's in your hand? 8-iron

Favourite club in times of trouble? My Cobra baffler rescue 3 iron.

Parkland or Links? Parkland

Must see golfing destination? St Andrews

Hidden gem? Southerness, Dumfriesshire, Scotland

WHIP IT!

Earliest golfing memory? Playing pitch n putt and par-three with friends in early teens.

First victory? Only victory! Athy GC about four years ago in a Society event, playing off 23 - 38points, won on countback. If I'd lost I'd have went mental cos I three-putted the last!

Score on your first card? No idea. Probably 125.

Last bit of equipment you bought? Picked up a cheap pair of shoes as "spares" and a couple of gloves. Last club was a new putter, Ping G2i Craz-E.

Last time you took a cart. Where and Why. Last Thursday evening in Milicent, still only managed to squeeze in 16 and very nearly frozed to death.

One last round on earth, where would it be? Augusta

Dress sense. Davis Love or Ian Poulter? Prob somewhere in the middle but woud lean toward Poulter if I had the money!

Is a Titleist ProV1 worth the expense? I get used ones online and would say that yes there's a notable difference when I use them.

Best golf club food. Where? Carton House, I never knew how nice scrambled eggs could be til I tasted these ones!

140 yards out from the green. Flat calm. What's in your hand? A nice, smooth 9-iron.

Favourite club in times of trouble? A 70-yard pitch with my SW.

Parkland or Links? Parkland, defo.

Must see golfing destination? Sawgrass, Augusta, St Andrew's.

Hidden gem? Skellig Bay, Waterville, Kerry. Worth it for the views alone - a couple of plain par-threes it's only downfall.

Adiaga 2

Earliest golfing memory? Hitting balls in a field with a friend of mine whose dad played golf.

First victory? Society competition at Holystown in 1996

Score on your first card? 63! (for 9 nine holes unfortunately. Don't remember first score for 18)

Last bit of equipment you bought? Taylor Made R7 425 driver. Tempted by the price and hope of more distance. Didn't gain any distance really but a good buy all the same.

Last time you took a cart. Where and Why. Crete golf club 2 years ago. Very hot. Short enough course but very nice and really tricky.

One last round on earth, where would it be? St Andrews

Dress sense. Davis Love or Ian Poulter? Neither really. I would happily take DLIII's swing though!

Is a Titleist ProV1 worth the expense? Been using srixon AD333 for a couple of years now but tried prov1x earlier this year and loved the control. I may be tempted to stick with them for the summer despite the price.

Best golf club food. Where? PGA National do a good fillet steak :pac:

140 yards out from the green. Flat calm. What's in your hand? Flat calm, perfect lie - 9 iron.

Favourite club in times of trouble? 19* rescue club.

Parkland or Links? Parkland probably.

Must see golfing destination? St. Andrews, Royal County Down are on my "to play" list.

Hidden gem? Seapoint. Not exactly hidden but a gem imo and not overly expensive to play.

Matt Santos

Earliest golfing memory? I think it was Jack in '86. Wining the Masters at Augusta. That putt on 17 with the putter going up and the ball 2 feet from the hole.

First victory? Society in Dublin in '93. Playing in Beaverstown. Unbelievably, I has playing left handed at that time with borrowed clubs with a handicap of 16. Had 38 pts.

Score on your first card? Have no idea!

Last bit of equipment you bought? Bought a new electric trolley after years of pulling one! Last club I bought was my Odyssey putter 18 months ago.

Last time you took a cart. Where and Why. At a recent stag party in Tullamore. Went out in Esker Hills and the rest of them were going out in them so that was it.

One last round on earth, where would it be? It would have to Augusta

Dress sense. Davis Love or Ian Poulter? Plain pan for me. Beige seems to be my colour on the course!

Is a Titleist ProV1 worth the expense? Definitely

Best golf club food. Where? Tipperary Town has some great food. Played in Elm Park recently and got a great steak there.

140 yards out from the green. Flat calm. What's in your hand? 8-iron

Favourite club in times of trouble? Nike rescue club has got me out of jail sooooo many times.

Parkland or Links? Parkland

Must see golfing destination? Waterville is heavenly and I get a lump in my throat any time I play there! Druids Glen in full flower is a sight to see.

Hidden gem? Ballykisteen is the least spoke about club that I know is way above average. I think Bearna outside Galway is much better than its attendance figures would suggest.

OilBeefHooked2

Earliest golfing memory? Being hit in the head by my dad's backswing while he was using driver, I'd say I was only 4/5 and learnt the hard way to never be walking around or standing behind someone when there're playing.

First victory? A junior golf comp when I was 7/8.

Score on your first card? dont remenber

Last bit of equipment you bought? 2 nike gloves in argos

Last time you took a cart. Where and Why. Last sunday at my home course the Ring of Kerry, cause I badly sprained my ankle the previous week (work related not golfing) and it's quiet a hilly course and the buggys are only 20 euro.

One last round on earth, where would it be? Dooks Co.Kerry. imo it has no weak holes and just has a unique ambience and fantastic scenery.

Dress sense. Davis Love or Ian Poulter? Depend's on the mood, but i'd say somwhere in between.

Is a Titleist ProV1 worth the expense? No.

Best golf club food. Where? My home club the Ring of Kerry and Dooks.

140 yards out from the green. Flat calm. What's in your hand? 9-iron.

Favourite club in times of trouble? My Taylormade hybrid. It's my "goto" club.

Parkland or Links? Links and it's not even close.

Must see golfing destination? St.Andrews,Augusta National,Sawgrass and Royal Co.Down to name but a few.

Hidden gem? Dooks Co Kerry.

rigal

Earliest golfing memory? Hitting balls on a beach in donegal with my Grandad. My dad had got me an old rusty 9 iron cut down to half size with a hickory shaft. It looked like something from back when golf began.

First victory? When I was 7 ot 8 I won the 4 hole junior comp at the local club.

Score on your first card? No idea.

Last bit of equipment you bought? Ping G5 3Wood. Can't get on with it so I'm back to my trusty old adams tight lies now.

Last time you took a cart. Where and Why. Celtic Manor last October. We had a late tee off and wanted to get in as many holes as possible. We got 16 in!

One last round on earth, where would it be? Augusta.

Dress sense. Davis Love or Ian Poulter? Middle of the road. Both are polar opposites.

Is a Titleist ProV1 worth the expense? Yes. So long as you don't lose them.:o

Best golf club food. Where? Mount Juilet.

140 yards out from the green. Flat calm. What's in your hand? 80% 8-iron.

Favourite club in times of trouble? Off the tee - 3 wood. Hack out - 8 iron

Parkland or Links? Parkland. Although if I lived in a better climate I'd probably say links.

Must see golfing destination? Here's what's on my wish list - Canada, South Africa, the Carolina's and Scotland (St. Andrews & Carnoustie)

Hidden gem? Headfort New. Not all that hidden in recent years though.

goodburger

Earliest golfing memory? Playing my first card to get my handicap in the Island in corballis and realising it was a killer of a course.

First victory? I was 16, handicap of 27 and I won the gross prize in Donabate gc, it was a tester comp by the ilgu for the junior irish girls team. I won a golf gove

Score on your first card? 105 in the Island, considering i was only 15 and 4' 10" its allowed.

Last bit of equipment you bought? a fabulous big bertha, i love it.

Last time you took a cart. Where and Why. I've never taken a buggy, i also feel it ruins a good game of golf.

One last round on earth, where would it be? Augusta.

Dress sense. Davis Love or Ian Poulter? more like natasha shishmanian

Is a Titleist ProV1 worth the expense? dont know, havent used them yet, are they good.

Best golf club food. Where? Roganstown, superb.

140 yards out from the green. Flat calm. What's in your hand? I'm a girl and tiny, probably my 5i

Favourite club in times of trouble? my 6i, i love it.

Parkland or Links? Parkland

Must see golfing destination? Augusta.

Hidden gem? Forrest Little, purely for the golf, not the facilities

goodburger

Earliest golfing memory? Playing my first card to get my handicap in the Island in corballis and realising it was a killer of a course.

First victory? I was 16, handicap off 27 and I won the gross prize in Donabate gc. I had a 77 gross, i was so happy that day, it was a tester comp by the ilgu for the junior irish girls team. I won a golf gove

Score on your first card? 105 in the Island, considering i was only 15 and 4' 10" its allowed.

Last bit of equipment you bought? a fabulous big bertha, i love it.

Last time you took a cart. Where and Why. I've never taken a buggy, i also feel it ruins a good game of golf.

One last round on earth, where would it be? Augusta.

Dress sense. Davis Love or Ian Poulter? more like natasha shishmanian

Is a Titleist ProV1 worth the expense? dont know, havent used them yet, are they good.

Best golf club food. Where? Roganstown, superb.

140 yards out from the green. Flat calm. What's in your hand? I'm a girl and tiny, probably my 5i

Favourite club in times of trouble? my 6i, i love it.

Parkland or Links? Parkland

Must see golfing destination? Augusta.

Hidden gem? Forrest Little, purely for the golf, not the facilities

Scall4life

Earliest golfing memory? Getting my first club when I was about eight.

First victory? Think I was round ten when I won my first junior competition.

Score on your first card? Dont remember

Last bit of equipment you bought? Taylormade Burner 19 deg rescue club. Nice piece of kit.

Last time you took a cart. Where and Why. Only ever used them in Esker Hills when friends hired them. Couldnt be bothered normally.

One last round on earth, where would it be? Augusta

Dress sense. Davis Love or Ian Poulter? somewhere in between

Is a Titleist ProV1 worth the expense? Absolutely. For distance & control there is no better.

Best golf club food. Where? Tullamore GC my local.

140 yards out from the green. Flat calm. What's in your hand? 9 iron

Favourite club in times of trouble? My 58 deg wedge

Parkland or Links? Parkland

Must see golfing destination? Pebble Beach, Augusta, Muirfield, Sawgrass

Hidden gem? Esker Hills, super greens.

PhilipMarlowe

Earliest golfing memory? Playing pitch n putt also hitting balls into a field at home

First victory? Wasn't a member till in my mid 20's but probably won a nine hole or something quite early on in my career.

Score on your first card? No idea.

Last bit of equipment you bought? Taylor made burner TP 3 Wood. It comes to bed with me

Last time you took a cart. Where and Why. Hate playing golf in a cart...

One last round on earth, where would it be? Augusta

Dress sense. Davis Love or Ian Poulter? Poulter on special occasions.

Is a Titleist ProV1 worth the expense? Yes, but I use a taylor made ball mostly

Best golf club food. Where? Half-way hut in Wentworth on a misreably cold February day, can still taste the sausage sandwich and the coffee and the respite from the golf.....

140 yards out from the green. Flat calm. What's in your hand? Most likely an 8

Favourite club in times of trouble? What's this now? Oh ok, 52 degree gap wedge

Parkland or Links? Parkland

Must see golfing destination? St Andrew's for the magic, Sunningdale for a place I'd love to call home

Hidden gem? Blainroe... played it first time recently and rate it very highly....

steelbar

Earliest golfing memory? Tyring to hit my Dad's left hand 8 iron, found out fairly quickly that i was right handed!

First victory? 2 years ago in Mt Wolseley,42 points off 14, was supposed to be on study leave!!!

Score on your first card? 96

Last bit of equipment you bought? Taylormade Burner TP 10.5 deg 65g stiff, alot more forgiving than the R7 425!

Last time you took a cart. Where and why? At christmas in Brisbane australia, it had a cooler, so had nice cold bee the whole way round!

One last round on earth, where would it be? Augusta

Dress sense. Davis Love or Ian Poulter? In between, am too big to be an out and out Poulter! More Darren Clarke, or Ernie Els!

Is a Titleist ProV1 worth the expense? Yes, without a shadow of a doubt.

Best golf club food. Where? Kilkea Castle, great chicken fillet burger!

140 yards out from the green. Flat calm. What's in your hand? 9 iron

Favourite club in times of trouble? 3 iron off the tee

Parkland or Links? Parkland

Must see golfing destination? St Andrew's for the history

Hidden gem? Havnt played enough courses yet, just end up playing the same 4 r 5. Really enjoyed the Heritage, but the green fees are a bit steep!