Golfsmith Radio AZ - The 2010 Ireland/Wales, Ryder Cup Trip

Opening ceremony at the 2010 Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor
slideshow

by Mike Rafferty (Uncle Buck)

Adios’ Phoenix! Hello Ireland! Hello Wales! Let’s Go Team USA! The Golfsmith Radio Team, Mike Rafferty (Uncle Buck), Danny Schott (The Shotdog),& Danny Joe Pohl (The Pohlcat), 2-time winner on the PGA TOUR,1987 Vardon Trophy Winner, & 1987 Ryder Cup Member, along with Oliver McCann, Golf VIP Ireland (www.golfvipireland.com) who had the foresight and interest to host a group of avid golfers and fans, headed to Wales to cheer on the 2010 United States Ryder Cup team at Celtic Manor. Oh ya! Via Ireland and that country’s world-renowned golf! A good reason to visit the UK for 11 days!

A dozen men with differing personalities and ages, who were not at all close friends but are now, made the journey, golfing Ireland, a Broadcast from

Gibney’s Irish Pub, and a ferry ride to Wale’s for the 2010 Ryder Cup. (They didn’t have their wives or mothers to take care of them, but maybe they should have!) A few minor health issues; a fall from a tree (you’ll need to tune in Golfsmith Radio AZ to catch this story… now on Daily 6pm-7pm on NBC am 1260 and simulcast on 96.1 FM!), a tweaked back, a virus, a wrist injury (do not slam your clubs!), a quick trip to the urgent care and a pharmacy. The prescription – drink more Guinness, Smithwicks (SMIT-ICKS), and Jameson’s Irish whiskey and all was well!

Day 1 in Ireland
Prior to checking into the Grand Hotel, the group grabbed an Irish breakfast at Gibbney’s Irish Pub, eggs sunny side up, blood pudding(I think it was sausage), bacon, and potatoes. After breakfast, an unscheduled nine holes at the Malahide Country Club. This inland park style country club barely whetted our appetite for Irish golf but it did get the kinks out after 12 hours of air travel! The course eerily resembled Mesa County Club!

Day 2 in Ireland
After a good night’s rest, the boys were handsomely rewarded with the real deal…links golf, caddies, blind shots, seaside holes, plenty of gorse (nasty stuff, grass, bush?), and a perfect sunny day! Yes, a sunny day at Portmarnock Old links (www.portmarnockgolfclub.ie). This is the golf course Tiger Woods plays in preparation for “The Open”. He has never broken par on it, according to The Head Pro!

The caddies provided much needed direction and some cheeky commentary! On one particular hole, a blind tee shot was required and after everyone in the group landed safely in the fairway, a question came forth, “Are those golf balls yours? Are you sure you Yank’s didn’t let another group play through?” Today was the Essence’s of links golf and what a way to be introduced to Ireland’s fabled Golf Courses! A Must Play! A big boy Golf Course!

Day 3 in Ireland
Another perfect sunny day followed us to Druids Glen, (www.druidsglen.ie), aptly named, the Augusta of Europe. A traditional inland park style golf course and the home of Eamonn Darcey, one of Ireland’s golfing icons! We did not miss the gorse as this track was simply extraordinary. Druids Glen was beautifully manicured with a fantastic unique layout. Our crew thoroughly enjoyed the course, the protective swans and the “walk on water” par three 17th. Pohlcat felt he  have been one of the most beautiful ‘Golf Courses’ he has ever played!

We topped off the day, on the way home, with a pint of Guinness at the Gravity Bar on the top floor (over looking Dublin proper) of the Guinness Storehouse.

Day 4 in Ireland
The expected dreary, overcast rainy weather was finally upon us, for two holes anyway. The lucky weather horseshoe followed us as the clouds scattered and we enjoyed the day. Another links style course, Royal Dublin Golf Club (www.theroyaldublingolfclub.com). This golf course and this Club House exude ‘Old World Golf’! The captain of the club, a well dressed man in his eighties, sipping tea, decided to regale us with the history of the Ryder Cup. He pointed to a wall filled with black & white photos of previous Ryder Cup matches dating back to the early 1950’s! The captain made it a point to walk “Pohlcat” down memory lane! It was quite a sight and the passion in his voice was heart felt.

That evening a “Live” radio broadcast was planned from Gibney’s Irish Pub (http://gibneys.com), which aired back in Phoenix. Uncle Buck, The Pohlcat and The Shotdog were greeted to phone line problems, damaged radio equipment, and unstable Internet. The Golfsmith radio crew, assisted by the dedicated and greatly appreciated Gibney’s staff, scrambled to resolve the issues minutes before airtime, pulling off a great show that featured 2010 US Captain, Corey Pavin, along with 1987 Ryder Cup players, Dan Pohl and Eamonn Darcy.

Day 5 in Ireland
Paddy, our sharp shooting (Championship Trap Shooter) chauffer headed our plush coach to the little seaside town and port of Rosslaire, located in southeastern Ireland on the Irish Sea. Rosslaire Golf Club is a traditional links style golf course. Nine holes head out right along the Sea and did an about face with nine holes returning to the clubhouse. With the sun, palm trees and beach, and absolutely perfect weather, we could swear Paddy made a wrong turn and landed us in San Diego. Informed by the bartender after the round, Rosslaire is a vacation spot for most of Ireland.

Day 6-11 in Wales & The 2010 Ryder Cup
This morning, our golf was over as we put the clubs away and donned our USA gear. Our van and crew climbed on a ferry headed for Newport, Wales and the 2010 Ryder Cup. After a 3-1/2 hour cruise to Pembroke Ferry Port, Wales and another two hours by coach, we arrived for the opening ceremony! Pomp and circumstance were definitely the key words of this day! The gathering and shear numbers of the Europeans added to the richness of the event.

Standing on foreign soil, preparing to support the 2010 United States Ryder Cup Team, left the group speechless and in awe! The rains came and went, but it could not dampen our enthusiasm! We cheered hard and loud but the Europeans cheered harder, louder and in unison! It’s like they all belong to the same cheerleading squad, quite unique! There is no need to go into the details of the event! The outcome has been determined, however I can say, “It was the trip of a lifetime and I am glad I made it!”