GOLF:Stephen Watson (Television sports presenter, BBC Northern Ireland)
Club: Shandon Park GC, Belfast
Handicap: 12
1 What’s your favourite tournament (amateur or professional) and why?
Got to be the Masters, it’s such a magical place. From watching it on television growing up, then to have the chance to cover the event for the BBC was a real dream come true. When you walk through the gates, you’re hit by the whole beauty of the place. Fabulous tournament. I’ve been three times and it gets better every time. The first year I was there my name got pulled out of the media draw to play the course, couldn’t believe it. I had no clubs and for my sins went and bought a set. I thought, ‘stuff it, it’s the only chance I’ll ever get to play Augusta’, no way was I going to turn that down. Fair play to Graeme McDowell and his dad, he emptied his bag and gave me a load of balls and things.
2 Best TV golf memory?
Hard to look past being at The K Club and standing beside the 16th green when Darren Clarke helped Europe win the Ryder Cup. You’d struggle to find a more emotional moment in golf. Obviously Celtic Manor was fantastic last year, but just something very special about Darren at The K Club – it was raw emotion.
3 Parkland or links? Why?
Have to say links. I was brought up playing all my early golf at Ballycastle. We’re spoilt for choice with links courses along the Antrim coast. It’s a shame there aren’t more European Tour events played on links courses.
4 What’s your hidden gem of a course and why?
Lough Erne springs to mind, but I should put my cards on the table and say I am biased because I’m also a member there. I know it’s not really a hidden gem anymore. but I love it, fantastic venue. So much water and not a bad hole on the course.
5 How would you deal with someone you suspected of cheating? Would you sign their card?
Funny, this topic came up in conversation last week and I wouldn’t sign a person’s card. It happened as a junior in Ballycastle when a guy said, ‘look I need a par down the last for my handicap, will you stick me down for a five’. I said, ‘you’re having a laugh’, and refused to sign his card. I was always brought up with the rules and if you’re going to cheat, you’re only cheating yourself.
6 If you could introduce one rule, how would you combat slow play?
Some days can be a nightmare with slow play. If people have paid big money for green fees at top courses then it’s hard to say hurry up. If playing at peak times then you have to take the rough with the smooth, accept it’s going to be slower. That said, people could be more aware and get ready to play their shot while someone else is playing, or if you’re out of the hole, do the decent thing and lift your ball.
7 Has equipment technology had a detrimental effect on genuine golfing talent/ability? If so, what changes would you make?
How far you hit the ball is a big part of the game these days, but there are other aspects, like short game and putting. I’d suggest changing the ball so it doesn’t travel as far. Mind you, all the advances; it still hasn’t improved my game!
8 150 yards from the hole, what’s in your hands?
Normally an eight-iron.
9 Fashion stakes – Pringle or J Lindeberg?
Probably neither. I’d be more Galvin Green or Lyle and Scott.
10 More comfortable paying for price of a pint or ProV golf ball?
Price of a pint every time, more enjoyment out of the pint. I usually end up sticking the ProVs in the water.
11 Who is the greatest – Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods? Other?
Probably Tiger because he’s more my era, never got to see Nicklaus in his prime. Hard to compare like-for-like from different generations. Still not convinced Tiger will beat Nicklaus’s 18 Majors record though.
12 If you had one final round who would be in fourball and where?
Has to be the three lads, Darren (Clarke), Rory (McIlroy) and Graeme (McDowell) at Royal Portrush. That would be some fourball. As the two elder statesmen I’d play with Darren and take on the two young bucks.
