Here is the intro Martin sent me, I think you'll find it very interesting.
I am 46 years old, and originally from Northern Ireland so I am used to letting fly with my comments without too much concern for the consequences. I was told once (in Dallas) that I sound a bit like David Feherty. I think that was early Feherty and they meant I sounded foreign rather then funny. Toal is a version of the Irish name O'Tuathaill, the source of the semi-anglicized name O'Toole, meaning 'of the tribe of Tuathal'. I now live in Berkshire, England and am a member of a nice course called Bearwood Lakes, discussed here on GCA. It was opened about 13 or 14 years ago and is a modern Hawtree design in the former hunting grounds of Henry VIII. Although to be fair, almost all of this part of the country were once former hunting grounds for Henry, it seems.
I am a physician (MD) who works in the pharma industry running clinical trials in leukaemia right now. I don't pretend to be an expert on golf architecture but I think I know what I like in terms of golf. My favourite golf course is Royal County Down, and I have been a member of a nice links in NW England called Silloth on Solway. I like heathland golf of the sort you get in England, and I love Irish links. But I hate Old Head. I am a UK 8 handicap, based on about 15 games of golf a year. If I played a bit more, I could probably do a bit better. When I was younger, I used to play at the same golf club as Darren Clarke. I have since realised that trying to reach the same waist size as him does not make me play like him. I have been to the US many times (at least 50 times) and have invariably enjoyed it, and played golf on many of those trips. I haven't played Bethpage or Pebble, but played Torrey Pines and found it utterly forgettable. Wasn't too impressed by Doral Blue Monster either. I have also played in Orlando - enough said! My favourite US places are San Diego (any time of year) and Boston (not in winter). I used to collect Tour player Scotty Cameron putters, and am currently pursuing someone in the FL courts for selling me 15, yes, 15 of Nick Faldo's Scotty Cameron putters which were stolen from Faldo's FL house. I gave them back to Sir Nick, although he didn't seem as appreciative as I had been given to expect.
I have 2 sons aged almost 3 and almost 1, Ethan and Conor - we started a bit late in the parenting game. Ethan knows what a 'golf stick' is, but has not shown much early interest in golf otherwise.
About 2 weeks ago, I went to my doctor with problems breathing which had been getting worse for a few weeks, and I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy - basically my left ventricle is buggered, as we say over here. I am now waiting to see if modern pharmaceuticals will do me a good turn or not. I really hope they do. I had been in the US a couple of weeks before seeing the doctor and struggled with the de-oxygenation of the pressurised cabin, so I may not be travelling long haul again. We'll see. For the time being any local golf needs careful planning and good luck. I played on Sunday and a few of the hills were hard going. I will give up before I rely on a buggy.
Through GCA, however, I will continue to vicariously enjoy Rock Creek, Old Mac and the other great courses pictured and described.
Happy to take any questions or comments.
Martin