Paul McGinley on Lahinch & the Irish Open

[David_Tepper]

The Irish Open begins there on Thursday:

https://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2019/6/30/qampa-with-paul-mcginley-dubai-duty-free-irish-open-host

[Peter Pallotta]

While I'm still rankled that my historic national championship is now called 'The RBC Canadian Open', the sting is lessened somewhat (and my empathy is made keen) by the fact of 'The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open'. Dear Mary and all the saints in heaven, what the hell is that?! It makes an institution like a bank, whose only function and goal is to sell enormous debt to working people and profit outrageously by the usury, seem positively 'golfy' in comparison! 

[Marty Bonnar]

I yearn hugely for ye olden days when Golf tourneys were sponsored by proper things like fags and booze!
F.

[Ally Mcintosh]

I yearn hugely for ye olden days when Golf tourneys were sponsored by proper things like fags and booze!
F.

Yep, we had the Carroll’s Irish Open for most of those years. A particularly pleasant flavoured cigarette.

[David_Tepper]

Don't forget the Benson & Hedges International Open, played in England from 1976 to 2003.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benson_%26_Hedges_International_Open
 

[Peter Pallotta]

Granted, gents
And while I wouldn't want to defend tobacco companies, they had two things going for them:
- many golfers smoked
- besides the 'pleasure' they provided, the companies at least didn't pretend they were serving anyone's interests but their own
Yes, you may say that today's golfers *don't* smoke and instead *do* make banks and Dubai duty frees their best friends.
More the pity, I say.
And plus, the names/titles are so *unwieldy*!

[Peter Pallotta]

BTW, for my tastes a nice little subtle touch there by Paul, right off the bat, referencing 'The South of Ireland' (and thus implicitly 'The North of Ireland'). Not that I want to engage in a political discussion - it's just nice when a likeable golfer also proves to be a thoughtful one.

[David_Tepper]

Nice 2 minute video promoting the course & the event:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IwTjX6Dc2A

[Ronald Montesano]

Praise Jesus...6 am on The Golf Channel-Thursday and Friday-4 hours of coverage total.
7-8:30 each day Saturday Sunday-another 3 hours.


7 hours of Lazy Days.

[Ally Mcintosh]

BTW, for my tastes a nice little subtle touch there by Paul, right off the bat, referencing 'The South of Ireland' (and thus implicitly 'The North of Ireland'). Not that I want to engage in a political discussion - it's just nice when a likeable golfer also proves to be a thoughtful one.

He’s more than likely referencing the “South of Ireland” championship, always held at Lahinch. One of the big four along with the West (Rosses Point), the East (Baltray) and the North (Portrush).


You’d rarely hear anyone refer to the country as the South of Ireland...


You never know though, Peter

[Peter Pallotta]

No, you're very likely right, Ally.
I was probably 'projecting' onto a modern-day sportsman the ideas of 60s poet!
All that talk of booze and smokes sponsoring golf brought me back to another era.
No, these days the Dubai Duty Free it must be -- even in the land of James Joyce, Flann O'Brien, and The Pogues!

[Ira Fishman]

Dubai Duty Free actually only one step removed from liquor and cigarettes.  I would hazard that the former is one of DDF's biggest revenue sources, and the latter still a significant one even with the decline in smoking.


Ira

[Tim Martin]

Granted, gents
And while I wouldn't want to defend tobacco companies, they had two things going for them:
- many golfers smoked
- besides the 'pleasure' they provided, the companies at least didn't pretend they were serving anyone's interests but their own
Yes, you may say that today's golfers *don't* smoke and instead *do* make banks and Dubai duty frees their best friends.
More the pity, I say.
And plus, the names/titles are so *unwieldy*!

As an ex cigarette smoker of about 15 years there is no place I miss them more than on the golf course. For me even better than the after dinner smoke. I still love being down wind of a Marlboro all these years later.

[Peter Pallotta]

We should play a round together then -- though I started with Camels (while visiting older cousins in NY) and have never switched, so it might not be the same.
Yes: I've tried to quit many times. These days I don't think I'd even miss them -- except after dinner and on the golf course!

[Ira Fishman]

When I quit dipping Copenhagen a few years ago, I almost felt as if I needed to give up golf too. 


Ira

[Ronald Montesano]

All the feels, lads. If I had to give up snorting air, I'd be dead.














(probably different from your vices.)

[David_Tepper]

It sure didn't take long for this thread to go off topic!

[Tim Martin]

It sure didn't take long for this thread to go off topic!

 

[Sean_A]

We should play a round together then -- though I started with Camels (while visiting older cousins in NY) and have never switched, so it might not be the same.
Yes: I've tried to quit many times. These days I don't think I'd even miss them -- except after dinner and on the golf course!

Smoking a cigar is on the must have list of courses I dream about.  That is, there isn't so much wind about to make a cigar a waste of money. 

I have never been a ciggy smoker and don't care for the smell, but I do like The Players sports cards!

Ciao

[jeffwarne]

On how they will "deal" with the Dell hole

"So as the players hit the shot, they’l see the ball taking off and
heads will then move to their right hand side, they'd be looking away from where the ball is. The ball will be tracked by a TV camera as it goes over the hill and whether it’s on the green or not. So if they have a hole in one they will know before they leave the tee that it's been a hole in one. So it's just creating a little bit of showbiz around a very traditional hole in the golf course, and also taking away a little bit of the edge of the criticism they might have."

for Fooks sake...

but at least they didn't nuke it like Erin Hills

[Ira Fishman]

The Dell v The Pit.  I go back and forth which is the most devilish.  Leaning toward the Dell especially because it comes after  Cillstifiann and Klondyke.  Then again, the Pit is followed by Perfection and Redan.  They sure do not make them like they used to.


Ira

[Ally Mcintosh]

On how they will "deal" with the Dell hole

"So as the players hit the shot, they’l see the ball taking off and
heads will then move to their right hand side, they'd be looking away from where the ball is. The ball will be tracked by a TV camera as it goes over the hill and whether it’s on the green or not. So if they have a hole in one they will know before they leave the tee that it's been a hole in one. So it's just creating a little bit of showbiz around a very traditional hole in the golf course, and also taking away a little bit of the edge of the criticism they might have."

for Fooks sake...

but at least they didn't nuke it like Erin Hills

Ridiculous, isn’t it?

[Buck Wolter]

On how they will "deal" with the Dell hole

"So as the players hit the shot, they’l see the ball taking off and
heads will then move to their right hand side, they'd be looking away from where the ball is. The ball will be tracked by a TV camera as it goes over the hill and whether it’s on the green or not. So if they have a hole in one they will know before they leave the tee that it's been a hole in one. So it's just creating a little bit of showbiz around a very traditional hole in the golf course, and also taking away a little bit of the edge of the criticism they might have."

for Fooks sake...

but at least they didn't nuke it like Erin Hills

Ridiculous, isn’t it?

McGinley was on State of the Game podcast and described it -- seems to me a way to turn what could have been a negative into a positive for the event - it will be awesome for the spectators which is what it should be about. Very impressed with McGinley from that interview -- there's no doubt its going to Lahinch because of him.


Would it be better on TV if they didn't show the shots into the green just where they ended up? Why should spectators on the ground not get to see the same thing?


Buck

[Ally Mcintosh]

If there’s a big screen for the fans, I can understand it (although I still don’t like it - the cheers should tell you all you need to know).


I read it as just for the players but I’m sure you are right.

[David_Tepper]

More on the Irish Open & Lahinch:

https://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2019/7/2/irish-open-at-lahinch-course-setup-and-broadcast-notes