Being an on-course commentator for RTE radio at the 2006 Ryder Cup is the highlight of my commentating career to date.
I had previously commentated at the Irish Open and European Open events as preparation for the Ryder Cup and these run-in events gave me great learnings on the challenges of commentating in the cauldron of live golf. Being up close and personal with the best players in the game really challenged me to stay focused on delivering when the pressure of live radio came on.
Obviously I had come though these warm up events ok when Greg Allen called me to give me the fantastic news that I was going to commentate on golf’s greatest team event in Straffan.
After picking up my staff accreditations which gave me ‘all access’ I eagerly awaited the first day’s assignment. I was going to work alongside Denis O Sullivan, a fellow Cork man and highly successful Seniors professional who would give the expert information to listeners.
I was not involved in the morning four-balls, so spent time researching my facts on the players that I was going to be covering in the afternoon’s foursomes, Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk against Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia. What an introduction to the big time in golf commentary, Tiger in my first game. The European duo won this battle by 2 up but Denis and I had a ball and developed a great working relationship quickly, which came through in our commentary. When this game was over and interviews with players done, I was buzzing with excitement and probably pinching myself at what I was experiencing.
Saturday and day 2 came around very quickly and this time Denis and I were working on the morning’s four-ball match between Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood against the American pair of Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk – yes back to back gigs with Tiger. This was a ding dong affair with victory going to the home duo with a famous chip in by Darren Clarke on the 16th in the pouring rain for a 3-2 victory. To be standing so close to him as he made that shot was just awesome. More interviews with the players, lunch and an afternoon without a game to do, just allowed me to enjoy all that was happening around me.
The atmosphere in the K Club was electric throughout the 3 days, but the Sunday was different as this was winning day and the Europeans were on a roll after the first two days of play.
For the singles matched Denis and myself were sent out with the third game of the session between Paul Casey and Jim Furyk which Paul won on the 17th for a 2 and 1 win. We had a blast right throughout the match and the quality of play was spectacular , so when it ended we were tired and looking forward to enjoying the rest and watching the finale.
However we were asked to go from the 17th where the Casey/Furyk match had finished to the 13th tee and pick up the Lee Westwood versus Chris DiMarco game. When we arrived there the Ryder Cup had just been won so we were following a game that we felt was not going to get a lot of air time.
Then the penny dropped, this was the last match left out on the course so Denis and I would have the honour of being the last guys to commentate on a match in the 2006 Ryder Cup. Westwood won this match 2 up with great play to close it out on the par 5 18th hole.
As I walked up the fairway between President Bill Clinton on one side and Tiger Woods on the other, chatting on air with Denis and describing the fantastic scenes we were experiencing as we came to the top of the dogleg and high point of the hole, it was one of those moments that I wanted time to stand still.
We got to the green and ended up in the middle of the celebrations, and then it was time to pack up and go, an amazing experience was over. Memories of the people I chatted to like Michael Jordan, Ian Botham, Bill Clinton and the players we commentated on, memories of the scenes and fun I had with Denis for 3 days. Thanks to Greg and Gary Moran for giving me the opportunity.
As I left the K Club, I smiled to myself and thought how did I get here, and I was glad I did.
