So, I'm the new guy....

[AnimalChin]

just signed up and wanted to say hello.

i'm a golf professional on the robert trent jones golf trail in alabama. i've been to ireland twice this year, and have fallen in love with golf on your side of the world.

i've also caddied for many years, and even spent some time on the lpga tour.... caddying, not playing.

are there any hazing rituals or rites of passage i have to go through to be a member here?

if anyone is ever in my area, let me buy you a round of golf.

just so you know, i'm jealous of you all.

 

[beggsy]

good to hear from someone over the pond and welcome if your ever over here in yorkshire ill buy you a round

 

[madandra]

Welcome AC

I am sure your expertise will be appreciated on here.

Where did you play in Ireland?

 

[AnimalChin]

thanks, gents.

played bantry, doonbeg, shannon c.c., took a cart around old head, and walked around ballybunion.

was offered free rounds at old head, ballybunion, and waterville, but couldn't make it happen.

i'll be back in august and play all of them.

 

[Golfmmad]

Welcome aboard AnimalChin, no rituals on here as far as I know, you've told us a bit about yourself, that's usually all we ask And why are you jealous?

Golfmmad.

 

[AnimalChin]

jealous of the golf, golfmmad.

we have fine golf, but it's just a different experience over there.

 

[bobmac]

Want to swap for the winter?

 

[AnimalChin]

won't swap, but i'll give you a room.

 

[Ethan]

Animal

Welcome to the site. I have heard some good things about the RTJ Trail.

Great that you like links golf, and there are some great courses in Ireland. When you next come back, if you have the chance, get up north and play Royal County Down. That is the biggest baddest course in all of Ireland. You can do a trip which arrives in Dublin, and plays courses near Dublin, up the east coast north from Dublin, round N. Ireland, across to the north west and either crossing back to Dublin, or going down the west coast to Shannon again. Some big name courses, some less well known but great courses.

 

[Fore]

Howdy and welcome AnimalChin.

 

[kevinmarkham]

Bantry, Doonbeg, Shannon... an interesting mix of courses. Such a shame you couldn't play the others (Ballybunion, Old Head...), especially RTJ's course at Ballybunion.

If you want to play the unheralded but brilliant links of the north west (Rosses Point, Strandhill, Enniscrone and Carne), come back next April - i'm planning a trip for a gang of avid links fans. If not, be sure to drop me a line when you're back in August (not the best month weather-wise by the way).

 

[jammydodger]

Welcome to the forum AC , be intereting to get some golf opinion from your side of the pond

 

[bogside84]

Hi, I have been very lucky and played at Celebation in Orlando & Royal Westmoreland both RTJ courses and enjoyed both very much if you are ever in Scotland give me a call and we can have a beer.

 

[Midnight]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum,
So who is up and coming in the USA in your opinion for the next few years of golf.?
Cheers

Midnight...

 

[AnimalChin]

midnight, i believe the top young gun out there on our side is hunter mahan.

hunter will win his share of titles, including some majors.

 

[bogside84]

Hi, I posted earlier and forgot to ask if you know Kenny Nairn at Celebration. He is the teaching Pro at the course and also does work for ESPN

 

[AnimalChin]

no, sir, don't know him. i've never played in orlando, but have always wanted to. they have some fantastic tracks down there.

 

[Midnight]

Hi ,

whats in your opinion is the diff between the golf exp over here compared to where you are based ?

Midnight...

 

[AnimalChin]

midnight, it's a combination of things.

first are the links courses. we have some nice links courses, but they're so few and far between. the bandon courses in oregon are the best but they're so far away, i'll probably never see them. there are plenty over there and all that i saw were in perfect shape and looked natural... most of ours seem to be out of place.

the elements are another thing. there's only one place to find weather like that with the courses still in great condition. when it's rainy, freezing, and windy here, the courses seem to suffer.

but, the biggest thing for me is the people that play it on your side. they have a love and respect for the game that is evident. my first trip to ireland this year was in march. the weather was so bad that anyone i know here wouldn't be playing... hell, they wouldn't even go outside. we had to tee of on #6 to start the round so the ladies league could play their normal game.... the ladies league.

the day at doonbeg was by far the worst weather i've ever played in, and i loved it. LOVED it.

again, we have fine golf here, but the history and tradition of golf there is unbeatable.

 

[CVG]

thanks, gents.

played bantry, doonbeg, shannon c.c., took a cart around old head, and walked around ballybunion.

Welcome to the forum, I've not played Bantry but Doonbeg and Shannon are gems.

Never played over in the USA but will get there one day.

Welcome again, and keep us informed of the ones to watch in the Ryder cup next year!