The previous Arsenal, Juventus and Republic of Eire legend reveals his favorite locations to play and keep.
When did you first choose up a golf membership?
That may have been once I was at Arsenal as a 17 yr outdated. The membership had taking part in rights at South Herts Golf Membership. it’s a really good membership and Dai Rees was the skilled there.
He captained the Ryder Cup 5 occasions and performed within the occasion 9 occasions. Dai was a giant Arsenal supporter, and we even had our pre-match meals there earlier than we performed at Highbury.
What’s your earliest vacation reminiscence?
My brothers used to play soccer as properly and performed for Queens Park Rangers and Millwall.
Me and my mum and pop used to come back over from Dublin and watch them play in London in August and early September – in order that felt like a vacation.
What’s your favorite golf resort?
I’ve been fortunate to have visited many resorts over time, however Quinta Do Lago within the Algarve is a bit particular, as is Casa De Campo within the Dominican Republic, the place all programs on the resort are designed by Pete Dye.
The signature course known as ‘Tooth of the Canine’ and is voted the No.1 course within the Caribbean for a purpose.
The views are gorgeous alongside the stretch of holes alongside the ocean. I’ve performed their twice now and may’t wait to return and play it once more.
Who can be in your ultimate vacation four-ball?
I used to be the youngest of the boys in our household, however If I may flip again the clock it might be with
my brothers Frank, Ray and Pat, who sadly aren’t round now.
My ultimate two-ball can be with my spouse Sarah – we play quite a lot of golf collectively.
What’s been your most up-to-date golf vacation?
I simply been to Quinta Do Lago with a number of mates, we stayed in a villa and performed the South and North programs, however we additionally teed it up at Pinheiros Altos close by as a buddy of mine is a member there.
The programs are all the time in nice situation and the entire space has an incredible ambiance.
What you most memorable spherical?
My greatest spherical of golf was once I shot a five-over- par 77 on the Inexperienced Monkey Course at Sandy Lane in Barbados, I used to be taking part in with a few Irish mates and my spouse Sarah.
I’m at present taking part in off a 14 handicap, so I’m undecided I will repeat that once more anytime quickly!
Favorite golf course within the UK?
I’ve a pair which I can’t separate, firstly Sunningdale Outdated Course in Berkshire and Turnberry Alisa Course in Scotland, I performed Sunningdale in August and Turnberry in September, and each have been nice experiences. Each very completely different, however I can’t separate the 2.
What’s your favorite vacation lodge?
It must be Sandy Lane in Barbados, the whole lot is simply lovely about it – the meals, the service is on a special degree, and the golf programs are all in tip high situation.
What’s your favorite metropolis on the earth?
I’m most likely bias, Dublin is my home-town, however I lived in Italy for seven years while I performed at Juventus, Inter Milan and Ascoli, so Rome takes some beating.
I haven’t been for some time however we’ve speaking about it, we go to Italy very often however haven’t visited Rome shortly.
What’s your favorite meal on vacation?
t must be the Sunday brunch at Sandy Lane, it’s essentially the most incredible buffet you may ever think about, with oysters and nice seafood.
I’m additionally very connected to a seaside resort in Italy known as Alassio, the place the folks of Milan and Turin go to vacation and it has so many nice eating places that you simply simply can’t go improper there.
What’s your high journey tip?
I all the time try to keep away from consuming whereas I’m flying. I try to have a pleasant meal earlier than I fly or quickly after I land.
I appear to have labored out jet-lag from throughout the pond by having a few hours’ sleep as quickly as I get residence – that appears to get me again onto an everyday sleeping sample.
