Di Dougherty meets: Kenny Logan
Where do you play and what is your handicap?
I’m a member of the brand-new Centurion Club, which is near St Albans and Hemel Hempstead. My handicap is 14.
When did you start playing?
When I was 21 – but I have more time now than when I was playing rugby.
What’s your favourite course and why?
It has to be Loch Lomond – for the views, the course, the customer service – everything really!
What’s the strongest part of your game – as a rugby player I’m expecting it to be long hitting?
No – I’m definitely best from within 100 yards of the pin.
You recently held a big charity event up in Scotland at Ryder Cup venue Gleneagles – tell us about it
Gabby (the broadcaster is Kenny’s wife) and I are backing Bernard Gallacher’s nationwide campaign to install life-saving defibrillators in every golf club in the UK.
The campaign (www.defibssaavelives.org) is being run in conjunction with Arrhythmia Alliance, the UK’s leading heart rhythm charity, and with support from the PGA. Gabby’s brother, Dan, died at the age of 15 from sudden cardiac arrest while playing football in the garden so it’s something that’s very close to home for our family.
Do you play a lot of celebrity golf?
I also played in the Scotland team at this year’s Celebrity Cup at Celtic Manor. We won it last year but sadly came runners up this year. It’s a fun event and I always have a good time.
Which rugby player is best at golf – apart from you of course?
Gavin Hastings probably. Mike Tindall is also really good – he plays off 14 but is more like a 3 handicapper. I think you would say he’s a bandit!
Are there any similarities between golf and rugby?
The need to focus.
Who is your favourite golfer?
Seve Ballesteros, definitely. Also Rory McIlroy and Stephen Gallacher.
When was your best golf trip and who was it with?
A weekend with my best mate (and later best man), Robbie Mailer and Gabby’s dad, Terry Yorath in Spain.
That was the weekend I asked Terry’s permission to marry Gabby.
He said no but I ignored him…
Will Tiger win another Major?
Yes
Will you be at Gleneagles for the Ryder Cup next month and will Europe retain the trophy?
Yes – I’m lucky enough to be a guest of Highland Spring and, yes, Europe will definitely win I reckon.
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
