From the Clubhouse: The match play clash that ended in tears + How many DQs?
We just love nattering about competitions!
On this week’s From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll meander once again around match play golf and debate the optimal number of events in a club’s calendar.
Tom recounts a head-to-head that left a participant in tears, grills Steve after reading he’d had an eventful refereeing weekend that involved a fair number of DQs, and then takes him to task when he reveals he’s not playing in competitions – while simultaneously asking for more competitions!
Tom’s also got plenty to say on eligibility and why, in his view, the best players can’t always represent their clubs at the top level.
But make sure you listen to the end, when the pair will raise an eyebrow after making an interesting pledge until the end of the season.
What do you think? Are there already more than enough competitions in your club’s calendar, or could you do with more? Let us know with a tweet.
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
