 Hello and welcome to the fourth edition of hitting the fairways in association with creative landscaping works in letter Kenny Today's show is all about youth golfers. I will be talking to some of the best up-and-coming youth golfers in the Northwest Joining me first are Carlos O'Reilly and Luke Kelly I will be joined later in the show by up-and-coming golfers for Port Salon Kieran Page and Kieran McCormick Carlos and Luke. Thank you very much for joining me to talk all things golf this morning Hello Hi Sean You're all looking fresh and bright. Are you normally in bed or are you normally up and working or what's the normal for you on a Tuesday morning? Difference depends on working What about yourself Luke? Better work or better golf normally Okay, what if I look out the window here the morning It's just not a great day for golf to be honest with you and look I'd like to start with you You're currently playing off three. Sorry plus one. Let me get that rice and I would be the golf club You're also a member of Dumb Fanny and what age did you get into golf? Yeah, I first started playing when I was about four years old and then my dad sort of got me into that when it started And then still haven't stopped her since Well, you're doubt you're definitely doing something right plus one is is pretty phenomenal So to what was your first handicap? Can you remember? 36, I think you know the first one the first proper almost 36 36 how long ago was that? I think it was about eight or nine maybe and then yeah, it was tough work getting that time I'd say that and probably a lot of golf balls were bought and purchased and clubs were changed and Excuses made along the way. What about yourself Carlos? What what are you playing off currently? I'm playing off one currently. Yeah One so you're another very very low man. I tell you I wouldn't like to meet you two boys in the match play this for sure What got you into golf Carlos? I think it was a there's a junior camp in Dumb Fanny. So I Just signed up for it and I kind of loved it ever since I And are you are you self-taught or have you had lessons? Oh definitely not self-taught now. I have a lot of loads and loads of lessons from From shamans to like when I was younger like I got me started. He did them Junior camps. So yeah, he kind of helped me with my swing and Holding and driving and stuff. So yeah, no, he definitely did help me a good bit in a way And what about yourself look is it was that by the same for yourself? Have you are you self-taught or have you um, have you been managed to have lessons along the way? You know, I've had loads of lessons. So shame is what I helped me is when I first came to Dumb Fanny and helped all All the boys. So you were all members there. They're Carlos a couple other guys as well. He helped all of us And then you know There's a lot of there's a lot of good golfers and Who are coming under the banner of shameless? I know James Sweeney and Conor Hannah Darcy hogton aimed up but a few And I know that you guys all collectively play well together and we'll talk about that later on as we go down Um, I suppose let's look at the last 18 months as as we've all had struggles It's um, you guys are I think you're if you're not 18, you're just about to come out 18 It's been challenging for you But you've also managed to reduce your handicaps Under covert restrictions. Um, so I'll come to you. Look, what have you been? What have you managed to do because there's been months where we couldn't play? Were you still able to practice? And I was still able to do loads of potting and stuff like on the carpet on the house And they did a bit of chip on outside in the garden. That's why that really and but yeah, I don't really know Like I think it's just because I'm a bit older and maybe that'll help to get the handicapped on a bit as well And how many how many shots have you lost over the last 18 months? I think I went into the started pandemic plan of three or four plus one month Four So as a golfer, I know how hard it is to lose one shot, but for you to actually go and lose four shots It is phenomenal. What about yourself? Carlos? I think you're in the same boat. You um, you managed to lose shots as well. Is that right? Uh, I think I lost um, maybe three shots last summer yet And what was your what would you put that down to so carlos let the golfer a good golfer playing off Four all of a sudden is it the game just comes to light and you start you just hit the ball down the middle of more Or did you did you know you had to work on something? To get that dropped to to make that difference Um, I think few things just started click like and I probably started practicing a lot more like before I probably would have a just went out and Kind of started and had balls played 18 holes went home like and Maybe now you've probably spent a lot more time on the practice range and Chipping and putting trying to perfect them. Yeah And and you're definitely reaping the benefit of that and what about yourself? Look, what's the what's the strength in your game? Um, I drive and play is a big part like I'm able to keep the ball on the fairways a lot of the time That makes the second shots a bit easier and hopefully get away a bit closer to the hole as well So That's where I'm definitely going wrong then that that fairway one. Um, and what's what average wise? What are you hitting the ball? To 90 Just depends really but somewhere around then So a quick question for you on that rice you're You're going well You're hitting the ball to 90 you want to get an extra 10 or 15 yards because you're into the wind You know, you want to be hitting the nine iron? Do you swing quicker or do you swing slower? Into the wind into the wind. Yeah The slower then probably Swing faster the ball just go higher probably Yeah, but you do the same Carlos Oh, I think I just stretch a bit more in the deep box. Maybe You'll just make sure you get there by hook or by crook and what's your strength in your game card? I mean, I obviously I've seen you playing Um, I have to say now as as even a couple of years ago I just found out amazing how you're able to shape shots There one shot you can hit with a draw the next thing you can fade What's what's come on in your game? What is the what is the one thing that you think that's what I'm good at now? Um, I think I've just become more consistent like Um, I'm probably 100 120 yards out of the wedge. I'm always kind of Maybe 20 25 feet and never too far away leaves good chance for a two putt in or a one putt there I didn't hear the word three putt there. It's always one or two putts, is it? Oh, she's a three putt a lot of the time as well I was a tester for you Carlos because I've seen you Do I have to go back now and just a memory I I actually can claim to fame is playing with Carlos O'Reilly. I hit the best drive in my life Didn't you remember on the 10th? um Over the water and done fanny and I hit the green and I leapt out for a two Uh, or I missed the pop for the two from about 30 foot Uh, that's what happens. That's what happens when you play with good players, isn't it? No, no it was down to the fact it was I think it was And I hit the best shot I've ever hit in my life, but uh, it does in fairness I'm laughing but playing with good players always makes you a better player um, look you've had success in major tournaments across the the last three to four years and namely under 16's uh Ulster final you won you're an all island skills winner And probably the biggest claim is the irish under 17s. Um, and you won that by two strokes tell me more about that victory um And how many days of the competition was won over? um It was down in Turlus so the competition was three days long the first day was like everybody played in it and then after that There was a cut and then the last two days were just like whoever made the cut. Um, and then I think I went into the last day Couple behind for like the overall tournament the um, like it was an under 18 tournament A couple behind and then to get out it was leading that sort of stretched away that I was able to able to win the under 17 on them Come second overall anyway That that's a great achievement and and I suppose how were the nerves you know, you're coming up the last It's a it's a major achievement to to get over the line What what's what's your feeling when you you know when you've got you've got that last whole the 18th You need maybe you needed a par. Did you know what you needed to win? I think I birdied it, but I think I could have I think I just needed part um Yeah, I quite I get like it's I quite like paying under the pressure and stuff Carlos. I've always had the same Your pressure man Carlos no definitely not bottler No, it makes more it makes more interesting probably like it's uh Anyone can play a good kind of when there's no pressures off and you're getting a no scorecard in your hand and then It looks is like when you have a scorecard in your hand evidence does so much harder Yeah, and the maiden victory is always the big one, isn't it? It doesn't matter if it's a monthly medal or it's an all island championship It's it's actually the doing but and when you get over the line, it definitely helps you for the next time um And one of these days I will find out how that feels It's great that you guys can tell me Carlos Yourself and look actually form together as a team. Um, and you won the dunny gol under 16s Um, tell me more about that competition and and what do you remember about the victory? Um, I think it's just uh every club in dunny gol like uh I think there's probably maybe 16 teams and uh It's obviously last 16 quarterfinals semifinal final. Yeah, and uh So there's three matches and it's uh Four balls. So it's two players on each team Best score at the whole ones. Yeah, and uh Now obviously we had a we had a pretty good team after all like uh james suyne connor hannah self look tom clinton like um Kind of junior academy dunfany all of us were just coming up to a good age. I think that was 2018 and um, I think we beat kidora and other Kenny and I was It's great to win something kind of with all the boys who grew up with playing golf and kind of We were like starting to be like you're all very good friends too, I suppose Yeah, that's that's an important part as well is the is the friendship that you gain as as you win and as you grow as as people Um, so that's carlos the golfer. Okay, so just uh, and I also know carlos as the the gaelic football player and a talented one of that I know you don't like me really talking about that But uh, you've you've represented um your county at I think all youth levels. Um, are you still involved in the county at present? Yeah, I'm uh still playing with under 20s. Yep Very good. And and with that comes pretty intense training. Um, so how often are you training per week with them? Um, probably two week days and then maybe Probably training then maybe saturday or sunday as well. So it takes up a lot of time. Yeah, but Not it's great. I enjoy it like so it's good And and I would describe you as the tenacious midfield player Um, has that helped have you transformed that maybe into your golf as well? Um not probably just um, probably determined kind of maybe No, um term and I like Kind of to do well, let's suppose Probably helps me in the last couple of holes on The pressures on to likes help probably comes help from football as well kind of works hand in hand to Kind of deliver or keep a good score going or whatever. Yeah Yes, it's the determination that's it's actually built into you, isn't it? Oh, well, I think kind of all footballers have it like they're kind of will do and support you Yeah, and just the last question of that is how do you manage to find time to To do both because obviously you've said that you've put work into your golf to improve what you're doing You have great like football, you know, it's Where's where's carlos the the downtime? What does he get any at all or is it all just sport? No, I don't sleep at all. No, I'm on a joke in there No, I I'll also have a few evenings off week and I'll probably just head down to the golf club like because kind of It's not much to do in the evening. Supposing you're often golf very relaxing to you like so Kind of definitely helps Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen you stress now You're always a pretty cool customer when when you're heading out in the t-box and that's the that's the way to be What about yourself look, um, do you play any other sports? So let's look at the so, how do you mix your week then you obviously you've got studies Um, how do is it do golf three times a week rugby twice? How does that work for you? I used to have rugby on a monday or thursday night and then the work Like three or four days a week as well and then golf just have to just have to work on planning it I do get that So you see I just heard the word work there as well on top of that Yeah, pretty phenomenal. That's that's superb. Um Look, you've just recently been accepted for a four-year scholarship Which is amazing feats in oakland and to trice. So tell me more about how that came about So I got help through an agency called program and I work with Young golfers here looking to get scholarships out the market and and they sort of they sort of contacted a few different universities and The university reach out and I had a few different calls with the coach and stuff like that and then just decided on that one because It's a really good program and they're Progressing they just won their league finals this year and got through to the regional NCAA finals as well And so how does that work then? I mean, it's it's a dream, you know, you're going to play golf Um, how do you do the work study balance? How does that work for you? And I think so the university obviously helped a bit and then the coach will help That's part of the role as the coach is to help you balance the golf and obviously the academic side as well and Like I think most mornings you'll have class and then you'll have time for golf And then probably a bit of studying in the evening again as well And the other thing that you'll be pretty much guaranteed is that big thing in this guy called the sun You can go out at six o'clock at night and you'll be guaranteed that you can go and play golf Um, when are you taking up the scholarship? When do you start? So I'm taking a year out next year and then starting in august of 2022 Very good. Very good. And just a last question on that is did you have to be at a certain level from a handicap perspective or Was it academic or was it a mix of both? well Handicap kind of it's more how you do in all the Events like Irish boys and all that and then obviously a handicap comes into it as well And then I have to set the sat test as well. So we have to do good enough in it still to Get into the college Yeah, it's really it's really exciting for you. I'm I I'm delighted I wish you the real the very best of luck with that and and I who knows it might be the european tour You end up or the us pga But the important thing is that the studies go along with it and it's great to get that opportunity to to deliver on both What about yourself carlos? I suppose I'll come back to that the the dream of the future Is it gaelic or is it golf or or where do you see it? I don't know. Maybe a look might need a carry or something that People fit that bracket No Just whatever play Uh, keep playing both that uh, these are no standards. I suppose and just keeping joining. I think that's the main thing Yeah, and and and you're not a bad soccer player either. So there's that option as well I can I can test them for you. You're uh, you're a very good soccer player too And you're in the middle of the leaving set at the moment. Um, and and you you obviously you hope to go into college from there away Uh, probably hope to go to college in september yet And what what would you like to study? Is it business or sport or what are you gonna do? Hopefully something down the business line yet Very good You're gonna you're gonna run the country for us Oh, jeez the country could be going up and smoke maybe I just a last question for the turn. I've loved having you on. Um, have you ever actually played each other in match play? Yeah Long long time ago So the next question we did you have to give them shots or was it a scratch game or what how did that come out? Imagine playing off one And you're getting two shots off zombie. That's that that wouldn't happen too many days now normally You'd be given shots. I think this is back in there. Maybe the 2025 handicapped is Then It'll be more like a birthday fest now between the two. I'd love to watch it. It'd be great We must do that. There's some this summer actually we'll set something up and we'll get the two years out just Take just rip an hour a course apart is what you I reckon you'll do Mind you that said it might the wind gets up. I don't think either. So rip it apart, but What I want to do is wish you well And and thank you very much for for coming in today. It's been great to to catch up with you um It you are a credit to to youth golf and what you've done thus far And this is only the start of your journey because uh your life's ahead of you But your your attitude and and your commitment is is to be commended. So continued success Keep working hard because the end journey is not there. Yes And and who knows what you can achieve in the future? and In the years ahead so the very best luck lads and and and thanks a million for coming into us today and That's carlos and uh, and look kelly who joined me there And i'm also now going to be joined by two more budding young golfers. Um, they're slightly younger in age, but Nonetheless not in talent. I have kieran mccormick and kien page both of port stand on golf club Lads you're very welcome Hello Can you hear me? Okay there kieran? Yeah, I hear yeah Good lads good lad kien i want to come to you first um What was your first handicap when you started playing golf and how long ago was it? uh Started playing off 28 in letter candy about three to four years ago Three to four yet. That was your first handicap. You're the first time to get by Okay, so so the next question is tell everybody. What are you playing off today? three Wow 28 down to three in roughly three years That's pretty phenomenal. Um What do you what do you attribute that to? You know practice and different standards and different forces and Coating lessons as well. Obviously learned a lot off my diet and Different people in my coach as well Okay, and and kieran i'm going to come to you because like you're very similar Um, you started was it 19 at the handicap you started? Yeah 19 down in dumbfamahey about two three years ago Three years ago. Okay. Yeah, and and today you're playing in port sallan Yeah, probably one of the toughest courses in the northwest um What are you playing off today? five Playing off five That's just so like where are you guys going to be in another two years of where i'm starting to think to myself Um, there's another look kelly on the or two look cool at kelly's on the horizon here without doubt um Key in two years 40 or key in two years and 14 shots, right? What's the secret what what have you done? What have you done to your game? Is it clubs or is it? coaching or what what is it that's caught you that success? Uh, one of the things is joining port sallan Just links golf as i golf started and you learned to play every single shot And you can take that to every course and just shoot better scores and get better And would you would you say the same thing kieran? What what you've obviously lost a lot of shots in the last couple years as well What what have you done? Did you change your clubs or what have you done kieran? Yeah, well i got just i was using ladies clubs and then i changed it like a full set of men's clubs Probably really helped and then just got a bit older Matured a bit like didn't learn to just play golf the right way not to go for everything and Just take the easy shots Do do it try and keep it simple that'd be fair. Yeah, exactly. Yeah and and i'm gonna go to key in um Ty as has obviously had restrictions and i was asking the two lads there earlier as well um What's you've obviously played a bit more over the last couple years What's what's your best score on port sallan? Uh, i think it's a 73 And what were you playing off at that time? I was playing off well at six those recently i was playing Two or worse my best in the competition. I was one i was playing off 15 And did you once have 49 points at one stage 12 you're off were you playing off 15 at the time? Yeah, I was i was in two over around 49 points Yeah, that's that's and the day and the conditions on the day were they were they pretty good That was it was good. I was windy but Port sallan's always easier into the wind Yeah, and kieran yourself now. What's your best score in the course? I think it's a 74 Uh three over or three over yet It was just it wasn't in a competition. I think my best is four over in a competition And you've been lucky enough you've won a couple of competitions down there as well, haven't you? Yeah, I've won a few on the scratch cup or will the intermediate scratch up last year. Yes, that was good Good to get up and running. That was a good milestone. Yeah, it was in fairness and kian like kieran ty has enabled you to to improve your game further right and You's are going through that transition year. You spent most of the year in the usa How did that help your game? It's just Completely different game of golf out there. There's thinner air all travels further you get to see different flights and everything and software going to be able to attack the flags That's a lot easier to get better and a lot more time to get technical and simple shots and stuff And were you were you playing more or how often were you playing a week? I was playing maybe Two times a week and practicing the same two times a week On top of work as well Very good. So he's keeping you busy and and what about a bit of research on your An advice on your swing. Did you did you look at that? I did that a lot in my spare time. I was just watching videos because there's times where Stuff was closed because of COVID and I just sat there and watched videos and practice couple and stuff And and what's the biggest improvement in your game you'd say? Oh my potting I think last year I changed between about 10 potters And I decided to buy a scottie camera in there. I think it was the best move And that's that's certainly helped and also I believe did you take lessons as well? With Michael McGevey, yeah And how did that help your game? Very good and he got very like there was things in my swing that were very small but Made a big improvement Well, obviously if you've gone down to to where you are And and that's that's tested me to him as well and to you because you know It's easy being taught but it's actually putting it into practice Kieran, I believe you've taken a little bit of a more futuristic way in improving your game You would be yourself taught Um, but you've also done a lot of research on youtube. Tell me tell me more about that Yeah, just like watch videos on youtube like rick shears is called and peter finch So I would just like see what they do and then just try different things out in the course And if it doesn't work just go back and try their other things So, yeah, it's good It's different like but it's hard but yeah, it works off pays off Yes, it's the practice element as well, isn't it? I know of another guy who uh, who plays Plays locally and he's gone from 25 of a handicap down to 17 And he's also the same he would watch a lot of youtube videos And he built in the back garden and he and he worked really hard on his chip But he said it's uh, that's just improved his game That's the strength of your game Kieran round the greens, isn't it? Yeah, I like just short way shots is probably one of my basket part of my game So because of just watching like sky sports and all as well They just teach you how to play the wee small shots Yeah, and it looks a lot easier on the tv Kieran, is that right? Yeah, very easy compared to what we have to do with like bumping runs and all but yeah, it's good Yeah, and and I say keena I have to admit now I I saw you in a driving range about three and a half four years ago in letter kenny And and I was quite amazed by how you were able to shape a wedge And and that's at the start of your journey where you are only learning golf But I could see that there was there was massive massive potential in In what you're going to do and and I'm delighted that you've stuck to it And the results you've got are both of you Kieran as well is down to the The the the practice that you put in whether it be lessons whether it be research whether it be out in the back garden You are where you are for a reason which is which is brilliant um Your good buddies off the off the golf courses now, right? You've played together and you probably your your golf journey has been together, isn't it? I may play in letter kenny a lot in the last two years in port town we played weekly probably And also Kieran your your your soccer buddies as well Yeah, we play a lot of soccer as well for Kilmer Cranon. So yeah, it's good like it's good to have a different sport So the big the big question is who's who's the better? Who's the better soccer player? Oh What's that keen Yeah, I was in the game. I saw it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, you're not a goalkeeper from 45 yards, was it? That's what I was trying to do All right, and it and it worked and But it's it's great because you've got a good camaraderie there and and and you can obviously you you take that on to the golf course and Last weekend you uh, you represented port sallam Uh in the fred daily witness. It's fantastic to see um because the club haven't actually fielded Uh a a team in the fred daily for a number of years They've been in the wilderness and it's a sign of positive things going forward Um, how did that how what was that experience like for you guys because you're you're still very very young to be playing that quality golf Um, well we got beat like so it wasn't the best of experiences But they're still good to like get out and play a different course And the boys are pilot against were very good like so it's a good experience Play a different style of golf Yeah, and only standing in good stead as well. What did you learn from up keen? I'm not that Not much of a girl. I was playing the fred daily before there two years ago for litter candy and I think I've had a bad run twice there Looking good, but it was it's good to play competitive golf and Learn different types of like golf like match playing stuff. It's good crowd Yeah, and and you know what you sometimes you've got to learn to lose to win Because then when you win you would just enjoy it far more. Would that be fair? Yeah So kian, what are your what are your goals now? Kian page the goal for what are your goals now for the next couple years? What is it you want to do? well the dream would be to Obviously go professional. That's a lot of work like I have two years here Do we try and get a scholarship me being an american citizen will help a lot like But there's a lot of work to do in the next two years to try and get that scholarship So there's a lot of practice and small things Very good. So that's the goal that you can and you can set a time on that as well, which is good And what about yourself kian? What's your what's your goals? Yeah, probably just to get professional like in golf, but Then hopefully if I if that doesn't work out probably hopefully be a teacher So I can have a backup in case it, you know doesn't go to plan But hopefully it holds the plan I know please go to plan and if you keep working hard that then you've got a chance But it's always good to have that backup Yeah And look alluded to earlier about the the educational piece as well because that will stand you in good stead in whatever you do in life Golf's in the blood and both families Um kian you're you're uh the page family are pretty decent golfers Um, you've got patrick your brother. He's what's he playing off now? He's playing off too He's out in the states So so there's a bit of rivalry between yous or? That's that played a big part in how he's getting better. I was trying to beat him there and I think this year was the find finally the stage where I got to beating in there in America and I didn't take it too well He probably didn't talk to you for a couple of days. Did he? Yeah, take a break from golf then after I started beating him Yeah, that's never an easy one for the older brother. Let me tell you and uh, your dad your dad's an influence as well He's he's been around the golf course for quite a while. He's played scrapped to believe As he has he been a help to you in your journey Yeah, my dad he he played that plus three and he was he self taught so Over the years, that's how I started to learn how to swing and stuff and when I started golf I used to Grip like a hurl the right hand over the left hand And I played the first couple years of golf like that and I couldn't change it He kept telling me to but I just laughed at it. I couldn't do it But he he played a big part in my golf And and when you did that did that make an immediate change to how you were hitting the ball It made a complete difference to swinging everything. How is it in the ball plates and stuff? Very good. Very good. Yeah, it's that it's that would be called cact handy, doesn't that what it is? Yeah And yeah, I forgot actually you played hurling. Do you don't yet? You wouldn't have time for hurling anymore, have you? No, I stopped I heard in this year It's dedicated to the golf fair play and and Kieran you're the same. You're no different You're you have a family of golfers as well. Your your dad is Is a is a is a low handicapper and you have a brother that can hit the ball From Kilmer crowning nearly to ball of buffet. He hits it that far But not sometimes it takes a turn off to lift from the ball of buffet. Yeah No, it's good like dad taught me a lot because And then dad's mom as well. Nana. She taught me a lot as well because he's a lady golfer who's very low So it was good to have like two different people helping me along the way And you've got uh, you've got a cause it's twin cousins are playing off pretty low. They two and three are they? Yeah, Nyland James are off two and three. I think yeah And that somebody tells me they're a Relation of is it Paul McGinley? Yeah, Paul McGinley there that would be their nephew. I think So there's there's uh, I suppose there's a challenge. Is the golf coming from the McGinley side or the McCormick side? Uh, oh, well, I would go the McCormick side anyway I'm sure mark mark and Malcolm would be of the same opinion as well. Definitely. Yeah Lads, it's uh, it's been an absolute pleasure talking to you today. Uh, you're you're an inspiration And I wish you every success in the future What's clear from all my guests today is that um They don't take their talent for granted Um, in fact, it's the walk ethic that they they all have instilled that is making the real difference to what they're doing is golfers Golf offers so much you can learn etiquette You abide by the rules your respects the course that you have integrity and my progress today already have that in abundance The commitment to the sport is unquestionable. Their drive ambition are what takes them to the next level Carlos Luke Kean and Kieran Thank you for joining me today I'm pretty sure it's not the last that we love her to you for guys and young golfers turning into senior golfers I would like to also thank today sponsors creative landscaping works in let it Kenny Helping to create your own mini golf course in your own back garden. They can be contacted on 07492 05039 are online at creative landscapingworks.com Um, I'd also like to thank oshing kelly for uh producing the show today If you'd like to get in touch with the show, you can email htf at highland radio dot com If you're watching on facebook feel free to comment below Um, my name is sean quinn. You've been watching hitting the fairways. Enjoy your golf week and remember keep hitting the fairways