A Touch of Class – Details, episodes & analysis

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A Touch of Class

Will Griffith – Host of A Touch of Class

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Frequency: 1 episode/9d. Total Eps: 113

Hosted by Will Griffith, the show dives into the stories, journeys, and characters that make Irish golf what it is. No scripts, just honest conversations, detours worth taking, and the people who shape the game.

Each episode features players, coaches, caddies, amateurs, pros, and the personalities who give Irish golf its character. From Irish amateur golf and the Irish Amateur Championship to life on tour, coaching, player development, and the game behind the game, we bring you closer to the people and moments that matter.

The podcast also shines a light on Ireland’s great inter-club traditions — Senior Cup, Barton Shield, Jimmy Bruen, Pierce Purcell, and the All-Ireland club champions who have shaped the competitive landscape of Irish golf.

If you love Irish golf, great stories, and the feeling of going for a wander and seeing where you end up, this is your podcast.

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Data updated on 14/09/2026

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What It Takes to Top the Golf Ireland Men's Bridgestone Order of Merit (Ger Dunne)

Tuesday, September 8, 2026 • Duration 01:33:26

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In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will sits down with the newly crowned 2026 Bridgestone Men's Order of Merit Champion, Ger Dunne. In an incredible showcase of efficiency and elite play, Ger secured the top spot on the national leader board after teeing it up in just five ranking events over the season. We dive straight into the strategic focus required to maximize every single tournament appearance and what it means to finish the year as the number-one ranked amateur golfer in the country.

Beyond his headline success in 2026, the conversation tracks Ger's journey through the ranks of Irish competitive golf. We look back at his younger days learning the game on the iconic links of Seapoint Golf Club and County Louth Golf Club (Baltray), before moving into his standout career in top team events including the realities of deep runs and semi-final finishes in the Senior Cup and Barton Shield at Douglas last year. Ger also opens up about his long-standing love for the East of Ireland Championship, the pride of earning his first Mid-Amateur Ireland cap last year, and representing his country at the Home Internationals at Woodbrook this summer. Finally, we look ahead to his upcoming Mid-Am selection this week and what the future holds for his golf career.

Topics Covered:

Early Links Roots: Growing up and developing his game at Seapoint and Baltray.
Club Golf Realities: Competing in the Senior Cup and Barton Shield, including last year’s semi-final run at Douglas.
The East of Ireland: His deep affection and history with one of amateur golf's true major championships.
International Caps: Reflections on pulling on the green jersey at the Mid-Amateur level last year and the Home Internationals at Woodbrook this season.
The 2026 Bridgestone Order of Merit: The incredible achievement of topping the national rankings from just five tournament appearances.
What's Next: Looking ahead to this week's upcoming Mid-Am cap and future goals in the game.

An authentic look at the highs, the near-misses, and the elite mindset it takes to dominate Irish amateur golf - Ger Dunne shares his story.

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Inside Golf Ireland Presidency and R&A Rules (Michael Evans)

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 • Duration 01:31:30

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In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will sits down with a figure who has been a pillar of sportsmanship, governance, and officiating in Irish sport for decades - Michael Evans of Athlone Golf Club. Long before becoming a respected leader in the golf world, Michael’s sporting roots began in Monaghan, where his early days in Castleblaney saw him rise through the ranks to proudly represent his county on the hurling field. That early competitive drive and deep love for community sport eventually followed him to the midlands, where a move to Athlone saw him fall head-over-heels for the game.

His passion for the club game sparked a remarkable 25-year journey of voluntary service, propelling him through regional committees, elite R&A rules officiating on the DP World Tour, and ultimately to the absolute pinnacle of the sport: serving as the President of Golf Ireland. It was a historic year in office that featured unforgettable milestones, none greater than standing behind the ropes at Augusta National to watch Rory McIlroy secure his elusive career Grand Slam in stunning fashion.

Topics Covered:

Early days in Castleblaney and the passion for grassroots Irish sport
Dual-sport dedication: Representing Monaghan in county hurling
Moving to the midlands, discovering Athlone Golf Club, and falling in love with the game
The path through golf administration to becoming a top-tier R&A Rules Official
Reflections on an unforgettable year as the President of Golf Ireland
Inside Augusta National: Watching Rory McIlroy win the Masters to complete the Grand Slam
Weekend Golfer Q&A: Clearing up the most common rules mistakes made on club medal days

From the hurling pitches of Monaghan to the pristine fairways of the Masters, Michael’s journey is defined by leadership, integrity, and a lifelong commitment to the game providing an unparalleled look at how golf is run, ruled, and revered.

From Almost Quitting US College Golf to Conquering Royal Portrush (Dylan Keating)

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 • Duration 01:28:48

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In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will sits down with a player who has been on the radar in Irish golf for years - Dylan Keating of Seapoint Golf Club. One of the great juniors of his generation, Dylan’s rise began with a remarkable run of underage success: winning the Irish Under 16s in 2018, the Munster Boys in 2019, and the Ulster Boys in 2020. Those victories marked him as one of the most exciting young talents in the country and propelled him into the Irish panels before eventually taking him across the Atlantic to compete in college golf in the United States.

But 2026 has been the year everything came together. Dylan arrived at Royal Portrush with confidence and left with silverware - first winning the Ian Bamford Scratch Cup, then returning a few weeks later to capture the North of Ireland Championship, one of the biggest titles in Irish amateur golf. He followed that by representing Ireland at the Home Internationals in Woodbrook, and most recently came within a whisker of another major win, falling just short in a dramatic finish at the Irish Amateur Close in Portumna.

Topics Covered:

Early development and junior success
Winning the Irish Under 16s, Munster Boys, and Ulster Boys
Transitioning into the Irish panels
College golf in the United States
Breakthrough wins at Royal Portrush
Representing Ireland at the Home Internationals
The near‑miss at the Irish Amateur Close
Handling pressure, growth, and competitive mindset

A season defined by maturity, momentum, and major wins - Dylan Keating is a player trending in all the right directions.

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Mullingar Masterclass, Portumna Close Drama, and Packing Bags for the NCAA (Dylan Holmes)

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 • Duration 01:21:53

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In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with one of the most exciting young talents in Irish golf - Dylan Holmes. The Greystones native has built a reputation as a composed, technically sharp competitor, already stacking up major amateur titles and proving he can deliver when the pressure is highest.

Dylan’s journey began in the junior ranks at Greystones Golf Club, where he developed the fundamentals, confidence, and competitive instincts that would carry him through the Leinster and national circuits. Early success came quickly - first with the Wicklow Boys, then with the Fred Daly alongside a strong Greystones team - results that marked him as a player capable of rising to every challenge placed in front of him. Those formative years set the foundation for a breakout stretch that would put his name firmly on the Irish golfing map.

In 2025, Dylan produced one of the defining performances of his young career by winning the West of Ireland Championship, navigating Rosses Point with maturity and control beyond his age. He backed it up in 2026 with another marquee victory in the Mullingar Scratch Cup, joining a winner’s list that has long been a predictor of future success in Irish golf. Now, with two of the country’s most prestigious amateur titles on his CV, Dylan is preparing for the next chapter: heading to the United States to begin his NCAA Division I career at Seton Hall University, ready to test himself against the best of American college golf.

Topics Covered:

Early days and development at Greystones Golf Club
Winning the Wicklow Boys and the Fred Daly
Breakthrough victory at the 2025 West of Ireland Championship
Backing it up with the 2026 Mullingar Scratch Cup
The agony of losing the Close in a playoff.
Preparing for NCAA Division I golf at Seton Hall University
Handling pressure, confidence, and competitive mindset

A grounded competitor with serious potential and a future trending in all the right directions - Dylan Holmes is one to watch.

Fighting for the Tour Card: The Pro Golf Grind (Sara Byrne)

Monday, August 10, 2026 • Duration 01:38:17

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In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with one of the most resilient and exciting talents in Irish golf - Sara Byrne. The Douglas native has built a resume that already reads like an elite competitor, proving her grit on the international stage and establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with on the professional circuit.

Sara’s journey began in the youth ranks at Douglas Golf Club, where she quickly developed her skills before rising through the national ranks to form a competitive yet friendly rivalry with fellow Irish star Beth Coulter, as well as others who pushed the standard of the game. Her amateur pedigree shone brightly on the national stage, highlighted by her historic victories as an Irish Girls Close Champion and a two-time Women's Irish Amateur Close Champion.

In 2020, Sara took her game to the United States for a stellar four-year collegiate career playing NCAA Division I golf for the Miami Hurricanes. Graduating in 2024, her world-class form earned her a spot representing Great Britain and Ireland in the prestigious 2024 Curtis Cup, capping off a phenomenal amateur career.

Transitioning to professional life, Sara’s resilience was tested immediately on the Ladies European Tour, where she faced the high-stakes pressure of needing to make 5 cuts in her final 7 events to secure her tour card. After a brutal right elbow gym fracture and ligament injury threatened to derail her momentum, Sara underwent intense rehab to fight her way back to the fairway. She pulls back the curtain on the raw reality, setbacks, and triumphs of the elite golf grind.

Topics Covered:

Early days and growing up at Douglas Golf Club
The friendly rivalry with fellow Irish amateur standout Beth Coulter, as well as others
College life in Miami from 2020 to 2024 playing NCAA Division I golf for the Hurricanes
Winning the Irish Girls Close and the Women's Close Championship 2 times
Representing Great Britain and Ireland in the prestigious 2024 Curtis Cup
The high-stakes pressure of keeping a Ladies European Tour card
Making 5 cuts in 7 events to secure professional status

The Unfiltered Madness and Mindfulness of Modern Golf (The Creative Sigma)

Sunday, August 2, 2026 • Duration 01:00:21

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In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with one of the fastest‑rising and most entertaining voices in Irish golf culture - Fintan Phelan, famously known as The Creative Sigma on Instagram. The creator has built a massive following over the last number of months by delivering a raw, funny, and refreshingly honest perspective on what it's really like to navigate the game.

Our conversation dives straight into the origin story of his channel, exploring how he channeled his unique creative energy to grow an engaged audience of local golfers. From there, we take a classic detour through the fairways of Castlebar Golf Club, sharing laughs and stories about the regional tracks that shape the local scene.

Fintan also opens up about his relaxed approach to helping everyday players fix their swings on camera, the deep obsession we all share with chasing game improvement, and the fine line between true mindfulness and total madness on the golf course. From gear breakdowns to equipment and golf ball deep-dives, we look at the game with total honesty.

A creator with an infectious personality and a brilliantly raw perspective, Fintan is bringing a breath of fresh air to the Irish golf community.

Topics Covered:

The Origin Story of The Creative Sigma & Instagram Growth
A Tour Around the Fairways of Castlebar Golf Club
Finding the Balance: Mindfulness vs. Madness on the Course
Fixing Swings & Navigating Game Obsession
A Deep-Dive Into Golf Equipment, Gear, & Balls

At the end of the chat, we ask for your feedback! Do you want a Part 2 with Fintan? Drop a comment or a review where you are listening and let us know what topics we should tackle next!

How to Win the East of Ireland Major (with Kate Dillon)

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 • Duration 01:33:16

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In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with one of the fastest‑rising talents in Irish golf - Kate Dillon. The Oughterard native has built a resume that already reads like a seasoned international, and 2024–2026 has seen her establish herself as one of the most consistent performers in the country.

Kate’s breakout year came in 2024 when she won both the Leinster Girls and Connacht Girls Championships, followed by a brilliant victory at the Girls Close Championship. Her form carried onto the international stage, representing Ireland at the Girls Home Internationals and helping secure a bronze medal at the 2025 European Girls Team Championship.

In 2026 she stepped confidently into senior golf. Kate won the inaugural East of Ireland Women’s Championship at Woodbrook - a landmark title that immediately put her on the national radar. She then represented Ireland at the European Women’s Team Championship in Slieve Russell, and next week she returns to Woodbrook again, this time selected for the Women’s Home Internationals.

A player with proven pedigree at every level, Kate Dillon is one of the most exciting young names in Irish golf and her rise is only getting started.

Topics Covered:

Winning the Leinster & Connacht Girls Championships
Girls Close Championship victory
Bronze medal at the 2025 European Girls Team Championship
European Women’s Team Championship at Slieve Russell
Inaugural East of Ireland Women’s Championship

A brilliant competitor with a grounded personality and a serious future ahead — Kate Dillon is one to watch.

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Inside Royal Birkdale: 2026 Open Championship Preview

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 • Duration 52:20

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Welcome back to another episode of A Touch of Class. In this episode, we’re doing something a little different because Keith Nolan joins me live from Royal Birkdale, where he’s caddying for Darren Clarke during Open week. Instead of a career deep‑dive, this is a real‑time look at how the course is playing, how the setup is evolving, and what the players are facing as the 2026 Open Championship gets underway. Keith brings the same sharp eye that made him a two‑time Irish Amateur Champion, a Walker Cup player alongside Justin Rose, and one of East Tennessee State’s greatest ever talents but today he’s speaking as the man walking every yard of Birkdale with a bag on his shoulder.

Across this preview we break down the live conditions: firmness, rough height, green speeds, wind direction, and how the course is changing hour by hour. Keith gives us the caddie’s perspective, the shots that matter, the traps that punish, the holes that will decide the championship, and how Darren Clarke is preparing for the week. We talk contenders, dark horses, strategy, and the small details only someone inside the ropes can truly see. It’s relaxed, honest, and full of the good stuff, exactly what an Open fanatic lives for.

Topics Covered

Live Royal Birkdale course conditions
How the setup is playing during Open week
Wind patterns and scoring impact
Key shots required to survive Birkdale
Darren Clarke’s preparation and strategy
Who’s trending heading into the 2026 Open
Favourites, dark horses, and potential surprises
What makes The Open different from every other major

If you’re the kind of person who lives for Open week, the wind, the stories, the madness then this one will hit the spot.

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Tour Fitness Secrets from Darren Clarke’s Physio (Tyson Marostica)

Tuesday, July 7, 2026 • Duration 01:31:22

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In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with Tyson Marostica - doctor of chiropractic, golf performance specialist, and full‑time physio and trainer on the PGA Champions Tour, working week‑to‑week with legends like Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjørn, Ernie Els, Bernhard Langer, Alex Cejka and more.

Tyson grew up in Central Pennsylvania and played college golf at Utah Valley University and BYU Hawaii before turning professional and teaching at Raven’s Claw Golf Club outside Philadelphia. Married young and already starting a family, he realised the road to full‑time professional golf was hard and chose instead to follow the passion that had carried him through seven reconstructive knee surgeries: biomechanics, rehab, and helping golfers move better. That led him to chiropractic school and eventually to building the Arizona Sports Clinic in Phoenix, where he combined treatment, performance, and an indoor hitting bay to bring his vision of golf‑specific therapy to life.

Everything changed when Steve Alker spotted Tyson’s work during the Outlaw Tour - the only professional tour running during Covid. Their partnership sparked one of the most remarkable late‑career resurgences in modern golf. Since then Tyson has travelled full‑time on the PGA Champions Tour, working with Clarke, Bjørn, Cejka, Els, Langer, Rod Pampling, Zach Johnson and many more. From piecing Alex Cejka together to win the Senior British Open when he could barely walk, to swapping Darren Clarke’s headcovers by accident, to road trips with Bjørn and Pampling and even a Ja Rule moment - Tyson brings a treasure chest of stories from inside the ropes.

Topics Covered:

Growing up in Central Pennsylvania
College golf at Utah Valley University & BYU Hawaii
Turning pro and teaching at Raven’s Claw
Seven knee surgeries and discovering biomechanics
Building the Arizona Sports Clinic
How Steve Alker found him and their journey together
Working with Clarke, Bjørn, Cejka, Els, Langer, Pampling and more
Cejka’s Senior British Open win while barely able to walk
Headcover switches, Road trip stories and Ja Rule

Rising Irish Golf Talent: The Road to the Amateur Major (Patrick Keeling)

Wednesday, July 1, 2026 • Duration 01:20:37

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In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with Patrick Keeling, the newly crowned 2026 Irish Amateur Champion after his unforgettable week at Seapoint Golf Club. Still only twenty one years old, Patrick has already built one of the most compelling résumés in Irish amateur golf, from finishing runner‑up in the 2020 Irish Close to playing with some of the best college prospects in the NCAA with the University of Louisville.

Patrick takes Will through the story of his Irish Amateur win: the preparation, the mindset, the pressure, and the moments that defined the week. He speaks openly about the role his faith plays in his life and his golf, how it steadies him, guides him, and helps him navigate both success and struggle.

The conversation then looks forward. Patrick shares his ambitions for the next chapter: continuing to develop in college, the possibility of turning professional, the dream of making a Walker Cup team, and his long‑term goal of representing Ireland at senior level. Honest, grounded, and driven, Patrick offers a rare insight into what it feels like to be a young Irish golfer on the rise.

Topics Covered:

Winning the 2026 Irish Amateur at Seapoint
The mindset and preparation behind the victory
His faith and how it shapes his approach to golf
Life at Louisville and NCAA competition
The journey from the 2020 Irish Close to now
Turning professional, when and why
Walker Cup ambitions
Representing Ireland at senior level
Long‑term goals and personal growth

Patrick’s story is a reminder that sometimes the most exciting thing in golf isn’t the trophy, it’s the direction a young talent is heading.

Follow @ATOCPOD on Instagram for new episodes.

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A Touch of Class – Details, episodes & analysis

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