Pat Ruddy, Owner and designer of the European Club.

1 Earliest golfing memory?

Making many efforts to get the ball airborne in the backyard at home only to have my third or fourth "success" shatter the kitchen window.

To her eternal credit my mother celebrated the great shot with me! Dad was ecstatic, wilder than Earl with the young Tiger, as he took me under his wing and we went golfing even on schooldays.

2 First golfing victory?

Still waiting for that one. Didn't overly enjoy winning club fourball in Castlebar with the late Mick Collins as, at his request, I had split a partnership with my dad which had seen us reach two finals . . . only to see us meet again in a final. I thought it wise to leave home for a few months until things cooled down!

3 First time to break 90?

At County Sligo Golf Club about 1957 or 1958.

4 Last bit of golf equipment?

One of those utility clubs in search of magic. The jury is out.

5 Last time you took a golf cart and why?

In the evenings at The European Club, when tired, as it is lovely to get a lot of golf shots and none of the fatigue. You will understand when you are my age.

6 Last time you muttered an obscenity on a golf course and why?

Every day on every hole.

7 Which of the majors would you like to attend and why?

Been to them all many times. There's nothing to compare to the British Open as there is nothing like links golf.

8 Ideal golfing fourball: who and where?

Any three I can beat anywhere from Castlecomer to Doneraile.

I live in hope that I retain my golfing powers adequately to always have somebody within reach to whom I can administer a humiliating defeat along with some sage advice on the grip, the takeaway and the virtues of a full follow-through and, of course, memories of how things (my game included) were so much better when I was young.

9 One last round on earth: where would it be?

It would have to be The European Club, or give me Druids Glen, or back to the fairways of my youth at Rosses Point to mix it again with so many friendly ghosts.

10. Ralph Lauren or Lyle & Scott?

Dunnes Stores or M&S now that I have shed over six stone and can buy off the rack instead of Mr Big.

11. Is the Titleist ProV1 worth the extra expense?

Not to me and not to most people. Cutting grass in front of the back-tees has taught me that a lot of those big-shots knock down a lot of those drives at considerable expense. Amazing really!.

12. Best golf club food. Where?

Why talk food to a man on a diet? Anyway, I love Mullingar as you pass the clubhouse at the first, fourth and 10th tees you always get that Bisto Kid smell of steaks on the pan.

Albert Lee tells me that they just throw some onions on and open the windows when they see me coming.

The Mullingar heifer is great but we beat them with Marian's World Famous Apple Tart at Brittas Bay!

13. One hundred and yards out from green. Flat. Calm. What's in your hand?

I never could figure how some fellows hit a wedge 110-yards. Me? It depends on what I'm trying to do as I never lost my love of the run-up with a four iro, but the least club I would use would be an eight iron and, nowadays, don't spare the horses.

14. Favourite club in times of trouble?

I love them all. Highs and lows abound with them all but I always feel okay with a mid-iron in.

15. Parkland or Links?

Links, links, links. But just lock me in on any golf course and I'll be okay.

16. Must see golfing holiday destination?

I loved the desert golf in Arizona and hope to go back for more. I need a new cowboy hat as well because the old one has gone missing. Maybe the wife hid it.

17 Hidden Gem?

Try Doneraile. Haven't been there in years but I'm going back soon. Not great golf but this is where the steeplechase was born and things haven't changed a lot since then.

18 One Mulligan in life?

Play golf every hour of every day. Nothing, apart from family, is better.