A Touch of Class

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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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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.
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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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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.
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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
Overcoming a major right elbow fracture and ligament injury
A brilliant competitor with a grounded personality and a serious future ahead -  Sara Byrne is one to watch.
Follow us on Instagram @atocpod and follow our YouTube channel @PARfectlyclassy