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In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith catches up with Gavin Tiernan, one of Ireland’s most exciting young amateurs and a 2025 Walker Cup player, having represented Great Britain & Ireland at Cypress Point - one of the most iconic venues in world golf.

Gavin’s journey is a brilliant one. From starting out as a 28‑handicap junior, he has climbed through every level of the game with determination and patience. Now studying and competing for East Tennessee State University, he has developed into a genuine high‑performance player with a breakout 2025 season.

The lads chat through Gavin’s rise, including leading the East of Ireland Championship at his home club, County Louth, representing Ireland at the Home Internationals, and competing in the European Team Championships in Killarney. Add in his selection for the St Andrews Trophy and it’s clear why 2025 has been a year to remember.

The conversation also looks ahead:

• Will Gavin turn professional?
• Will he make the 2026 Walker Cup team at Lahinch?
• What does he need to do to take the next step?

A grounded, humble, and hugely talented young man, Gavin brings honesty, insight, and a brilliant attitude throughout.

Topics Covered:

• Growing up in County Louth and starting golf as a 28‑handicap
• Studying and competing at East Tennessee State University
• Leading the 2025 East of Ireland Championship at home
• Representing Ireland at the Home Internationals
• Competing in the European Team Championships in Killarney
• Selection for the St Andrews Trophy
• Playing the 2025 Walker Cup at Cypress Point
• Future ambitions - professional golf and Lahinch 2026

A fantastic chat with a gentleman who has the talent and temperament to go all the way. We wish him every success in whatever comes next.

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The lads are back together for another episode. We catch up with Tom and what has happened with his game since we last saw him. A couple of events and also prep for DP Q-School coming up this week. Barry is trying to stay positive with his game although results and comps are not giving him any satisfaction. Will has gotten to a new low handicap for the year so at least he is a bit excited about what the golfing game is giving him. Then we talk all things Tour related with Barry including Rory's special win in the K Club. Tom throws in some Ryder Cup chat and then Will finishes off with everything Amateur golf for the last few weeks including his travels to the Close in Westport, Mid Am in Rosslare and the All Ireland Senior finals in Douglas. Tune in for another great chat. 

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In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with Caolan Rafferty, one of Ireland’s most accomplished amateur golfers and a player whose achievements speak for themselves. A three‑time Irish Amateur Major Champion, Caolan has lifted the East, the West, and the South, cementing his place among the elite of Irish golf.

His résumé extends far beyond domestic success. Caolan has represented Ireland at the Home Internationals and European Championships, and he reached the pinnacle of amateur golf when he was selected to represent Great Britain & Ireland in the Walker Cup - an honour reserved for the very best. And with the form he’s shown, another call‑up may not be far away.

Will and Caolan chat through his journey from growing up in Greenore Golf Club, moving to Dundalk, and the unique path he took - including stepping away from the game to reset, regroup, and return stronger than ever. Caolan also talks about his work with Ping, where he helps golfers of all levels improve their game through expert club fitting and equipment knowledge.

What makes this episode special is Caolan’s honesty. He speaks openly about the highs of winning, the sting of losing tight matches, and the mindset required to compete at the very top of amateur golf.

A brilliant conversation with one of Ireland’s finest amateurs - grounded, insightful, and always willing to tell it straight.

Topics Covered:

• Growing up in Greenore and moving to Dundalk
• Winning three Irish amateur majors
• Representing Ireland at Home Internationals and Europeans
• Playing for GB&I in the Walker Cup
• Stepping away from the game and returning stronger
• Working with Ping and helping golfers improve
• The highs of winning and the lows of narrow defeats
• Future ambitions and the possibility of another Walker Cup call‑up

A superb listen with a top‑class player and an even better person.

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In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith chats with Malahide Golf Club, the 2024 All‑Ireland Mixed Foursomes Champions. Joining the conversation are Orla McMahon and Jim McMahon - the brother‑and‑sister management duo who led the team in both 2023 and 2024 - along with Darragh Smith, who managed the side in 2015 and played in both 2023 and 2024.

Malahide’s journey to the title is a story of perseverance. The club came agonisingly close in 2015 and again in 2023, experiencing the heartbreak that only inter‑club golf can deliver. The lads talk Will through those tough moments before diving into the remarkable 2024 campaign that finally brought the green pennant home.

The team had to navigate a long and demanding route, including tense playoffs, momentum swings, and even lightning delays, before ultimately defeating Achill Golf Club in the All‑Ireland Final in Oughterard, Co. Galway. The episode captures the preparation, belief, and team spirit that carried Malahide through a season they will never forget.

A warm, honest, and highly enjoyable chat with three brilliant representatives of their club.

Topics Covered:

• The heartbreak of 2015 and 2023
• The McMahon siblings’ leadership and team culture
• Darragh’s dual role as past manager and current player
• The long road through Leinster and beyond
• Lightning delays, pressure moments, and crucial playoffs
• The All‑Ireland Final vs Achill GC in Oughterard
• What the win means to Malahide Golf Club
• Reflections on resilience, belief, and team spirit

Another great listen with a fantastic group of people who finally got the reward they deserved.

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In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith chats with David Howard, the 2025 East of Ireland Champion and one of the most inspiring rising talents in Irish golf. Playing out of Fota Island, David’s journey began in the world of pitch and putt, where he won an All‑Ireland Under‑16 title, before transitioning to the full game and continuing his upward trajectory.

David shares brilliant stories from his early days, including one of his favourite memories - beating his father in the final of the 2019 Muskerry Junior Scratch Cup. Over the past two seasons, he has shown steady, impressive progress across the Irish championship circuit, culminating in his breakthrough win at the East of Ireland and his first appearance for Ireland at the Home Internationals in August 2025.

But what makes this episode truly special is David’s openness about his lifelong journey with Cystic Fibrosis. As an ambassador for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, he speaks honestly about the challenges he has faced, the impact of ground-breaking new medication, and how his outlook on life - and golf - has transformed as a result.

A grounded, humble, and hugely impressive young man, David’s story is one of resilience, perspective, and possibility. The future is absolutely his for the taking.

Topics Covered:

• Growing up in Cork and playing at Fota Island
• Winning the All‑Ireland U16 Pitch & Putt Championship
• Beating his father in the 2019 Muskerry Junior Scratch Cup
• Steady championship progress through 2024 and 2025
• Winning the 2025 East of Ireland Championship
• Representing Ireland for the first time at the Home Internationals
• Living with Cystic Fibrosis and the impact of new treatments
• His role as an ambassador for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland
• Mindset, gratitude, and future ambitions

A brilliant chat with a great guy - inspiring, honest, and full of heart.

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Welcome back to another episode with Barry and Will. In this episode we hear about Barrys struggles with his game. Will is living the dream playing and travelling the country going to every event possible. Is Lahinch heaven on earth? Will thinks so. Barry talks through all the Tour Talk. Particularly poor Tommy Fleetwood. Will he ever win on the PGA? The lads chat through all the action that has happened and then look a little bit to the future with the Ryder Cup. Rosey locked in which is great. Will then talks through the South of Ireland, his trip and the courses that he played. Then onward to the Womens Close in Ardee, the Girls and Boys home internationals in Cork and of course The Irish Challenge in Kileen Castle. Throw in a bit of Wills Junior Cup caddying with his friend Maurice and then Enniscorthys victory in the Barton Shield in Mount Juliet and that is just about enough for this month. 

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In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with Hugh Foley, now a professional competing on the Alps Tour and one of the most decorated Irish amateurs of the past decade. Hugh’s amateur career is the stuff of legend - he completed the rare feat of winning four Irish amateur majors:

• 2020 Irish Close
• 2021 West of Ireland
• 2022 North of Ireland
• 2022 South of Ireland

He also represented Ireland at the Home Internationals and Europe in the Concession Cup, cementing his place among the elite.

The lads chat through each of those major victories, the mindset behind winning big championships, and the emotional rollercoaster of elite amateur golf - from the highs of lifting trophies to the sting of losing tight matches.

Hugh then brings Will up to speed on life as a professional on the Alps Tour: the travel, the grind, the standard of play, and the lessons learned from competing week‑in, week‑out for a living. It’s an honest, grounded, and insightful look at the realities of chasing the dream.

A brilliant conversation with a gentleman who has already achieved so much - and still has plenty more to come.

Topics Covered:

• Winning the 2020 Close, 2021 West, 2022 North & South
• Representing Ireland at the Home Internationals
• Playing for Europe in the Concession Cup
• The psychology of winning and handling pressure
• The heartbreak of narrow defeats
• Transitioning from elite amateur to professional golf
• Life on the Alps Tour - challenges, travel, and development
• Goals, growth, and what comes next

A great listen with a great guy - full of honesty, humour, and proper insight into championship golf.

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In our latest class chat, Barry catches up with the amazing Cian Arthurs, Cian is a 2 time world champion 1 arm golfer and playing captain in this year's Fightmaster cup, the equivalent of the Ryder cup for 1 armed golfers, played this year in Roganstown Golf Club. Cian talks about growing up and how a chance meeting with a 6 time major champion helped him to fall in love with Golf. Cian also talks about his family life as himself and his partner welcomed twin boys last year. A truly inspirational gentleman and a great listen.

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Welcome back to another Class Chat. In this episode Will and Barry look back at the Open from Portrush and the inevitability of Scottie Scheffler's win. Just how good is this guy? They then discuss who had the better year between Rory and Scottie and are we seeing the second coming of Tiger or is Scottie just a flash in the pan... Here is a good question: Do we want to see Scottie V Rory singles Sunday of the Ryder Cup in September??? It might be what the people want but maybe not Luke Donald... The lads then give their verdict on the best major of 2025. It will be interesting to see if you agree or disagree... Finally Will talks about the South of Ireland and his great trip down South. They cannot pick a winner as there are so many talented players heading to Lahinch. This is a good bit of a laugh so join in. 

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In our latest episode, the 3 lads are back and are talking all things Golf, a quick re-cap of the Pga tour since the US open, a chat about the Ladies Golf and the impressive Lottie Woad, Will has been travelling the country following the elite amateurs of Ireland, men and women and then the lads get into a great discussion about all things Open Championship and offer a few things to look out for this week in the beautiful Portrush.

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