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In this Class Chats episode, Will Griffith sits down with two of the most respected golf course architects in the world - Dana Fry and Jason Straka of Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design. Based in the United States and known for their work on some of the most acclaimed modern layouts, the duo are now turning their attention to a project close to home for many listeners: the new links course in Curracloe, Co. Wexford.

This conversation is a treat for anyone who loves the craft of golf course design. Dana and Jason talk through their favourite projects - both the ones they’ve created and the iconic courses they admire - before giving Will a masterclass on what makes a true links: the land, the wind, the grasses, the setup, and the subtle details that separate good from great.

Finally, they dive into the Curracloe project itself, sharing insights on the land, the vision, and what golfers can expect from one of the most exciting new developments in Irish golf.

Topics Covered:

• Fry/Straka’s global design philosophy
• Their favourite courses designed and admired
• What defines a true links course
• Grasses, maintenance, and the science behind links conditions
• The vision for the new Curracloe links in Co. Wexford
• How modern design meets traditional Irish terrain
• Why this project could become a standout in Irish golf

If you’re a golf architecture nerd, or just fascinated by how great courses come to life, this episode will be right up your alley.

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In this Class Chats episode, Will Griffith sits down with three familiar faces from Enniscorthy Golf Club - Butch O’Connor, Jim Delaney, and Liam Spratt - the men who have been at the heart of one of the club’s greatest achievements.

Enniscorthy are the only club in Wexford to have won the Barton Cup, and remarkably, they’ve done it three times. Even more impressive: these three gentlemen have been involved in every single victory, either as managers, players, or both.

Will guides the lads through each of those unforgettable campaigns - the tight matches, the turning points, the characters, the celebrations, and the stories that have become part of club folklore. What starts as a recap quickly becomes a journey through decades of memories, friendships, and the pride of representing their home club on one of Leinster’s biggest stages.

Topics Covered:

• How Enniscorthy became 3‑time Barton Cup Champions
• Key matches and decisive moments from each winning year
• The roles Butch, Jim, and Liam played across all three victories
• The culture and spirit that defined those teams
• The significance of being Wexford’s only Barton Cup winners
• The memories, laughs, and stories that have stood the test of time

A warm, nostalgic, and thoroughly enjoyable conversation with three men who helped shape one of Enniscorthy Golf Club’s proudest eras.

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In this Class Chats episode, Barry catches up with Thomas Abom, the newly crowned 2024 Irish Close Champion, just days after his dramatic victory at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club.

Thomas talks through the week that changed everything - the momentum, the pressure, the key moments, and the feeling of closing out one of Irish golf’s biggest titles. But this conversation goes far deeper than the win itself.

Growing up in a family of three elite golfers, Thomas shares what it was like to be surrounded by competition from day one, how that shaped his mindset, and why it pushed him to the top of the Irish amateur game. He also looks ahead to the next chapter as he prepares to start at Maynooth University this September, joining one of the strongest college golf programmes in the country.

Topics Covered:

• Winning the 2024 Irish Close Championship at Dun Laoghaire
• The key shots, turning points, and emotions from the week
• Growing up in a family of elite golfers
• How sibling competition shaped his game and mentality
• Preparing to join Maynooth University and the High Performance setup
• Balancing ambition, education, and the next steps in his career
• What this win means for his future

A brilliant chat with one of Ireland’s brightest young talents - grounded, ambitious, and coming off the biggest win of his career so far.

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Welcome back to another episode with the 3 lads. In this one Will take center stage and talks all about his recent trip to Scotland where he took in the Open, Senior Open and played some lovely golf courses in the St Andrews and Edinburgh. He also talks about his recent trip to the Irish Challenge in the K Club and the players that he chatted with. Barry gives his usual in depth run down of all the tours with particular focus on the Open and the Olympics. Tom talks about his recent results and also discovered something interesting while on the range with some buddies. Listener competition still going strong and Barry has moved away from Happy Gilmore for the next question which caught us all by surprise. We had a very special Celebrity quiz this month. How will they do against Geoff's score of 10. In the end we catch back up with Will on his operation transformation. How did he do on his holiday? Did he eat lots of cake and put on weight?? Tune in to listen. As always the lads are having a laugh so hopefully you can laugh along with them. 

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Will made his way to the K Club today to watch the Irish Challenge as part of the Challenge tour. The standard of golf is top class and Will had the chance to catch up with some of the Irish players namely Liam Grehan, Mark Power and John Murphy to discuss how the week has gone so far and what lies ahead tomorrow. Also Will caught up with Chris Wood who gave a very open and honest interview about the struggles that he has been having over the last couple of years. A really good guy trying to get back to the heights that we all remember. Hope you enjoy.

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While on holiday in Scotland Will met up with Toni Finch who works with Golf Scotland and is the tournament director of the Scottish Mens Amateur Championship which is being help in the Castle Golf Club in St Andrews this week with the finals being played on Saturday 3 August. Join in the chat as Will discovers what it takes to arrange an Elite Golfers event while also getting to know Toni and her background as an ex teaching pro.  

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In our latest class chat Barry caught up with 2024 Connacht stroke-play champion Jake Whelan, Jake gives a great insight into how an elite golfer gets ready for a big event. He also talks about how his year had gone so far, what he is currently working on and his plans for the rest of the year.

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Welcome back to Class Chats. In this episode Will catches back up with the 4th member of the team David Shiel to get his insight into the South of Ireland competition starting on 24 July. The lads reminisce about their time in Baltray and catch up about Davids recent Interpros representing Connaught before diving in to everything about Lahinch.  The beautiful course, town and history make this a very special venue and tournament. They discuss the quirkiness of the 4th and 5th holes and Dave goes through the course and chats about the potentially different strategies that one might implement while playing in a strokes qualifier then onto matchplay. This is a great listen for anyone interested in golf.

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In this Class Chats episode, Will Griffith sits down with Peter O’Keeffe, one of the most accomplished and respected figures in Irish amateur golf. Peter’s résumé speaks for itself - Irish Amateur Open Champion in 2017, and then in 2021 he completed a remarkable double by winning both the Irish Amateur Open and the Irish Amateur Close Championships in the same season. Few players in the modern era have matched that level of dominance.

Before returning to the amateur ranks, Peter also spent six years as a professional competing on the Challenge Tour and across Europe. That experience gives him a rare dual perspective - the joy and freedom of elite amateur golf, and the harsh, often lonely reality of life as a touring professional.

Will and Peter dive into those championship wins, the mindset behind performing at the highest level, and the truth about what it really takes to survive in professional golf. Peter speaks openly about the grind, the financial pressure, the travel, and the emotional toll - offering a grounded, honest warning to any young golfer considering turning pro.

Topics Covered:

• Winning the Irish Amateur Open in 2017
• Completing the Open & Close double in 2021
• Six years on the Challenge Tour
• The emotional and financial realities of professional golf
• The difference between amateur freedom and professional pressure
• Building resilience in a brutally competitive environment
• Advice for young players thinking about turning professional
• Why he values the game more now than ever

A brilliant, honest, and deeply insightful conversation with a man who has lived every side of the game - and speaks about it with clarity, humility, and real experience.

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Welcome back to another episode of A Touch of Class. Barry, Tom and Will are back with more chat and laughs. In this episode Barry again brings a wealth of information about everything golf related including chatting about Pinehurst and the Bryson and McIlroy show. Sport at its best with a wondrous stage. We then catch up with Tom as he brings us through Open qualifying in County Louth and his preparation for Q School which is coming up soon. Our guest on the Celebrity quiz in Davy Burke, Roscommon GAA Football Manager. Can he beat 10?? We reveal our most recent listener quiz winner and set the next question. Will Barry come up with a new movie this time or stick with Happy Gilmore!!!??? Operation Transformation finishes off the episode, can Will lose more weight? Last time out he was 16 stone 5. What do the scales say this month. Tune in to find out.

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