Friday 31 July 2015 15:30, UK
Will Greenwood has been passionate about golf from an early age, and the rugby union legend was kind enough to take time out from his busy schedule to discuss his love for the game.
After Game Changers presenter Di Dougherty featured in our last edition, it's now the turn of her cousin to reflect on the highs and lows of the sport.
Greenwood, who played a key role in England's historic World Cup triumph in 2003, plays off a handicap of 12 and is a proud member of Sunningdale, a course he does not play as often as he'd like!
The much-travelled Sky Sports pundit is also a regular visitor to Augusta National for the Masters, and here he takes us through his golfing experiences:
What is your earliest memory of playing golf?
WG: It was at Stonyhurst Park, a golf club near the school I attended as a youth and a course that my dad helped to start and build. There were sheep on the course, electric wires around the greens, and you’d get the occasional electric shock as you stepped onto the green!
I also remember having chipping competitions at my grandad’s caravan at Grange over Sands, and I’d play with my brother Tom, my cousin Di Dougherty and her brother James, and we’d have great fun on the 16th at Rhos on Sea.
What is your handicap, and how often do you play?
WG: My handicap is 12, and I’d be a good partner in fourball better-ball, but I struggle to play to 12 overall. I’d go nine, nine, birdie, birdie, nine, nine, eagle, nine! I’ve only played once in the last five months or so, because I’ve been so busy preparing for the Rugby World Cup.
Which players have you most admired over the years?
WG: I used to love watching the "Spanish Armada" of Seve and Jose Maria. Olazabal actually won me a few quid on the Masters, as did Vijay Singh. I also admired Greg Norman, and I thought he was desperately unlucky not to have won more majors, particularly at Augusta.
I’ve always enjoyed watching the Masters, and obviously Nick Faldo was the King when I was growing up. And as somebody who comes from a team sport, the Ryder Cup also excites me every two years.
What are the strengths and weaknesses in your game?
WG: Bizarrely, they have switched around. I used to be long, relatively straight and then terrible around the greens, but now I’m more erratic off the tee and my short game has improved ever since I stumbled into a chipping lesion with Phil Mickelson. He taught me to get all my weight on the front foot no matter where the ball was, and it transformed my game.
Do you suffer from first-tee nerves?
WG: No, I've never had a problem with that at all. What’s the worst that can happen? If you miss it, who gives a damn! Would I stand over a three-foot putt thinking I’m always going to hole it? No! That’s just a negativity to my putting rather than being nervous. It doesn’t matter if I’m playing in front of a crowd or just my playing partners and a couple of dogs. I’ve played in front of large crowds in the pro-am at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and I've been fine. I’ve never minded people laughing at me!
What is your biggest achievement in golf?
WG: I've never had a hole in one, but my biggest achievement in golf is very similar to Di’s. When I was about 11 years old, I could finally hit it over the dip on the 16th at Rhos-on-Sea. And it was the same at Stonyhurst Park when I could drive the dip off the first tee. When you’re a kid, it’s always about how far you can hit it.
Do you set yourself any golfing targets?
WG: Other than getting out and playing more often, I’d like to stop giving money to Tim Henman every time I play against him. He’s playing off plus 2 these days and still beats me!
What is the best thing about golf?
WG: Golf takes, and it gives just as quickly. You can have a miserable three and a half hours and then suddenly finish par-birdie on the Old Course at Sunningdale and feel desperate to get back out there again, when two hours previously you’d be considering selling your clubs!
What is the best course you've ever played?
WG: I love the Old Course at Sunningdale, it’s sensational. I also love Hunstanton in Norfolk because of the friends I play with down there, and I’ve been lucky enough to play some really nice course further afield. I remember playing at Old Head of Kinsale on the south coast of Ireland. The first day it was blowing a gale and you had to be a pro to break 200, but the following day it was calm and glorious sunshine and you could score 38 points.
But my ambition remains to play Augusta National. I’ve been to the last two Masters and I've grown up watching that course every April. So one day I’d like to swap places with Jeff Knox!
Who would make up your dream fourball?
WG: That’s a great question. I'd probably go for Seve, Jack Nicklaus and my old man.
