Tony Jacklin
Factfile
Born
1944 - Scunthorpe
Turned Pro
1962
Career Victories
27 (two Majors)
Team Victories
Ryder Cup 1985 & 1987 both as captain
Former Ryder Cup captain and two-time Major winner Tony Jacklin CBE has played golf all around the world – but his favourite destination is close to home: Ireland.
He may have hit more fairways than we’ve seen but Jacklin, now 65, is a firm believer that the golf experience is about much more than just the course.
He said: “It’s also what else is around the course: the culture, the ambience... the three main places you’d go are Ireland, Scotland and the USA. There are so many wonderful places in America that you’re spoilt for choice. The Carolinas, Pinehurst… but there aren’t that many places that don’t try to milk you when you go.
“My favourite place of all is southern Ireland: Waterville, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry. Maybe it’s because every time I’ve visited the south and west of Ireland it’s been with friends. Golf, the pubs at night, the food, and all the ‘craic’ that goes with it.
“I love links golf, it’s my favourite form of the game. When my son, Warren, and I were on the 17th at Waterville the last time – it’s a 196-yard, par three – we both hit driver and still couldn’t get up. The wilder the better for me. I don’t go for all this sophisticated stuff.”
He may not like ‘sophisticated’ golf design – indeed he is highly critical of one or two well-regarded stateside courses where “people judge how good it is by how many boxes of balls they lose” – but he remains an admirer of golf across the pond.
He added: “The greatest area for golf – and an area where I could live – is Carmel, in California. And if I had to pick a single course it would be Pebble Beach – I have always loved Pebble Beach. The Monterey peninsula is a magnificent rugged coastline – a blend of British Isles links golf and American golf. Plus, the weather helps.
“I haven’t seen Bandon Dunes, in Oregon – a lot of people say it’s like Scotland has been transported to that part of the world. It’s got a very good reputation.
“I have a very soft spot for St Andrews too, but I would plump for Ireland, because they always make you so welcome and treat golfers so well. My instincts would take me there first.”
Tony Jacklin was interviewed at the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championship which he hosted at Nailcote Hall. For more information visit www.britishpar3championship.co.uk
