A Touch of Class
Hosted by Will Griffith, the show dives into the stories, journeys, and characters that make Irish golf what it is. No scripts, just honest conversations, detours worth taking, and the people who shape the game.
Each episode features players, coaches, caddies, amateurs, pros, and the personalities who give Irish golf its character. From Irish amateur golf and the Irish Amateur Championship to life on tour, coaching, player development, and the game behind the game, we bring you closer to the people and moments that matter.
The podcast also shines a light on Ireland’s great inter-club traditions — Senior Cup, Barton Shield, Jimmy Bruen, Pierce Purcell, and the All-Ireland club champions who have shaped the competitive landscape of Irish golf.
If you love Irish golf, great stories, and the feeling of going for a wander and seeing where you end up, this is your podcast.
A Touch of Class
Rising Irish Golf Talent: The Road to the Amateur Major (Patrick Keeling)
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In this episode of A Touch of Class, Will Griffith sits down with Patrick Keeling, the newly crowned 2026 Irish Amateur Champion after his unforgettable week at Seapoint Golf Club. Still only twenty one years old, Patrick has already built one of the most compelling résumés in Irish amateur golf, from finishing runner‑up in the 2020 Irish Close to playing with some of the best college prospects in the NCAA with the University of Louisville.
Patrick takes Will through the story of his Irish Amateur win: the preparation, the mindset, the pressure, and the moments that defined the week. He speaks openly about the role his faith plays in his life and his golf, how it steadies him, guides him, and helps him navigate both success and struggle.
The conversation then looks forward. Patrick shares his ambitions for the next chapter: continuing to develop in college, the possibility of turning professional, the dream of making a Walker Cup team, and his long‑term goal of representing Ireland at senior level. Honest, grounded, and driven, Patrick offers a rare insight into what it feels like to be a young Irish golfer on the rise.
Topics Covered:
- Winning the 2026 Irish Amateur at Seapoint
- The mindset and preparation behind the victory
- His faith and how it shapes his approach to golf
- Life at Louisville and NCAA competition
- The journey from the 2020 Irish Close to now
- Turning professional, when and why
- Walker Cup ambitions
- Representing Ireland at senior level
- Long‑term goals and personal growth
Patrick’s story is a reminder that sometimes the most exciting thing in golf isn’t the trophy, it’s the direction a young talent is heading.
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