Golf with Style is a Golf Channel production (a holiday golfing programme), visiting top golf resorts mainly across the U.S. This year it was decided to make it Golf with Style Global Challenge and to spice up a little they decided to bring back past Big Break contestants to challenge one another at a given resort. Each episode consisted of three 3hole challenges at three different golfing locations.  Points were awarded for each of the 3 challenges and the person with the most points at the end of the contest moved on the next show, while the loser sadly had to go home.
 
There were 4 legs to the programme, U.S.A, Europe, Dominican Republic and Hawaii. Each leg produced an overall winner.  The 4 winners would contest the final in the Caribbean, and the winner would be crowned Golf with Style Global Champion and win a holiday for two at Canouan Island (Raffles Resort).
 
--------------------------------
 
I was lucky enough to be chosen to compete in the European leg and I started my campaign in Ireland against Warren Bladon (Big Break 1V).  It was great to meet up with him again; he is so laid back and a funny down to earth guy.
 
The format - the winner of the first 3 holes would be awarded 1 point, for the second 3 holes 2 points and for 3rd, 3 points, thus you could win the first two matches, lose the 3rd and end up losing - a little unfair I thought.
 
It was my first time in Ireland and I had heard great things about the place. When I arrived I was not let down.  It has to be one of the most scenic countries I have visited.  The courses were out of this world and the people so hospitable and friendly. An added bonus was the weather - that was great too!
 
My first match was at Druids Glen, and then onto the K Club, which was a real treat especially as the date was so close to the coming Ryder Cup. We finished up at Royal Belfast in Northern Ireland.  I won through against Warren 4 ½ to 1 ½ which meant I went back to the West of Ireland to meet T.J. Valentine my next opponent, also from the Big Break 1V.  T.J. is a swell guy and one of the few that I have stayed in contact with. This set of 3 matches was played at Ross's Point (a hell of a tough course) then onto Waterville via helicopter!! We stayed in Waterville House, where Tiger resides before the Open.  It was a real treat.  We finished up at Adare Manor where the ladies World Cup of Golf was played and is to host the Irish Open next year. We were treated right royally. I subsequently won through 5 - 1 against T.J.  This meant I would move onto Scotland to meet Randall Hunt, again from Big Break 1V.  Randall is a lovely guy and a hell of a player.  He hits the ball a country mile.   We played St. Andrews Dukes Course twice and finished with the legendary Old Course.  I spent the whole week in the R&A residential suite in the Old Course Hotel.  I again prevailed winning 6 - 0, thanks to some clutch shots.
 
Thus far it had been an incredible journey and I didn't want it to end. My forth and final opponent was Marty Wild Jnr again from Big Break 1V. This time, in Wales.  Marty has bags of talent a real fun guy to be around.
 
Wales was stunning and scenically spectacular.  We played Royal St. David's, Nefen and finished the whole tour at Celtic Manor.  Some how I managed to scrape through and win.  I was absolutely exhausted but delighted at the same time, and couldn't wait to get to the final in the Caribbean.
 
The experience so far exceeded all my expectations.  I had seen and done things I never thought I would get the chance to do. I thought it could not get any better than this - but it did.
 
THE FINAL
 
The three other finalists to join me were Mark Farnham, Valeria and Kim.  Great individuals and we all got on very well. Obviously we all wanted win, but there was no animosity between us, and we had a super time. 
 
The Raffles Resort on Canoean Island is a hidden gem situated amongst the Grenadine Islands and hosts a fabulous 18-hole championship Donald Trump course.   There are activities galore. The beaches, the scenery and the weather were fantastic.
 
The format consisted of 3 hole matches, some played in pairs and some as an individual until two players were left to compete for the title.  Kim and I won through.  Kim has a lot of game and I knew it was going to be a tough task. Fortunately I managed to real off two straight birdies to close out the game - a great way to do it.  I was officially crowned Golf with Style Global Challenge Champion - a dream come true.
 
The whole adventure is one I'll never forget; the places and people I met along the way are memories that will stay with me forever.
 
I would like to thank everyone who was involved and especially the Golf Channel for allowing me to take part - Thank you everyone -That was some ride.