Three new celebrities have taken up ‘The First Tee – Journey to Carton House’ with Muireann O’Connell, Kayleigh Trappe and Ailbhe Garrihy coming on board this year.
The trio, who are all new to the game, will spend the next two months getting a crash course in golf before they take part in the KPMG Women’s Irish Open Pro-Am in August.
Last year, Lorraine Keane, Pamela Joyce and Valerie Wheeler played in the Dromoland equivalent where they were introduced to the game.
And along their journey, they visited the Ireland AM studios where future participant O’Connell was one of the presenters on the Virgin Media show.
“I am looking forward to learning a new skill,” said O’Connell.
“A lot of my friends play golf and I often think women don’t really have that. Once we get to college and finish the organised sports go out the window so I am looking forward to being sporty with a bunch of people where it can be a bit of craic and I am hoping I can continue this forever.
“I hope that golf is going to become a part of my life.”
Trappe is a TikTok sensation where her lipsyncing videos have earned her an audience of almost 500k across her social media channels, and she is hoping that her one round of pitch and putt will stand her in good stead.
First Tee EP1-122
Download
“Leona Maguire lives not too far from where I live at home, she is such an inspiration,” said Trappe.
“I have a dad and brother who play and they often said to me to get out and do my bit so no time like the present.
“My first golfing experience was pitch and putt and it was a bit of a horror story. I went out with my granny years back and my friend. I didn’t realise she was behind me. She lost a chunk out of her eyebrow that day. You can only get better.
“I am very used to fast-action sports and sports where you are go, go, go. I liked the idea for mental health, to be able to do a sport where it is a lot more peaceful and a lot more time to think and enjoy.
“The social element of golf is great, as well as the sporting element I can’t wait to explore that too.”
The first episode of the ‘The First Tee – Journey to Carton House’ went live last week and social media influencer and mum of two, Garrihy is determined to become a regular golfer before the end of the summer.
“I have played one round of golf in my life,” said Garrihy.
“It was at a charity event when I was in school with my mum about 20 years ago now and that is it. I am very inexperienced.
“My parents play an awful lot and my husband plays as well. It’s time to get into it, get a better understanding of it and give it a whack. I have plenty of people around me that I can play a round with so I am intrigued. I want to see what all of the fuss is about.
“There are so many amazing golf courses in Ireland, there is an abundance of choice. I would love to get involved and have that hobby where I can get out and get some fresh air and get some exercise and meet people, meet friends.
“It’s the social side of it as well that is really appealing.”