WINNING STREAK
A regular face on Irish television — You’re A Star, Sattitude, Winning Streak and the National Lottery draws — Brian Ormond’s passion is golf. We caught up for a quick 18 with the former Pop Idol finalist.
1. How’s your golf?
Well, I’m off to Portugal to play this week, but I’ve been flat out at the moment with my wife Pippa, launching her jeans brand, Poca by Pippa. It’s a joint effort, and it’s just gone through the roof, so we are up to our eyes with that. We are opening a store in Dundrum too. So I can’t wait to hit a few shots in Portugal.
2. How did you get started in the game?
I started off in the day when I was singing with the cabaret lads and working with Sil Fox, Dickie Rock and Tommy Carey. They had a golf society on Mondays called The Entertainers and did trips to Spain every year, where we would play during the day and then put on a show every night. I really didn’t get into it until my mid to late 20s. Now I play as much as I can — twice a week in summer. Three times if possible!
3. Are you as handy off 18 as Dickie Rock?
To be honest, I am an absolute bandit off 18. I’d be more like a 15. But I hope to get my handicap down a bit this year.
4. Driver or putter?
I am not consistent enough to have a preference. Probably driver. I’m like any amateur golfer, my short game looks to be stronger than my driving but then you go out on another day and it’s the opposite.
5. When were you happiest to the golf course?
You just can’t beat the Old Head of Kinsale. I remember the first time I drove through the gates. It is just spectacular. I am a member of the Eligo Club, which is Latin for ‘select’. It gives you access to lots of fantastic courses all over the world and in Ireland you can play the Old Head, The K Club and Adare. I’ll never forget the first time I played the Old Head. The views! It’s heaven on earth.
6. Who’s your sporting hero?
I really have to tip my hat to Shane Lowry. He is just an ordinary Joe Soap, a normal bloke. I think he is going to be a huge star and I reckon he’s got another big win coming soon. He’s such a nice guy too. He’s not afraid to take on shots and go for it. And to see him handing out cans to the fans on the 16th hole in Phoenix was just class. He just loves a bit of craic.
7. He’s an entertainer. Is that how you’d describe yourself?
Yes. I’ve been a singer. I’ve done theatre. I’ve been a TV presenter, so I do a bit of everything. I’m in the entertainment business.
8. Who do you look up to as an entertainer?
One hundred per cent, Brendan O’Carroll. What a success story. He’s an incredible guy, and that’s what’s great about golf. I’ve played a lot of golf with Brendan and it’s a great way to meet people and network. His dedication and determination to make his show a success is down to the passion he has for it and his family and cast members. It took a lot of years of banging on the door and hard work but what a success story it is.
9. Do guys like Shane and Brendan have something in common?
They’re just great guys. When you meet people who are not affected, it’s great. And golf, even if you have a good day or a bad day, is wonderful for bringing out that part of people.
10. What’s your golfing ambition?
If I could get down my handicap down to 10 or 12, that would be amazing. I’m not one of these guys that takes it too seriously. I’m not kicking my bag if I have a bad hole.
11. Name your dream fourball.
Because of the business I am in, you can’t beat Brendan O’Carroll. And Ant and Dec love their golf too, even though they are not great golfers either. That would be a good fourball for me.
12. Golfers are asked for tips all the time. What’s your top tip for someone who’s going on TV for the first time?
Try and be yourself. It’s like golf. Be as natural as you can and don’t over-think it.
13. If I gave you a mulligan in your career, what would it be?
I entered Pop Idol in the UK and got the last ten of the second series. If I could do it again, I’d try not to be as nervous and think about it as much as I did. And I’d have picked a different song for the show on the night I got knocked out. You had to pick a song from the year you were born and I sang Billy Joel’s ‘Honesty’, which was probably a bit obscure for the viewing public in the UK. He’s big here but perhaps not there.
14. Is there a course you’d love to play before you die?
Augusta. People say, ‘You’ll never get to play it.’ But I will. That’s my dream.
15. Are you a determined type of guy?
I have a bet with a guy about Augusta, so I’d just love to ring him before I go to the first tee and say, ‘Guess where I am?’ 16. What’s the most memorable hole you’ve ever played? The 12th at the Old Head is just ridiculous. The caddie will tell you to hit the ball out towards the sea, and you wonder if he’s winding you up. But the wind will just take it in. It’s the most outrageous thing. Incredible. Spectacular. Tiger Woods loved it.
17. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I overswing and try to hit the ball too hard. I’d like to stop doing that.
18. What’s the Brian Ormond motto?
As my mother liked to say, “What’s for you won’t pass you by.”