Gearóid O'Sullivan grew up in Cork, Ireland and played Pitch and Putt at Lakewood. A backpacking trip through Europe in the 1990s evolved into an extended stay in Budapest and he now lives in Vietnam. Gearóid excelled at many sports and has a keen interest in organisation, administration and coaching. He has qualified as a golf professional and carries out a lot of specialised teaching. He retains a strong interest in Pitch and Putt and fippa.org was delighted to get his view on our sport. 

Q. What are your memories of Pitch and Putt and Lakewood?

A. When I reminisce now, I have great fondness for all the years of playing Pitch and Putt. I started as a 14 year old, hopping on my bike cycling out to Lakewood. I would often play alone and hit 2/3 shots per hole (if Pat Twomey or any of the other greenkeepers weren’t watching!)  When I played with some friends like Alan Foley, the matches were hard fought. After becoming an adult, I continued my love of Pitch and Putt and within a few tears I was down to scratch. I guess you could say, I became a Lakewood course specialist. However, I had a yearning to go and play in Opens/Scratch Cups whenever I got the chance. My greatest enjoyment was representing the club in the Cork Winter Leagues (playing with the likes of some Lakewood legends who have sadly passed, such as Dan Conway, Paddy Kelleher and stalwarts like Bart Milliard). I was known as being a slow player - the members used to dread it when I was paired with Paddy Kelleher (another deliberate performer) in Fourballs! In my own mind, I had a routine and I thought I was just meticulous. All in all, I had some wonderful years at Lakewood and I wish the club well. I would encourage young and old in close proximity to Lakewood to give Pitch and Putt a try. I am sure you will be warmly welcomed.

Q. Describe how your golf career evolved.

A. I moved to Hungary in 1996 and decided to rekindle my love of football. I founded Budapest Celtic FC with other Irish and British expats and we played in the local Budapest league. Subsequently, we had enough Irish expats to form a Gaelic football club which I really enjoyed being part of as a player and secretary. After a sabbatical of ten or so years, I started playing golf again. I always had good touch with my wedge which I didn’t lose. I honed my swing, joined a golf club near my house and played 3/4 times a week. After six months, I decided to play in club tournaments and then compete in other tournaments at golf clubs in Hungary. I started with a generous 15 handicap. I managed to lower my handicap to 7 after the first year and then down to 5 in year 2. I was eager to play on a better course , so I joined Pannonia Golf Club about 45 km. from Budapest. The quality was outstanding. Wide flush fairways with undulating greens. My long game has never been as good as my short game, but I started being very consistent shooting in the mid to late 70s and my handicap dropped further when I started shooting +1 -+3 regularly. The Hungarian-Mid Amateur Golf Championship  commenced in 2013 and I won it twice in three years. In 2016, I got the urge to make a career change and looked into becoming a PGA Golf Professional. I was encouraged to do so by David Kearney, Performance Director of the Irish Ladies and Neil Manchip, Performance Director at Golf Ireland and Shane Lowry’s Coach, whom I met at my home club in Pannonia when I helped the Irish juniors play in a European amateur event. What sealed the deal was when I spoke to an ex-Pitch and Putter from Douglas, David Ryan who is a current PGA Professional. Therefore, I undertook my PGA training in Hungary at Zala Springs Golf Club, completed it in 2019 and subsequently became a PGA member. It entailed commuting to Sutton Coldfield, just outside Birmingham to attend workshops and exams during my three years.

Q. During the 1990s, you attempted to introduce Pitch and Putt to Hungary when you were based there. What progress was made?

A. Unfortunately, I made attempts to get a Pitch and Putt course built in Hungary, but the clubs I contacted and individual investors could not be persuaded to do so. They didn’t quite grasp the concept. It was golf or nothing. They considered a putting green sufficient for the short game. The primary focus was on the golf course and its upkeep. Hungary is not a bastion for golf with still relatively low numbers of golfers. The last time I checked, there were just over 3,000 registered members for a population of 9.6m.

Q. FIPPA was recently contacted by another group in Hungary. What do you know of that?

A. I know the person (Daniel Hifeg) who contacted you as he is a Hungarian PGA Pro. However, I reached out to him, we spoke and I reached out again, but he didn't get back to me. I will follow up again with him. It would be great if something materialized. I still have contacts in Hungary. It would help if Pitch and Putt was designated as an Olympic sport (Editor's note: a long term goal of FIPPA but we would need significantly more counties that currently to embrace the sport). That would greatly speed up progress, particularly in Hungary, for government funding.

Q. You’re currently based in Vietnam. What are the possibilities for Pitch and Putt there?

A. Since I have been here, the focus has been on building up my golf coaching business. I have spoken to some people and they are intrigued by the idea of Pitch and Putt, but nothing concrete yet!

Q. Is golf a popular sport in Vietnam?

A. Golf is really developing here. Vietnam has come a long way in the past 10-15 years. Ho Chi Minh City (the old Saigon) is very western.  Vietnam is an absolutely beautiful country with brilliant people. There are spectacular golf courses here. So there is huge potential for golf, particularly in junior golf development.  Vietnam has a population of around 100m people.

Q. Munish Arora’s group in India are seeking to establish Pitch and Putt there and also in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand and Indonesia. Do you think that’s feasible and is it something you might be able to tap into in Vietnam?

A. I am sure it is feasible, just meeting the right people to get one built. All it takes is just one course to be built and I am sure it could sky rocket. I will continue to advocate for Pitch and Putt.

Q. Your impressions of FIPPA and a potential South Asian Federation of Pitch and Putt?

A. Go for it! The world is your oyster! Golf is rapidly growing in South-East Asia. There is no reason why Pitch and Putt could not succeed here!

Q. Do you get a chance to play tournaments these days?

A. To be honest, I have played very little golf in the past year. My coaching business has been flourishing and I had some back issues. I hope to get back in a few months. However, I get more enjoyment these days in seeing my students progress as golfers. Coaching golf is real passion of mine for which I feel blessed.