This Golfing Life · May 14 · 1 hr 7 min

9. James Nesbitt: Rory McIlroy, Sir Alex & Golf 's Healing Power

In this episode, actor James Nesbitt and host Dan Davies enjoy a wide-ranging conversation that covers Cold Feet, Bloody Sunday, Royal Portrush, Rory McIlroy, Sir Alex Ferguson, mental frailties on the golf course, and a whole lot more. From his formative years in Coleraine to his experiences of playing with golfing greats, Nesbitt offers a candid and humorous perspective on the game, his friendships, and his role as an ambassador for Northern Ireland, now acknowledged as one of golf’s greatest destinations. It’s an entertaining and heartfelt deep dive into golf, life, and everything in between. Key Topics The role of golf in fostering community and healing in Northern Ireland James Nesbitt’s cultural roots, career highlights, and the significance of Bloody Sunday Portrush and the impact of The Open Championship Insights into his close friends, including Rory McIlroy, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Kenny Dalglish The importance of lifelong friendships, golf trips and shared experiences Sir Alex Ferguson’s mentorship and the power of honest leadership James’s charitable work with WAVE Trauma Centre and the families of the disappeared Mental meltdowns on the golf course Chapters 00:00 Introducing this week's guest, Jimmy Nesbitt 02:34 What Portrush means to Jimmy Nesbitt 05:57 What the Open means to Portrush and Northern Ireland 11:57 Jimmy's views on the Americanisation of pro golf 13:54 Getting to know Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland's new George Best 20:46 The importance of lifelong friendships 24:30 Jimmy's late start in golf 27:09 Jimmy's early golfing heroes - Watson, Nicklaus, Seve 32:18 The mental challenges of playing golf 34:23 Jimmy's close relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson 43:53 The significance of TV drama Bloody Sunday 49:51 Working with WAVE Trauma Centre in Northern Ireland 56:50 The Mini Masters - "the best competition in the world" 58:25 Meltdowns on the golf course 01:01:54 New TV projects and the power of Netflix Resources & Links James Nesbitt’s Official Website WAVE Trauma Centre Rory McIlroy Foundation Sounder Golf Dan Davies on Substack RNGC, Britain’s premier backyard golf course Connect with James Nesbitt Twitter Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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show notes

In this episode, actor James Nesbitt and host Dan Davies enjoy a wide-ranging conversation that covers Cold Feet, Bloody Sunday, Royal Portrush, Rory McIlroy, Sir Alex Ferguson, mental frailties on the golf course, and a whole lot more. From his formative years in Coleraine to his experiences of playing with golfing greats, Nesbitt offers a candid and humorous perspective on the game, his friendships, and his role as an ambassador for Northern Ireland, now acknowledged as one of golf’s greatest destinations. It’s an entertaining and heartfelt deep dive into golf, life, and everything in between.

Key Topics

The role of golf in fostering community and healing in Northern Ireland

James Nesbitt’s cultural roots, career highlights, and the significance of Bloody Sunday

Portrush and the impact of The Open Championship

Insights into his close friends, including Rory McIlroy, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Kenny Dalglish

The importance of lifelong friendships, golf trips and shared experiences

Sir Alex Ferguson’s mentorship and the power of honest leadership

James’s charitable work with WAVE Trauma Centre and the families of the disappeared

Mental meltdowns on the golf course

Chapters

00:00 Introducing this week's guest, Jimmy Nesbitt

02:34 What Portrush means to Jimmy Nesbitt