Day in the Life - Mark Power, professional golfer from Kilkenny

In the ever-evolving world of professional golf, a new name is starting to gain attention – Kilkenny’s Mark Power. This young and talented golfer is making waves in the sport, leaving enthusiasts and experts alike eager to learn more about his journey to success.

For avid golf enthusiasts and those who appreciate witnessing the growth of promising talents, Mark Power is certainly a name to watch. As he navigates the challenges and opportunities that come with a career in professional golf, Kilkenny eagerly awaits the next chapter in the inspiring journey of this young and ambitious golfer. Here is a glimpse into a closer look at the emerging talent's journey to success…

Mark Power playing in the Horizon Irish Open in the K-Club in September 2023

Mark, how did you get the golfing bug?

Both Mum and Dad were great golfers. They both played for Ireland and won Irish championships. I guess I grew up around the game. They obviously introduced me to it at a young age, but I was never really pushed into it.

Some of my earliest memories are playing golf just around the house, I must have been four or five years old. I had a few small clubs and played with my older brother, Kevin. 

I got into Kilkenny Golf Club when I was eight and I officially became a junior member at the age of eight. I think I was the first ever eight-year-old to become a junior member there. I was supposed to be aged 10, but my dad kept pushing them to move it to age eight, probably since I was born! 

We had some great years there as juveniles, especially playing with the Duggans and the local lads. We had a good group and the interest helped to push me on.

So, what famous golfer’s poster did you hang on your bedroom walls?

It was actually Sergio Garcia, the Spaniard. He was my favourite golfer growing up.

I was a massive fan of his. I think I liked his passion and there was something about his personality that just drew me in.

Going to college in the US (Wake Forest) was a big move. What's the collegiate golf scene like over there?

It was great. Wake Forest is a very highly regarded school in America, and on the golf side of things, they also have a very good program. A lot of legends have come through their schooling over the years.

As soon as I got there, I realized how big and how special it was to be part of the program. It was a great system we had in place; our facility was right on campus. Where I stayed, my first-year dorm was 100 yards from the golf course. So, we had everything in place for us to succeed and it was great. 

Was it intense?

In a way with our structured daily routine. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, we worked out in the gym from half six to eight in the morning. Then we had classes in the first half of the day with practice for four or five hours in the afternoon. It was tough going but I loved it, and I knew I was getting better, so I got stuck into it.

Was there any college crack?

We had the weekends off. We'd finish up at five or six o’clock every evening so you could hang out with your friends or do homework. I feel like I balanced it pretty well between academically pushing myself and also branching out and trying to make friends to get the full college experience. I think I did a pretty good job!

You were the main man for Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup of St. Andrews back in September. That was one way to end your amateur career in style.

Yes, it was very special, it was probably one of the greatest moments ever since I've turned pro. Hopefully I'll have some more great moments in the future, but that will always stick out to me as one of the most special weeks I've ever had. Because it's on St Andrews, the home of golf and there's so much history and you can feel the buzz in place. To play the Walker Cup there and the crowds we had behind us was unbelievable.

To come out of top point scorer for the second year in a row was personally a very good achievement. It was a shame we didn't come out on top like the US team, but they were so strong. We led all the way until just the last hour, and they just flipped things but personally I did as much as I could.

There was great support from Kilkenny. There was even a bunch over from Mount Juliet and Kilkenny Golf Club with so much family and friends there too.

Was it an easy decision to turn pro?

Yes, I always knew I wanted to graduate college in America, play the Walker Cup and turn pro. That was always the plan, so it was always an easy decision.

Following the Walker Cup your first competition as a pro was at the Irish Open in the K-Club last September. That must have been a surreal experience with the huge Irish crowd following you around.

Yes, it was especially since everything happened so quickly. The Walker Cup was just the week before and I only found out the Sunday after that I had got into the Irish Open for my first pro tournament. 

The Irish Open is one of the best calendar events on the DP World Tour, especially with the crowds we get, the prize money, it’s up there with the best.

I was so excited, but I also had to compose myself and realize this is my job now and I need to perform. I suppose the support I got from the home crowd really helped. I felt like everyone was pulling for me, trying to lift me and get me to move forward. It really was a great week.

Did you notice the Kilkenny faces in the crowd?

There were so many familiar faces in the crowd not just from Kilkenny but from the golfing community around Ireland. At one stage I had to stop looking into the crowd as I was making eye contact with so many people and felt like I had to say hi to everyone.

That's when I realised what golfers mean about getting into the zoom. The likes of Tiger and Rory McIlroy would nearly look through you and I had to channel that in a way, to try and stay stone cold focus. As much as I was enjoying the crowds, I really wanted to finish as well as possible, so focus was key.

What's been the biggest change you've noticed since turning pro?

I feel like the competition is obviously higher stakes now but it's very similar for me as I love competing and I love getting stuck into it. I feel like once the tournament starts, my emotions are very similar, but leading up to events I feel like there's a bigger anticipation. I guess it’s because I've been waiting for this moment my whole life. It's just at different stakes now.

The professionals are just better, you have to try and lift your game and learn as quickly as possible. Their misses are much smaller than the average game. If you have an off day, you can sometimes get away with it but if you have an off day in the professional ranks you're really going to fall down. So, trying to minimize my mistakes is very important.

How tough was it to miss out on your tour card at Q-School?

It was tough. I felt a lot of nerves before playing in the Irish Open and the Walker Cup but on the last couple holes of Q-School it really was up there with the most nerves I have ever felt.

The whole occasion just gets you. You know in the back of your mind how big it is and how important each shot is.

On the very last hole and on my final putt was one I could normally do with my eyes closed most of the time. It was also the putt that was going to make me go through to the final few days where I could get my card and I just missed it, I felt like my hands froze. 

The occasion probably did get to me but still I've played under these circumstances before, and I've come through it fine. It certainly was a lesson learned. The pressure was incomparable because you know you are playing for your future.

You are sponsored by Mount Juliet. What's it like to have their support?

It's great. Mount Juliet has been great supporters for the last number of years. I grew up playing in Kilkenny Golf Club, but I’ve used Mount Juliet in the past to practise and they have been very supportive when I came home from college to use their facilities.

It's nice to partner up with them now and I can help put them on the map when I am out on tour. The whole estate is so special and to have it on our doorstep, it's great to be able to showcase that.

Their support helps with the pro game too because it’s not cheap!

You are just fresh back from the PGA tour in Australia. You described on your Instagram that playing next to an Australian champion in the final round was one of the coolest experiences you’ve had.  

Yes, it was. I played the final round with Cameron Smith who won the Open Championship last year and he was the record signing for the LIV Tour.

He is like a god to the Australians; he is such a cool guy and such a good player. The crowds were unbelievable that were following him. The fact I got paired with him was a bonus because I have never played in front of crowds like that. The whole buzz was surreal.

The Australian crowds are so passionate. They are like the Irish crowds; they are everyday people who really love their sport. There were also a lot of Irish there too, all week I kept spotting GAA and Kilkenny jerseys on the course!

In fact, Jamie Byrne, a neighbour of mine from Richview who has moved to Australia, ended up carrying my scoreboard in the final round. It’s a small world!

What’s your best golfing memory on the course?

I'd say playing in the Irish Open as my first professional event. I was playing with Alex Fitzpatrick in the first round who I went to college with. It was cool that we've been in college together and he's had a great start to his pro career, and I was starting mine alongside him at home in front of a home crowd and family and friends. So, it was very memorable.

And obviously the Walker Cup is up there.

Your dream fourball. Who would you play with and where?

I’d probably say Lahinch as it's where we went as a family growing up and I have been a member there since I was eight years old. So, it's just a special place to me and it's a great course.

On my fourball, I'd have to have Tiger, Sergio Garcia, and Rory McIlroy. It would be great for two Irish lads to take on Tiger and Garcia!