18 HOLES & 18 QUESTIONS! With Ryan Holwell of Bally Haly Country Club

Ryan, from St. John’s, is a 19-year-old student who has just completed his first year of post-secondary school at Humber College in Mississauga, Ontario on a Golf Scholarship. Ryan who has a +1 handicap has been playing golf for just 5 years although he has carded 750+ rounds since he first began playing. Ryan got into golf in 2018 through his brother Adam, a professional hockey player, who also had a love for golf. Of course, Ryan wanted to do whatever his older brother did. As well, while playing baseball Ryan won 5 Provincial Championships in Minor Baseball as well as competing on multiple Provincial teams at National Championships.

1. What is your full name?

Ryan Matthew Holwell

2. Where were you born?

I was born in February 2004 in St. Johns, NL.

3. Where do you live today?

I live in the same house I have for my entire life in St. Johns, I also play golf on the Humber College golf team where I live in Mississauga, Ontario.

4. What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I have played over 600 rounds since 2020.

5. Are you a member of a golf club and what club?

I have been a member of Bally Haly Country Club since 2018.

6. Who do you regularly play golf with?

I play with a variety of groups, most often Andrew Collins, Rob Rose, and Brent Snook. In 2020, my brother Adam and I played over 120 rounds together.

7. What’s the favorite course you have ever played?

I played the Old Course at St. Andrews about 7 weeks ago. It’s like walking on sacred land.

8. What course would you like to play anywhere in the world?

Augusta National, St. Andrews was number two on my list and I never dreamed of playing it, so who knows, maybe I’ll get to play someday.

9. Where and when did you start golfing?

I started playing in 2018 at Bally Haly, I started playing when my brother started playing more often and took a loving to it.

10. Can you (briefly) tell us about your most memorable golf experience?

Representing Newfoundland at the 2022 Canada Games was a special experience. I almost medaled which would’ve been an amazing accomplishment, but it was an incredible week.

11. Can you (briefly) tell us about your funniest golf experience?

At the 2022 Junior Atlantics coming off 18 on the final day, my brother was pushing my cart up the hill, and someone mistook him for my dad, calling him “caddie daddy.”

12. What is your greatest golf accomplishment?

One of my favorite accomplishments was the 2022 Herb Feder Cup at Bally Haly when I had my brother caddying for me where we won by 7.

13. How do you like to relax?

I like to play Xbox in my spare time and when I’m home I spend a lot of time at my grandparents’ house who live just around the corner.

14. What is your favorite music?

I like a variety of music, right now I would say Alternative is my favorite type of music to listen to.

15. What is your best/worst quality on the golf course?

My best quality would be competitiveness, which sometimes leads to my worst quality which would be moving on after a bad shot/hole.

16. What 3 professional golfers would you like to join you at a dream dinner party?

I would have Tiger Woods, John Daly, and Rory McIlroy.

17. Have you ever had a hole-in-one?

I made an ace in October 2021 on Hole #15 at the old Bally Haly.

18. What is your best score ever?

I have shot 65 twice at the old Bally Haly.