When and how did you first get into golfing?

I started playing golf when I was at university in Glasgow. I was part of a sports transfer scheme called Gold for Glasgow which was targeting elite athletes in team sports into individual pursuits with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in mind. Of course, golf isn't at the Commonwealth Games, and I never expected to take up golf with the ambition of becoming a professional but having been to see the AIG Women's Open at Carnoustie around the same time, I felt very inspired to take up the game.

As soon as I started playing, I knew this was the game for me. I played for Renfrewshire County and when I moved down south, I played for Surrey County. I treasure lots of wonderful memories from these times and being part of these teams. I think some of my best memories come from the course records I broke during this time. I hold the ladies' course record at Wentworth, Lambourne, and, more recently, at Crail Golfing Society.

I have very fond memories of playing professional golf in Spain on the Santander Tour. I remember shooting one of my best scores around the home course of the late Seve Ballesteros, in Pedrena. I remember feeling his spirit, character, and passion for the game in every hole of the course there. I enjoyed every single shot and, unsurprisingly, plated very well. I would describe myself as an emotional golfer and while that doesn't always make it easy, it has its advantages now and again.

I continue to collect fond memories of playing golf, particularly when I'm playing anywhere with my dad. In the summer when the nights are longer and the sun has warmth again, it's hard to beat nine holes with a half set of golf clubs on the links when the day is drawing to a close. Even better if we can share a dram on the way back in.

What is your favourite course to play and why?

My favourite course to play right now is Balcomie Links at Crail Golfing Society, and, no surprise, I play well there. I love the view from the first tee, high up on the cliff. You look down towards the sprawling links and the North Sea. Even when the wind is blowing at 40 miles per hour, it's one of my favourite tee shots in the world. I love the history around the links - it's one of the oldest courses in the world and it's where Mary Queen of Scots once came to play.

Separately, my favourite golf book, Golf in the Kingdom was inspired by Balcomie Links, and it somehow manages to capture the spiritual experience that can be found there. The journey of the round is even more enjoyable thanks to the proximity of the sea. When you have a putt for birdie on the par-5 second hole, the backdrop of lapping waves provides the perfect theme tune for a celebration.

When it comes to inland golf, you will find me doing loops of the Queen's Course at Gleneagles. That's somewhere I could never spend enough time.

Do you have any advice for aspiring golfers?

My advice for any aspiring golfers or anyone interested in taking up the game of golf is to just do it.

I was recently covering the 87th Masters Tournament in Augusta and the breakaway story of the week came from a young amateur, Sam Bennett. He sadly lost his father in 2021 and he shared the last written message his father gave him: "Don't wait to do something." Sam has this tattooed on his forearm. I think it's a great message. Don't wait to start playing golf. If you're interested, give it a crack because it's a wonderful game that can change your life for the better. If you feel intimidated, take comfort in the fact you're not alone. No matter how well you can play, it will always make you feel nervous from time to time and that becomes part of its charm. If you can take the first step, you'll never look back.

Golf is not nearly as scary or serious as you might think it is and like so many things in life, golf teaches us that often the biggest walls we have to climb are the ones we build in our minds.

How did you get into presenting?

Unfortunately, in my first year of playing on the Ladies European Tour, I injured my right wrist. I stopped to have multiple operations during this time and decided to document my rehab and recovery on social media. Sadly, I was fighting a losing battle, but it didn't curb my enthusiasm. I was determined to find a way back to playing.

It was during this time that I was approached to screen test for a presenting job with IMG. Before I knew it, I was on a plane to Mexico as the presenter of a golf show called Golfing World. That was in 2019, at the beginning of what would be the best year of my life. Working for Golfing World was a fantastic training ground and created momentum for many of the opportunities I have now.

Many aspiring presenters write to me and ask how they can follow in my footsteps, and I always advise them to start their own channel or begin creating their own content about something they are passionate about. Find your own voice and, before you know it, you'll find a home for that voice.

You're just back from The Masters. Tell us a bit about that!

What a week that was!

We started the week with a celebration of the new EA Sports golf game, The Road to the Masters. Over the last two years, I have been recording with EA as the first-ever female on-course commentator in an EA golf game. It has been a really exciting project to be a part of and a huge honour to be one of the commentators in the game.

From the Monday of Masters week, it was all business, especially as it was my first week working as a presenter and commentator for the American network, CBS. I was contributing to the Live from the Range show, and it was very exciting to be down there watching the best players in the world prepare for the first men's major of the year.

From Thursday to Sunday, I was commentating on the feature holes 15 and 16. Two fantastic golf holes, a par-5 and a par-3 that play a huge role in the Masters every single year. Watching the players take on these two iconic roles was fascinating. It was one of those weeks where I regularly thought to myself I can't believe I get paid to do this.

We had some turbulent weather disrupting things a little (I brought the Scottish weather with me!) which meant the weekend was a bit stop-and-start, but ultimately it finished with a great head-to-head battle with Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm down the stretch. When the leaders had played through hole 16, my co-commentator, Ned Michaels, and I hurried along to the 18th green so we could be there when Jon Rahm sunk his winning putt. It was very emotional and amplified even more so as it would have been Seve Ballesteros' 66th birthday. It was a very poignant moment for Spanish and European golf. I was very lucky to be there to witness another powerful moment in sporting history. That week is one I will remember for the rest of my life.

You mentioned that you recently became the first female commentator on an EA Sports golf game with their most recent release, The Road to the Masters. How did that feel?

It has been one of the highlights of my career being involved with EA and The Road to the Masters. I can't really believe that my voice is in a game that will last forever and, now that it has officially launched, is in households all over the world.

It's been an hour to be the first female to step into this role, but I wouldn't be here without the women who have been forging a path for me to follow. When I was at The Masters, I met Dottie Pepper who was one of the on-course commentators for CBS. It's thanks to the likes of Dottie and other female trailblazers, that I have the opportunities that I do today. I hope to keep driving the momentum forward and contribute to creating more opportunities for women to work within the media side of golf. It is a fabulous career and I'm loving every single minute of it.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Being involved in the EA game is definitely one of the highlights of my career so far. I would also add interviewing Cam Smith at the 150th Open Championship in St. Andrews in front of thousands, and also to a worldwide audience, straight after he collected the Claret Jug. This was a moment I'll never forget.

I am fortunate that I often have the role of interviewing the winner of the tournament. It's an extremely privileged role. I interviewed Rory McIlroy when he won the DP World Tour at the end of last year, and Shane Lowry when he won at Wentworth last September. Another two stand-out moments!

This year, I will host the closing ceremony of The Ryder Cup in Rome and I'm really looking forward to that one, too.

How did you first get involved with Loch Lomond Whiskies as a Brand Ambassador?

I first became involved with Loch Lomond Whiskies at The Open at Royal Portrush. Funnily enough, at the time, I wasn't experienced enough to interview Shane Lowry when he won but I was given the role of interviewing Bo Martin, his caddy, and I loved that! The atmosphere around that 18th green was unlike anything I have experienced in my time working in the media.

During the week I hosted some light-hearted conversations with the Loch Lomond Whiskies ambassadors each day, and what a laugh we had! I particularly enjoy spending time with Monty [Colin Montgomerie]. He is a wonderful storyteller and an ambassador for both the whisky and the game of golf.

What is your favourite whisky from the Loch Lomond range?

My favourite whisky from the range has been a tough call between the Portrush Special Edition, which I loved because it came from a claret cask and has a lovely sweetness to it, and the 10 Year Old. I love the gentle taste of the 10 Year Old and find it to be the one I reach for when there is a warm fire roaring at the end of a long day.

Recently, I had the chance to taste the Open Course Collection whisky for Royal Liverpool that will celebrate the 151st Open Championship and I think it will give both of those two a run for their money! It's simply delicious. Similarly to the Portrush Special Edition, it has a rosy colour to it as well as a sweet taste which I really enjoy. I am looking forward to hosting a few more conversations with a wee dram in my hand at Hoylake this July.

We had some fabulous cocktails made for us at The Coral Room. What is your favourite whisky-based cocktail?

My favourite whisky cocktail? It's a no-brainer. The Dramble, which I first experienced in Portrush at Loch Lomond Whiskies Bar. If there's a Dramble on the go, you can count me in! 

Tell us a bit about last year's Open in St. Andrews. I imagine that will have been a big one for you. How was that experience?

The Open at St. Andrews was simply magic. A true coming home of the game and, luckily for me, a homecoming also. My family live in St. Andrews and I also studied History of Art (in between the golf practice!) at the university, so it was a particularly special week for me.

I joined the Sky Sports Golf team in covering this celebration and I can honestly say it was one of my best weeks of work to date. St. Andrews had been experiencing some uncharacteristically hot weather and the course looked like something from The Open archives filmed. The ground was fast, firm, and the colour of a burnt biscuit. It made for a tremendously exciting four days of competition golf! A true celebration of 150 years of The Open. The oldest major in golf crowning yet another champion. Many professional golfers will admit winning The Open at St. Andrews is number one on the resume hit list and I'm certain the LPGA golfers aspire to do the same for the AIG Women's Open. There are some majors you want to win, and some majors you have to win if you want to stand in the most prestigious history books of golf.

I was in charge of interviews during the Monday's Celebration of Champions. I spoke to everyone from Annika Sorenstam to Georgia Hall to Sandy Lyle to Jack Nicklaus. I did develop some heatstroke after standing out in the sunshine all day on the first tee, but it was absolutely worth it! During the tournament days, I was on-course commentating and had a lot of fun.

He may not have lifted the Claret Jug but watching Rory McIlroy hole out from the bunker on the 10th hole on Saturday is a scene I will forever have etched in my mind. I get shivers whenever I think of that moment and the eruption from the gallery in the grandstand on the 11th tee.

Where are your favourite places to go in St. Andrews?

St. Andrews is full of secret nooks and crannies you can get lost in for hours. From book shops like Toppings & Company and coffee shops like Taste, you'll find plenty to keep you occupied.

I love spending my time down on the west sands with my dogs but it's the east sands where you will find the waves. I love to surf there during the summer with my family and the dogs in tow. If the waters are flat, then taking the paddle board out along the water's edge is a wonderful experience - you can launch the boards from the beach right next to the R&A World Golf Museum.

If you have worked up an appetite, then I'd recommend The Steak Barn down at The Balgove Larder - they serve the best truffle chips I've ever tasted! If you're looking for a bit of glamour, then a cocktail up on the roof at the Rusacks is where I love to go - and before you ask, yes, they serve Drambles!

What do you have planned for the rest of the year?

This year, I'll continue to broadcast the DP World Tour and PGA Tours with Sky Sports. Of course, it's a particularly exciting year with both Ryder and Solheim Cups coming in September! I will be there presenting, interviewing, and commentating. I can't wait to see if Europe can do the double on home soil.

I also have plans for my own YouTube channel 'On the Road with Iona', where I will continue to share stories inside and outside the ropes of golf. My passion for this game grows every single year and my biggest inspiration comes from sharing that with the world in the hope that others will lean into all golf has to offer. I hope it contributes to their lives as positively as it has to mine. See you along the road soon...

The original feature is from the Summer 2023 edition of Whiskeria, delivered to the door of W Club subscribers and also free with any Whisky Shop purchase in-store or online.