You may wonder if Irish Open entertainment whizz Phil Baker is also something of an illusionist; he seems to pop up in multiple places all at the same time! One minute he’s popping up on the tournament floor interviewing players for the video team; the next minute, he’s seen hustling Cornhole contestants in the darkest depths of the Craic Den.
For many people, Phil Baker IS the face of the Irish Open and this year he will be continuing his key role and compering all the entertainment throughout the event. He’ll also be conducting player interviews in tandem with new Irish Open host Phil “The Tower” Heald.
Phil is a true veteran of the Irish Open having worked at the festival for over 20 years. He first got involved as “event host and MC” right at the start of the Liam Flood era and his role – both then and now – is to make sure everyone is having fun!
Phil organises all the off-the-felt activity at the Irish Open – including all the live music – and also presents the nightly shows in the Craic Den – from race night to karaoke, from comedy night to beer pong and shuffleboard.
For many players, Phil’s contribution to the event is a huge factor in what makes the Irish Open so special. He said: “Everyone knows it’s the “craic” that gets people coming back year after year. The Irish Open has an unbelievable atmosphere on and off the tables. The fun and vibrant buzz at the event is second to none. We want to make sure that everyone is having a great time.”
Phil has been involved in presenting for more than 30 years, taking on roles with some of the leading event companies in Ireland. One of his top jobs was presenting an A-list-heavy show at the Cannes Film Festival. But what most people DON’T know is that Phil is also a very accomplished poker player. He has nearly $180,000 in live tournament winnings to his name including a final table appearance at the Irish Open in 2009 and a side event cash in 2006. So when Phil puts his arm around your shoulders to commiserate with you on a bad beat, he really does know how you’re feeling.
