It's nice to swing when you're winning

PADDY BURKE, cathaoirleach of the Seanad and captain of the Oireachtas Golf Society, is flushed with success following his captain’s day in Castlebar Golf Club.

Over 150 serving and former politicians, along with guests, teed off last Friday, with Enda Kenny striking the first ball.

The Taoiseach was on the first tee at 6.50am, and he played a fast 18 holes with his son Ferdia.

He was followed at 7am by Minister Phil Hogan, who fell off the Leinster House radar this week.

This fuelled speculation that Big Phil was being kept out of sight for the duration of the referendum campaign in case he says something to upset voters. However, we hear he has been battling the flu.

“For such a big man, he goes down like a light,” said a colleague.

After completing a day of engagements in the west, Enda returned just before nightfall and planted a tree beside the clubhouse, not far from the one planted by Albert Reynolds, who attended a Fianna Fáil fundraiser at the course when he was taoiseach.

The captain’s prize was won by John Donnellan, former FG TD for Galway. Donnellan, who lifted the Sam Maguire on three occasions for Galway. He famously said of his then party leader. Alan Dukes, that if it were raining soup he’d be out with a fork.

There was no surprise when incoming captain Labour Senator Lorraine Higgins carried off the ladies’ prize. She won a corkscrew for her efforts.

But there was a mix-up with prizes, and her corkscrew was presented for a second time to somebody else.

However another prize was located for Lorraine. She went home with an electric toothbrush.

One suspects the prizes were a bit more lavish in Albert’s day.

None of the players broke the course record, which is held by a little-known player from Holywood in Co Down called Rory McIlroy.

Former TD Donie Cassidy, who is the society’s secretary, acted as MC at the prizegiving and complained the greens had been too fast for him.

There were seven speeches – unsurprising given that politicians were involved.

During the evening Paddy Burke presented a cake with 72 candles on it to mark the birthday of former Cork senator Dino Cregan.

Former taoiseach Brian Cowen couldn’t attend due to a bereavement, while Dick Spring, Martin McAleese, Dick Bourke, Ray Mac Sharry, Charlie McCreevy and Pee Flynn also sent their regrets.

After he addressed the packed clubhouse, Enda Kenny made a special presentation to Castlebar’s captain and lady captain Henry Horkan and Edel Burke.

He produced a framed flag from Medinah Country Club in Chicago, the venue for this year’s Ryder Cup. It was given to Enda by Barack Obama, and is signed by America’s captain Davis Love lll and Europe’s captain Jose Maria Olazabal.

Senator Higgins told the assembled golfers she would be hosting her captain’s day next year in Athenry Golf Club.