IT WAS essentially a diplomatic occasion, with some golf thrown in. So, the US ambassador, Jean Kennedy Smith, was very much at ease during an early morning get together with the media at Iveagh House this week, not least because of her sporting background.
"We all played golf as youngsters," she said of her formative years, growing up as a member of the Kennedy clan of Massachusetts. Was she tempted back to the fairways since taking up residence in Ireland? "Yes," she replied. "I have been playing a little at St Margaret's."
When I inquired as to her handicap, she pretended to take umbrage, saying "That's a mean question." Then the ambassador added mischievously: "My handicap is two."
The idea of single figure skills led us to her illustrious brother, John F Kennedy, who is acknowledged as the finest golfer ever to have occupied the White House. His sister seemed a little surprised, however, that he was considered good enough to play to somewhere between seven and 10 handicap. "He had a very good swing, considering his back problems, but I didn't think he was that good," she said.
President Kennedy, who learned the game at college, was, in fact, something of a secret golfer. For instance, he avoided Washington's Burning Tree club - a favourite haunt of politicians - in favour of Chevy Chase GC, where he was less likely to be spotted. But his skills, particularly with a seven iron, almost became a political embarrassment.
During the 1960 US presidential campaign, Kennedy happened to stop off the Californian trail for a golf game at Cypress Point on the Monterey Peninsula. There, he watched in horror as a seven iron shot at the short, 139 yard 15th, looked like going straight into the hole. "I'm watching a promising political career coming to an end," he admonished playing partner Paul B Fay Jnr, who was cheering for a hole in one.
Kennedy went on to explain: "If that ball had gone into that hole, in less than an hour, the word would be out to the nation that another golfer was trying to get in the White House." Though he rarely played 18 holes because of his back, he often shot 40 or better for nine holes.
Meanwhile, the get together at Iveagh House included the Tanaiste, Dick Spring, who seemed genuinely embarrassed at the notion of playing off 18. I can't imagine why he shouldn't be content to struggle with the rest of us, except perhaps that such sporting mediocrity may be alien to a former rugby international.
The occasion had to do with a forthcoming Columbia Space Shuttle mission on which astronaut Lt Col Jim Halsell will carry a pennant with the logos of nine Irish golf clubs. All of which stemmed from a meeting that Halsell had in Atlanta with Paddy O'Looney, the chief executive of SWING.
"I can walk at eight mph on the treadmill, so I've got no problems." Nick Faldo, on being asked how he would cope with the recently introduced USPGA Tour rules against slow play.
EARLIER this week, I received a letter from Dr Morgan Crowe, a Dublin consultant physician with a special interest in the elderly. It was essentially a "thank you" for photographs he had requested of three remarkable golfers, Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson.
"I am looking forward to having slides made to illustrate the value of activity in maintaining physical and mental well being in older age," he said. These particular youngsters' are fantastic. I plan to use them as examples in lectures to all sorts of groups."
The good doctor went on to emphasise the value of golf as an activity for older people. And he offered the intriguing observation: "It seems to me that even at the highest level - in the game, golfers are now peaking at an older age, whereas in tennis, for instance, the opposite is the case.
DURING a chat a few years ago with Mary O'Connor about the huge financial rewards in present day tournament golf, I wondered if she regretted that her illustrious husband Christy, had been born too early. "Not at all," she replied.
"We have no complaints: golf has been very good to us."
She might be tempted towards a different view, however, after reading the Golfer's Companion Annual 1997 which, incidentally, is excellent value at £2. In it, Pat Ruddy estimates that O'Connor's career earnings would amount to a staggering £9,473,984 if he were paid at 1996 values.
The disparity with current earning possibilities is further emphasised by a simple comparison with the rookie year of Padraig Harrington. The Stackstown player earned £285,023 in 1996 alone, which was more than double the career earnings of £125,495 by O'Connor, from 1955 to 1979.
I remember when my generation considered our career prospects as youngsters in the 1950s, an annual salary of £1,000 was the ultimate target. But even allowing for inflation, it is clear that tournament golfers were forced to scratch an extremely modest living at that time.
For instance, the official tournament earnings of Hugh Boyle from 1955 to 1961, inclusive, amounted to a princely £337. And Boyle was a good player. Indeed by capturing the Yomiuri Open in 1966, he became the first player from Britain or Ireland to win a tournament in Japan. That year, incidentally, he earned £2,352 for 10th position on the British money list.
Meanwhile, Ruddy's notional earnings for O'Connor serve to illustrate the formidable impact his glorious skills would have had on the modern game.
TIPPERARY land must have truly remarkable qualities, particularly when used as golfing terrain. The thought is prompted by an entry regarding the Cahir Park club in the GUI yearbook, soon to be published. We are informed that the Standard Scratch Score for Cahir Park's championship course (5,740 metres) is 71; the SSS from the medal tees (5,736) is 70 and off the forward tees (5,732) it drops to 69 - a reduction of a stroke for every four metres.
All of which prompts one - to ask what lies in between?
Snake pits?
NICK FALDO'S return to the Murphy's Irish Open at Druids Glen in July, will be a sort of coming of age. Twenty one years ago, Faldo played in the Irish Open for the first time, after claiming the distinction of leading the 30 prequalifiers at Portmarnock on the Tuesday of tournament week.
There were, in fact, two pre qualifying competitions. The other one, at Royal Dublin, was led with a 68 by Ireland's Tommy Halpin, who had a superb putting streak to card five birdies on an inward journey of 33.
Faldo, who shot a two under par 70 at Portmarnock, could not claim any prize money for his effort insofar as he had not completed a six month apprenticeship as a tournament professional. In the event he went on to card rounds of 74 and 82 in the tournament proper, to miss the cut. Halpin, with rounds of 76 and 77, also missed out.
Incidentally, while the pre qualifying was going on, the tournament favourite, Gary Player, was busy on the practice ground, claiming, among other things, that an eight under par aggregate of 280 would win first prize of £7,000. As it happened, 284 was sufficient to give Ben Crenshaw the title.
IN BRIEF: Woodenbridge GC are looking to an increased entry for the second staging of the J B Carr Diamond Trophy on September 27th and 28th. Aimed at club teams of five Scotch Foursomes pairings, the event, for which entries must be received by February 28th, is limited to players aged 60 and over .... Bridge playing golfers should note that the annual team of four tournament for the Mollie Fox Cup, will take place at Elm Park over two sessions on March 6th and 13th. Further details from Helen Boland at (01) 4900330.
TEASER: In a match between A and B, A's ball was a few inches from the hole. B conceded A's next stroke and then asked, "How many strokes did you take?" A answered, "Six." B, lying five, then holed a putt for a six and assumed that he had halved the hole. At that point, A told B that he (A) had actually scored five. The committee ruled that A won the hole. Was this correct?
ANSWER: Yes. The hole was over when A's putt was conceded and he had won the hole with a five. Since A corrected the error before either of them played from the next tee, no penalty was incurred.
