Prior to returning home to Florida yesterday, Bruce Fleisher agreed a business deal to promote an Irish putting aid in the US. It means a tremendous boost to Dundalk entrepreneur Martin Smith, who invented and developed the "Gimme", three years ago.
Designed to ensure a steady stance over the ball, the device has been used by Fleisher over the last six months, obviously to excellent effect. "It's the best putting aid I've come across," said the new AIB Irish Seniors Open champion, who bought it himself, unsolicited.
"The beauty of it is that it can be used in a hotel bedroom. I met the inventor at Tulfarris last Saturday and I'm satisfied we can do business which will be mutually beneficial." It is on sale in America at $39.50 and at £29.95 in this country."
Smith said yesterday: "Bruce told me he was very enthusiastic about the Gimme and has recommended it to Mark Calcavecchia and Howard Twitty. The deal is that he will officially endorse the product in the US."
Meanwhile, Christy O'Connor Jnr will be returning to action on the US Seniors Tour next week in the Boone Valley Classic, knowing that he needs a dramatic boost in his earnings if he is to retain his card at the end of the season. At the moment, O'Connor has $132,777 from 11 tournaments and he will need close on $700,000 for survival.
"It's the same scramble every year," he said. "I feel confident I can win again in the States, but even if I don't, it won't be the end of the world."
What will he do if he fails to retain his card at the end of the year? "I will simply play out my contracts next season on sponsors' invitations," he replied. "Then I will call it a day. I had always planned to give it only three years."
O'Connor will play in the Ford Senior Players Championship at the TPC Michigan on the weekend before the British Open at St Andrews on July 20th to 23rd. But he is giving himself adequate time for some practice on the Old Course, as he will fly from Chicago to Prestwick on the Sunday night of the Ford event.
Later that month, on July 27th to 30th, he will be defending the British Seniors crown at Royal Co Down.
"The only round I ever played there was back in 1969," he said. "It was in a Hilary Society Outing and I was partnered by Joe Carr. I did halves of 41 and 31 for a 72 but I can't remember whether I won anything."
Mind you, O'Connor shouldn't be too concerned about a lack of knowledge of Royal Co Down, given that the Dunluce Course at Royal Portrush was entirely new to him prior to his triumph there last July. And he won't have to worry about Fleisher, who is clearly the best senior in the world right now.
The American will not be competing at Royal Co Down because of a clash with the Lightpath Long Island Classic, which he is committed to as the defending champion.
