Golf

Esker Hills faithful predict ‘more big days’ for Shane Lowry

Offaly club members gather in expectation as Lowry’s dream evaporates at hands of putter

Members of Esker Hills golf club in Tullamore crammed into the clubhouse to watch Shane Lowry on Sunday night. Photograph: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Members of Esker Hills golf club in Tullamore crammed into the clubhouse to watch Shane Lowry on Sunday night. Photograph: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Gearoid Keegan
Mon Jun 20 2016 - 10:09

For the faithful in Esker Hills, it was a case of “Come on” the Offaly boy in the Oakmont greens.

The club where Shane Lowry first got noticed at the age of just 13 was crammed with supporters as he teed off for the last round with a healthy four-shot lead.

They gathered in expectation as much as hope, willing each of their hero’s strokes towards the hole, coaxing every Dustin Johnson drive into the rough. All vantage points in the bar were taken as players who had marvelled at his progress since he won the Irish Open as an amateur, and for years before, prayed he would land a historic Major.

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Deirdre Molloy, the current lady captain and a member of the family which founded the club and built the course just 20 years ago, was kept busy feeding and greeting the masses.

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Three bogeys on the front nine dampened the atmosphere but a birdie on the 12th had the clubhouse cheering again with the loudest roar of the evening for Johnson’s bogey on the 14th.

But as Shane’s putter let him down repeatedly the dream of a Major winner from Clara evaporated and the golfer’s fans made do with praising him for going so far.

As Donal Molloy, one of those who established the club put it: “I remember in Shane’s amateur days, he won the Irish Close and I said ‘could it be possible for someone to reach this standard?’”

Shane, son of 1982 All-Ireland football star Brendan Lowry, grew up just three miles from Esker Hills and his talent was noticed in his early teens.

“Some of the wise people were saying that he was a real prospect. He spent a huge amount of time here. It wouldn’t be unusual for him to play 18, 18 and 9 holes here on the same day, practice, practice, practice,” said Molloy.

The 29-year-old’s successes have drawn attention to the course, especially from the American market.

Victory in the Bridgestone last year resulted in a wave of visitors and Esker is readying itself for another deluge now.

“He didn’t win this but finishing up so high is opening up even more doors of interest in the place,” said Molloy. “I’d say there will be more big days from him.”