With the famous Dunluce links bathed in sunshine, Christy O'Connor Jnr trod a path which eluded even his illustrious uncle, by becoming the first Irish winner of the British Senior Open at Royal Portrush last July. It proved to be the highlight of what has been a remarkable year for the Galwayman, who has also won twice on the US Senior circuit.
So it is that O'Connor has been chosen as the country's leading professional for 1999, in the 24th annual awards by the Irish Golf Writers' Association. He and three other recipients, will be honoured at the awards dinner, sponsored by Murphy's Brewery at the Portmarnock Hotel and Links next Thursday.
The award winners are: Leading woman - Claire Coughlan; Leading amateur - Paddy Gribben; Leading professional - Christy O'Connor Jnr; Distinguished services to golf: Pat Turvey.
In July 1951, a sparkling career was launched when Christy O'Connor Snr was tied 17th behind Max Faulkner on his British Open debut at Royal Portrush. And the point was not lost on Gary Player who, along with runner-up John Bland, was among the distinguished competitors outplayed by O'Connor Jnr, 48 years later.
"You couldn't have had a better champion than someone from the O'Connor family," said the South African, a three-time winner of the title. "Senior was such a great player that it's wonderful to see Junior following his example by winning this great championship."
But there was much more to O'Connor's season. Claiming inspiration from his 17-year-old son Darren, who was killed in a car crash in September of last year, he captured the State Farm Classic on the US Senior Tour in early July and then won again, in the Foremost Insurance Championship a month later.
At 19, Claire Coughlan of Cork GC emerged from relative anonymity to capture two national titles - the Irish Close and Irish Under-21 championships. Indeed she was making her debut in the Close in which her 75-year-old grandfather, Michael Twohig, caddied for her.
Admirable competitive instincts were in evidence in the final against the experienced Curtis Cup representative, Eileen Rose Power, whom she defeated by a comfortable 4 and 3 margin. She later won the Lahinch Scratch Cup and made worthy contributions on her international debut both in the Home and European championships.
Gribben had no serious rival for the men's amateur award. After capturing the North of Ireland Championship, he became Ireland's lone representative in the Walker Cup at Nairn. There, he played a significant role in a notable, home triumph, beating the highly regarded American, Hunter Haas, on the second day.
Pat Turvey has been a member of Clontarf GC since 1956 and was lady captain in 1977. But she is being honoured for her work during 16 years as secretary of the ILGU, a post from which she retired earlier this year.
As Clontarf's representative, she joined the Eastern Executive and was chairman in 1983 when she quit her job in the Stock Exchange to become secretary of the ILGU. Her appointment coincided with the union's move to splendid new premises in Clonskeagh and since then, she saw the affiliated membership more than double from 21,300 to 46,500.
