Today’s generation will not have the fond memories of many older golfers in this country, who remember making the annual pilgrimage to what was recognized, outside of GAA events, as the biggest sporting event of the year in Ireland.
The golden years of the Irish Open were 1975 to 1995. When the world’s greatest names won the prestigious event. Seve (3), Faldo (3), Langer (3), Woosnam (2), Torrance (2) Monty (2), Olazabal, Ben Crenshaw, Hubert Green. And our own Christy O’Connor Jnr. and John O’Leary, both now sadly deceased.
It all really began with the revival of the event in 1975 at Woodbrook which I played in, and was won by Christy O’Connor Jnr. Pat Heneghan, who headed up sponsorship for Carroll’s at that time, lured the best players in the world with charm, kindness, warm hospitality and friendship (and maybe a few quid!). His vision created a festival, almost carnival like atmosphere, that was way ahead of its time back then.
Nobody had done that in Europe. The Irish Open soon became THE most popular event on the European Tour after the British Open.
When the event took place at Portmarnock and Royal Dublin for over a dozen years, more than 100,000 people would attend annually. Many were non golfers, but it was a great and unique occasion to socialize with your friends and meet new people and network. Families were made welcome in the ‘village’ with food and drink for the adults, and 99’s for the kids. This is now standard at all events.
Pat made a special effort with a young Spaniard at the time granting him one of his first ‘invites’ after he had turned pro. It was something Seve never forgot. He kept coming back year after year. Behind the scenes the fact that he had an early romance with an Irish girl (who shall remain nameless) probably didn’t hurt!! Having Seve there also attracted huge attention from young women. They wanted to see this dashingly handsome young Spaniard, who had a halo of charisma surrounding him, like a rock star.
Seve loved coming to the Irish Open and he would tell me stories many years later, when I was managing him, of the affection he felt for Ireland and the Irish people.
Following on from Seve, Pat did the same for Olazabal and he too became a big supporter of the event over the years. The pros themselves loved coming to the event. It was an era when they were allowed to have some fun, without the threat of social media and scandals. They would join the crowds in the village after they played, and simply enjoyed themselves with the people.
Having two Irish winners, Christy O’Connor Jnr. in 1975 and then the flamboyant John O’Leary in 1982, helped fuel the local interest. I remember John winning at Portmarnock. I had retired from playing and was the new on course commentator on the event with RTE. John was a great friend, whom I had played with on Irish teams as an amateur and travelled with on tour for 10 years. He was always a free spirit and wasn’t afraid to show it. He had a hippy like wild afro hairstyle and pants with one leg black and the other white, just because he could! I knew how much winning the event meant to him, after he had finished second to Seve in 1978.
He was coming down the final stretch head-to-head against the dogged Ryder Cup veteran Maurice Bembridge, when the heavens opened. There was a sea of people following the final group over the last four testing holes at Portmarnock. Everybody scrambled and crouched under their umbrellas trying to keep dry. Bembridge put on his trusty Morton Knight wet suit and sheltered under is umbrella. I vividly remember JJ, as we had nicknamed John on tour, refusing to use an umbrella or wear a rain jacket and wearing only this tight golfing shirt that showed off his ripped rugby body as it got soaked to his skin. It was a sight to behold. To see this fearless gladiator figure, ignoring the torrent of mother nature, striding down the final two fairways, defiantly, on his way to a climatic finish on the 18th green. It was the greatest moment of his life and career as a golfer which he shared with his family and adoring fans. It was a memory he treasured to his final days.
I often wonder whether this bold act of defiance had affected Bembridge and lured him into submission?
The more recent Irish wins have kept this great championship close to the hearts of Irish golfers. Padraig’s play-off win in 2007 at Adare, Shane’s epic win in the rain as an Amateur at Baltray in 2009, and the unforgettable final shot from Rory, to win at the K Club in 2016. No Irish players have ever taken a penny to appear or support the Irish Open, and this is something they are all very proud of. It demonstrates the affection and affinity they have to keep this great event going and growing.
The event this week at Royal County Down is testament to this, with the full support of our best players. My father reckoned that Newcastle, as it’s known, was the toughest of all the championship links challenge and it will test them to their limits as it did in 2015, especially if mother nature gets cranky.
Rory missed the cut last time, but it would not surprise me to see him win this week in a place where he and his father used to play carrying their own bags, back in the days when he dreamed of becoming the champion he is today.