71st WORLD ONE ARMED GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
2nd-6th JUNE 2008
DUNMURRY GOLF CLUB
ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Chairperson: Mary –Jennings
Secretary: Brendan Swan
Treasurer Martin Egan
Committee: Michael O'Grady Andy Fagan
The 71st World Championship for One Armed Golfers takes place at Dunmurry Golf Club, on the outskirts of Belfast, from 2-6 June.
Although the annual competition is staged in Ireland once every three years, this is the first time that it has been held in Northern Ireland.
The Championship previously has been played at many famous courses such as St. Andrews (old course), Lytham St. Annes, Carnoustie, Rosses Point, Killarney, Woodbrook, Mullingar and Headfort.
More than 60 competitors from countries like Australia, Sweden, South Africa, Indonesia, Bermuda, the USA, France and, of course, the five home countries, are expected to take part in the four day competition.
The Championship is 36 hole stroke play, with the top 16 gross scores qualifying for matchplay, which traditionally produces exciting, tense golf at its very best.
The Society for One Armed Golfers was formed in 1932, and in its early days was made up mostly of veterans who had lost limbs in the First World War: indeed, it was the war
which was the catalyst for its conception. Today, it has grown into an international organization with a worldwide membership.
In Ireland, records show that one armed golfers played in the World Championship as far back as the early 1940's. Jerry Buckley, of Bray Golf Club, was twice champion, in 1947 and again in 1950, and the first Irishman to win the championship.
More recently, Michael O' Grady, of Mullingar won the Championship and St. Andrews in 1982 and again on his home course in 1986. Ireland's last world champion was Brendan Swan, of Co. Meath GC, who won the title at Headford in 2001.
The Irish Branch of the Society for One Armed Golfers was formed by Terry Adams, from Tullamore, in 1966 and today has 40 registered members, of whom 30 are active.
The 71st World Championship for One Armed Golfers, at Dunmurry Golf Club, is sponsored by Belfast City Council, through the 'Support for Sport' programme.
CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT 2008
The honour of striking the first ball at the 2008 World Championship in Dunmurry went to one of the Society’s gentlemen Chris Court. Accompanied by Bobby Park and yours truly we set out to post the early clubhouse lead for the 71st Championship over the pristine Dunmurry Golf Course.
Arriving in Dunmurry you were welcomed with a smile from Secretary Manager Tony Cassidy and his staff who were always ready to attend to your every request? Yes, Championship week was a tremendous success from start to finish and Dunmurry Golf Club was the idyllic setting for the SOAG’S first visit to Northern Ireland. The members of both Dunmurry and the Society gained a whole new collection of friends and wasn’t it great to see them join together in singing a happy birthday to Les Fuller now in his 87th year! New members attending their first championship were William Frey and Vincent Biser from the USA, Steven Hutchinson from England and our first new member from Finland Jussi Nuorti who took great pride in wearing his Dunmurry jumper, received as part of the winning team on the Wednesday afternoon.
At our official opening day on Sunday, Belfast Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers visited the club to welcome all who were present and wished the competitors the best of luck for the week ahead. The flag raising ceremony was preformed by the Lady Captain Ros Boyce and club President George Rodgers. The club Captain Robin Smythe welcomed all the society members and said how honoured Dunmurry Golf Club was to have been chosen as the 2008 championship venue. Other speakers were Eamonn Mc’Cartan of Sport NI and P.J. Collins from The Golfing Union of Ireland who both had a warm welcome for all and said how delighted they were to be associated with this year’s event. President George Bradley taking up his new chain of office congratulated Dunmurry on their acceptance of the championship and he then invited all present to join him for a civic reception in the clubhouse which was hosted by Belfast City Council.
The first two qualifying rounds were played in perfect dry and sunny conditions. One would have thought that the scores would be low, however the golf course had proven to be the winner and the best gross for two rounds was Marcus Malo, followed by Michael O’ Grady, Nicholas Champness, and Robert Paul filling the fourth seeded player. On conclusion of the qualifying rounds the picture of the team going to the USA for the Fightmaster cup was almost complete with just the captain’s picks remaining.
Thursday’s first round matches and the quarter finals going to form we were left with the four top seeds contesting the semi-finals. The top match between Marcus and Robert was tight with Marcus having an early lead and then being 2 up with 3 to play. Robert came back strongly and forced the match down the 19th where a par secured his place in the final. In the second semi between Nick and Michael it was tight with superb golf being played by both men, but as the round progressed Nick gradually edged ahead and closed out the match with two to play at which time their better ball score was only 3 over par.
In the final, Nick showed no mercy and playing his best golf of the week he triumphed with a seven and six victory and was only one over par after the 12 holes. It was Roberts first final and while he played some excellent golf he had no answer to the flawless golf Nick produced. Nick’s approach shot to the fourth green from 140yds will be talked about for many years to come, and his ability to get the ball up over the big beech tree and land it softly within two feet of the pin! This win secured his third championship in a row, but perhaps with his new roll as President in 2009 we might get his eye off the ball for one year at least? I am told he is looking forward to playing in the Presidents Cup on Friday morning !!
Other notable performances during the week included Mary Jennings our only competing lady this year who was second best nett overall and John O’ Callaghan scoring 44pts to win the Bob Hughes while the Cattenach Cup was won by John Condie with 40pts. Darren Grey taking the Presidents Prize with 39pts. a Don Allen was very pleased to take the the America Cup for the most improved golfer from last years championship.
At the friday presentation dinner in Dunmurry Golf Club the Society was honoured with the attendance of Belfast City’s New Lord Mayor Tom Hartley (just two days in his new post) and Barry Doyle, President of the Golf Union of Ireland. Proposing the toast to Dunmurry Martin Egan had the place in fits of laughter as he explained a lighter moment from earlier in the week! Referring to how the IRA would not be happy with an administrative error, when it fact he meant to say the R&A would not be happy? A Commemorative Clock in native Irish Oak was presented to Dunmurry Golf Club by Michael O’ Grady. In his inimitable way Michael said that whenever the club members looked at this clock, it would be a reminder to them of the wonderful time the Society of One Armed Golfers had during their stay in Dunmurry. In addressing all who were present The Lord Mayor praised the club officers on their foresight in bringing this wonderful event to Belfast and emphasised how delighted Belfast City Council was to have been associated with the Championship. He said that he could feel genuine warmth and friendship among all our members and we were to be congratulated on this! Presentations of Society Ties and Society History Books were made to The Lord Mayor, G.U.I President, and the Club Captain. After receiving his winning trophy from G.U.I. President Barry Doyle, Nick thanked Dunmurry Golf Club its members and its staff both on and off the course for allowing the Society the use of their facilities during the week.
Presentations were complete when Fightmaster Cup Team Captain Malcolm Guy announced his team which will do the SOAG proud on USA soil in September. Playing into the early hours the appropriately named group Friendship were the perfect way to finish a memorable week with music and dance which kept most people on their feet till the end.
Funding was a critical part of this year’s championship as it allowed the committee to add those little extras which help give our members a week that they will cherish. I would like to thank all those who helped with funding, our main sponsor Belfast City Council, Sport NI, R&A, The G.U.I. Volvo Cars and Cooley Whiskey.
On a personal note, I would like to thank my own committee, Mary, Martin, Andy, Don, Paddy and of course Michael. I would also like to thank John Condie for all his work in taking the photos. The ladies, Ann and Mary, who collected the dinner monies and cleaned all the trophies. and Secretary Peter Priscott for all his hard work too. Thanks must also go to Tony Cassidy his staff, and to John Dolan Professional, for all their help and support throughout the week. Finally, I just want to wish my incoming Secretary Andy Fagan continued success in his new roll!
As I drove out of Dunmurry Golf Club in glorious sunshine on the Saturday morning after the championship, who should I see heading out for his game of golf but Tony Cassidy. He gave me the customary wave and the smile was ever-present!! Perhaps after a week of looking at us, he was glad to be rid of us? Somehow I don’t think so!! Yes, Folks, Dunmurry 2008 was a week I will not forget?
Brendan Swan
Round 2 Qualifying
First Round Leaders
