Golfing legend - Christy O'Connor Jnr

PA News

1985 Ryder Cup star and former British Senior Open champion Christy O’Connor Jnr has died at the age of 67.

The Irishman, who turned professional in 1967, was best remembered for helping Europe retain the Ryder Cup at The Belfry in 1989 when he fired a stunning two-iron to within four feet of the 18th pin to beat Fred Couples and secure a 14-14 draw with the States.

O'Connor, the nephew of golfing great Christy O'Connor, won four times on the European Tour before joining the senior ranks where he won back-to-back British Seniors Open titles on home soil in 1999 and 2000.

In a statement, the Golf Union of Ireland paid tribute to the Galway man, labelling him a 'gentleman, an iconic figure of Irish golf and a true ambassador'.

"He was a pioneer for professional Irish golfers and inspired a generation of players," the organisation added.

O'Connor, who in his latter years was heavily involved in designing over 30 golf courses across Europe, died in his sleep while on holiday in Tenerife.

Fellow-countryman Shane Lowry said: "Very sad news today about Christy O'Connor Jnr. An absolute legend of Irish golf. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones."

George O'Grady, chief executive of the European Tour from 2004-2015, said: "It is a very sad day for the O'Connor family and for Ireland as a whole.

"Christy Jnr was a legendary figure and his immense legacy is far more than purely his playing record. He was a universally popular player and always enhanced every tournament he played, no matter the occasion. His infectious charm will be sorely missed."

Ken Schofield, executive director of the European Tour from 1975-2004, said: "Christy Jnr's playing record will rightly depict him as one of Ireland and Europe's leading players of his generation - the generation that set the template for today's global European Tour. 

"Much more so for everyone involved with the Tour and the game of golf, Christy will be remembered as a gentleman spirit - every amateur golfer's dream as the perfect Pro-Am partner, on and off the golf course. It is a very sad day for the game and our hearts go out to Ann and all the extended family."

Speaking in 2010 about his famous victory over Couples, O'Connor Jnr revealed European captain Tony Jacklin had been one of the few people to have faith in one of his three wild card selections.

"It was the greatest and most emotional moment of my professional life," said O'Connor Jnr, who is survived by his wife Ann, daughter Ann and son Nigel. "I'd felt terrible at breakfast that morning because of an article writing me off in one of the Sunday newspapers.

"I felt the pressure it put on me was too much. Tony Jacklin, the captain, was brilliant on the final hole. He said on the 18th tee that if I put the pressure on, Fred wouldn't be able to take it.

"Even though I was miles behind him after the tee shots, Jacko didn't lose faith. 'Put it on the green, I've a feeling that something will happen,' he said.

"Well everyone knows that I played the shot of my life, a two iron from 235 yards that finished four foot from the hole. I guess you could say I did put it on the green and something did happen. I remember looking up to the sky with my arms outstretched and tears ran down my face. It was unforgettable."

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Irish Open Venues - Woodbrook

Christy O'Connor Snr winner in 1975

Established in 1921, by Sir Stanley Cochrane as his private club, Woodbrook was first affiliated to the Golfing Union of Ireland in 1926. Sir Stanley had previously indulged his enthusiasm for cricket at Woodbrook, a fact that is still reflected in the pavilion-style clubhouse and the cricket bell, which tolled the start and finish of play and now hangs in the bar.

However, it is as a venue for top class international golf, that Woodbrook is justly famous. 

Woodbrook hosted the first major professional tournament in Ireland. The Hennessy Tournament in 1958. This once-off event, proved so popular amongst the Irish sporting public, that the following year it became the Irish Hospitals Sweepstakes Tournament with the then biggest prize fund 5,000 guineas. 

All the leading players arrived to play Woodbrook and International Tournament Golf in Ireland was born. In 1963 the tournament that really established Woodbrook as a major golf venue began – The Carrolls International. Carrolls brought the cream of British European and, indeed, American golfers to play the fairways of Woodbrook in the ensuing years up to 1975. Many of today’s legends of Golf played the course. 

Some, as winners, like Christy O’Connor, Senior and Junior, Bernard Gallagher, Neil Coles, Brian Huggett and Bernard Hunt. Others, as rookies on the day, like Jack Newton, Eamon D’Arcy, John O’Leary and Sam Torrance. Superstars, like Open Championship Winners, Max Faulkner, five times winner Peter Thompson, Gary Player, Tony Jacklin, Tom Watson and Ken Nagle all delighted the larger Irish galleries. Anybody who was anybody, in the history of British and European golf from 1963 to 1975, appeared at the Carrolls in Woodbrook.

The Irish Open

The Irish Open had been discontinued in 1953, having run almost continuously since 1927. Carrolls revived this great Irish Title in 1975 at Woodbrook and the modern Irish Open was born. This is now an integral part of the European PGA Tour. An all-star field, including the British Open Winner Tom Watson, played for the first Prize of £5,000 and the inaugural winner was Ireland’s Christy O’Connor Junior, nephew of the great Christy O’Connor Senior, himself a four times winner of the Carrolls International.

The Train

Trains have always played a major part in Woodbrook’s history. In olden days the Dublin-Bray train stopped at the club and in the early days of tournament golf, spectators alighted on the course. Up to 1956, when members wanted to go home, they pulled a switch in the club house bar and the next train, to pass along the way, stopped for two minutes to pick up those who were travelling to Bray or Dublin. Alas! Today, such hospitality is unavailable, but on six holes, the spectre of the DART and the railway line looms large for the wayward driver.

The Course

Although a flat course, “Woodbrook”, as Christy O’Connor, Senior put it “may look easy, but it is a very difficult course, with the constant threat of out of bounds and other hazards that can wreck your card”. In this regard the wind plays a most significant role. When it blows from the North, nine holes are affected, including three out of the last four.

When it’s from the South, the index one tenth plus the par three eleventh, and the par five – 12th, 14th and 16th, all become very difficult long holes. A crosswind from the East affects almost every hole on the course and calls for shot making of the highest calibre. With its configuration of five par threes and five par fives, Woodbrook’s layout is unusual but, in the opinion of those who have played there, it is a championship course in every meaning of the word.

Recently redesigned, with three new holes and 18 sand based greens, built to USPGA standards, Woodbrook is once more a challenge for the best.

The club has hosted 18 major international championship events, a record unlikely to be surpassed, and numerous Irish Professional and Amateur Championships through the years. The staging of the AIB Sponsored Irish Seniors Open in the club in 1998 completes a remarkable journey for many of those stars of yesterday, bringing them back to the fairways they once graced so well.

Woodbrook is unique in Irish Golf, with its heritage and tradition, ambiance and atmosphere and the quality and layout of its course. For members and visitors alike it represents a challenge to be met weekly or just occasionally, but always enjoyably.

www.woodbrook.ie

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Christy O'Conror Jnr Honoured

Christy O'Connor Jnr was presented with the “Jerry Donworth Outstanding Contribution to Golf Award” at the 2014 Gala Irish Golf Awards at Knockranny House Hotel, Westport, Co.Mayo. 

O’Connor Jnr, a legendary European Tour, Senior Tour and Ryder Cup star and a prolific Irish golf course designer with projects all over the world, was recognised by the IGTOA –Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association for his lifetime contribution to the Irish golf industry as one of the greatest ambassadors for Ireland and Irish golf across the globe.

Enda Kenny said: “I am delighted to present one of Ireland’s greatest golf ambassadors Christy O’Connor Jnr with the 'Jerry Donworth Outstanding Contribution to Golf Award' this evening in recognition of his lifetime contribution to Ireland and Irish golf. 

"Christy has represented Ireland on over twenty occasions and his career has provided many memorable and exciting moments for us all to be proud of as a golfing nation. I wish to also congratulate all the recipients of the '2014 Gala Irish Golf Awards' and I commend them on their hard work to achieve this recognition. 

"This is about celebrating the excellence of the golf that is offered and played on this island. The combination of breathtaking scenery, challenging courses and our friendly people offers a unique golfing experience to the many international visitors that play our golf courses here each year. 

"This in turn brings jobs, opportunity and investment across our country in accommodation, bars, good food and all the things that make an Irish holiday great. We know that the golfers who come here are happy with the experience so it's thanks to the hard work of those in the industry that we can take pride in Ireland's being a superb golf tourism destination." 

Richard Hills, Director of Ryder Cup Europe, wished to congratulate O’Connor Jnr and all the winners on behalf of The Ryder Cup and The European Tour.

“On behalf of Ryder Cup Europe and the European Tour I would like to congratulate Christy O’Connor Jnr on this richly deserved recognition by the Irish golf industry," he said. "Christy’s professional golfing career on the European Tour, the European Senior Tour and The Ryder Cup spans four incredible decades, bringing a high level of success both in terms of tournament victories and superb Ryder Cup moments. 

Those nine worldwide wins and two Ryder Cup appearances were a source of deep personal pride, but more significantly they earned Christy the respect from the world of professional golf.

"His contribution to the game of golf in Europe at all levels has been outstanding, and he remains an inspiration to his fellow players across all the global Tours. Christy has delivered many historic and memorable golfing moments during his career – none more inspiring that his glorious two iron at the final hole to defeat Fred Couples in the singles at The Belfry in 1989.

"Christy has left his mark on the game through his educational and charitable activities while his signature course design is stamped on many impressive courses across the world. Christy has been a great ambassador for Ireland and Irish golf and in particular for the tourism industry. This award acknowledges the high regard in which he is held. We wish Christy continued success in his golfing career and the very best in the future.”

A selection of leading Irish companies in the golf tourism industry also received accolades on the night with winners in the hotel, golf course and golf resort categories. The event was hosted by CNN Presenter Shane O’ Donoghue.

The event is run each year by the Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA) which is the recognised national representative body for the Irish golf tourism industry and is pro-active in supporting the promotion, growth and development of Irish golf tourism overseas.

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