IT’S only those of an older generation will remember Pat Smyth, a golf professional of the “old school” who was once associated with Adare Manor GC, and who passed away earlier this month at the grand age of 87.

Born in Galway, he was a natural golfer (a cousin of Christy O’Connor Snr) and was encouraged to join the local club, which he did.  Pat was soon playing off scratch and represented Galway and Connacht in all the main amateur tournaments of the day.  He married Ethna (Ed) Courtenay in 1949, and four children later, in 1959 he moved into the world of professional golf, starting his journey at Adare, before moving to Kilkenny, Tralee, Bray and finally Elm Park.

It was a very brave move in those days and drew both concern and raised eyebrows from close family and friends.

He was known as a professional of the “old school.”  In those early years at Adare, with his wife Ed, he ran the bar, the catering and competitions, while living with his family on the premises. He repaired clubs, put on grips, replaced shafts in clubs, French polished the persimmon woods and put binding thread on the hickory shaft putter.

Pat was predeceased by his wife five years ago and leaves behind his daughter Mary and three sons, Noel, John and Mike, his only surviving brother Tommy, 14 grandchildren and a legion of friends from all walks of life.

ADARE senior hurling fullback underlined his fine credentials in another code when landing the Longest Drive Prize during his club’s successful three-day Annual Classic at sponsors Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort.

He struck a sweet tee-shot on the fascinating closing long 18^th to scoop the prize, and put himself in a position to get home in two only to play safe and eventually settle for a comfortable par five.  The Nearest the Pin Prize was collected by talented artist Noreen Kinevane, who hit a peach of a shot to the lovely par three 16^th.

With two scores to count all through, the winning return was 89 points, gained through the collective valuable experience of TP Healy, Eamon Ryan, Liam Brennan and Mike Counihan. A couple of points behind in second place were the useful combination of Pat Brennan, Jim O’Rahilly, Jerry Ryan and Finn Philips.  Former Limerick hurling goalkeeper Albert Shanahan teamed-up with Tom Maher, John Hayes and Mike Redington to fill third place (87 points).

Fourth place was secured by Richard Hickey, Maurice Noonan, Billy Chawke and Burton Smith (86).

ALAN Purcell has emerged as Golfer of the Year with the Patrickswell GS, following a season in which he was rarely out of the main prizes.

In the concluding Captain Mick Barry’s Prize at Killarney GC (O’Mahoney’s Point), Purcell, however, had to settle for second behind popular winner Tom Dundon with 40 points. In third place, also on 40 points, was Timmie Sheehan, with other high finisheds by Derek O’Curry, John McDermott, Natal O’Grady, Gerry McDermott, Ger Considine and Tony O’Neill.

Kieran Carroll picked-up the gross and Nearest the Pin prizes, with the nines won by John Murphy and James Devine, respectively.

Two members of the outgoing Limerick senior hurling management team were also in the prizes, namely Gary Kirby (Longest Drive) and Richie Bennis (second to Adare Manor GC captain John O’Gorman) in the guest section.

The outing to Killarney was sponsored by Nolan Motor Factors, with the Christmas outing to Newcastle West GC in early December next on the fixture list for an ever-expanding and friendly society.

THERE was a familiar look to the winners of Captain Michael John Cosgrave’s Prize to Junior Members at Limerick County GC.

Andrew Cowpar, Jack Molyneaux and Sam Ivory slotted into the top three positions in Category One while in Category Two, the highest finishers were John Fox, Evan Quinlan and Robert Sutton. Ian Irwin and the aforementioned Fox were winners of their respective Player of the Year Awards.

A reminder Limerick County is offering a saving of €4,000 on membership, with more details available at www.golfacademy.ie.

AT a time when many clubs are struggling to keep their courses open, the grounds staff at Limerick GC must be commended for the current tremendous condition of this fine parkland facility.

The slightly re-arranged layout, coupled with the splendid new club house (incorporating Harrington Golf, 061/14083, and exceptionally quality food and beverages, along with friendly management, Pat Murray, and employees) has really made Limerick a superb golf complex.

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