Golfer loses libel case over handicap claim

A 75-year-old amateur golfer has been left with a hefty legal bill after he lost a High Court action for libel over what he said was a notice from his club which he claimed wrongly meant he had cheated about his playing ability.

Mr Justice Daniel Herbert also awarded costs of the case, which lasted 21 days in the High Court, against the golfer. The final costs bill is expected to run in to hundreds of thousands of euro. After the case, the pensioner said he intended appealing the costs order.

Thomas Talbot sued his former club, the Hermitage in Lucan, Dublin, claiming he was defamed in a certificate sent to him by the handicap sub-committee in Jul 2003 stating his handicap was 13, with the words “General Play (Handicap Building)” at the bottom.