Old friends are best for Smyth
Dublin businessman John Gleeson has answered the call and flown to Bahrain to caddy for Smyth today.
The long-time friends teamed up at Riffa Views last November when Smyth, making his return to competitive golf following major heart surgery, birdied the closing two holes for a two stroke success over Scotland’s John Chillas.
That was Smyth’s third title of 2005 but after a win-less spell so far this year, the Ryder Cup vice-captain is hoping that by reuniting with Gleeson it might inspire him back into the winner’s enclosure.
“John is a very close friend and I asked him to come out as it worked pretty well last time. Ray Latchford, my caddy of 13 years, has done a full season in America and he is quite happy to take a break,” explained Smyth.
“I have very happy memories of winning here last year. The course looks pretty much the same but the weather is hotter and that will have its effects. This is my last chance for a win this year and I’m keen enough to try and do it.
“Hopefully I can put up a good defence but, to be honest, I came here with my game in better shape last year. Although I’ve had a decent season in America and kept my card, I never felt I hit top form. It wasn’t easy as it was a hectic year with my involvement in The Ryder Cup. But what an experience that was. It was even better than I thought it was going to be and a memory I will keep forever.”
Gleeson, who is a member of six golf clubs including Milltown and Portmarnock in Dublin, first struck up a bond with Smyth back in the 1960s when both played in the Midland Boys Championships, although in different age groups.
The Birr-born businessman is delighted to be helping out his old friend once again.
“For an amateur golfer such as myself, it is great to be involved here. Walking down the 18th with Des last year was such a thrill and it would be amazing to do that again knowing the title was won,” he said.
The Arcapita Seniors runs until Saturday and features the leading 42 players on the European Seniors Tour Order of Merit.
While Smyth plots his defence safe in the knowledge that he has another season’s exemption to the European Seniors Tour, another Irishman faces a sweat-inducing three days in the desert heat of Bahrain.
Antrim’s Jimmy Heggarty, a graduate of last year’s Qualifying School, is outside the top 30 on the Order of Merit who will be assured Category One Membership for 2007. He is in 35th place but his cause is helped by fourth placed Eduardo Romero and 30th placed Katsuyoshi Tomori dropping out of the list because they have not played the required number of events, which leaves Heggarty having to make up three places if he wants to guarantee a start in every event next season.
By contrast, Chillas is nervously looking over his shoulder. The Aberdonian won the Seniors Tour Championship in 2004 but that exemption is about to run out, so he needs to hold on to his position inside the top 30. He is in 28th place (effectively 27th).
There are no such pressures for Sam Torrance knowing he cannot be overhauled at the top of the Order of Merit. With four victories and €345,497 from 14 events, the Scotsman’s target now is to surpass the European Seniors Tour record for single season earnings, which stands at €354,775 set by England’s Carl Mason in 2004.
Mason, winner of three of the past four events, is second on this year’s Order of Merit with €266,424, ahead of leading rookie José Rivero of Spain on €227,009.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
