‘Christy’s Garden’ a tribute to Royal Dublin’s favourite son

FOR almost a hundred years, the famous 18th hole at Royal Dublin has been known simply as ‘The Garden’.

It has witnessed the destruction of many cards and not just those of the myriad of club members and visitors who have fallen victim to the out of bounds to the right of one of the most testing two shotters in the game.

Dual major champion Sandy Lyle once picked up having expended 11 strokes during a round of the Irish Open – and he was still a long way from the green when he waved the white flag!

Today the 18th undergoes a name change becoming – ‘Christy’s Garden’ – in honour of the club’s most esteemed members and icons of Irish golf, Christy O’Connor Senior.

This year, the great man completes a 50 year association with the Bull Island links and he is to be honoured with a special celebration evening and the presentation of a video tribute, produced by prominent broadcaster Shane O’Donoghue. A number of distinguished players can be heard pay tribute to the man known simply as “Himself” exclusively at this week’s T2Green podcast show which goes live on the 3 Irish Open website, www.3irishopen.ie, at 7am tomorrow.

Pádraig Harrington speaks of his awe of Christy’s swing and practice routine at the outset of his own remarkable golfing career while the great South African Gary Player puts O’Connor’s swing in the same class as that of the legendary American Sam Snead. Long-time friend and fellow professional Peter Alliss also speaks fondly of his former Ryder Cup partner and shares his memories of Christy and The Royal Dublin Golf Club.

Also in this episode of T2Green, Paul McGinley looks ahead to The 3 Irish Open at Baltray.

It’s a course he knows well from his amateur days and a links he has described as the best in the country.

Log onto The 3 Irish Open website www.3irishopen.ie for more details.