Cork hope to crown celebrations at Royal Tara

Party time never seems to end for Cork Golf Club these days. Just as calm returns to Little Island after their successful 125th year celebrations, they are now turning their attentions to next week’s Irish Cups and Shields finals at Royal Tara for which they have qualified in the Barton Shield and Irish Senior Cup.

There were countless highlights to the recent celebrations. Roddy Carr made a very welcome return visit to recall his role as manager of Seve Ballesteros when the famous Spaniard made his memorable visit to the club in 1983 and in recalling stories of the matches between his father Joe and Little Island’s own legend Jimmy Bruen.

Having officially opened the club’s historical exhibition, Roddy regaled his audience with tales of the exploits of the elder Carr and Bruen, the occasion all the more nostalgic because of the presence of Nell Bruen and several members of the family.

Roddy Carr may not have achieved as much on the golf course as his father but he was a fine player in his own right and a key member of the British & Irish team that pulled off a very rare victory over the USA in the 1971 Walker Cup match. He later enjoyed a decent career in the professional ranks while involving himself in other aspects of the game including management and that’s where his connection with Ballesteros developed.

Another highlight of the celebrations was the Gala exhibition attended by more than 300 people while all the time, members and guest were enjoying a series of golfing events with competitors dressed in period costume. The exhibition will goes on until September 23 with Jimmy Bruen’s scrap book a source of endless fascination.

“I turn a page a day, it is unbelievable and well worth a visit”, says General Manager Matt Sands, who along with President Pat Nash, Captain Liam Walley, Lady President Kathleen McGrath, Lady Captain Valerie Fitzgerald and Chairman Ger Breen, have enjoyed a few hectic but enjoyable weeks.

Things got even better when the great Billy Casper, a former US Open winner and Ryder Cup star, paid a very welcome visit.

“He is now 82 years of age and a real gent”, reports Matt Sands. “He didn’t play but was very impressed with the golf course.”