Smyth's advice for happy Howard: just keep winning

David Howard was there later that evening, too, as he marvelled at Howard’s 211-yard hold-up shot with a five-iron to the par-five 18th that set up the two-putt birdie that gave him his first amateur major.

Fota Island's David Howard celebrates with his girlfriend Gabby Koumrack after sealing victory on Sunday in the East of Ireland Men's Amateur Open at Baltray. Pic: Bryan Keane, Inpho

Making it in the big, bad world of professional golf is no easy feat but David Howard got some invaluable advice from one of Irish golf’s greatest Tour players as he celebrated his East of Ireland win into the small hours at Baltray.

There is arguably no stronger hotbed of golfing knowledge in this country than the members’ bar at County Louth Golf Club after the “East,” where great amateurs such as Declan Branigan, Mark Gannon, and Barry Reddan shoot the breeze with Des Smyth and discuss what they've just watched.