Playing off a 12 handicap and wearing a club T-shirt, former US president Mr Bill Clinton looked relaxed as he teed up on the first at Ballybunion's famous old course yesterday, which is rated one of the world's top 10.
"There's a graveyard to the right," his playing partner, former Tanaiste Mr Dick Spring, warned, to which Mr Clinton replied: "Yeah, I've come back from graveyards before."
His idiosyncratic address to the ball involved some lip puckering and a little hip swivelling, but his drive was straight and true and well away from danger. The crowd cheered and clapped and somebody shouted: "Way to go Bill."
The former president was taking part in the captain's charity day at Ballybunion, where he is an honorary life member. He had already played the course once. Ballybunion, he told a local businessman, Mr Frank Quilter, was one of his favourite golf courses. "I think he loves Ballybunion and regards it almost as highly as his home town of Little Rock," Mr Quilter, a veteran of many Democratic Party conventions, said.
"He's doing this town a power of good," he added.
Radio links with the four-ball kept the assembled media informed as to how the round was progressing, but no information was forthcoming as to whether Mr Clinton had managed to find trouble, as he has often done before.
The caddies were under strict instructions not to release information regarding the golf round, a course official said. But it was plain to all that Mr Clinton three-putted the par four 18th for a five. There were whispers that he may have taken more than 80 shots to complete his round. "I had a lot of three putts today," a beaming Mr Clinton said as he made his way to the clubhouse. "I had a wonderful time," he added.
After the exertions of the first 18 holes, Mr Clinton and his party went to the members' bar for a seafood buffet and drinks before heading out again to play another nine holes on the Cashen course.
In between rounds, club captain Mr Brendan O'Sullivan, who was part of the four-ball, said Mr Clinton was "a really friendly guy who just loves golf". The team had scored well in the captain's event, he added, but wouldn't be in the prizes.
"We talked a lot about golf during the round, nothing else. I'd say he'll come back again and, of course, he won't have to be invited, he's an honorary life member," he added.
The Clinton entourage had made it clear from early yesterday morning that the former president was visiting Bally bunion in a private capacity and that he didn't want to be bothered by the media. He would land at Farranfore airport in a Gulf Stream jet and go immediately to the golf course, where he would be greeted by Mr Spring.
But Mr Clinton wasn't having any of it. No sooner was his limousine outside the airport terminal than he ordered it to stop and jumped out to press the flesh, causing a delay of about 30 minutes. He did the same at the entrance to the golf course and walked to the clubhouse, greeting well-wishers along the way, including six-year-old Veda Pierce, whom he thanked for her placard which said: "Welcome back Bill, we love you."
"It's great to be back, even if it's not so sunny," he told the crowd, adding: "Even if I don't play well, I know I'll have a good time."
For Conor Cronin (11), of Newmarket, Co Cork, who travelled to Ballybunion with only one objective, the latest Clinton visit to Ireland ended especially well. "I came to ask him if he would give me his golf ball and he did. I think Mr Clinton would do anything for Ireland," the youngster added.
Valerie Monaghan (12), from Kildorrery, Co Cork, was lucky to be on hand as well. As he passed into the clubhouse, Mr Clinton took off his golf glove and gave it to her as a souvenir.