THE President, Mrs Robinson, was represented by her aide decamp, Comdt Hugo K. Bonar, at the funeral of Mr Austin Brud Slattery (81), in Lahinch on Saturday. Mr Slattery was secretary manager and later president, captain and trustee of Lahinch Golf Club for 30 years.
A former Irish international golfer, Mr Slattery won the Southern Ireland championship in 1947, when he was the first person to beat the 11 time winner John Burke in a final. He was runner up on three occasions and a semi finalist seven times. He also reached the final of the West of Ireland championship.
Mr Slattery, who played senior football for Clare, was a local schoolteacher before being appointed secretary of the club in 1954.
Father Enda Glynn, a former neighbour who was the principal concelebrant at the Mass, said: "Brud Slattery was a legend in Irish golf. With Alexander Shaw, the founder in 1892, he will always hold a revered place in the history of Lahinch goff links".
The attendance also included the president of the Golfing Union of Ireland, Mr Eamonn Curran the president of the Irish Ladies Golfing Union, Mrs Colette Holmes; the president elect of the European Golf Association, Mr Pat Foley, and Mr Joe Carr, the former Walker Cup captain and Irish international.
Regional presidents of the GUI and club representatives from the North and South of Ireland also attended the funeral.