K Club's professional has done his rounds

Ernie Jones has been a professional golfer for over 50 years. A former captain of the Professional Golfers' Association, Jones has witnessed many changes in structures, attitudes and lifestyles over the years. Now happily ensconced as the professional at the K Club, a role he has fulfilled since 1991, he has many fond memories.

"I've been a professional all my life. I suppose the original apprenticeship was my mother's fault. My father was an army sergeant major at the Curragh and I used to see these guys playing golf and thought, 'I can do that.'

"I had four jobs while I was at Newbridge Technical College: assistant professional (to Phil Lawlor), assistant greenkeeper, assistant barman and caddymaster.

"When I was 20 I was appointed professional at Carlow Golf Club. I stayed there for seven years before moving to Foxrock where I worked from 1957 to 1963.

"A delegation arrived from Bangor at that point and offered me the professional's job. I had got to know many of the northern contingent from my time in Carlow when playing in the Midland Scratch Cup.

"I stayed in Bangor for 12 years before moving to Royal County Down where I spent 17 great years. It was a wonderful golf course.

"In my youth there were far more domestic events for the professionals to play in compared to what's available today. I remember playing against Fred Daly, Harry Bradshaw and later on Christy O'Connor Snr. Five hundred people would come and watch an alliance match in those days.

"I have seen lots and lots of changes over the years and not all for the better. I remember playing against Harry Bradshaw in Rosses Point and it lashing rain all day. There we were ringing the water out of our underpants; there were no such things as showers in the clubhouse.

" I had a little Ford Anglia car. Bradshaw, Ireland's best golfer in that era, did not own a car. Can you imagine that nowadays? We jumped into the car and I drove him back to Carlow."

During his half-century many apprentices have come under Jones' tutelage. He fondly recalls one such scamp.

"I remember David Feherty sweeping out the floors in the shop at Bangor. He was quite a character and I enjoyed coaching him. It was a great disappointment when he gave up the game. He had wonderful natural ability. I was there the day he beat the late Payne Stewart at Kiawah Island in the Ryder Cup."

So what would be say to any youngster hoping to embrace the life of a professional golfer?

"There are two types of professional; a golf professional and a professional golfer. For players of sufficient ability they should remain in the amateur game for as long as possible, establish their reputation, win championships, play all the team events and then go for the card.

"For those who may not make that standard, a golf professional's life is lovely and very rewarding. They receive first class training in all facets of the game and there are major opportunities. Many professionals go on to become Directors of Golf at clubs. It's a marvellous life."