IF CLUB golfers were asked to draw up a short list of their ideal pro am partners, it is likely David Feherty would be among the more popular candidates. So, the Ulsterman is certain to have had the good wishes of those within the game, professionals and amateurs alike, on his return to competitive action in South Africa this week.
The point is highlighted by reaction to Feherty's recent troubles, arising from the break up of his 10 year marriage. A typical example was the letter I received from Tony Murray of Letterkenny, by way of response to a piece on Feherty in these columns last month.
Murray wrote: "About 14 years ago, when he was a young and inexperienced pro, prone to the odd flash of club throwing, I was Feherty's partner in a pro am at Portnoo. We finished down the field, despite a good first nine. The following year he came back to Portnoo. On seeing me in the clubhouse he remembered my name and inquired `How's the game?'"
"After a few further pleasantries, he left me to start out on his round. Later that day I went into the bar where the steward, Sean, informed me: `There's a pint here that was left for you by a young fellow called Feherty'."
I'm sure there have been numerous other instances of Feherty endearing himself to pro am partners, which, of course, is as it should be. Unfortunately, however, some of his professional colleagues don't always see things that way. For my own part, I have had some fairly grim experiences in pro am situations and know of others who could recount similar tales of woe.
On one occasion, while playing in the Irish Open Pro Am at Portmarnock, our British professional told us on the first tee: "This is a practice round for me and I won't be looking for any balls." And he was as good as his word. Then there was the performance of an Irish club professional who, on a particularly bad day for me, laughed derisively at my efforts while dislodging large divots from the greens in anger at his own, poor putting.
It may be revealing that some of my most enjoyable pro am experiences have been with the older brigade, among whom Christy O'Connor Snr stands apart, for his generosity of spirit. That is not to diminish the admirable qualities of Watty Sullivan, Don Patterson, Ernie Jones and Paddy Skerritt.
As for Feherty: apart from picking his parents rather well, there may be some significance in the fact that his first job as an assistant professional was at Balmoral, under Fred Daly. As one of the more accomplished graduates of the old school, Fred would have been keenly aware of those qualities, so admirably exemplified by O'Connor.
"I don't care who you are, if you play 10 times a year and your opponents play 30, no matter which tour, they are going to beat you," Jack Nicklaus.
UTOPIA is at hand. I am informed of a golfing society which is ready to care for my needs, not only now but for the foreseeable future. It owes its existence to the ingenuity and sensitivity of category one golfer Pat Butler, who, among other things, was in the Tramore teams which completed the national double of Senior Cup and Barton Shield at Killarney in 1992.
I refer to the "Baldy Men's Golf Society of Ireland", which is set to have its inaugural outing at Faithlegg next month. Though I emphasised that my, current status would be regarded as "receding", Butler assured me that I qualified on the basis of potential.
Naturally, there are some other requirements for membership. Tonsures are considered cheating. And the society insists that: "If you wear a divot, it must be removed before playing." Otherwise, there are no restrictions. As Butler suggests: "Keep a clear head and let's have a ball."
LAST summer, Steven Reid was informed of his appointment us chief marshal for the 125th British Open at his club, Royal Lytham and St Annes, on July 18th-21st of this year. Among other things, the appointment involved meetings with the Royal and Ancient and his own, specially headed notepaper.
Irish enthusiasts, particularly those in the vicinity of Rosses Point, may know of Reid through his fine book Gel to the Point, a charming, personal history of Co Sligo GC. His father, Donald, who was born in Sligo, emigrated to England in 1940, but every August he returned on holiday to his roots, later with his children.
Steven, who followed his father into medicine, graduated from Dublin University before entering general practice in Lytham St Annes. And an enduring love of Rosses Point is reflected in his life membership of Co Sligo. Meanwhile, his many friends at the Connacht club, who were delighted by last summer's appointment, will now have to reassess the situation.
"As a complete shock, I have been informed that I am to be the club captain, taking over in April," said Reid yesterday. "Naturally it is extremely gratifying that I will have the honour of presenting the claret jug to the winner of the Open. By that stage I hope to be able to do a passable impersonation of looking comfortable in the job." His surprise at being so honoured is explained by the fact that Lytham do not have a vice captain.
His successor as chief marshal has yet to be named. When the appointment is made, however, Reid will be ready to hand over substantial correspondence, including the arrival of four marshals from the US. They are aiming to complete a marshalling "grand slam", having already officiated at the US Masters, US Open and USPGA Championship. And they forwarded newspaper cuttings to that effect, naturally.
Reid was only a nine year old when Lytham almost delivered an Irish winner of the British Open. That was in 1958 when Christy O'Connor, with a bogey at the 72nd, failed by a stroke to get into a play off in which Peter Thomson went on to beat David Thomas. "I missed that one but I saw the play off in 1963, when Bob Charles beat Phil Rodgers," he said.
SO delighted are the members of Kilrush GC with the course extension designed by Arthur Spring that they feel obliged to spread the good news throughout the land. In an impressive schedule, their first course of call, so to speak, is Galway Bay, where they are having a large outing today.
Club official, John Donnolly, tells me that "the decision to extend the course to 18 holes has paid off handsomely." He adds: "Our membership now reads like a European roll call with members from the UK, Germany, Sweden, France and Norway. Who knows, we may well be the training ground for a future Per Ulrik Johansson."
The Kilrush concept of "getting out and about" is already a splendid success, offering a lead to their more staid brethren.
In brief: Competitors on the Irish tournament circuit this season will be playing for £400,000 in prize money. The most lucrative pro am is the £20,000 Jersey European event at City of Derry on August 30th to September 1st . . . Emer Byrne informs me that her communications company has designed a course aimed specifically at lady vice captains to "help them approach public life with confidence." ... Gerry O'Mahony, the former Lansdowne rugby player, is this year's captain at Mount Juliet, where the lady captain is Isobelle Freaney, wife of Cyril Freaney, the former Dublin Gaelic footballer. . . Ballinasloe GC are offering attractive membership deals with no entrance fee: the annual subscription is £180 for full members and £100 for those living 50 miles from the club ... Old Conna GC are staging their inaugural Seniors Invitation Trophy on February 23rd ... Carlow GC would welcome any old scorecards, photographs, stories or mementoes for inclusion in a history to mark their centenary in 1999. Tel (0503) 31695 or fax 40065... During competition on January 10th at Ceann Sibeal, Ita Fitzgerald and Vera Curran both had holes in one at the par three fifth.
Teaser: In a match, A and B are all square playing the last hole. A plays a wrong ball in the rough and discovers the error before his next stroke. A and B go back to look for A's ball without any question being raised as to whether A had incurred a penalty. A's ball is found. A plays out the hole with his original ball and wins the hole and the match. Several days later, B claims the last hole and the match by virtue of the fact that A played a wrong ball. Is the claim valid?
Answer: No. A gave wrong information when he did not advise B that he (A) had incurred a penalty Rule 9-2. However, a belated claim by B was not valid for two reasons: 1 - It was not based on facts unknown to B'. 2 - The claim was made alter the result of the match was announced.
