The CSGA Links Volume 2 Issue 3 May, 2014 | Page 27

Pictured: The Mourne Mountains and the Irish Sea frame the opening holes
at Royal County Down; like the entire island, an enchanted, magical place

of Ireland Championship, played at Lahinch, had
just been won by a 21 year-old named Darren
Clarke. I’d never heard of Clarke, but from his
quotes in the news story and the picture of his
big grin plastered all over the paper, there was
something immediately likable about him.

After some sightseeing in Dublin I arrived
at Mullingar on Friday, hit some balls and played 9
holes. I was sitting in the club bar with a sandwich
and a pint when the big kid I’d seen in the
Irish Times walked in. It was an odd scene. An
entourage of old men trailed behind him scurrying
like groupies, each trying to be the first to reach

the bartender to buy young Darren a Guinness.

He was still wearing the grin when we shook
hands. I congratulated him on his victory in the
South and he surprised me by saying, “Oh, you’re
the college coach I’ve been hearing about who’s
come to play.” Flattered that I had attained some
notoriety before hitting a single shot, I bought the
next round.

I was eager to see first hand if the kid was
as good as the entourage and the Irish Times
had everyone believing, and we agreed to play a
practice round the next morning at 8:00am.

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Connecticut State Golf Association

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