Irish blind and vision impaired golfers took on their Scottish counterparts at a challenge match in the Royal Dublin Golf Club in September.

The event kicked off with a welcome dinner at the club, where a message of support was read out from Colm Murray, Honorary President of Irish Blind Sports. He reminded everyone of the great history of the club, invoking memories of the great battle between Seve Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer in the 1980s.

Hurricane Katya

The following day the golfers of Ireland and Scotland took on Hurricane Katya on the exposed links of the Royal Dublin Golf Club. The conditions were so windy that it was causing the ball to move on the greens and the first day’s play was truncated to 14 holes as a result. The weather forced a slight alteration in the rules of golf, with the teams agreeing to mark the ball on the green while putting and to replace the ball if it moved at address.

The wind abated from severe gale force on Monday to storm force on Tuesday. This was a pleasant relief to the players and guides. Walking was still difficult but at least people were not being blown over! The relentless weather did not in any way dampen the competitive spirit and determination of the golfers and their guides to play good golf shots. The feeling was that if everyone had come this far we were going to have a match. David Kennedy, representing the members of the golf club, conveyed his admiration of this determination when he spoke at the gala dinner.

The players were delighted and honoured by the presence of Christy O’Connor Senior, one of the worlds leading professional golfers, now 87-years-old, who came out to watch the play on the notoriously difficult 10th hole on the first day. Christy amazed everyone by coming along on the second day as well. Indeed he was heard to say that if the blind golfers were able to go out in these conditions, he was going out too!

Broadcaster and sports commentator, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, was the guest speaker at the gala dinner. He enthralled everyone with stories of sport and its personalities. Micheál also presented the cup to the winning captain, Ally Reid.

Results

Scotland won by 5 ½ to 3 ½
First Days Play
Monday Greensomes (Ireland first)
Willem Roode and Drew Cochrane lost to Ally Reid and Gerry Kelly 3 and 2.
Paul O’Rahilly and Michael Gardner halved with Allan Morgan and David Patterson
Peter Gorey and Tommy Reidy lost to Charlie Forbes and John Imrie 3 and 1
Tuesday Singles (Ireland First)
Tommy Reidy beat Ally Reid 6 and 5
Peter Gorey lost to Charlie Forbes 4 and 3
Drew Cochrane beat David Patterson 3 and 2
Michael Gardner beat Allan Morgan by one hole
Paul O’Rahilly lost to John Imrie 5 and 3
Willem Roode lost to Gerry Kelly 3 and 2

The Irish Blind Golf Society is grateful for the support we receive from the Irish Sports Council and the NCBI, through IB Sports. For further information about blind golf, go to our website www.irishblindgolf.ie.