As a youngster he spent hours on Stackstown's fairways and putting greens perfecting his game, and last night the new British Open golf champion, Padraig Harrington, came back to where it all began for him, writes Ronan McGreevy.
A thunderous roar greeted his arrival, along with that of the iconic Claret Jug, at the club in the Dublin mountains, when he made an unexpected appearance to present the prizes in an under-age golf tournament.
As a precocious 11-year-old, Harrington was part of the Stackstown team which won the inaugural Tilestyle Trophy back in 1983.
A picture of a shy looking Harrington with his head down was on display. He was a full six inches shorter than the other team members.
"I was trying to organise a night for him to come up," said Stackstown captain Tom Collins. "I told him the Tilestyle presentation was on and he said: 'I'll be right up tonight.'"
Harrington's voice cracked as he remembered his father, Paddy, a founder member, former club captain and president of Stackstown, a club which was founded by members of the Garda. He died of cancer two years ago just before the 2005 Open.
"The only comment I would make is that Jim and my Dad are probably up there thinking about this," he said as he clutched the most recognisable trophy in golf.
Harrington acknowledged the support of everybody in the packed clubhouse who had come out to see him.
"I know I'll always have your support back here in Stackstown," he said.
Earlier yesterday, hundreds of supporters gathered at Weston airport in Leixlip, Co Kildare, to welcome Harrington home. He landed in a private jet with his wife, Caroline, and young son, Paddy, shortly before 2.50pm.
Harrington, who took his first major title after a thrilling four-hole play-off with Sergio Garcia at Carnoustie on Sunday, said he always felt he would triumph even though Garcia missed an eight-foot putt to win the tournament.
"My name was destined to be on the trophy," he said.
He told an impromptu press conference at Weston: "In my quieter and more reflective moments, like when I'm in the shower, you just go, 'I'm the Open champion'.
"I went to bed at 4 o'clock in the morning and woke up at six. I was wide awake. I woke my wife up and said, 'I'm the Open champion.'
". . . She said, 'I can't believe it, there's the trophy . . . but can we go back to sleep?'"