Family, friends and golfers yesterday gathered for the funeral of Heather Clarke who died at the weekend after a five-year battle with breast cancer.
Mourners were led by her husband and leading professional golfer, Darren, and her sons, Tyrone (8) and Conor (5).
Her mother, Ann, and brothers Mark and Matthew were among the hundreds who gathered at Ballywillan Presbyterian church, a few miles from Portrush where Heather grew up.
The funeral service was held in the same church where Darren and Heather married 10 years ago and where their two boys were baptised.
Darren's fellow golf professionals were represented by Paul McGinley, BBC commentator Ken Brown and by Northern Ireland professional Paul Leonard.
English cricketer Andrew Flintoff and soccer manager David O'Leary also attended the funeral service at the small rural church.
There were floral tributes from Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam, from officials of the European Tour professionals and from keen amateur golfer Ronan Keating.
The service was led by the Rev Stephen Williamson and assisted by the minister who officiated at the Clarke's wedding in 1996, retired minister the Rev Jim Frazer.
The coffin was taken from her mother's house where it is understood to have been for two days since arriving back in Co Antrim following the death early on Sunday.
In his homily, Rev Frazer made reference to Darren's competitive career, saying: "That day in March 1996 when you married her here in this church you really won the greatest trophy of your life."
He spoke of the Clarkes' love of life and sense of humour.
"They shared interests and loved life together," he said.
He told the congregation that Heather's response to Darren's international career was to become an avid shopper in the shops of the world.
The congregation was told that Heather Clarke wanted the 23rd Psalm to be sung at her funeral service and that her faith had carried her throughout her long illness.
The minister added that golfers attending the most recent European golf tour in Holland had worn black armbands and that at the US PGA in Illinois, the last of this season's majors that began last night, the funeral was marked by a prayer meeting led by US Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman.
Darren Clarke was among six pallbearers to carry the coffin from the church along the narrow country road to the nearby cemetery for burial as his mother-in-law and other relatives accompanied his two sons.