Tom Watson is prepared to attend several important club events during his spell as the millennium captain of Ballybunion GC. It will mean at least four or five trips across the Atlantic for the player who will be deeply involved in USPGA Seniors' tournaments at that stage.
The decision to honour the five-times British Open champion in this way will be formalised at Ballybunion's a.g.m. on FEBRUARY 26th on the nomination of incoming captain Fintan Scannel. Which means that the incoming vice-captain, Bob O'Sullivan, is probably set for a two-year stint in that role.
"When Fintan and myself contacted Tom to tell him the news, he had no hesitation in accepting," said Jim McKenna, the secretary/manager of Ballybunion, yesterday. "In fact he was thrilled, absolutely delighted."
McKenna went on: "Tom is familiar with the structure of club golf in this part of the world, so he knows what the role of captain involves. We're currently working out a schedule for him of the club's main functions during the millennium year and the feeling is that he will make at least four or five trips over here."
The first of those will probably be the millennium a.g.m. 12 months from now. Other obvious events would be the captain's prize and a proposed club millennium competition for the members.
Watson, who becomes eligible for the lucrative Seniors' Tour on his 50th birthday on September 4th, is already an honorary life member of Ballybunion. He shares the distinction with his good friend Sandy Tatum, a former president of the USGA, and with US President Bill Clinton, among others.
In his capacity as a tournament professional, it is also a fascinating coincidence that he will be sharing the distinction of club captaincy during millennium year with Bernard Gallacher, who is set to fill that role at Wentworth. He and Gallacher were rival Ryder Cup captains at The Belfry in 1993, the last time the Americans were victorious.
As reigning British Open champion, Watson first came to Ballybunion in 1981 by way of preparing for the defence of his title at Royal St George's. So began a love-affair which led to Watson declaring that Ballybunion was no less than the best course in the world.
That accolade, along with regular return visits to the club since then, contributed enormously to a dramatic growth in Ballybunion's green-fee revenue, especially from golfers in the US where Watson spread the gospel at every opportunity. And as McKenna put it, the millennium captaincy is the club's way of saying "thank you."
"Apart from the fact that Tom is a member of the club, there is a precedent for the bestowing of this type of honour," he explained.
Either way, it is a highly appropriate gesture which will adopt even greater significance for the club if, as expected, Watson undertakes a re-design of the controversial Cashen Course. He has already done valuable design work on the Old Course, notably on a recently reconstructed 18th.
He made a playing visit to the club with his son Michael, prior to the British Open at Royal Birkdale last July. Sadly, it failed to produce the required magic at a course where he won his last Open in 1983: Watson missed the cut by three strokes after a second round of 76. But he will be back again this July in preparation for Carnoustie, where he captured his first Open in 1975 after a play-off with Jack Newton.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods will make his first competitive appearance in continental Europe when he plays in the Deutsche Bank - SAP Open in Heidelberg on May 21st to 24th. It means that the world number one will be absenting himself from the Colonial Tournament on his home tour.
"This will be my first visit to Germany and I'm delighted to be playing in such a prestigious event," said Woods. "I'm looking forward to seeing you all in May."
Darren Clarke opened his European Tour campaign at Malaysian Open in the early hours of this morning. A heavy downpour on Tuesday night, followed by further thunderstorms yesterday, means placing of the ball is being allowed for at least the first round because of the wet fairways.
With a first prize of £75,000, the tournament is the first joint venture between the European Tour and Asian PGA and has been billed as "East meets West". Ireland's contribution to the cultural exchange will be made by Clarke, Paul McGinley, Padraig Harrington and John McHenry.
