Dunshaughlin golfer's Nicklaus memories on US channel
A Dunshaughlin golfer's memories of Jack Nicklaus famous 1986 Masters win is being televised this week on the USA-based Golf Channel as part of its Masters coverage.
The Golf Channel is based in Orlando, Florida, and is responsible for providing the golf coverage on TV from the American PGA Tour, available here on Sky Sports.
Kevin Farrell, who plays golf at Black Bush golf Club in Dunshaughlin, explains: 'Sometime ago they put out a call on their Facebook page for people to tell their stories of the famous 1986 Masters win by the then 46 year-old Jack Nicklaus. I remembered that win very well as it had drawn me in to the weird and wonderful world of golf so I wrote a short story and, to my surprise, I received a reply later on that they liked the story and would like to send a film crew to record it.'
The Golf Channel is producing a documentary on Nicklaus' win to coincide with the 30th anniversary of his unexpected triumph and last Major win. This win was unexpected because popular wisdom had it that no one at the age of 46 would be capable of turning back the clock and beat everyone else at any prestigious sporting event much less the famed Masters. Viewers could expect that the old pro would show a bit of the flare he once possessed and he would not disgrace himself. He would wave to the appreciative crowd who remembered his prime and then fade in to the clubhouse as we awaited the real winner. Seve Ballesteros was the popular choice of most Europeans as not only had he donned the green jacket before he was this time fighting to win for his gravely ill father back in Spain.
Drama ensued when, after a moderate first nine on the final day, Nicklaus poured in five birdies in a row and completed the back nine in only thirty strokes to a par of thirty six. The roars that thundered around Augusta seemed to affect the then leader, Seve, who proceeded, very surprisingly, to hit a very poor shot on the birdieable 15th hole in to the water in front of the green.
Kevin explains: 'The excitement that I and my wife Joan (both non-golfers at this stage) was amazing. I was 35 and, I thought, way past any competitive sport but here was a 46 year-old winning such a prize! I started out the next week in the driving range then on to nine holes on public courses and then I was lucky enough to join the newly opened Black Bush Golf Club in Dunshaughlin. I progressed along with the developments of the course and when the twenty seven hole course and clubhouse opened I started winning the odd thing. My addiction complete I became the mad golfer I am today. Jack Nicklaus has a lot to answer for!'
The film crew interviewed Kevin and Joan, and Black Bush Professional Shane O’Grady for five hours at Black Bush recently.