Swan delighted with success of One Armed event

Brendan Swan's dream of regaining the One Armed World Golf Championship title on his home course of Co Meath Golf Club, Trim ended in disappointment on Thursday evening, but it was still a proud week for the Trim man. Swan won the prestigious title 10 years ago at another Meath course, Headfort, but after years of campaigning to bring the championship to his home course his ambition was to emulate that achievement. After securing his place in the matchplay stage of the championship with an impressive 36 gross score, Swan signalled his intentions on Thursday morning with a whopping 8&7 victory over Scotland's Stuart Griffin. However, as the rain started to close in on the magnificent Trim course, the quarter-final clash with Sweden's Alex Hjalmarsson didn't go according to plan as Hjalmarsson made sure of his place in the last four with victory on the 17th to secure a 3&1 win. Ireland's only other representative to make it to the matchplay stage was Mullingar's Michael O'Grady, but after an impressive first round 4&3 win over England's David Bailey the Westmeath man lost out to Darren Grey by 4&3. Hjalmarsson edged out England's Gray by one hole in the semi-final and in the final the massive hitting Swede took on England's Robert Paul where he secured the title with a 1up win. The final was a close contest with never more than two holes separating the polayers. Hjalmarsson led by two holes with two play, but Paul won the 17th hole to force the final to the last hole. On the 18th green Hjalmarsson holed out and waited as Paul missed a three foot putt which would have won the hole and forced a play-off. However, Hjalmarsson held on to claim the World title. Hjalmarsson's smile at clinching the title was matched only by the beam across Swan's face as he spoke proudly of hosting the event at his home town club. "The week has been a great success and I'm delighted with that. The feedback from our society members has been excellent. I haven't heard any complaints, but everyone has really enjoyed the week," said Swan as the final pair made their way down the opening fairway. "The social nights here at the club have been very good. It really was a roaring success and I really want to thank my own club, Co Meath. "The whole club were fully behind this event. It was a great honour to get the event here and there was no stone left unturned. Everyone came out to help, even Dad's army, the seniors, came out to help. "Everyone came out to help the greenkeeping staff. They were all working away at 7.0 in the morning emptying bins and cleaning up around the place. "On as personal note a lot of people look at me as one of the favourites for the event because it was my own home course, but it wasn't to be. "There was a bit of pressure early on when I was trying to qualify for the matchplay, but once I qualified I was quite happy. I played solid golf in the first round to win 8&7, but then I came up against Alex Hjalmarsson. "I also played solidly against him and all that was in it at the end was a putt or two before he beat me on the 17th. "The standard of golf has improved every year and it keeps getting better. We have nine players here this week all playing off single figures so it is getting tougher and tougher," said Swan. The physical disadvantages of playing with only one arm ensured that players were tired at the end of their rounds, but the format of the competition made it even tougher. However, Swan praised the stamina of the players and maintains that the high standard of golf played on a regular basis by the one armed players ensured they were able to maintain high quality golf. "The format for this championship is pretty tough, but for single figure handicappers it is a lot easier because the qualification process is a gross score. The handicaps don't come into it, so the quality players always tend to excel," said Swan. "In the matchplay there are no shots given to handicaps, so it is all gross golf. The two finalists are eight and seven handicappers, so it is clear that they are the best players." As well as the golf and the competitive nature of the World championship the social aspect of the week long tournament also added to the occasion. "The social aspect of the tournament is very important because the players all have family and friends who travelled with them. "They are all here to support their husband or partner or friend, but they also need a social aspect and we had some great nights here in the club. The club members were great and they all came out each night, so it was great," concluded Swan.