The CSGA Links Volume 2 Issue 3 May, 2014 | Page 30

I didn’t get back to Mullingar until almost midnight, and fortunately had a late starting time for the first of our 36-hole days. I met my caddy, a freckle-faced 12 year-old named Robert Shaw, and shortly after 10:00am we navigated the first hole in par. The atmosphere at Mullingar was both intimate and electric. The “parkland” course, par 35-37 72 was tightly woven through the lush countryside, and spectators weaved throughout trying to see as many shots as possible. I liked Robert Shaw right away. He was extremely shy, but he was a hard worker and eager to please. I tried to get him to talk, but he would just blush and reply with only a couple of words. As Above: Robert Shaw, an outstanding caddy who only spoke we approached the ninth tee he surprised me by when it was absolutely necessary tapping my arm and saying quietly, “Mr. Moraghan, Albert was as nice a man and as could I ask you a question?” He looked quite concerned, and I said, “Of accommodating an official as I’d ever met. “Of course, Michael. I’ll be happy to do it,” he said course, Robert. What is it?” He was stammering now, “Well, eh…ye see… instantly, “and if anyone says anything I’ll just tell would it be alright…would it be alright…if…if after them I made a mistake and it’s too late to change it!” the ninth hole…if I were to go to the toilet?” Paired with Darren and another rising star “You gotta go pretty bad?” I said. on the Irish amateur scene, Gary McNeill, we “Since the third hole!” he blurted out. The poor kid! I quickly said, “Look Robert, had a large gallery the following day and it was I’ll take the bag this hole and you can go on to the another enjoyable 36 holes. Robert Shaw took clubhouse. Just stay well off into the rough and I’ll good care of himself and my clubs and we made it around without an interruption. Leslie Walker meet you on the tenth tee.” “Oh thank you, Mr. Moraghan! Thank you ran away with the tournament, but we had a good very much!” and he was off like a thoroughbred at friendly battle within our own threesome. I came out on the short end, outplayed by both Gary and The Galway Races. Robert was refreshed and ready to go for Darren, but I wasn’t disappointed to finish tied for the back nine, and he was still in fine form when 9th overall at even-par 288. Sometime after we we finished the first 36 holes at 143, Below: Albert Lee - “as nice a man and finished Darren approached one under par. A wiry guy named Leslie as accommodating an official as I’d me and said, “Albert told me ever met” what you asked him to do. It Walker led at -7, and I was happy means a lot to me Michael, that enough to be in the top-10 and two you would do that.” Special shots ahead of Darren Clarke. guy that Darren Clarke. By now I’d become friends with I played one more round all the tournament staff, and while a few before flying home. Darren, groups were still finishing I approached J.P., and another player from the lead official, Albert Lee, and asked the Scratch Cup, Brian Shaw, him for a favor. were heading to County Louth “Albert,” I said, “I know I to prepare for their next shouldn’t be asking you this, but when tournament. When they invited you do tomorrow’s pairings, would me to join them it took me all it be possible for you to put me with of two seconds to say yes. Darren? Our scores are pretty close, so I don’t think anyone will notice.”