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.”