Christy O'Connor and Royal Dublin

Irish people have a special place in their heart for sporting heroes. Christy O'Connor is one such hero. He blazed a trail through the world of professional golf in the 1950s, '60s and '70s. The first golfer ever to win a five figure sum in Europe, Christy represented Great Britain and Ireland on ten consecutive occasions in the Ryder Cup and played for Ireland in a remarkable 15 World Cups, famously winning in 1958.

Christy O'Connor joined Royal Dublin in 1959 as club professional, and his association with the club continues to this day. In 1988, the members expressed the esteem in which they hold this great golfer by conferring Honorary Life Membership on Christy. Nearly forty years on, Christy's eagle-birdie-eagle finish to win the Carroll's International at Royal Dublin in 1966 still ranks as the finest finish to any Irish professional golf tournament and is a special memory.