Golf club remembers Seve

Memories of the Shannon Golf Club Pro-Am events in the late ’70s were recalled this week when news of the death of Seve Ballesteros was announced.
The Spaniard was one of the leading attractions at the Shannon event that was played on the Monday after the Irish Open.
In the mid-’70s, Christy O’Connor Junior was attached to the Shannon club and he was instrumental in getting many of the leading professionals to play in the Shannon Pro-Am, which raised money for various charities.
In addition to the late Ballesteros, winner of 87 titles during his career, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam and Greg Norman also visited and played the Shannon course. Norman holds the record of having the longest drive and a special stone was erected on the 18th fairway to mark this.
“Back then, the Irish Open was staged the week prior to the British Open. The field of competitors in the Shannon event would do justice to any of the majors,” recalled Ennis man, Peter Considine.
Peter and Ruan’s Michael Moloney were instrumental in getting Christy O’Connor to take on the role of touring professional for the Shannon club.
The Pro-Am’s started in 1976 and ran until 1982. That year, Dubliner John O’Leary won the Irish open on the Sunday and then particapted in the Shannon event the following day.