In 1985, at just 18 years of age, Peter Sheehan competed at his very first Pierse Motor Group South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship. Now, four decades on, the former champion returns to Lahinch to mark his 40th consecutive appearance at one of Ireland’s most prestigious amateur events.
As the South of Ireland prepares for its 123rd staging, Sheehan will be among the 150-strong field competing in the 36-hole Stroke Play qualifier tomorrow and Thursday, with the top 64 advancing to the Match Play stage, beginning Friday and culminating with the semi-finals and final on Sunday 27 July.
Clare native Sheehan has held the South and Lahinch in the highest regard since taking up the game of golf, always holding an ambition to play in and one day add his name to the illustrious list of winners. A dream that was realised in 1993 when he lifted the famous trophy.
“When I started playing golf, the first thing I ever wanted to do was to play in the South of Ireland, to get low enough to play in it and when I got into it, my ambition then was to win. Lahinch is a special place,” said Sheehan.
“They get massive crowds. I played against Michael O’Kelly (Limerick) in the final, there must have been 5,000 people there.”
Among those in the crowd that day was a future three-time major winner who walked the course as Sheehan claimed his play-off victory over O’Kelly, a memory that still stands out for the Ballybunion golfer.
“The abiding memory was watching Padraig Harrington and his girlfriend, wife now, Caroline strolling around watching us in the final, which is nice to see years later.”
Now 58, Sheehan’s love for the course and the championship remains just as strong, with the welcome he receives at Lahinch no different from the first year he returned as defending champion.
“They look after me every year, they make me feel so welcome as a past champion, and they make me feel as if I’m the winner coming back every year,” said Sheehan.
“They look after me so well, treat you so well, and it’s just a really, really special place. All down to Paddy Keane (Lahinch General Manager), who has an awful lot to do with it.”
Over the years, Sheehan has competed against many notable names, including past winners Darren Clarke (1990), Paul McGinley (1991), and Graeme McDowell (2000) while this week, he’ll be teeing it up alongside fellow former champions Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk), Stuart Grehan (Co Louth), and Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint).
With memories of 1993 and the excitement of a 40-year anniversary fresh in his mind, Sheehan has a clear goal this week as he prepares to do battle once more.
“My biggest goal is to get into the match play and take it from there. I’d fancy giving anyone a good game if I got through to playing a match against somebody. I’d just love to get through and win a few matches. It’d be lovely,” said Sheehan.
“A couple of putts go in, or something lucky happens, and you could win a match here and there. It’s a religion for me at this stage to go back every year.”
While the game has changed significantly over the past 40 years, with Sheehan noting the evolution of equipment and the rising standard of amateur golf, one constant has remained, his mother Patsy, who will once again be by his side this week.
“She walked every hole for those 40 years,” said Sheehan.
“She’s 86 now and will follow me again this year.”
The South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship gets underway at 7am on Wednesday morning with local Lahinch member Danny Lyne, Morgan O’Sullivan (Ballyneety) and 2018 champion Caolan Rafferty beginning proceedings before Sheehan begins his championship alongside Karl Bornemann (Douglas) and Sean Barry (Fota Island) from 2.30pm.
