THE unexpected death of Christy O’Connor jnr in Tenerife on Wednesday has been met with dismay and sadness by golfing fans.
After spending Christmas at his home in Killaloe, Christy went off for a holiday with his family in the Canary Islands where his tragic death occurred early on Wednesday. The late Christy (67) was a friend to everyone. Despite his world status in golf, he was a real down-to-earth colourful and jovial character who never forgot his friends.
He liked nothing better than to mix with his pals, have a singsong and enjoy a meal. He didn’t indulge in the high life, indicative of the fact that, when playing in the British Seniors’ Open Championship at Royal Portrush he stayed in a self-catering, farmhouse bungalow with his friends on the outskirts of the town.
Being christened Christy was a bit of a millstone around his neck as he would always be compared to his famous uncle Christy O’Connor but ‘Junior’ wore the mantle lightly and carved out his own successful trail in the game.
As a golfer, Christy was one of the best and his magical moment that helped clinch the Ryder Cup for Europe at The Belfry in 1989 is remembered fondly. That was when he rifled a two-iron approach from over 200 yards to four feet at the 18th hole to beat then world number one Fred Couples and secure the honours for his team. That two iron became as famous as the player as it appeared on the prize list of many raffles around Ireland for a long time.
Christy never won the PGA Irish Championship, but won the revived Carroll’s Irish Open at Woodbrook in 1975.
“He may not have won the Irish Championship but he was a staunch supporter of the event down the years,” said regional secretary Michael McCumiskey.
“He supported the PGA in Ireland by both playing in the championship and promoting it He opened many doors for us. He was well respected everywhere he went and he easily made friends. Our thoughts are with his wife Ann and the family.”
The Galway-born man was one of the elders of professional golf and along with the likes of Des Smyth, Eamon Darcy and Philip Walton, he formed group that stuck together on the European Tour. They played together, stayed together, ate together and socialised together.
“Christy was a legend with star qualities both on and off the course. A great friend to all professional golfers, including myself,” said Des Smyth.
Eamon Darcy partnered Christy in many competitions with considerable success: “I’m numbed and stunned at hearing the news of Christy’s death,” he said.
“He was a really great guy and a hell of a golfer.”
Among his many victories in golf, Christy O’Connor played on two Ryder Cup teams, 14 years apart. He also won four European Tour titles over a 27-year period plus the British Seniors’ title at Royal Portrush and Royal County Down. In America, he was quite successful on the Seniors’ Tour.
As well, he became a highly respected course designer and either designed or re-designed 18 courses in Ireland, including Concra Wood in Monaghan where junior and senior combined in planning.
Off the course, Christy always had time for anyone he knew. He never seemed to forget a face and always had a warm handshake. He helped many charities down the years with promotion and even colleagues who were taking shaky steps in business. He travelled to Belfast to help launch a range of bio-magnetic copper rings that are designed for relaxation.
Christy and his wife Ann had their own tragedy in 1998 when their 17-year-old son Darren died in a road accident. The way that Christy handled that tragedy was another measure of the man that people, even those who only slightly knew him, highly respected.
