A Gentleman, a Scholar, and a Judge of Good Liqueur

I can think of no better acclamation to Darren Clarke than to place him on a pedestal alongside his fellow countryman, the late Fred Daly (1912-1990). Darren possesses similar attributes, he loves playing golf and believes in following the Walter Hagen philosophy of "taking time to smell the roses". Like Fred, Darren enjoys talking with the fans and greeting them with a smile, although in the recent past he has done so with a heavy heart due to the loss of his dear wife, Heather.

Fred was the first Irishman to win The Open Championship in 1947 at Royal Liverpool and finish no lower than fourth in subsequent years. He was British Matchplay Champion three times and also victorious in several major professional tournaments during his career. He played in four Ryder Cup Teams and won numerous tournaments in his native Ulster.

Fred Daly was a superb raconteur and could hold an audience spellbound with his tales from being a caddy and through his life as a professional.

Some of his memories included how Henry Cotton, Ryder Cup captain in 1953 "syked" the American pair of Walter Burkemo & Cary Middlecoff into defeat by insisting Fred team up with his fellow Irishman, Harry Bradshaw in the foursomes.

Harry had a peculiar grip of one hand on top of the other (some called it a banana grip) whilst Fred because of his height (5'6") had a very long shaft on his driver and also had a very pronounced sway to the left on his backswing. This seemed to mesmerize their opponents and put them entirely off their game !

As a sportsman Fred was impeccable. Much against the odds and nearing the end of his career, he reached the semi-final of The Ulster Professional Championship at Bangor GC where he had to meet his assistant, Eddie Polland, who was more than half his age.

The match was all square on the long 15th tee (par 5) whre Fred had the honour. He crashed his drive right down the centre and Eddie followed suit finishing a few yards in front. Fred use a brassie and ended short of the green, Eddie with his spoon covered the flag all the way and ended 6" from the hole. The huge crowd around the green remained silent because they wanted "the auld man" to win.

Fred lifting his ball, conceeded the hole and admonished them with "ARE YOU ALL HANDCUFFED, THAT'S THE BEST SHOT YOU WILL SEE IN A MONTH OF SUNDAYS, COME ON GIVE THE YOUNG FELLAH SOME ENCOURAGEMENT"  Polland won by one hole and went on to win the title.

Fred Daly is buried in a small churchyard overlooking the 17th fairway of his beloved Dunluce couse at Royal Portrush and on his gravestone the simple wording: Open Champion 1947. Beloved husband and father.

I personally am very proud to have made a small part in the erection of a plaque marking his contribution to golf above his birthplace in Dunluce Street, Portrush.

Fred, I am positive,is on some Elysium fairway, smiling down on the achievements to date, of his successor, the man from Dungannon, Co.Tyrone.