MacCann's bash goes down a treat

Seated in the position of honour, Kitty MacCann appeared more than a little bemused by all the attention she was receiving. Yet the presence of so many old friends and former rivals left the organisers in no doubt about the success of the occasion.

Tullamore GC had encountered predictable difficulty in persuading their most famous member to agree to a function to mark the golden jubilee of her win in the British Women's Championship at the Broadstone club, Dorset, on June 7th, 1951. But a player, famously shy about her golfing achievements, had eventually agreed to last Friday's celebration.

So it was that she was reunited with Moira Earner, Irene Holland, Anne Crowley and Roly O'Neill, four colleagues on Tullamore's triumphant Irish Senior Cup team of 1958: Grace O'Brien, the sixth member of the side, sent apologies.

Distinguished contemporaries, Philomena Garvey and Clarrie Reddan, also sent apologies. But Lillian Behan was there, 16 years to the day since she had become the last Irish winner of the British matchplay title, at Ganton. Indeed, earlier this month, Ms MacCann watched Behan lose the final of the Midland Championship on a sixth tie hole at Tullamore.

Ms MacCann's one-time caddie, Dinny White, was also there. So was former Irish international colleague Aileen McCarthy, who had made an unavailing challenge at Broadstone. And Cathy Smith, president of the ILGU, attended, as did Leinster Branch chairman, Albert Lee, representing the GUI - all of which reflected the organisational skills of Tullamore's Leonard Dolan.

It was a time for fond reminiscences by Ms Holland who, as Irene Hurst, had been guided by Ms MacCann during her formative golfing years at Tullamore. And Ms MacCann recalled a "very happy foursomes partnership" with Ms Earner at international level.

As a footnote to events at Broadstone, the Sunday Press of June 10th, 1951, carried this fascinating little tale: "Proud father of Kitty, Mr G S Smye, timed his retirement as manager, Bank of Ireland, for last Wednesday. He chartered a plane for a family party to see Kitty play, but the plane landed at an unauthorised British airport and there was hell to pay."

It concluded: "After placating angry officials, Mr Smye saw his daughter win with 82 for the first 18 and two over fours for the last 15."