Members celebrate as a local hero swings and putts into Open history

It has become a bit of a habit for Stackstown Golf Club. "We're getting used to it now. The novelty is probably gone off it," quipped Tom Culligan, a founder member of the Rathfarnham, Co Dublin club where two-time British Open champion Pádraig Harrington learned his trade.

As the club last night celebrated its most famous member's victory, it was party time in the clubhouse.

Earlier, many members had watched their Stackstown hero swing and putt to victory. "We would never say we were confident of victory, but once he got over the first two days we knew he was in the hunt," added Tom, who often watched Harrington in his early days.

For the British Open, "once he got around the first two rounds, we knew he was going to fare out pretty well".

Stackstown's captain Gerry Carter and vice-captain Noel Burke were in Royal Birkdale, but club president Eddie Ryan, who watched it on TV at Stackstown, was ecstatic.

"We're delighted. We're absolutely thrilled," he said.

"He's the first Irishman to achieve a British Open double and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. We're immensely proud of him, he is a tribute to the club and to the country."

Another founder member of the club, which originated from the Garda recreation club and started in 1976, Eddie spoke of Pádraig Harrington's "grit and determination".

"The first and second days were absolutely dreadful as regards rain. I wouldn't put a dog out in that but they were out there and played beautiful golf.

"And that shot on the 17th. He was a couple of shots to the good and he still went to the positive. He could have just played for the par and he went for glory."

And his caddy Ronan Flood came in for praise. "He's a great help. They're brothers-in-law and can have a good row and be great support . . . It is a two-person team."

Harrington's victory has had a huge impact on the club. Last year after his first British Open win, they had "juveniles queuing up to join and we have a waiting list as long as my arm. We're turning them away," said the club president.

It's had an international impact too.

"He's really big in America and the Scandinavians are visiting the club and asking is this were Pádraig Harrington played."