Gaw out to keep tradition alive

One of the country's most accomplished club golfers will be seeking to embellish his reputation on a bigger stage when the General Accident Scotch Foursomes tournament gets under way at Foxrock on Sunday. Peter Gaw, almost a perennial champion at the host club, will be defending the title with partner John Sheehan.

The Gaw family have a distinguished association with this highly popular event in which 64 pairs from 20 South Dublin clubs go into action. As it happens, Peter's father, Harry Gaw, was the captain at Foxrock when the foursomes were revived under Dan McInerney's sponsorship in 1974.

Since then, there was a change in 1991 to the current sponsors who are now supporting the event for an eighth successive year. All the while, the tournament's appeal has grown significantly and Peter Gaw has been a part of that growth, as winner in 1994 with 11handicap John Cooney and last year with Sheehan, who plays off 13.

Meanwhile, he achieved almost total dominance of the club championship which, incidentally, was won by a promising young player named John O'Leary in 1966 and 1967 - 15 years before he became the last home winner of the Irish Open, in 1982. Gaw did considerably better than O'Leary at club level.

After a fine hockey career with YMCA, involving 29 appearances for Ireland at under-21 level and senior interprovincial status with Leinster, Gaw won his first club championship at Foxrock in 1987. He then proceeded to capture it every year until 1996, when he lost by two strokes to Paul Stirrat. And by regaining the title last year he took it for a 10th time in 11 years.

"The key to success at Foxrock is to hit the greens," said one-handicapper Gaw, as he and Sheehan set about preparing for the defence of their title. "The elevated nature of the greens makes it very difficult to get up and down."

As it happens, the charming, south-city nine-hole stretch is currently in excellent condition and when the mower blades are lowered next weekend the greens are certain to present a challenge worthy of the event.

Notable challengers for the home pair's title are former internationals Liam MacNamara and Val Smyth. MacNamara, now off two, will be partnered by 11-handicap Woodbrook colleague Myles Cunningham while Smyth, off four, is partnered by 12-handicapper Roy Douglas of Howth.