This article is from page 88 of the 2009-07-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 88 JPG
A SHARK-ATTACK on the famous Claret Jug was planned in west Clare last week as new British Open cham- pion Steward Cink (pictured below) and two-time champion Greg Nor- man held court in Doonbeg.
Cink made the Doonbeg Lodge his home for the four days leading up to his historic British Open victory in Turnberry on Sunday, acclimatising to links conditions by playing Doon- beg, Lahinch and Ballybunion.
The American, who _ yesterday named Lahinch and Doonbeg as his favourite courses in Ireland, spent much of his non-playing time in Clare chatting with the Norman, who designed the course in Doonbeg.
Cink was very impressed with the condition of the two Clare courses.
“Played Doonbeg yesterday with the kids. Their first links. Course blew away my expectations. Only eight years old and looks ancient,” he posted on his Twitter account last NW istel @
During his time in Clare, Cink and his family also visited Miltown Mal- bay and the Cliffs of Moher.
According to John Dooley, Golf Professional at Doonbeg Golf Course, Cink and Norman were as thick as thieves in Doonbeg.
“It was really cool, Greg [Norman] was over here at the time and him- self and Stewart got on very well. They talked a lot a spent a lot of time together, I’m sure Greg might have been giving him a few tips about how to approach the Open,” he said.
‘He was down to get the feel for links golf and it certainly did that. He very much enjoyed the courses that he played over here. He said that he had a particular liking for the Ist and 18th here in Doonbeg and he also enjoyed the different elevations at Lahinch and Ballybunion.”
Cink captured his first major title on Sunday by defeating five-time champion, 59-year-old Tom Watson, in a four-hole play-off.