Golden Bear pulls out of trip to Galway

People who had planned to go Bear-watching in Galway next week are set to be disappointed after the greatest golfer the world has ever seen has pulled out of a planned trip to the West.
Jack Nicklaus – known as the Golden Bear – was due to travel to Galway to take part in a charity golf fundraiser at the Galway Bay Golf Resort on Monday, which is being held in aid of the Galway Hospice.
Nicklaus, who won 18 Majors, was set to attract a massive crowd to the Oranmore golf club for the event, which is being organiser by course designer, Christy O’Connor Jnr, but a statement released before lunchtime yesterday has dashed the hopes of many golf fans in the West.
“The Christy O’Connor Jnr Galway Hospice Celeb Am would like to confirm that Mr Jack Nicklaus has postponed his forthcoming planned trip to Europe, which included a visit to Galway Bay Golf Resort to play in the forthcoming Galway Hospice fundraiser on Monday July 6, until a later date this season,” the statement read.
However, Mr O’Connor Jnr said that while there was disappointment that the American golfer would not be arriving next week, it was hoped he would include Galway on his schedule when he does travel to Europe later in the year.
“We are naturally disappointed to hear the recent news that Jack Nicklaus has for reasons beyond our control cancelled his forthcoming visit to Galway. We understand that the planned European trip has been rescheduled for a later date this season and we look forward to hosting Jack Nicklaus in Galway then,” he said.
Organisers says Monday’s fundraiser will see more than 200 golfers taking to the fairways, with teams of four costing €1,400. The golf will be followed by a black tie gala dinner in the newly-renovated clubhouse.