Golden Bear set for Galway!

One of the greatest golfers of all time – Jack Nicklaus – will make his first ever visit to Galway when he takes part in Christy O’Connor Junior’s Celebrity AM Golf Day, in aid of Galway Hospice, at Galway Bay Golf Resort on Monday, July 6.

Affectionately known as ‘The Golden Bear’, Nicklaus won a total of 18 major championships in his 25-year professional career while his career total of 73 PGA tour victories has left him third on the all-time list behind Sam Snead and Tiger Woods.

Although the American retired in 2005, he showed he lacked nothing of his deft touch when the six-time Masters champion recorded a hole-in-one at this year’s Masters Par 3 contest at Augusta, much to the delight of the gallery.

Speaking to the Tribune this week, an excited Christy O’Connor Junior was delighted to announce Nicklaus’ intention to play in the Celebrity AM Golf event. “I played a lot of golf with him in America,” said Mr. O’Connor Jr. “and it will be great to have him here.

“We have kept in contact [over the years]. I partnered him in two of his British Open wins, in 1970 and 1978, in the mid rounds. He is a player who has had a lot of great wins and it is amazing to think now that he should be coming to Galway.”

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.