With the start of the golf Open Championship Carlow has a historic link to a former champion

With the start of the golf Open Championship this weekend at Royal Troon in the United Kingdom, Carlow has a historic link to a former Open Champion.

As highlighted by Carlow Library on their social media channels, Carlow Golf Club has hosted a former Open champion golfer. Gene Sarazen from the USA, who was Open Champion golfer in 1932.

The post by the Carlow County Library highlights a great story from the champion golfer circa 1963.

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The news story reads:

"From time to time Carlow Golf Club has played host to famous golfers but pride of place must go to that 'King of Clubs' American Gene Sarazen, who with Australian Joe Kirkwood gave an exhibition in Carlow in 1934.

Sarazen at the time was the world's finest golfer while Kirkwood was a master trick player. Jim Jordan recalls a very amusing incident during the exhibition. Sarazen had par figures on the first three holes and after playing his second on the forth which feel short of the green he turned to the captain, Mr. O'Donnell and said that the distance on the card was inaccurate, as he had fallen short with his second shot. Afterwards, the captain pondered on Sarazen's comment and had the hole measured. Sarazen's amazing accuracy was perfectly correct."

The full post by the Carlow Library can be found by following the link HERE or by following the post below this article.