Spa club legend Bobby honoured by members

Spa club legend Bobby honoured by members

27 January 2016

SPA Golf Club legend Bobby Wallace, a former Irish international golfer, has been accorded the ultimate accolade by club colleagues after their new members’ lounge was named in his honour.

Club Captain Harry Walsh officially declared ‘The Wallace’ open on Saturday as a large crowd of members and friends gathered for a Burns Night celebration.

Bobby, who is 78 and still plays to a handicap of six, has won practically every major amateur golf title and trophy in Ireland and Britain and is well known and respected wherever the sport is played.

These include the Michael Henley Trophy for the top senior in Ireland as well as the Connaught, Leinster and Ulster Veterans titles and the Co Down Senior title on five occasions.

North Antrim native Bobby, who did not take up the sport until he was in his 30s — at one stage he was playing off a one handicap — was the British Police Champion in the 1986.

He represented Ireland on a number of occasions including Home Internationals here, in Britain and on the Continent. One of his team blazers has been framed and hangs in The Wallace.

His contribution to Spa Golf Club over many decades has been incalculable. He served the club both as captain and president and has voluntarily worked long hours on the course, using his recognised horticultural skills to enhance and improve a facility which is widely acclaimed.

In addition, as Harry Walsh pointed out, Bobby has also won “the odd mid-week ball, a few Saturday competitions the odd gross event” at his home club.

“Anyone who has had the pleasure of playing a round with Bobby will tell you that, as well as being a great golfer, he is also one of life’s true gentlemen,” the captain said.

“He has been a great servant to the club over the years and also a great ambassador for us.

“Everywhere you go and mention Spa Bobby’s name gets mentioned. I think everyone will agree that Bobby’s name for the new lounge is without doubt most fitting.”

Bobby admitted he was shocked when the proposal to name the lounge in his honour was first put to him as he believed everything he had achieved in his sport he owed to Spa Golf Club.

He thanked the many club members and officers who had worked so hard in the preparation of the new lounge.

He paid tribute to Mike Porter, the 2015 captain, father and son team Pat and Aidan Savage, caterer Feargal Carton and his team, Jimmy and Ursula Kelly, John and Vivienne Abernethy, and many others.