Spa’s farewell to Hugh

Spa’s farewell to Hugh

19 December 2018

SPA Golf Club brought a unique six-decade era to a close on Saturday when its longest playing member Hugh Hegan left for pastures new.

Club captain in 2005 and president two years ago Hugh has been a keen and regular competitor on the Spa fairways since his father — also called Hugh — introduced him to the sport in 1959.

Captivated by golf from the very beginning, Hugh played to a handicap of two at his peak and along the way established himself as one of the leading contenders at Spa.

Over the years Hugh, who now has a highly respectable handicap of 11, has won many trophies including the Spa Cup — as a teenager in ‘67 — Captain’s Day events and represented the club on Senior Cup, Junior Cup and Ulster Cup teams.

As he said farewell to his many friends at Spa, before leaving for St Andrew’s in Scotland with his wife Anne to be closer to their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, Hugh reflected on the changes to the club which he will always call home.

“When I joined it was just a nine-hole course at the old Spa.

“The facilities were basic to say the least. There was no bar or anything like the amenities the modern complex and the  magnificent 18 hole course offers today,” he said.

“I am very sorry to leave Spa. I’ve many great memories of this club and made a lot of friends here. But on a positive note I am looking forward to playing links golf at St Andrew’s,” he added.

Spa captain Brian McClure said the club was sorry to be losing such a long-serving and established member,but on the plus side Spa would now have a new St Andrew’s correspondent.

“We will all miss him and I know I speak for all his friends at Spa when I wish Hugh and Anne a long, healthy and happy retirement in their new home in Scotland,” he said.

“On a personal level I am losing a valued and established playing partner. Hugh has played with Sam Poole and myself every week for 15 years. Good times,” the captain added.

Before leaving Spa, Hugh — on behalf of his mid-week golf partners ‘The 12 WW’ — presented the captain with three sets of coloured pin flags to indicate the front, middle of back of the greens.