A portrait of Brian McElhinney, North West Golf Club's "most famous member," hangs in the clubhouse. Photo: Scott Michaux, Global Golf Post
LISFANNON, IRELAND | In the cozy and well-appointed clubhouse bar and lounge – with every wall that isn’t a window overlooking Lough Swilly covered in pictures and crests and trophies – one item stands out. It is the only artifact with its own light source illuminating it, a sort of shrine within the shrine that is North West Golf Club’s clubhouse.
“Who is that?” I asked, pointing at the portrait across the room in the lofted area opposite the bar.
“That’s our most famous member,” said Jimmy McFadden, the current club president.
Stepping up for closer inspection, I immediately recognized the face. “Brian McElhinney,” the placard read. “Irish International, North of Ireland Champion and European Champion, 2003.”
“I know him,” I said to McFadden. “I met him at the Georgia Cup before he played in the Masters.”
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