GOLF: Derry influence kept Irish Open on course at Portstewart

EVERY top craftsman will take pride in his work and Brian McConway is no different.  Limavady man McConway is the Deputy Course manager at Portstewart Golf Course and this week the cream of world golf will descend on the North Coast for the Irish Open. Pep Guardiola and Jamie Dornan were among those who joined Rory McIlroy for Wednesday’s Pro-Am, before the competition commenced for real on Thursday. For the 15 strong team of ground staff, it will be the culmination of a year of work for one of the leading sporting events in the calendar. “All the prepping is done now.  Last week we were grooming and this week we will be following that up,” explained McConway. “We knew we were getting it last year, so we have been preparing since then but you don’t really know what the season is going to bring.  It was a cold enough spring, so you have all those things to consider – like what you do and what fertiliser you use.” McConway’s home was close to Roe Park and with an interest in landscaping he enquired about a job and worked there for 11 years before moving to Royal Portrush. “I stayed for two and a half years and I am now Deputy Course manager at Portstewart Golf Club and this is my 14th year.” Among the team in Portstewart, are two other County Derry men:  “There is Rodney McLoone working with us now, he is from Castlerock and joined the team about four years ago.  There is a Dutchman, Ingmar Wolbert who moved to Limavady and he is here a couple of years.” With over 40 volunteers coming from all over the Europe and America, it spells the magnitude of this week’s event. With the high profile, it brings a totally different level of detail, as McConway adds: “There is a lot of detailed work carried out now, before we would have overseen it but now everything needs to be in place.  It has to be right, there is no other way. “There is over 450 million households going to be watching it, so it is important to get it right.  There is no second chances – you see what TV is like now, every wee indent is picked up.  We have it in fairly good shape.” McConway’s path down his career path didn’t start with golf but over the years that has changed.  Trips to Royal Portrush, to Ballyliffin and Royal County Down are a regular occurrence. “We would head away on different days and have a look around us.  We would take a half-day away, a couple of times a year - you have to see around you and see what other clubs are doing.” Last year Rory McElroy was the champion but this year he is the host.  For McConway and the staff at Portstewart Golf Club – there will be a pride of their work being in the view of sporting fans across the globe.