Declan Smyth’s Captain’s Weekend for 2023 was a truly memorable event.
Set against the backdrop of Storm Betty, it proved to be a really tough golf challenge from start to finish.
On day one (Friday) Monaghan GAA legend Nudie Hughes was the only person to break par. Hughes coming home with a nett 68 (-4).
This gave Nudie a four shot lead going into Sunday's nine-hole playoff with 18 other contenders. Like his footballing days gone by Nudie's craft, experience and know-how ensured he eased his way home for a ten shot victory and was the only man to finish below par.
Whereas, Hughes has won three previous Captains Prizes.
The emotional scenes at our final green were a fitting end to an unforgettable weekend of golf.
The presentation night brought a standing ovation for the winner. Nudie Hughes, whose speech treated all too a little insight into his sporting philosophy.
A further distinction for Nudie was that he became the first recipient of our new Captain’s Prize Perpetual Trophy which is a replica in maple of the Open’s Claret Jug.
