The European Tour has announced that Pà¡draig O’hUiginn is to become a Life Vice President of the Tour in recognition of his pivotal role in cultivating professional golf in Ireland.
O’hUiginn who for 11 years, between 1982 and 1993, was Secretary of the Department of the Taoiseach, has been an integral figure in working closely with The European Tour in broadening the appeal of the game and developing the infrastructure of golf for Ireland’s tourism industry.
During that period of expansion, Ireland was awarded The 36th Ryder Cup Matches and the culmination of O’hUiginn’s efforts will take place in three years time when Ireland hosts the Matches for the first time at The K Club, Straffan, County Kildare.
O’hUiginn commented, “This is a great honour which I see as a symbol of the long-standing relationship between The European Tour and Ireland, where golf is such a widespread sport.”
Ken Schofield said, “The European Tour is delighted that Pà¡draig has accepted the offer to become a Life Vice President of the Tour. We have enjoyed a special relationship with Pà¡draig’s office for many years and he has been an integral figure in encouraging The European Tour’s development of golf in Ireland at a professional level, improving the infrastructure and enabling the country to host The Ryder Cup Matches in 2006.”
Born in 1924, O’hUiginn was educated at St Finbarr’s College, Cork, and University College, Dublin, before attending the University of Edinburgh where he graduated with an MSC in Economic and Social Planning.
A skilled linguist, he entered the Civil Service in 1941 and rose to the position of Secretary of the Department of the Taoiseach and worked in Geneva and New York during a distinguished career. At one point, according to ‘Who’s Who in Ireland’ he was “regarded by many as the most influential figure in the country.”
Golf has always been a great passion in O’hUiginn’s life and he is a past Captain of Druids Glen Golf Club, a member of Grange Golf Club and an Honorary Member of Ballybunion Golf Club.
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