New golf star is unexpected visitor to Castlebellingham
Caroline Cowling, Drummeenagh Cottages, Castlebellingham, with her guestbook signed by Irish Open champion Shane Lowry (inset).
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CASTLEBELLINGHAM proved a good luck charm for surprise Irish Open champion Shane Lowry, who stayed with a local family during the Baltray tournament.
Caroline and Paul Cowling celebrated their most famous guest to date when they welcomed the amateur golfer to their self catering Drummeenagh Cottages in the village.
'It's a funny story because I didn't even know who he was when he first turned up!' laughs Caroline
'When he arrived in the golf gear, I had to ask him if it was the Irish Open he was playing as he was just so quiet and unassuming.
But the Cowling family quickly learned just how talented their guest was when he began to appear as a real contender in the tournament.
'My two sons are real golf fans, and they were glued to it on TV. When I saw him playing I got an awful shock, as I recognised him straight away as the young man who was staying in one of our cottages with his caddy.'
The Lowry family also turned up at the cottages during the week to support Shane, said Caroline. 'We just left him to it, he came
' and went every day without anying.' one bothering him, and I think But the Cowling family got a that was best, although I'm a bit nice surprise when they saw a sorry we didn't get a photograph message in their visitors book with him now.' from the golfing champ when he
On the night before the final left on Sunday morning. day of play, Caroline said she Caroline explained: 'It is dated decided to leave a note on his May 17th, the day he won the door to wish him luck. Irish Open. It just says 'Caroline,
'I knew it was a big day, so I just thanks for everything during the wrote that we would rooting for week, I really enjoyed my stay him, and not to worry about the here for many reasons as you may cottage, that he could leave his know.' key under the mat the next morn-
