HE'S been a golf professional for nigh on half a century, but the passage of time hasn't dented Bobby Browne's passion for the game in any way. On the contrary, his boundless energy and enthusiasm remain, and that much was certainly evident as 'RJ' was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Drogheda Independent Sport Star Awards last Friday night. Bobby, the resident professional at Laytown and Bettystown Golf Club for the last 43 years, received a standing ovation as he was called to the stage to collect his award.

And afterwards there were particular celebrations at the Boyne Valley Hotel table where Bobby was congratulated by wife Carmel and son Sean, Laytown and Bettystown's new Men's Captain Noel McGoldrick and his wife Phil and by his friends from the hotel.

Renowned for 'calling a spade a spade', as compere Gerry Kelly put it, the audience saw a softer side to the former Irish PGA chairman as he explained his love for the game – and in particular for coaching young players.

And afterwards, Bobby revealed that, at 67, he still gets a thrill out of competing and has more to achieve in the game.

'As a pro I remain at scratch and wouldn't have a snowball's chance of beating Padraig Harrington, but the way I'm playing at the moment I would make a four-handicapper.

'I still play competitive golf in the Super Seniors every year, though. That's played in Britain and my ambition would be to break my age.

'I'm 68 this year, and if I could do a 67 that would be a huge milestone which very few people have achieved, and it's something to strive for.'

Inevitably, though, the time actually playing the sport he loves is something which will diminish in the coming years, but that doesn't mean Bobby will be taking a back seat.

'It's been my whole life, but people think I play all the time and actually I have a varied lifestyle and so many things to do.

'I am a consultant on law cases, so they call me as an expert witness. When a fella gets hit by a golf ball, for example, I might be asked to estimate what speed the ball was travelling.

'I was involved in the admin of the PGA and I still run the pro shop at Laytown and Bettystown.

'I teach the children as well and I've helped introduce adult education courses in Louth and Meath where golf was put on the curriculum.'

After a late night, there was not even the luxury of a lie-in for Bobby on Saturday morning, as he explained.

'We have assessments in the morning. Each year we would have 400 children apply for membership, and we can only take about half that number this year. It's restricted by constitution.

'I am hoping that we continue to produce top-class players like we have done for the last so many years. We have always had a few on the international circuit and currently we have Robert Cannon who we hope will win a few events this year.

'We always said golf was for anyone from nine to 90, but now it's from six to 96.'

And with that, as the clock ticked past midnight, Bobby turned for home – but not before pressing his business card into this reporter's hand and promising to make a golfer out of him.

I'm middle-aged and don't play the game at all, but now that I know Bobby I honestly believe he could do it . . .