PADRAIG Harrington’s presence in Seapoint Golf Club on Thursday attracted fans and autograph hunters, as the Ryder Cup star scooped the top prize in The Links Society outing, shooting a 70, two under par, in windy conditions.

Harrington’s easy-going manner and friendly personality delighted hundreds of fans as he chatted and posed for photos during the day.

As he accepted his prize he complemented Seapoint on the superb condition of the links course, maintained by local golfer, Declan Brannigan of Brannigan Design. ‘Seapoint has progressed further in the past 10 years than any course I have ever seen,’ said Harrington.

Prizes of Waterford crystal were presented by Cecil Whelan, chair of the Links Society, whilst Society president, local professional Des Smyth, was unable to play as he is currently competing in USA.

70 players competed, including many from clubs in the area, namely Seapoint pro David (Skippy) Carroll who came in third with a very respectable 73. Former captain of Laytown Bettystown GC, Jimmy Clynch came in sixth on 76. County Louth GC member Barry Reddan, Club pro Paddy McGuirk and secretary manager Michael Delaney all represented the Baltray club.

Seapoint captain Alan Reilly from Termonfeckin was delighted to welcome Europe’s top earning golfer, Padraig Harrington, to the Termonfeckin course.

‘I’m delighted to welcome Padraig here during my captaincy and thanks to Cecil for organising the Links,’ said Alan, who wished Padraig, Des Smyth, Gary Murphy and all the Irish pros all the best for the 2004 tours.

Harrington was the first man in Seapoint on Thursday, warming up by 8.30am for a 10.30am shotgun start.

With a large crowd following him around the 18 holes, he shot a 70 – two under par – four birdies on the 2, 13, 16 and 18th holes and two bogies on the 8th and 9th.

Harrington’s caddy was Martin Lawless, well known on both Seapoint and Baltray courses. Despite being serious about his game, he facilitated everybody from the serious golfer to local school children who turned up in great numbers. All agreed that Harrington, Europe’s top ranked golfer in the world, is ‘an absolute gentleman’.

Seapoint member Andrew Maher followed Harrington for the first nine holes, describing him as ‘perfection in motion’. ‘It’s not often we get such an exclusive star to home ground,’ he said.

A charitable golf society, the Links has seen Cecil Whelan, 38 years as Hon Sec. The society contributes to a large number of Irish charities including the hospice, Special Olympics, Youth Federation and more. They made E4.2 million in the last seven years.

Six events are held per year including a Padraig Harrington Classic, Des Smyth Classic, Joe Dolan Classic, Pat Kenny Classic and the glittering Renault night.

Harrington has been playing in Links Society since he was 15 years of age, considering it an honour to play with the great players of the day.

‘It’s always a big deal for me to play in the Links,’ he said in his speech. ‘As a young amateur it was a thrill for me to play with the likes of Christy O'Connor Senior and Des Smyth.

‘The Links does great work for charity and it offers competitive winter golf, so any time I'm free I like to play in their outings. It's funny but in the 17 years I've been with the Society I've only won the nett prize twice – in my first year as a pro and now today.’

‘Padraig is a marvellous role model for Ireland,’ said Cecil Whelan. ‘We certainly have some great professional golfers here.’

Jimmy Clynch, 20 years a scratch golfer, and captain of Laytown Bettystown GC in 2001, played with Eamon Brady, profesional with Royal Dublin. ‘The event was well organised and the greens were fabulous,’ he said.

Paul Reilly from Maple Drive, Drogheda, had his first outing at the Links on Thursday, and enjoyed it. ‘It was a unique event. I was out with John Curtis who recently qualified for the Seniors Tour, and my caddy was Roddy Crimmins from Drogheda,’ he said.