Irish golf in mourning after death of Dr David Sheahan, a Walker Cup star in 1963
FROM THE IRISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE
Former
Ireland international Dr David Sheahan, who was rated among the leading
players of his era and a Walker Cup star in 1963, has died at the age
of 76.
.
Below: David Sheahan receiving the Castletroy
Scratch Cup in 1965

Caption to picture: Dr David Sheahan on his way to victory at the Jeyes Pro-Am in 1962
Most
famous for his victory against the professionals at the Jeyes Pro-Am in
1962, the amazing Dr David Sheahan was the envy of his peers.
Sheahan
was a student prince at Royal Dublin on 6 June, 1962. Despite being
immersed in his medical studies at UCD, the then 22-year-old emerged
victorious after a 72-hole stroke play tournament featuring some of the
world’s biggest names including five Ryder Cup players. Sheahan’s
10-under par total of 282 was too good for likes of Christy O’Connor
Senior, Bernard Hunt, Dai Rees, Harry Weetman and Ralph Moffat.
Playing
the 18th in that final round, Sheahan made birdie for a one-shot win
over South African Denis Hutchinson. His success as an amateur among
professionals was unequalled in Europe for 45 years, not until Pablo
Martin’s win at the 2007 Estoril Open de Portugal.
The
golfing doctor gained international honours in 1961 and was selected on
the Great Britain and Ireland team for the 1963 Walker Cup at
Turnberry, where he won both his singles matches.
A
three-time winner of the Irish Amateur Close, Sheahan recorded his wins
at Co Sligo in 1961, Royal Dublin in 1966 and at his home club Grange
in 1970. He played 54 times for Ireland from 1961 to 1970, winning 25
matches and featured on victorious Irish teams at the European Team
Championships in 1965 (Sandwich) and 1967 (Turin)
“He definitely, in his spare time, became a legend,” said Des Smyth in conversation with Shane O’Donoghue for his book, Legends in their Spare Time. “He barely practised at all, as far as I know,” Smyth recalled.
In
fact, Sheahan played infrequently after the ’63 Walker Cup as he
concentrated on his medical career but he returned to the amateur scene
with a bang in 1966 when he won the second of his Irish Close titles
A
much loved member of Grange, Dr Sheahan served as club captain in
1993 and club president in 2009 and 2010. Even at the age of 73, he was a
force to be reckoned with on the golf course and was golfer of the year
at Grange in 2013, still a Category 1 player off a handicap of five.
Most recently, he played off six.
Beloved
husband of Maureen and loving father of Leonard, Darren and Lisa, he
will be sadly missed by his family, his grandchildren Ciarán, Mira and
Eilis, daughter-in-law Katarina, brother Gerry, sisters-in-law Doreen
and June, brothers-in-law David and Brian, nieces, nephews, relatives
and a wide circle of friends.
His removal takes place on Thursday evening to the Church of the Three Patrons, Rathgar, arriving at 5.30pm. Funeral Mass on Friday at 10am followed by burial at Kilmashogue Cemetery.
His removal takes place on Thursday evening to the Church of the Three Patrons, Rathgar, arriving at 5.30pm. Funeral Mass on Friday at 10am followed by burial at Kilmashogue Cemetery.
Labels: OBITUARY
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