An eventful 2019 at County Armagh Golf Club was accompanied by a soundtrack of ‘(What’s the Story) Rory’s Glory?’, as Rory Smyth’s extensive back-catalogue of competition hits culminated in a chart-topping Golfer of the Year crown.
Some might say that, when it comes to the challenges of white-marker battle on the Cathedral City course, you’ve just got to roll with it. And indeed, Rory was on song right from the beginning of the qualifying term. This was first demonstrated on 11 May when, little by little, he pieced together a brilliant nett 65 that buzzed him to Bumblebee Cup glory.
Further honours would follow in the heat of the summer, as Smyth’s masterplan bore prestigious fruit. Most notably, on 27 July, he left his President’s Day rivals to look back in anger by posting a fabulous 39 points that landed Gerry McCreesh’s big prize.
By now, whatever Rory was doing was clearly working a treat, and he would scale the golfing wonderwall again just eight days later. Although on this occasion he had to acquiesce to finishing second in a Sunday stableford event, this placing was achieved in astonishing fashion. It was an eagle-par-birdie-birdie climax that catapulted him onto the podium to collect the runner-up award.
The final number one anthem of the Keady player’s melodic year was released on 14 September, when his champagne supernova of a gross 76 proved without compare in the Henry and May White Memorial Open. Remarkably then, he had captured a second CAGC ‘Major’ title of the campaign.
Smyth’s handicap was slashed from 14 to nine during that prolific spell between May and September. But on this form, the prospect of playing off single figures ought to cast no shadow on his aspirations for next season.
Rory’s recent confirmation as Golfer of the Year was thoroughly merited and merely iced the cake of a trophy-laden 2019. Did the ensuing celebrations involve any cigarettes and alcohol? Definitely maybe.
Rory Smyth won two ‘Majors’ on his way to being named as County Armagh Golf Club’s Golfer of the Year 2019.