|
|
Rory wows the crowds at
Ballyliffin
24.06.11
by Linda McGrory
IT was T-shirts and tee shots for golf star Rory
McIlroy yesterday on a photoshoot in Inishowen for
one of his main sponsors.
The US Open champ and all-round nice guy, was at
Ballyliffin Golf Club as part of his sponsorship
deal with Oakley clothing and eyewear.
The 22-year old golf ace touched down by helicopter
around midday to be greeted by scores of local
golfers and well-wishers. After posing for photos
with his coveted silver trophy, he was whisked off
to the clubhouse to be kitted out in his sponsor's
latest golf gear.
Then it was off to the 18th hole wearing a blue
shirt and white trousers ensemble for the first
shoot of the day. After lunch, the outfit of choice
was blue-plaid trousers and a white golf shirt. |
Stylist Suzie Coen
scored a button-hole in one after being hired by the
American clothing giant to style the Holywood hero.
The freelancer, who has worked with many other
celebrities and on RTE fashion show, 'Off the
Rails', said working with the down-to-earth Down man
was "fabulous".
"I cannot get over how accommodating he is. He is
the nicest superstar I have ever met," she beamed.
"He'll do anything you ask him to, nothing is too
much trouble. He is just so pleasant.
"I haven't met anyone who is so at ease with
everybody, at every level. He is as chatty with the
people working on the course as he is with the
(advertisement) producers," said the Galway-born
stylist.
The arrival of the world number four golfer just
four days after his record-breaking US win was a
lucky coup for Ballyliffin Golf Club. |
 |
|
Irish stylist, Suzie Coen, makes sure
Rory is picture perfect for his sponsorship
photo-shoot on the 18th hole. |
Club manager, John
Farren, revealed that the photo-shoot had been
booked some weeks ago.
"This has been scheduled for a couple of weeks so we
got very, very lucky," said Mr Farren.
"Rory has been an honorary member here since 2007.
We made him an honorary member because of the
phenomenon he was even at that stage and we are
delighted to have him back here today."
He said McIlroy's win was a great boost to Irish
golf generally and golf in the North and North West
in particular. |
 |
|
Rory McIlroy's US Open
cup did the rounds for seven hours at Ballyliffin
Golf Club yesterday as club officials, locals and
children posed with it for photos. There was some
surpise however, when it was noted that Rory's name
has yet to be engraved on the trophy. |
Lady captain Lisa
Glover was also bowled over by the lucky-stroke
visit.
"He was here a few years ago as a wee boy doing
Scratch Cup and now he's back as a US Open winner at
22. He has always said he loved playing here," said
the Antrim-born golfer. |
 |
|
US Open champion Rory
McIlroy pictured with Ballyliffin Golf Club captain,
Colm McCarroll. |
Ballyliffin captain,
Colm McCarroll, described himself as a "huge fan"
and the golf prodigy as "a real gentleman". And even
the local garda chief, Supt Kevin English couldn't
hide his admiration as he and Garda Brendan Roche
posed for the cameras with the cup.
Supt English said he and Gda Roche were "known to
grace the fairways occasionally". Asked how his boss
faired on the greens, Gda Roche wisely quipped:
"he's the boss man, he's a super player".
To view previous story & video
click here. To
view more photos click
here. |
|
