Ballybunion members saddened by death of Hilary Watson

GOLFERS world-wide were shocked and saddened at the sad news of the death of Hilary Watson, wife of golf super star Tom, on Wednesday last.

Diagnosed over two years ago with pancreatic cancer, she endured endless rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, putting up a brave battle and surviving longer than most who are diagnosed with this awful disease.

“She was dying to live, not living to die, throughout her entire ordeal, she’s my hero,” a heartbroken Tom said following her death.

Hilary (neé Holton) grew up in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and took a huge interest in sport from an early age. She was an outstanding athlete and qualified, in 1976, for the Rhodesian Olympic team in the long jump, high jump and hurdles, but she never got to compete in the Montreal Olympics, as Rhodesia was banned by the International Olympic Council because of apartheid.

She moved to the USA in the mid-80s after marrying golfer Denis Watson (also from Rhodesia) who was competing on the PGA Tour, and following her divorce from him some years later, she married Tom Watson in 1999.

Some twelve months later in June of 2000, Hilary visited Ballybunion with Tom, to attend his Captain’s Dinner at the club, and she became a huge hit with the locals, joining in the fun, dancing with the members and generally enjoying the hospitality over the few days.

It was to be her only visit to Ballybunion, but those who spent time in her company remember her as a beautiful person who had time for everyone she met.

Following years without a visit, Tom Watson rekindled his love affair with Ballybunion in July this year, spending three days at the club and conducting some survey work on the Cashen course with a view to submitting a plan for re-development, should the club decide to go ahead.

At the time of writing, officials at the club were discussing the possibility of a Ballybunion presence at Hilary’s funeral and a club source told The Kerryman on Monday: “We are currently investigating the possibility of sending representation to the funeral if appropriate. We are presently unaware of when it will actually take place and if it is to be a private family affair or not, so until such time as we receive these details, we cannot put a plan in place.”

A handful of Ballybunion members who would be close to Watson sent messages of condolence to his personal email over the past few days, and ever the gentleman, even in this time of great sadness, Tom personally replied to each of them expressing his thanks.