Expert golfer who achieved at least seven holes in one
ONE OF 13 SIBLINGS BORN IN COUNTY LUCAN, PATRICK LOVED NOTHING MORE THAN A ROUND OF GOLF – WHICH HE USUALLY WON
PATRICK Laurence Thompson, also known as Larry to his friends, Paddy by his family and fondly nicknamed Paddywhack or just “Whack” by his mother, was born in November 1933 in County Lucan in Ireland.
He was the third child of 13 born to his beloved parents, Helen and Michael Thompson, and spent his childhood years at the family home in Lucan.
Patrick’s love of golf started as a teenager when he used to caddy with some of his brothers at The Hermitage Golf Club to earn a few shillings for his keep. His passion for the game quickly earned him the title of ‘King of Caddies.’
As he started to play himself, he would regularly take a wager of 10 shillings each from his brothers Johnnie, Tommy and Joe... he always seemed to win but then ended up spending his winnings on all of them at the bar!
He went on to represent the counties playing golf in England which was a rare thing for an Irishman back then.
When he moved to England as a teenager, he never forgot his beloved mother Helen and always sent her 10 shillings from his wages every Monday.
Patrick worked at companies including Nuffield Metal Products, Singer Motors and Weathershields but he finally settled at Rover in Solihull where he worked for almost 30 years.
During this time, he met and married Angela Mary. They had three children, Lorraine, Linda and Joseph and the family went on to also live in Solihull.
In later years his daughter Linda gave birth to her son Nicholas and Patrick was delighted the day he became a grandfather.
Patrick never lost his passion for golf and often played 36 holes back to back. He was a golfing legend in the area and won many accolades as Club Champion and Golfer of the Year at various clubs including Hatchford Brook, Sandwell Park and The Forest of Arden. He also had at least seven holes in one while most golfers go a lifetime without ever achieving one. His good friend and golfing partner Brian said he was known as The King of Golf by stewards and greenkeepers at The Forest of Arden Golf Club!
Patrick finally hung up his clubs at the age of 80 after 15 years of playing with complete knee replacements. Not much would stop Patrick playing golf!
He also loved going “home” to Ireland where he would stay with his brother Johnnie and his wife Carmel. He loved her dinners and always looked forward to receiving the homemade Christmas pudding she sent him every year. On one of these family trips, his son Joseph had a go on the club lottery which had been a rollover for a few weeks. He chose three numbers - 3, 6
& 9 - and won over £1,000. After much debate over whether a non-member should win it was decided that he should indeed have the prize and, as a lot of people said, “That’s the luck of the Thompsons!”
Patrick often talked about wanting to go “home”, meaning Ireland, and it will be the family’s gift to him to take him to County Lucan and reunite him with his beloved mother Helen.
PAR EXCELLENCE Patrick with some of his golfing trophies
Brian, Patrick’s friend and golfing partner