Coleraine Chronicle - Sports - Darren’s honour

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Darren’s honour

Thursday, 5 January 2012

Darren’s honour thumbnail Darren Clarke celebrates his British Open victory after putting at the final hole. wk01020

A VERY proud Darren Clarke capped off a memorable 2011 by being awarded the OBE in the New Year honours list.
The affable Portrush man, who won the British Open last summer, and a place in hearts around the world as he defied the odds to capture the most coveted prize in golf at the age of 42 on a wet and windy June weekend at Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich.
His friend and fellow major winner, Rory McIlroy, also ended a glorious year with another prize after being awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.
Clarke said receiving the OBE was a very special privilege.
“It is a great honour and a fantastic way to end a great year. I am very proud for me and my family," said the 2011 BBC Sports Personality of the Year runner-up.
“I have had a fantastic year and this just caps it off. It is a privilege to be recognised with an OBE. It is a lot to take in.
“I could not have envisaged the year I have had. Winning The Open was obviously a dream come true, and it was at the 20th attempt.
“I had chances before and at 42 thought that maybe it was just not to be.
“It was a life-changing moment really and in many ways my feet have not touched the floor since. And now this.
“It reflects everything I have achieved in the game which makes me feel very proud."
Clarke was also jointly voted Professional of the Year in the AIB Irish Golf Writers' Awards for 2011 along with US Open champion Rory McIlroy.
It's the first time since 2004 - when Ryder Cup players Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley were the recipients - that the gong has been shared in the annual awards. Clarke, who won his first accolade from the writers in 1993, is winning for a seventh time.
Paul Cutler, from Portstewart Golf Club, has been voted the Men's Amateur of the Year following a season in which he was unbeaten. The 23-year-old also secured three and a half points from four matches in guiding GB and Ireland to victory over the United States in the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen. Cutler also won the Irish Amateur Close and West of Ireland titles.