Age is just a number, form is temporary and class is permanent. All of the clichés rang true for legendary RTÉ news man Sean Duignan who topped the bill on Monday at the Dublin Journalists Golf Society Captain’s Prize at Royal Dublin Golf Club.
Better known as ‘Diggy’ the 87-year-old was the last man standing in a field of 68 players with a superb score of 43 points on the famous Bull Island course.
The Galwegian proved a very popular winner and bridged a gap of 40 years since his last Captain’s triumph in Stackstown in 1984.
Duignan, a legend of the newsroom is also a champion of the Dublin Journalists Golf Society who are celebrating their Golden Jubilee having been formed 50 years ago and Roddy Hyland had the honour of being society captain this term.
Diggy received a standing ovation at the awards ceremony and dinner where 25 past captains and members attended.
Duignan became RTÉ’s political correspondent in 1976 and the Six-One News anchorman in 1988 before serving as Government Press Secretary from 1992 to 1995, but then returned to RTÉ and presented ‘The Week in Politics’ from 1995 to 2003.
Royal Dublin is the spiritual home of the Dublin Journalists and guests at the Bulmers-sponsored outing included Christy O’Connor Jnr and Leonard Owens, former professional at the club.
Duignan pipped Sean Ryan by three points while Sam Wilson took 3rd with a fine effort of 39 points.
Talented low man Conor O’Hehir brushed off any Olympics fatigue with a superb score of 38 points which was level par gross (72) and saw him take the Category 1 prize.
Johnny Watterson was the Category 2 winner with 36 points while Peter O’Hehir claimed Category 4.
