A true legend of Irish golf passed away last week, Ann Heskin of Douglas, Munster and Ireland fame was an important and influential figure in the game for several decades.

Heskin had a positive impact on the game across three separate facets, she was an accomplished player, an astute team captain, and a committed administrator.  She represented Ireland as a player, team captain and selector, and she was President of the ILGU in 2005 following 15 years of service in provincial and national roles.  She was also a member of the executive of the Ladies Golfing Union prior to becoming President of the ILGU.

Her contribution to golf spanned over 40 years.  Originally she took up the game in the 1940’s but it was when she joined Douglas in 1963 that she announced herself on the provincial, national and international scenes.  From 1964 through to 2006 she was a positive contributor to the game.

Although she never claimed a national title, Heskin was a prolific winner in Douglas colours.  She was Munster Senior Champion on five occasions between 1970 and 1978, and she was a member of eight victorious Douglas Senior Cup Teams.  At Interpro level she had an impressive record, representing Munster at the inaugural event in Carlow in 1964 and retaining a spot on the team for 21 consecutive years until 1984.

Ann represented Ireland at the Home Internationals on five occasions, and continued her involvement at international level as a non-playing captain.  In 1981 she was non-playing captain of the Irish team at the Junior Ladies’ European Team Championship, and she was Captain of the Home Internationals side the following two years.  Ann was Captain the Irish team that won the European Ladies’ Team Championship at Royal Waterloo in Belgium in 1983.  She described that when she contributed to the Douglas centenary book, and she gave plenty of credit to her fellow Douglas member Evan Higgins.

“One of my proudest moments was leading the Irish team as non-playing captain to victory in the Ladies’ European Team Championship at Royal Waterloo Golf Club, Brussels, beating England in the final by 5½ to 1½.  Eavan Higgins played a truly exceptional part in that great Irish victory, gaining 5½ points out of a possible 6.  Her chip in from the back edge of the nineteenth hole in the vital match against Pam Wright of Scotland was the shot of the tournament for me, ensuring an Irish win against Scotland.  In the final Eavan again played a very important part, a true credit to her family, club and country.”  That was a special year for amateur golf in Ireland with the men’s team winning their equivalent tournament in Chantilly the same week creating a unique double for Ireland.

According to details from the 2018 Douglas yearbook, Ann Heskin grew up playing golf on a 9 hole course in Midleton.  The club closed in the late 40’s when the lease with Lord Midleton lapsed and the family joined Cork Golf Club.  Ann concentrated on hockey in school and in university, and returned to golf in the late 1950’s.

After two years in Dublin she returned to Cork.  She had retained her membership in Cork Golf Club while in Dublin, but she was limited as there were no playing facilities for ladies working outside of the home at that time.  Heskin was a member of Muskerry for a spell but was also unable to play in weekend competitions.  She joined Douglas Golf Club in summer 1963, with her twin sister Oonagh, on the suggestion of Girlie Hegarty, another Douglas member and Irish International.  Heskin went on to represent Douglas at all levels, and 20 years later her commitment and achievements were honoured when she was granted Life Honorary Membership of Douglas Golf Club.

While the advent of Golf Ireland and the one clubs model is now the norm, things were very different in the 60’s.  Women were not given full membership status and had limited playing rights and access to facilities.  “My initial memory of the clubhouse is that the ladies had a sitting room, with a fireplace, high fender, small couch and some easy chairs, with a rectangular bay window looking out on to the carpark. The bar was strictly members (men) only, with the ladies permitted to buy drinks through a hatch at the far end of the bar, opening into the dining room.”

Times have changed but Heskin will be fondly remembered for her exploits on and off the course.