We’re more used to welcoming people to ISM than saying goodbye, but today it’s not the case as an era comes to an end with Paul McGinley heading for his own brave, new world.
It’s been 19 years since Paul first jumped aboard and he has had a distinguished career in Europe the highlight being holing the putt that sank America in the Ryder Cup at The Belfry in 2002.
Paul’s tournament wins perhaps do not fully illustrate the depth of his talent, but he has been a fantastic supporter of the European Tour and I am sure plenty more will be heard from him in the next few years.
The Dubliner has always had acute business acumen and those talents will come to the fore now that he is the captain of his own ship although ties with ISM have not been severed completely. We will continue to share some business interests.
As Paul leaves, I can welcome others. Congratulations must first of all go to Simon Wakefield who was forced into returning to Tour School and finished top of a class which thousands attended.
First place came with a handy Christmas bonus of more than £15,000 and others also in the money as well as collecting their cards for this season were Romain Wattel, Alexandre Kaleka, Borja Etchart and Steven Tiley - the surnames of those players demonstrating that the I in ISM does indeed stand for international.
The new season is already under way in South Africa where once again Charl Schwartzel is showing what a strong 2011 he intends to have with a solid performance in the Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek.
Charl finished second to Spain’s Pablo Martin while there were highly creditable returns from Thomas Aiken in fifth and James Kingston 10th. And who said 13th was unlucky. That’s where David Howell finished to show that his broadcasting career will have to go on the back burner as he tries to emulate Lee Westwood and march back up the world rankings.
Congratulations to South African golf on the staging of its 100th anniversary Open championship this week. We have plenty of representatives there more than capable of proving that we can end 2010 as we started it... on a winning note.
