Banbridge marshals on duty at the Irish Open

As the eyes of the golfing world descend on County Down for this year’s Irish Open, a group of Banbridge Golf Club members will be in the thick of the action.

Led by Malcolm Russell, Banbridge are sending a team of course marshals to make sure all runs smoothly on the par three fourth hole at Royal County Down.

At 229 yards, it’s a monster par three and Banbridge chief Malcolm knows he will have his work cut out.

“We start for the practice rounds on Tuesday and are on every day until Sunday,” he said.

“We’ve been told that we have to have at least 17 of our members on duty at all times.
“We have to have marshals at the tee, at the green, looking after the spectators’ cross-over, the grandstand and the scoreboard as well as a ball spotter.

“We start at 6.45am each morning and are on until all the players come through. I’ll be one that has to make sure all the boys are up in time!”

With many Banbridge locals making the short journey to RCD to watch the world class field, could the last one out of the Town please turn out the lights?