Diocesan News03 Feb 09

Rory McIlroy - a success at golf, and much more

Bishop Ken Good, Church of Ireland bishop of Derry and Raphoe and keen golfer comments on Rory McIlroy’s win in Dubai.

Rory McIlroy’s remarkable success on a tough golf course in Dubai was an outstanding achievement for any 19 year old, but what has also impressed me greatly has been his demeanour, his maturity and his humility when facing the media afterwards. Quite an inspirational role model, this young hero.

Any of us amateur golfers can only marvel at the exceptional consistency of this young man’s golf swing, his mental approach to the game and his steady but meteoric rise up the world rankings. He possesses extraordinary natural talent, but he has still had to work extremely hard over the years to fine-tune his skills to the point where he could achieve so much so soon. The commitment he has shown is commendable.

But there is also something very healthy about the sanity of his down-to-earth response to all the hype that is going on around him. Much credit must be given to Rory’s parents who, apparently, have sacrificed a great deal to make possible his successful career while at the same time keeping his feet firmly on the ground when people’s expectations of their son have been so high. And credit is also due to Rory, for the refreshing way in which he unashamedly acknowledges his parents’ positive role and influence in his life and so wholeheartedly includes them in his success.

This has been a good news story about local talent, about exceptional success on a world stage and about a new star being made. But it has also been a good news story about healthy family life, about a common sense approach to celebrity and about what a role model can look like; about remaining normal, unaffected and unchanged by the media circus of celebrity. Long may that last.

Like countless others, I am going to continue to follow this young man’s career with great interest. Well done, Rory. And well done Mr and Mrs McIlroy.