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| Photo: INPHO |
As the Taoiseach Brian Cowen dismissed claims he sounded drunk or hungover in a live radio interview on Tuesday as politically orchestrated one of the former Ryder Cup heroes involved in the story, Philip Walton, expressed his anger at the manner in which he became involved in the story - failing to see any joke.
In 1995 at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York, the Dubliner two putted the final green in the crucial penultimate singles match to beat American, Jay Haas, securing a historic win for European captain, Bernard Gallacher, and is part of a list of Irish Ryder Cup heroes that includes Christy O'Connor Jnr in 1989 and Paul McGinley in 2002.
Walton said from his County Meath home; "Suzanne and I plan to write to the Taoiseach to get his explanation of the events reported in the media all day Tuesday - and indeed - arising again today."
"From a personal point of view, and for my family, it is very disappointing to say the least. So we now plan to contact Brian Cowen.”
As reported by Sky News the Taoiseach had been challenged over his handling of an interview on RTE radio from his Fianna Fail party's annual 'think-in' ahead of the new Dail (parliament) term and witnesses at the event in Galway said Mr. Cowen had been among many party members, including senior Government ministers, in the hotel bar until the early hours of the morning.
Renowned as a great mimic, he entertained colleagues with impressions of Irish golfers Philip Walton and Des Smyth.
Several Fianna Fail members took their turn in a traditional sing-song which started after midnight. Others present at The Blazers bar in the Ardilaun Hotel said the Taoiseach had been drinking lager and left at about 3.30am.
His performance on the radio interview several hours later, at about 8.50am, sparked a furore with opposition politicians who alleged it raised concerns over his ability to lead the country which gained added fury when Fine Gael transport spokesman Simon Coveney led the attack with a message posted on Twitter after the nine-minute broadcast.
In his youth Philip Walton suffered from a stutter, which he eventually conquered by travelling to Dublin form his Malahide home a couple of times a week, to become a very successful Amateur golfer - playing in two Walker Cup's - and a Professional on the European Tour winning three titles.
He currently plays on the Irish PGA Region, where he has won the Irish PGA Championship four times, and works with younger golfers as a member of FORE Ireland.
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