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Golf became an important part of life many years ago when on discovering the Par 3 course at Renvyle House, in Connemara, just beside the Mortimer family home. Since those early days David has taken more than a passing interest in golf and has improved his game along the way - quietly and diligently – receiving recognition at Interprovincial level, Irish Youths and Irish Seniors level.
Standing six foot three it is hard to imagine Mortimer as a quiet man but indeed he is. But on a golf course that silence should not understate his winning mentality as he can go about his business with lethal efficiency. Never more evident than at Seapoint Golf Club on Saturday when he eased up the leader board unannounced to take the outright lead ahead of Sunday’s final round – winning the event with an eagle on the last green.
The reward for his round 69 on Saturday was a pairing with the pre-tournament favourite Damien McGrane in the chase for the Irish PGA Championship and a title that has so far eluded the talented Meath man - Damien Mooney lost the lead after a third round 71.
From the outset composure never abandoned Mortimer even at the second when McGrane levelled the scores with the Galway man following a birdie or even later at the ninth when the best he could do was scramble a par.
Dropping a shot at the turn in the final round of such a big tournament against a seasoned European Tour was surely ominous. Or was it?
Off the tenth tee box the Renvyle native replied with a fairway splitting drive, after McGrane went wayward, then carried two greenside side bunkers with a superb second to settle on the green in two. With deadly efficacy Mortimer holed his birdie chance to get back level - adding another birdie on the next hole to take a one shot lead until the 17th green.
On the final hole it was a stunning forty foot eagle putt delivered with the usual calmness and serenity - under the pressure of a looming play off - that left even the experienced McGrane aghast and clutching his head momentarily - given he had just rattled the flag and was waiting to putt for a birdie.
But it was the three foot vertical jump and a shout for joy that proved that to all those gathered around the eighteenth green that proved there was real blood flowing underneath the quiet exterior that David Mortimer was indeed human after all. And the joy was understandable given his victory in a tough field, against a quality opponent on the final day and a tournament that had seen some harsh conditions midway through.
It was also the celebration of a second Irish PGA title four years after the last in a season that is culminating into a series of milestones that include the Glenmuir PGA Championship six weeks ago and passing through Stage 1 of European Tour School last weekend - in dreadful weather conditions - at Dundonald Links.
Although the season is drawing to a close there are still more tournaments to be played with a Pro Am in Fota Island this week and the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet in association with PING on October 17th – which he now leads outright.
Mortimer will also play in the Skins PGA Fourball Championship at Forest Pines on October 6-8th, 2010 with partner Kevin McGrath (Birr) as they seek victory in the 54-hole event at the Lincoln course against defending champion Stuart Taylor (Island) and new partner James Erskine from Portpatrick Dunskey.
In mid November Mortimer then heads to Stage 2 of European Tour Qualifying School with either other Irish prospects – team mate Michael Collins, Barrie Trainor and Gareth Shaw of Team Ireland, Damian Mooney; Michael McGeady of Cambridge-Duffy; Gareth Shaw, Niall Turner; Stephen Grant and Mervyn Owens - where he believes there is unfinished business having failed to make the grade on a couple of previous trips – even opting out last year as things were not right for him.
In 2011 Mortimer is lined up to play the PGA Cup for the Great Britain and Ireland team against the USA at CordeValle, California as part of his win at the Glenmuir PGA Championship Grand Final.
However before any of these trips the 2010 Irish PGA Champion has earned a start at the £4,500,000 BMW PGA Championship flagship event at Wentworth next May and gets the opportunity to test his skills amidst the world’s best golfers on the redesigned West Course.
In this year’s BMW PGA Championship the title went to 2009 Qualifying School winner, Simon Khan of England. Undoubtedly Mortimer would love to a write similar history given half a chance and his understated ambition.
But you are unlikely to hear him say any such things as he explains himself.
“At the start of the season, I was a bit cautious about how well things would go, but I'm not one for boasting and saying I'll do this and that," explained Mortimer recently. "I always knew what I was capable of and I feel it's best to be quietly confident.
Mortimer has achieved all this while still giving lessons at the GUI National Academy at Carton House where he is a teaching professional. Undoubtedly the students have learned when the Quiet Man speaks one listens.
Many of us have known that for a while now.
What we didn’t know though - until this season that is - when he wins things he shouts and jumps.
The Quiet Connemara Man will be hoping he is doing more of that too later in the year
David Mortimer is a member of FORE Ireland
FORE Ireland promotes golf in Ireland and providing management to players on the European Tour - or trying to reach that goal. Team members included Michael Collins; Mark Staunton; Ted Higgins; Kevin Dorrian and Philip Walton.
