The return of the Amgen Irish Open to Royal County Down is a source of great pride for many, but perhaps none more so than the club's outgoing head professional.
Ahead of his impending retirement later this year, Kevan Whitson is delighted that the world-renowned Newcastle venue is once again placed in the global spotlight for this week’s DP World Tour event.
Whitson has held his role for 33 years and been witness to Royal County Down’s Championship Links hosting high-class tournaments, including the 2015 Irish Open and 2007 Walker Cup.
“A tenure of 33 years is a long time for a professional at a golf club but one that's full of fondness,” reflected Whitson after the “huge surprise” of receiving a presentation by the DP World Tour for his service to Royal County Down.
“I've got such lovely people on the campus, the three clubs that are here. Royal County Down has been so good to me over the years.”
In his career, spanning almost 50 years, the 65-year-old Scot has earned recognition for his contribution to golf, receiving the PGA Master Professional title and serving as a Captain of the PGA of Ireland among other accolades.
But it is the connections he has forged with people, embracing the club culture and serving as a mentor to others that he will hold dearest.
Asked to reflect on the changes he has seen at the club over more than three decades, he said: "Well, you can imagine it's a long time and there's been a lot of things happening in the world.
"Coming out post The Troubles, there was a bit of catching up to do in Northern Ireland, in terms of international travel.
"Along with everyone else in Northern Ireland, I think Royal County Down took its place and started to move into this world of international travel and kept the club as it always was, a member’s club, while being able to accept visitors from around the world and look after them.
"That journey is what we see today. It’s a huge sense of pride to me and the golf operations team that we have here, and my staff is fantastic."
A stellar field has assembled in County Down, including past champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry among others, with the former describing the host venue as the best links course in the world.
So, how does that make Whitson feel?
"Well, it is really special," he said. "I have to pinch myself to think that I am the head professional at the course that he thinks is the best [links course] in the world.
"I would tend to agree with him, I would have to say. It is such a special place.
"To use the word unique in golf is almost impossible because there are so many that are similar to others but without question this is a unique golf course."
And what of the highlights? Of those there are many, including acting as a starter on the first tee at the 2001 Senior British Open, where he shared time with his heroes such as Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.
He added: “The major events (too); seeing the best players in the world come here to pit their skills against this great golf course has been a huge highlight.
"Having watched my son (Reeve) tee off in the 2015 Irish Open was another huge highlight. I could go on and on and on."
While "very sad in many ways, very excited in others" to leave his role, the Irish Open provides Whitson a grand farewell.
