One of the game’’s most distinguished players and respected ambassadors, who was accorded Honorary Life Membership of The European Tour in February 2005. Celebrated his 80th birthday on December 21, 2004, and is one of the most gifted players ever to grace the game and one of the greatest sporting stars Ireland has produced. Ten successive Ryder Cups and a host of tournament victories remain a testimony to what he achieved on the golf course and he had a swing which attracted plaudits from around the world. The great Lee Trevino was once moved to say of him: “To me only three players have looked entirely natural swinging a golf club – Christy, Roberto de Vicenzo and Neil Coles. Christy flows through the ball like fine wine.” He was held in such esteem, he became known simply as “Himself”. His career contained many great triumphs but the two which have given him the greatest pleasure were firstly playing a part in the 1957 Ryder Cup victory at Lindrick, when the Great Britain and Ireland Team captained by Dai Rees ended 24 years of American domination, and secondly when he won the Canada Cup, now the World Cup, in 1958 with his great friend, Harry Bradshaw, in Mexico City. Also won the first £1,000 cheque in European golf in 1955 and in 1970 won the richest prize in world golf when he captured £25,000 for winning the John Player Trophy.