Maybe it was the ‘Irish’ connection but I had the pleasure of meeting one of the nicest fellows for some time recently.

His name is Tom Feeney.

Tom was born in Connemara in County Galway on the west coast of Ireland and a part of Ireland that has long been regarded as the real emerald of Ireland.

Connemarra is famed for the rugged Twelve Bens mountain range in the north and through lake-rich Roundstone Bog to the golden beaches reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean, and you’ll know you’re in Connemara by the light that constantly changes the mood and tone of the landscape.

And while Tom’s been living in Boston in the States since 1964 he’s lost none of his glowing Irish character and accent.

I bumped into Tom after a recent round of golf at the Lone Pine Golf Club in West Palm Beach.

It was late in the afternoon and despite club officials having long locked-up the premises, and also darkness falling, we just talked and talked in the car park.

Tom proudly enjoys returning home to Ireland and when he’s home you will usually find him out at Lettermore enjoying the ancient club and ball game.

And Tom and I have promised to catch-up at next month’s PGA Tour’s Honda Classic.

Bernie meets with Tom Feeney at Lone Pine Golf Club.