John Lawler’s rise in Ireland golf club circles continues with the current General Manager at The Island Club in Dublin, to take over from legendary Wilma Erskine as the new Secretary at Royal Portrush.

Lalwer has been at The Island Club for three years and having began his career in the golf industry as a management trainee at Carton House, where he worked his way up to the role of Golf Operations Manager after 2 years.

John Lawler to become the new Secretary at Royal Portrush replacing the legendary Wilma Erskine

Lawler then spent time in two other golf resorts in Ireland as Director of Golf– Mount Wolseley Resort and Moyvalley Resort, later joining Rathfarnham Golf Club as General Manager.

News of the appointment was made to Royal Portrush members at 5.30pm Wednesday and on the eve of this year’s Open Championship and with the confirmation of Lawler’s appointment to be made at 9am Thursday and some two-and-a-half hours after Darren Clarke hits the opening tee shot in golf’s oldest Major.

On Tuesday night, she had been honoured by the Association of Golf Writer’s for her services to golf and with the awards taking place at the Association’s annual dinner at Royal Portrush

Erskine, who will be retiring after 35 years at the club, sat on a VIP table with the likes of former long-time PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, and was honoured by the Golf Writers Assocation along with Francesco Molinari and Graeme McDowell.