Today (Wednesday October 29th) marked the launch of famed Irish golf journalist Dermot Gilleece’s publication – Chasing Ladybugs.
The book is published by Ireland’s own Orphen Press and excellently previewed by good friend and long-time fellow golf journalist Brian Keogh in Irish Golf Desk.com ( Click on: https://www.irishgolfdesk.com/news-files/2025/10/24/new-dpermot-gilleece-book-hits-the-shelves-chasing-ladybirds-winning-the-open-the-irish-way )
Gilleece is a legend among the golf writing fraternity. He proudly stood down from full-time golf reporting last year, covered countless tournaments in a remarkable 66-year journalism career. He was a President of the Association of Golf Writers and in July this year was uniquely honoured by the Royal and Ancient at Royal Portrush for his coverage of 40 Open tournaments since 1980.
LAUNCHED TODAY …. “Chasing Ladybirds”.
Splendid publication written by #Irish golf journalist legend Dermot Gilleece @IGWAssociation
(Thanks Brian @IrishGolfDesk )
Orphen Press & @Getty Dermot offered life m’ship (2016) by @AGW… pic.twitter.com/rhfE5HdBEh
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) October 29, 2025
On hand to officially launch the launch the book was Ireland’s eight-time European Tour winner, Des Smyth, who himself tied fourth behind Tom Watson in the 1982 Open at Royal Troon.
One first thought may be the meaning behind the title – Chasing Ladybirds.
However those remembering Padraig Harrington’s 2007 Open Championship triumph and with this journalist then working for the R & A at the time of that Carnoustie Open Chamionship having first hosted Sergio Garcia’s second place finish press conference and then was asked by the new Open Champion in Harrington if I could look after his mother, the ladybird expression originated from Harrington’s then three-year-old son who had been overheard-by-the-mics soon after Harrington had been handed the Claret Jug with a plea to his newly-crowned winning father: ‘Dad, can we put ladybirds in the trophy?’.
The book, as Brian superbly reports, charts the wins, the woes, the contenders and the camaraderie; all personally witnessed, course-side, and complemented with insights and anecdotes from players and caddies, media pundits and The Open’s R&A officials.
Brian reports that in the Chasing Ladybirds forward by Dr Bob Rotella, the mind guru to many leading Irish and international players, tries to explain Irish golfing success.
Perhaps Ireland has the right environment and weather, which forces you to become a more complete golfer, he says.
“Forget California, where the temperature is 80 degrees, there’s no wind, and the grass is perfect. Too many players are trying to make golf a neat, over-controlled game. The Irish are always challenged, having contests, playing the worst lie, downhill, uphill. They’re not trying to hit it straight; they’re playing the Irish way.”
Well done Dermot and a special thank you to Brian.
