
Mark O’Meara
With paternal ancestors hailing from Counties Cork and Mayo, this world champion golfer — who last month had the distinction of winning two PGA tournaments back to back in two weeks; one of them the Buick Invitational in Tory Pines, California, where he beat Tiger Woods — is no stranger to the greens of Ballybunion and Drumoland. He and his family have traveled to Ireland twice, where he and his father played a little recreational golf at both of these famous sites. His father says: “Every time we go to Ireland, before we leave, we always start to plan our next trip back.” He says the O’Mearas always have a wonderful time visiting the Emerald Isle, which they believe is due to the trademark Irish hospitality.
O’Meara began playing golf at the age of 13, when his family moved to a home in California located above a golf course. He graduated from Long Beach State College in 1980 with a degree in marketing, turning to professional golf that same year. In the past 16 years, he has won 12 tour wins and three Ryder Cups. Internationally, he has won five victories, including the 1992 Tokai Classic and the 1994 Argentine Open. During the 1996 season, he improved on his stellar 1995 campaign with two more victories, giving him four tour victories in 13 months. He also crossed the $1 million barrier for the first time in his career and is eighth on the career money list.
With his continued golfing successes, O’Meara continues fund-raising efforts on behalf of long-time caddie Donny Wanstall, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during the 1994 Players Championship. He is also friend and mentor to Tiger Woods, the new rising star in professional golf. O’Meara, his wife, Alicia, and two children live in Windermere, Florida.