1987: Golf legends at Royal Birkdale

By Gemma Jaleel on Sep 18, 08 09:00 AM

Tommy Armour III, Christie O'Connor Jnr and Graham Birchall

GOLFING legends Tommy Armour III and Christie O'Connor Jnr made a young Lydiate lad's day at an international golf tournament at Royal Birkdale in 1987.

Graham Birchall won the Whitegates Junior Putting Trophy and got to meet some of the finest golfers in the world.

Armour first joined the PGA Tour in 1981 at the age of 21.

He is considered to be a great ball striker, and much of his success depends on how well he putts.

He is also the grandson of three-time major champion Tommy Armour, who was nicknamed the Silver Scot because he was born in Edinburgh and moved to America.

Irish O'Connor was born in Galway and turned professional in 1967.

He played in the Ryder Cup twice in 1975 and 1989. His win over Fred Couples was best remembered for a stunning two iron shot on the last hole at The Belfry which he left just four feet from the hole.

Next, an enterprising Ormskirk duo put there summer holiday to good use in 1987.

Hannah Pulley and Rachel Nixon

Hannah Pulley and Rachel Nixon, both 11, cleared out their families old toys and books, priced them up and sold them from Hannah's Garage in Alty's Lane, Ormskirk.

The Ormskirk Grammar pupils' marathon sale raised a grand sum of £50.60, which was donated to the NSPCC.