A native of Blacknock, Kilmeaden, retired Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant Nicholas Aulsberry (to give him his full rank) stood down in 2005 after long service to the Irish Army, a life and career he loved.

His short game was well up to par as well. Nicky won the All-Ireland Army Senior Golf Championship in 1981, covering the last five holes in a remarkable 4-under in the final of a competition contested by over 140 members.

He’s pictured (right) with that year’s Shield Cup at the Curragh Golf Course along with Captain John Cremin of the same camp, winner of the junior trophy. Nicky went on to retain the title in Cork the following summer, not long after John O’Leary memorably landed the Irish Open at Portmarnock.

A long-time resident of Kilcullen, Co Kildare, BQMS Aulsberry’s 43-year career in the Defence Forces included 10 overseas trips; among them missions in Congo, Cyprus, Lebanon, and Bosnia.

Nicky passed away suddenly in July 2020 at Mill Lane Nursing Home, Naas.

Photos below: A young Nicky with a colleague in the Congo and (right) with one of his sons Raymond, who is still based in the Curragh; thereby following in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather, with Nick’s late wife Marie, a native of the Curragh, being the daughter of the youngest-ever Army PE instructor there.

Main image: Royal Curragh Golf Club is the oldest course in Ireland, first played in 1852. [via bunkeredco.uk]