Former Ryder Cup captain honoured by Queen's

14 December 2015

One of the greatest Ryder Cup captains of all time received an honorary degree from Queen’s during its Winter Graduation ceremonies.

Paul McGinley was presented with the degree of Doctor of the University in a packed Sir William Whitla Hall on Thursday 10 December in recognition of his distinction in sport.

The citation, which was delivered by James O’Kane, Registrar and Chief Operating Officer of the University, singled out Paul McGinley’s Ryder Cup career and focused on the personal attributes necessary for success.

“The qualities which Paul McGinley demonstrated are the template for success – and not only in sport. They are: meticulous attention to detail, communication skills and leadership, the ability to delegate, a positive attitude and great creativity and the ability to inspire,” said Mr O'Kane.

Born in Dublin in 1966, McGinley was raised in Rathfarnham and educated at St Mary's BNS and Coláiste Éanna. He went on to study at the Dublin Institute of Technology for a diploma in marketing and management and then accepted a role on the Year of the Environment project in the European Commission in Brussels where he also studied French.

A spell at the United States International University in San Diego saw him successfully pursue a Master’s in International Business. While there he met his future wife, golfer Alison Shapcott, who would go on to play for England and on the Ladies’ European Tour. The couple now have three children, Killian, Maia and Niamh.

Paul McGinley's golf game took off when he returned to Ireland from California. In 1989 he won the Irish Amateur Close Championship; in 1991 he was picked for Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup (the amateur version of the Ryder Cup) against the US and that same year, aged 25, he turned professional. Since then he has won four events on the European Tour, his first win being the Hohe Brücke Open – formerly the Austrian Open – in 1996. And in 1997 he and Padraig Harrington won the World Cup of Golf for Ireland.

Paul McGinley made three Ryder Cup appearances as a player and is famous for his ten-foot putt on the 18th which won Europe the Cup in 2002. He was Vice-Captain to Colin Montgomerie in 2010 and again to José María Olazábal in 2012. Paul’s successful captaincy in 2014 – he was the first Irishman to lead a European Ryder Cup team – is recognised as an inspired example of team leadership.

Referencing that Ryder Cup 16½ v 11½ victory at Gleneagles James O’Kane remarked: “No-one gave his heart to that competition more than Paul McGinley. And, of course, it worked. As Colin Montgomerie said later – he simply did not put a foot wrong. It was a flawless performance and one that he can proudly relive for the rest of his life. And in the words of Graham McDowell, he is class personified.”

Speaking about the Honorary Degree, Paul McGinley said: “Queen's has a great sporting tradition and as one of the UK and Ireland's leading universities they have always been at the forefront of sporting provision and opportunities.

“To receive this recognition from such a prestigious university is a considerable honour.”

Media inquiries to Claire Kelly, Queen’s Communications Office, on 028 9097 5391.

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