West of Ireland champion Jack Hume won the historic Nassau Invitational in New York on Sunday, joining Paul Cutler (2009), Niall Kearney (2007) and Darren Crowe (2004) on the list of former winners.

The Naas man, who was representing the Golfing Union of Ireland,  beat Garrett Engel from Woodmere Golf Club by 5 and 4 having seen off two-time winner Joe Saladino 2 and 1 in the semi-finals.

The event is played at Nassau Country Club on Long Island, where the  famous "One Dollar Nassau" bet originated — a dollar on the front nine, a dollar on the back nine and a dollar on the overall match.

Hume and Portmarnock's Geoff Lenehan were nominated by the GUI to take part in what, according to the club, it is "arguably the oldest amateur event in the US" and which has been held annually (with some interruptions) at Nassau Country Club since 1897. 

"It was won by Walter Travis five times dating back to 1898. Jerry Travers was successful twice, and Tommy Armour captured the title in his second appearance in 1921." 

It is also where Bobby Jones came across his famous Calamity Jane putter.

According the the club website: 

A great many articles and stories have been printed on the origin of this club in any number of golf magazines and histories of golf. A study of these articles, plus corroboration of the stories, lead to conclusive proof of the following story. Past Green Superintendent Charles Brett was caddying here the day Jones acquired the club; and a further  discussion led to a talk with Jim Kramer, who not only was aware of the history, but caddied that July 8, 1923, for Jones when he played a tune-up round with Pro Jim Maiden. [Club pro] Jim Maiden had known Bobby from his days at East Lake in Atlanta where his brother, Stuart Maiden, was a professional. 

Bob Jones often stopped at Nassau when in the New York area. It was the eve of the 1923 Open being played across the Island at Inwood, and Bobby was complaining of being “off the stick.” He had become a national figure but had not yet won any of the “big ones” and now he lacked confidence; especially with the putter. After the round, on our present 18th green, Jim handed Bob a putter he had taken from his shop and asked Bob to try it.

After a few strokes, he proceeded to roll in “six footers” with ease. Bob immediately wanted the putter. Jim explained that he had been using the club and had named it “Calamity Jane.” Bobby Jones went on to win the U.S. Open at Inwood on July 15, 1923, and from that day on used Calamity Jane until he retired after his Grand Slam in 1930. The Spalding Company reproduced it by the thousands. Today, the original Calamity Jane can be seen at Golf House in Far Hills, New Jersey, home of the USGA.

Nassau Invitational 2014

Final

Jack Hume, Golfing Union of Ireland def. Garrett Engel, Woodmere 5&4

Semi-finals

Jack Hume, Golfing Union of Ireland def. Joe Saladino, Huntington CC 2&1
Garrett Engel, Woodmere  def. Steve Zychowski, Mendham 2&1

Quarterfinals

Joe Saladino, Huntington CC def Trevor Randolph, Arcola 1 up
Jack Hume, Golfing Union of Ireland def. Ryan Hom, Bethpage 2&1
Steve Zychowski, Mendham def Ryan Chin, Arcola 5&4
Garrett Engel, Woodmere def. Michael Karger, Century 4&3

Round of 16

Trevor Randolph, Arcola def. Peter Kastsios, Plandome 5&3
Joe Saladino, Huntington CC def. Gerard Connolly, Nassau Players Club, 5&4
Ryan Hom, Bethpage def. Dave Segot, Nassau Players Club, 2&1
Jack Hume, Golfing Union of Ireland def. Jon Doppelt, Fresh Meadow, 1 up
Ryan Chin, Arcola def. Greg Reilly, Darien CC, 1 up
Steve Zychowski, Mendham def. Hal Berman, Woodmere, 1 up
Garrett Engel, Woodmere def. Rob Chrisite, Winged Foot, 2&1
Michael Karger, Century def. Bryan Pedrick, Mill RIver, 3&2

Nassau Invitational Qualifying - Championship Flight

Trevor Randolph Arcola 66
Greg Reilly Darien CC 71
Garrett Engel Woodmere 72
David Segot Nassau Players Club 72
Jack Hume Golf Union of Ireland 72
Bryan Pedrick Mil River Club  73
Steve Zychowski Mendham G&T 73
Joe Saladino Huntington CC 75
Hal Berman Woodmere 75
Michael Karger Century CC 75
Jon Doppelt Fresh Meadow Cc 75
Ryan Hom Bethpage 75
Rob Christie Winged Foot 76
Peter Kratsios Plandome 76
Ryan Chin Arcola  76
Brian Krex Whipporwill 76 Lost in Playoff
Adam Pecora Brookville 76 Lost in Playoff
Keith Hendrickson Bethpage 77
Craig Brewer Southward Ho 77
Dan Goldstein Wheatley Hills 77
Harry McCabe Rockville Links 78
Tom Strand Nassau CC 78
Kerrill O’Mahoney Nassau CC 78
Mike Cerillo Bethpage  78
Geoff Lenehan Golf Union of Ireland 79
Lee Leder Nassau CC 79
Nick Dilio Casperkill 79
Robert Cunningham Overbrook GC 79
Brian Williams  Winged Foot 79
Woody Lashen Wheatley Hills 80
Russ Aue Nassau Players Club 80
Al Falussy Bethpage 80
Dennis Martin Brookside 81
Liam Quinn Tuxedo 82
Bob Monahan Nassau CC 84

Winners of the Nassau invitational