Barry McDonnell, who passed away in May at the age of 75, spent his life pursuing his passion — teaching golf.

A third-generation club pro, McDonnell grew up in a house adjacent to the 10th tee at Country Club of New Bedford in North Dartmouth. He was raised by his grandfather, the late John Gilholm Sr., who worked as the head pro at CCNB for 50 years, and found success doing what he loved out west in California.

“My brother was a humble, quiet guy who loved to help people with their golf games,” said Patricia Mello. “He learned the game from his grandfather at CCNB and he was always practicing or playing. He was a good player and he had a wonderful career.”

The Gilholm Cup, which is named for McDonnell’s grandfather, will be played this weekend at CCNB, where Kyle Pelletier and Ryan Pelletier, brothers from Acushnet, are expected to defend their championship.

Gilholm, who was born in Scotland, eventually left his homeland to start a new life in the United States and he began work at CCNB in 1910. When he retired in 1959, he was succeeded by his son John, Jr., who began his own career as a club pro in 1938 and worked at several different courses in the area.

A one-time lab technician for the Acushnet Company in New Bedford, McDonnell was honorably discharged from the Army in 1959 and he packed his bags for California.

He found work as an assistant pro at the El Niguel Country Club in Laguna Niguel and went on to become the head pro at Pala Mesa Golf Club in Fallbrook.

McDonnell also worked at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, Rainbow Canyon Golf Resort, and Fallbrook Golf Course, before hitting the jackpot with a very special student by the name of Rickie Fowler at the Murrieta Golf Range, which he helped open in 1992 with his friend, Bill Teasdall.

Fowler, who grew up in Murrieta, started taking lessons from McDonnell when he was seven years old. He went on to become a college star at Oklahoma State and joined the PGA Tour for a couple of events in 2009.

A year later, Fowler was named the PGA Rookie of the Year and he played well enough to be named a captain’s pick for the U.S. Ryder Cup.

McDonnell and Fowler forged a very special bond at the golf range. McDonnell was Fowler’s only designated swing coach and he played a key role in the young star’s development.

In an interview shortly after McDonnell’s death, Fowler had some kind words for the man who taught him how to swing a club.

“I think about him pretty much every day or any day I’m on the golf course just because I have so many life lessons and golf lessons ingrained in my head from him,” Fowler said. “He was the biggest influence in my life outside of direct friends and family.”

Fowler’s success allowed McDonnell to accomplish everything he needed to accomplish as a teaching pro.

“Barry was proud of Rickie and they had a very special relationship,” Mello said. “It’s sad that Barry isn’t here to watch Rickie play, because he took him under his wing and helped him become one of the best golfers in the world. That meant everything to Barry.”

Secia wins Southcoast Amateur

Brian Secia carded rounds of 75 and 69 for an even-par total of 144 en route to successfully defending his championship in the Fifth Annual Southcoast Amateur played last weekend at Allendale Country Club in North Dartmouth. Patrick DeBortoli (74-74-148) finished as the runner-up.

In the Open Division, Scott MacKinnon took low-net honors with a 148 and Dave Pelletier won low gross with a 165.

Little Harbor News

Joan Forrester, Celeste LeBouef, Gail Sim, and Linda Pittela teamed up to win a Ladies Best-Ball Tournament played at Little Harbor Country Club in Wareham.

Helen Simmons was closest to the pin at the first hole and Nancy Rose was closest at the 11th.

Tournaments

The 15th Annual New Bedford High School Basketball Golf Classic will be played Sunday, Oct. 9, at Allendale Country Club.

Tee times for the scramble-format tournament start at 1 p.m. and the $125 entry fee per golfer includes greens fee, cart, and a steak or chicken dinner.

Players will also receive a complimentary gift bag featuring a dozen golf balls, a t-shirt, and a hat. There will be prizes for the top six teams, closest to the pin, and hole in ones.

Those who register and pay by October 1, will be entered in a raffle for a Scotty Cameron putter.

For more information, call Tom Tarpey (994-7450), Jose Gonsavles (763-4636), or Lucky Campini (998-8475).

The date has changed for The Back Nine Club’s Men’s Fall Invitational, which will be played Saturday, Oct. 15, in Lakeville. Tee times will begin at 9 a.m. in the 27-hole event, which will feature a best-ball format.

The $130 entry fee per team includes greens fee, cart, lunch, and a prize pool. Participants must sign up as a team. For more information, call the golf shop at (508) 947-9991.

Ed Collins covers local golf for The Standard-Times. He can be reached at (508) 979-4469 or by email at ecollins@s-t.com. Due to vacation, SouthCoast Links will not run the next two weeks. It will resume on Monday, Oct. 10.