For 30 years, Irwin was a club professional in Canada, first in Nova Scotia and then in South Ontario and Manitoba. However, in 1999, after discussions with his wife, Lana, he chose to give it up 'to have one shot at the Seniors Tour' and it is a decision that he has never regretted. To date, the highlight of his career on the Seniors Tour is a second place finish behind Japan's Noboru Sugai at the 2002 Senior British Open, presented by MasterCard, which helped him finish seventh on that season's Order of Merit. Last year his first top ten finish came in the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open when he finished tied third behind Horacio Carbonetti. However, just when it seemed he might drop out of the top 50 on the money list, he showed commendable courage, finishing tied ninth at the season-ending Estoril Seniors Tour Championship to secure his full playing privileges for the 2004 season.