2009 Golf Classic

Pictured on the 1st. tee at the 2009 Golf Classic were from L to R: John Field SRFC and Golf Classic organiser;
Eddy Farrell Midleton RFC: Pat Maher, Events Manager Murphy-Heineken and Main Sponsor; Bertie Hourihane SRFC: Vincent Ahern Chairman SRFC; Dave McHugh Munster Association of Referees and former International Referee; Garrett Fitzgerald CEO Munster Branch IRFU; Finbarr Kearney former Skibbereen RFC and Munster Senior Inter-Pro.

Skibbereen RFC held their annual Golf Classic in Skibbereen Golf Club on Saturday last 15th. August and once again it proved to be as popular an event as ever with entries coming close to last years record of 70 entries. The weather too played an important part in the success of the day and thankfully was on its best behaviour – apart from some early morning mist and fog that affected some early starters but thankfully they too finished in fine weather.
The main sponsors once again were Murphy Heineken who presented some beautiful glassware for the various categories of the competition and all suitably inscribed for the occasion. As things turned out the ever popular Pat Maher a Skibbereen native and the Events Manager of Murphy Heineken was himself the recipient of the second prize as part of the Murphy- Heineken team. His team-mates Garret Fitzgerald and Dave McHugh are well know names in the world of rugby- Garrett being the current Chief Executive of the Munster Branch IRFU and Dave a former Irish International referee who was at the forefront of World Rugby for many years and even today is  frequently sought as a Video referee for International matches.

Prize winners and organisers at the oresentation of prizes

Another notable rugby participant on the day was Rob Brink a native of South Africa who played for the Springboks in the mid 90’s and later played with Ulster for a few seasons, while on the local front Finbarr Kearney himself a former SRFC and Munster Senior Inter-Pro had a team entered also – but by his own admission confined his attack to the ‘old course’ and didn’t venture across the ‘road’ -  due he said to severe fatigue from work related issues coupled with minimum sleep the previous night – but he was delighted in any event to be present for the occasion. The winners on the day with a marvelous score of 57.3 were the Drinagh Co-op team of Joseph Joe O’Sullivan, Dinny Collins and Donal McCarthy.
An interesting feature of the competition was the longest drive at the 5th. hole traditionally won by the male – however 2009 saw the emergence of super striker and current Lady Captain of Skibbereen Golf Club Mary Crowley, who created a bit of a sensation in winning this event and by a sizeable margin – which was of course no great surprise to the ladies present, but did solicit a rather humorous but still public challenge to a duel ‘of the long drives’ a little later in the bar. The challenger is a well known golfing figure with a strong GAA pedigree that stretches to County level but he can also claim Rugby links of note.  The challenge was no sooner issued then it was enthusiastically accepted by the Lady captain with the remark   “not a problem name the hole”.  Events will be monitored.
During the presentation ceremony both the Skibbereen RFC President Tom Walsh and Chairman Vincent Ahern were laud in their praise of John Field for once again spear-heading the organising of yet another successful fundraising event for the Club – an event now in its sixteenth year which continues to grow in popularity with every passing year. John’s ever efficient team also comprises local Auctioneer Charlie McCarthy who kindly used his office and staff to take the entries and arrange tee times, and Maurice O’Keeffe and Bertie Hourihane who together oversee all administrative problems on the day.   The full list of winners is as follows:

1st. Prize: Drinagh Co-Op Team-  J.J. O’Sullivan’s. D. Collins; D. McCarthy; 57.3  
2nd. Prize: Murphy-Heineken Team– Pat Maher; G. Fitzgerald; D. McHugh; 59.5  
3rd. Prize: Mick Molloy Team – D. McEoin; R. Price; D. Nolan; 60.00  
4th. Prize: Select Foods Team: D. Ring; K. O’Regan; A. O’Donovan; 60.1  
5th. Prize: Skibbereen G.C. Captains Team – J. O’Driscoll: D.Price; S. Conmy; 60.4  
Longest Drive at 5th. Mary Crowley;  
Nearest the Pin at 17th.  D. McEoin.  
Nearest the Pin at 2nd. – Team Prize to D. Ring; K. O’Regan; A. O’Donovan  
Ladies Team Special Prize: M.Crowley; J. Ring; K. Roycroft.