IAN BOTHAM CELEBRITY CHARITY PRO-AM

THE WONDER OF WALTON!
- PHILIP MAKES IT THREE IN
A ROW AT RING OF KERRY

BY SUE RYAN
Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club Sales & Marketing Manager

The third largest prize fund in the Irish PGA calendar kicked off to a wonderful start with the sun shining on both the practice day and the first round of the event itself. As last year, the gremlins came in force on the second day with the winds gusting to over 60 miles per hour and horizontal rain being the order of the day.
As a result the Irish PGA reluctantly cancelled the second round without a ball being struck, thus the scores for the first round determined the winners.

Some excellent scoring over the legendary Ring of Kerry course was witnessed with Brendan McGovern, recovering from injury which has plagued him this season, shooting 74 to establish an early lead in the clubhouse.
However excellent rounds of one over par from Don McFarlane, John Murray and Geoff Loughrey soon took over. Then they overtaken themselves by Seniors Tour veteran, Jimmy Hegarty, who carded a level par 72.
Killarney lad Keith Coveney then matched this score as did Barrie Trainor and tour favourite Paddy Boyle.
All of them were then pipped at the post by past Ryder Cup hero Philip Walton who shot 71. Philip commented that it was one of the best rounds of his season and said that if his putting had been up to scratch, he could and should have been six under.
This is the third year running that Philip has won at “The Ring” and confirms his love of “one of the best thinking man’s courses in the country.”
Philip also won the team event, partnered by Robert Whyte, James O’Dowd and Paudie Sweeney who came in with an amazing 91pts to take the honours.
Of the celebrities, David “Bumble” Lloyd, Willie Thorne, Mick Kinane and Rob Lee all performed well and Ian Botham, with his son Liam, entertained the ensemble with some massive hitting, some of which stayed in the county of Kerry!
Ian Botham is pictured above with his team: pro Barry Hamill and Ed Edwards and Brendan Breslin (both Universal Golf Consulting).
On the amateur team front, some excellent scores were registered. Celebrity jockey Mick Kinnane showed he possessed a fluent swing and, with his partners, Martin Curd and Mike Rowat, returned an excellent 86 points which would have won many a tournament. However local bandit Pat O’Connor, partnering Noel O’Brien and Charlie Simpson, stormed round the course in 88 points – an excellent performance.
But all this was to no avail as the partnership of captain Robert Whyte, James O’Dowd and Paudie Sweeney, aided and abetted by their pro, Philip Walton, destroyed the course with an amazing 91 points.
The local gossip was that the key man in the team turned out to be Paudie Sweeney. According to Philip he did everything he told him!
This year’s tournament was sponsored by Failte Ireland, Kenmare Manor, Holiday Taxis.com and Desert Springs Golf Club in Spain.
Minister John O’Donoghue and Pat Spillane gave great performances at the Gala Dinner and Ian Botham announced at the prizegiving that he would return with his tournament next year with an even bigger prize fund and more celebrities.
The event raised more than €20,000 for Children’s Leukaemia and, with the television coverage in October, should heighten international interest in the wonderful south-west of Ireland.
***Last word from Colin Farquharson: If you ever go across the sea to Ireland, make sure you call in for a game or two at Ring of Kerry Golf Club. I’ve been there and will certainly go back in the not too distant future – and I don’t even golf these days! Even on a rainy day, the views from the clubhouse are stunning – and Sue Ryan is not bad either!

Results

Leading Professionals.

1. 71 [-1] Philip Walton [Quinns of Bagnelstown]
2. 72 [lvl] Paddy O’Boyle [Bandon]
Keith Coveney [Killarney]
Barrie Trainor [Bray]
Jimmy Hegarty [Pat Killeen & Company]
6. 73 [+1] Don McFarlane [East Cork]
John Murray [Malahide]
Geoff Loughrey [Roganstown]
9. 74 [+2] Ian Kerr [Carlow]
Brendan McGovern [Headfort]
11. 75 [+3] Michael Collins [Mallow Golf range]
Wayne O’Callaghan [Carrigdhoun]
Kevin Morris [Fota Island]
Karl O’Donnell [Newlands]
15. 76 [+4] Barry Hamill [Barry Hamill Golf Academy]
Ciaran Carroll [Bray]
Seamus Clinton [Loughside]

Leading Amateurs

1. 91pts Pro. - Philip Walton
James O’Dowd [2]
Paudie Sweeney [7]
Robert Whyte [13]

2. 88pts Pro - Kevin Morris
Pat O’Connor [8]
Charlie Simpson [13]
Noel O’Brien [15]

3. 86pts Pro - Seamus Clinton
Martin Curd [9]
Mike Rowat [13]
Mick Kinnane [18]

4. 85pts [ocb] Pro - Ronan Collins
Brendan Keogh [8]
Donal Hayes [11]
Paudie O’Donoghue [14]

5. 85pts Pro - Keith Coveney
Paul O’Connor [6]
John O’Connor [8]
Pat Hanley [16]

6. 84pts Pro - Ian Kerr
Geoffrey Mahony [13]
Ken Sorenson [16]
Paul McSherry [18]

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IF YOU WANT TO VISIT RING OF KERRY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, CONTACT:
Sue Ryan
Sales & Marketing Manager
Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club
Tel: 00353 64 42000; Fax: 00353 64 42533
E Mail: marketing@ringofkerrygolf.com
Web: http://www.ringofkerrygolf.com/