Played under brilliant sunshine, and on an immaculate course, 48 amateur teams of three were joined by a similar number of leading PGA professionals from across Ireland for the welcome return of the Newcastle West Pro-Am.
Supported by Limerick-based Shannon Transport Logistics, whose operation is headed-up by Newcastle West Honorary Life Member Michael O’Riordan, the one-day event carried with it an impressive prize fund of €15,000.
Its previous staging was in 2013, which suitably marked the club’s 75th anniversary.
With a marvellous six under par round of 65 on the Arthur Spring designed championship layout, the 2022 winner emerged as Shane Jenkinson of The Island, Dublin.
Jenkinson only dropped one shot, at the short third, and picked up seven birdies, including a hattrick on the front nine on his way to victory.
Humorously, he tweeted: “Probably, the only time a Dub will have sporting success in Limerick for a while!”
Just one shot behind in second place was Gavin Young, Ballyneety GC – whose round included an opening hole eagle three – while third place was filled by Brian O’Reilly of Glenlo Abbey.
Limerick man Cian McNamara, who now represents Monkstown, finished in sixth position. Other locals who performed well were Tim Rice (Limerick GC), Paul O’Neill (Shannon GC), Ian Halpin (Nenagh GC) and Lee Harrington, (Limerick GC.)
On the team front, the winners were professional Michael McGeady and amateurs Seán Herlihy, the former Limerick hurler, Dermot Doolin and ex-Irish soccer international Dominic Foley, who returned, with two scores counting all through, an astonishing 107 points.
Representing Cavanagh’s of Charleville, the quartet finished 12 points clear of their nearest challengers.
In particular, Foley was in sparkling form, registering eagle threes on both the opener and hole 14.
Other amateurs of note included Lady Captain Rose Fitzgerald, Newcastle West RFC star Alan O’Riordan, Men’s President Séamus Moloney, hurling heroes: Peter Casey, David Reidy, Darragh O’Donovan and Gearóid Hegarty, jovial Newcastle West publican Gearóid Whelan (raffle winner of a complimentary fourball at Adare Manor Golf Resort), Askeaton bookmaker Brian Collins (raffle winner of a free fourball at Ballybunion GC), Anthony Bennett of Atlantic Golf Construction, 2013 Munster Senior Hurling Championship winning captain Donal O’Grady, competent Adare Manor GC starter Maurice Danaher and Aidan O’Halloran, Young Munster RFC legend.
The Colleran family, of popular club professional Ian, Hugh, Collette and Kelly were also in action at Rathgonan.
A charity element saw players chip-in with €10 at the Par 3 6th, and if their tee-shot landed on the green were in with a chance of winning a 32” smart tv. In a wonderful gesture, an anonymous donor matched the entire amount collected by the charity (Down Syndrome Centre), which amounted to several thousand euro.
The charity was founded a short few years ago by Peter and Mary Gaw when frustrated with the lack of access to early medical intervention for two of their children who suffered with Down Syndrome.
Quite rightly, the 2022 Newcastle West Pro-Am has been hailed a major success!