Bill’s off out for a quick 99
COUNTY Cavan Golf Club professional Bill Noble is taking on a huge challenge in an effort to raise vital funds for the club.
On Friday, June 22, the 47-year-old will attempt to complete eight rounds of golf at eight different courses in County Cavan, playing a total of 99 holes.
Cavan boasts three 18-hole courses; Co. Cavan, Slieve Russell and Farnham Estate plus five nine-hole courses; Blacklion, Belturbet, Crover House, Cabra Castle and Virginia.
Bill intends to begin his ‘Mission 99’ challenge at 4am in Blacklion and follow a route that will take him to Slieve Russell, Belturbet, Farnham Estate, Cabra Castle, Virginia and Crover House before finishing at Co. Cavan sometime around 11pm.
“I know that there will be at least four hours travelling by car on the day,” said Bill who is a keen amateur runner.
“I’m going to try and play normal golf but just very quickly. At some of the venues I will be using a buggy to get around, but my intention is to run at the nine-hole venues.”
Like many clubs, Co. Cavan was a victim of the financial crisis of the late 2000’s and suffered a noticeable drop in membership and revenue. Having invested heavily in club facilities during the early part of the decade, the club was left trying to service a €1.6m debt.
The club’s debt was later sold on to a vulture fund and there followed 30 months of difficult negotiations.
A final settlement figure of €655,000 was agreed and following intensive work by the club committee and with an outstanding commitment from members and some third-party funding, a settlement was made and the club remains in the ownership of the members.
Bill added: “Some of the money raised from this event will go towards paying back those members but a significant part will also be spent on improving the course.
“We are aiming for around the €50€55k mark but we think potentially we could raise as much as €90k.
“Obviously it’s all a bit of an unknown for me. As a child, I would regularly have played 36 and even 54 holes in a day but clearly, I haven’t done that for a long time!”
The fundraising committee is inviting members of the public to become ‘Friends of Cavan Golf’ for just €10 in exchange for the gift of a green fee voucher allowing two people to play for the price of one at Co. Cavan Golf Club not to mention an invitation to attend the Monster Barbeque that will follow Bill’s amazing feat.
In addition, there will be a fantastic range of prizes on offer on the night of the barbeque to those who become Friends of Co. Cavan Golf Club.
See ccgcmission99.com for details.