It’s a family affair as teams of brothers descend on Kenmare
IT’S now 40 years since the Brothers Competition was launched at Kenmare Golf Club and it continues to attract bumper fields, with 186 golfers teeing it up at the Co. Kerry club this year.
Founded in 1978, the competition was the brainchild of the late Frank O’Connor, a native of Kenmare who had a very successful career as a lawyer in America.
Frank felt that many Irish families were scattered throughout the world and that a competition of this nature might give them a chance to return to Kenmare annually to catch up and enjoy some golf.
Just 15 teams competed but the fame of the competition grew and by 1985 the number of teams had risen to 40, with golfers from Ireland, Europe and the United States making the trip.
In recent years the entry has grown to 60 and there’s now a waiting list of teams hoping to get the chance to tee it up in an event sponsored by Lee Strand Creameries.
Following a warm-up competition, Kenmare’s Pearse, Fionan and Padraig O’Shea won the title with 169 points this year, edging out Meath’s Brendan, Sean and Loman Dempsey by a point with David, Pat and Michael O’Dwyer third, a further point behind.
Brothers travelled from far and wide, including Australia’s Peter, Nick and Chris Long, representing Gunnedah, Richmond Park and Quantas golf clubs.