Killorglin take the honours at Ballybunion

KILLORGLIN Captain Pat Foley (15) and his partner Jimmy Foley (17) took the first prize at the Kerry Captains Day in Ballybunion on Saturday last where Federation Captain John Fox welcomed captains and their guests from all the county’s sixteen golf clubs.

The old course at Ballybunion was in pristine condition and a tricky wind made conditions quite tough for the fourball stableford competition which saw three pairings tied on 41 points.

The Killorglin duo collected the first prize by way of a 23 point back nine from second-placed Castleisland pairing of Captain Denny O’Sullivan (5) and his guest Eamonn Feeley (14) who had a 22 point back-nine with Ceann Sibeal’s Jimmy O’Connor (10) & Tommy Sayers (12) third on the back six.

The guest prize went to Federation Secretary Pat Mulvihill (13) and Ballybunion General Manager John Eggleston (9) who scored 38 points to win narrowly from Ger Walsh (The Kerryman) and Seán O’Keeffe (Kerry’s Eye).

After golf, the federation flag was raised above the clubhouse and a wonderful meal was enjoyed by all after which the draws were made for the Dr Billy O’Sullivan Shield and the Nines of Kerry Shield.

Special guests at the dinner included Didgie O’Connor who was Ballybunion’s last Federation Captain in 2002 and Declan Mangan of Dooks, the Federation’s first-ever secretary at its foundation back in 1968.

The Federation’s next big fixture is the Kerry Shield which will be played over the Old course on Saturday June 9 and nearer to that date, we will publish the timesheet.

Kerry Captains and guests at the Federation Flag-raising ceremony at Ballybunion on Saturday for Kerry Captains Day.