A call to ‘play in pink’ for breast cancer research

THERE was nobody more qualified than Castleisland Members’ Golf Club Lady Captain Maryann Downes when it came to organising a charity golf outing for Breast Cancer Research. The Brosna native’s qualifications came layered and wrapped in experience: Ms Downes was there. Ms Downes survived.

It’s the backdrop of that interruption to the normal pattern of life that urged her to join forces with men’s captain Denis O’Sullivan and organise the ‘Play in Pink Charity Golf Classic’.

The event will take place at Castleisland Members’ Golf Club on Saturday, August 25, and Sunday, August 26.

A meeting of club members during the week saw the launch of the charity drive. A table full of prizes, already in, spoke volumes of the determination with which the two-day event is being approached.

“We’re organising the Play in Pink Golf Classic as our contribution to help fund ongoing cancer research so that people will have a better chance of life after a diagnosis,” said Maryann.

“We’re putting out an appeal now to all clubs in this and surrounding counties to enter a team in the charity event. Teams of four and of any combination will be welcomed. What we’d really like is for members to invite friends and guests to help make up teams.

“This is all about the charity and raising the funds to help progress research, and all proceeds of the day will go to the research fund. We’ll all have a great couple of days’ golf, and the prizes are excellent and almost all with the golfer in mind.”

The event’s details are as follows: a team of four costs €100 per team. The format is that two scores are to count on each hole, and all scores count on the 18th.

The winners and runners-up will each receive two fourballs and two nights’ accommodation in New Forest Estate, Tyrellspass, County Westmeath.

The third prize is a fourball on the Cashen Course in Ballybunion, and fourth prize is a fourball at Charleville Golf Club. The fifth prize is a fourball at Youghal Golf Club.

There will also be a raffle on the day for a stay in Adare Manor Hotel and Golf resort.

And there’s an autographed Kerry football signed by all the current team members and manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice – a collector’s item now.

This will be raffled among those who play on both days.

Registration on Saturday is from 8am to 3pm and on Sunday from 7am to 3pm.

Members can book online through the club’s Facebook page.

Visiting players are asked to contact the club for booking details.

For more details, please contact Maryann Downes on (087) 245 8496 or Castleisland Members’ Golf Club on (066) 714 1709.

For more information on Castleisland Members’ Golf Club, you can visit www.castleislandgc.com

By John Reidy Photo FRONT: Marie Gleeson, Marie O’Connor, Catherine Walsh, Declan Murphy, Kim Mullins, Bertha O’Sullivan and Brendan Mullins. BACK: Marian O’Connor, Moira Quinlan, Mary O’Sullivan, club captain Denis O’Sullivan, club captain Maryann Downes, Niall Gilroy, Brendan Keehan and Willie O’Leary.