Kenmare fightback steps up again

KENMARE Golf Club will continue its road to recovery in July – following a devastating fire at its historic clubhouse just over a month ago – by staging what will, they hope, be the biggest golf classic held in the province in2020.

The club was left reeling in early June after an early-morning blaze inflicted destruction upon its clubhouse, which had been on site since the late 1920s. It was a hammer blow to compound what has been a hugely difficult year for the sector and for the club owing to COVID-19 restrictions.

But fund-raising efforts in the wake of the fire have proven hugely successful, raising more than €70,000. This was achieved through a GoFundMe page and a unique golf marathon, an initiative which saw a host of players from families with strong links to the club playing 117 holes each in a single day.

Now the club is aiming to host a four-day classic from July 22 to 25, and Charlie Vaughan explained that the theme of the team event will be “golfers helping a golf club”.

“We have had 40 teams sign up so far, and it’s only early days,” he told The Kerryman. “The trend, so far, is very good.

“We have received outstanding support to date, including from businesses in Kenmare, and we will be playing our part to pay some of that support back to them.”

This looks set to be achieved as the classic has teamed up with Kenmare Marketing and Events Group (KMEG), and when the golfers set off on their day’s play, they will receive goody bags which will include discount vouchers for eateries in the town.

“We are in a unique position here in that one the finest tourist towns is right next to us,” Charlie said. “We want to emphasise that a day at Kenmare Golf Club is no less of a great day out since the fire happened as we have all that visitors need within metres, inside in the town.

“And these vouchers are one way of us paying some support back to those who have supported us through all this.”

Prizes will be distributed to the most successful four-member teams across five separate categories, with the best-ranked ladies, mixed, and men’s teams each picking up rewards in the form of fourballs for some of Ireland’s top golfing destinations.

There will also be prizes for the best-ranked teams with two sisters or two brothers amongst their quartet – a unique quirk of the event – while a boys’ open and girls’ open will take place on July 20 and 21 respectively, before the classic itself gets underway mid-week.

The entry fee will be €200 per team of four, Charlie explained, and participants can sign up by visiting https:// visitors.brsgolf.com/kenmare#/ open-competitions; or https:// kenmaregolfclub.com/.

Alternatively, one can phone the club at (087) 221 8294 or (064) 664 1291 if they wish to take part or obtain further information about the event.

As for matters on-site, Charlie explained to this newspaper that temporary changing facilities and office are now in place, and he said that rebuilding plans have progressed well to date.

“We’re following all the financial processes, and we expect to be showing re-build plans to members towards the end of this month,” he said.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin. Members and committee members of Kenmare GC are determined to get back on track as soon as possible.