Pink Ribbon Golf Classic biggest yet
THE sun shone on the Mayo Pink Ribbon Golf Classic which was held recently at Ballina Golf Club. This year’s event turned out to be a huge success and the biggest to date with a massive 74 teams playing over the two days with players travelling from all over the country and even as far afield as Newcastle and Glasgow.
The Pink Ribbon Golf Classic is part of the Mayo Pink Ribbon fundraiser in aid of breast cancer research with all funds raised going directly to the National Breast Cancer Research Institute in Galway. This year, the golf classic raised €11,000 towards the Mayo Pink Ribbon fundraiser.
Organisers thanked all the sponsors and supporters, especially joint sponsor this year, Irish Life and Lifestyle Financial Planners. They also thanked all the businesses and individuals who kindly sponsored beautiful prizes and to the tee-box sponsors and those who gave donations. Thanks to those local businesses who generously sponsored the food and drink on the 10th hole which as always is not only hugely appreciated by all the players but is synonymous with the light-heartiness and ongoing success of the Pink Ribbon. The people who helped out over the weekend were also thanked. Travelling golfers were magnanimous in their praise for the courteous hospitality received and to everyone from Ballina for making them feel so welcome, with many already committing to return with friends in tow once again next year. With 2 scores to count on the first 17 holes and 3 on the 18th, everyone expected 100 points to be the score to aim for and that certainly proved to be the case in a competitive field. Congratulations and well done to all the prize winners.
The Classic team competition was won by PJ King, Des Sweeney, John Horgan and Peter James on a great score of 99 points. 2nd place went to Peadar Flynn, Michael Herr, Enda Judge and Johnny Leonard on 98 points.
3rd place went to Padraig Moran, Pat Joyce, Thomas Forde and Denis Forde on 97 points (back 9).
4th place went to Keith Feehily, Martin Donohue, Fergus Marren and Matt Kilroy on 97 points.
5th place went to Greg Battle, Barry Walsh, Mick Brady and David Kavanagh on 96 points. The Society team competition was won by Martin Kearns, John Wimms, Jimmy Kilgallon and Paddy Dunbeg. 2nd place went to Colm Dardis, Pat Murphy, Malachy Gavin and Dallan Browne.
3rd place went to Aidan Mangan, Jarleth Mangan, Tommy Ennis and Pete Fleming.
Best Ladies Team: Marie Forde, Ann Carrabine, Grainne Glacken and Ann Gilvarry on 87 points.
Best Individual Ladies Prize was won by Joan Clancy with a great score of 37 points.
Best Dressed Team: Darren Flaherty, Paul Walsh, Keith Cunningham and Tony Kieran.
Best Pub Team: Breathnach’s of Ballina.
Best Individual Stableford: 1st place went to Robert Bradwell with a superb individual score of 43 points (back 9).
2nd place went to John Bourke with an equally great score of 43 points.
3rd place went to Barry Walsh (back 9). Best Gross: Paul McLoughlin with a 2 over round of 73. Nearest the Pin: 5th Declan Lee, 9th John Sheehy, 14th John McManus, 16th Mervyn Keegan, 2nd on the 18th Colm Dardis.
Longest Drive on the 18th: Men Brendan Kilgallon, Ladies Frances Burke.