Launch of GAA Golf Challenge
April 26, 2011The 12th annual All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge was officially launched by Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Criostóir Ó Cuana at Waterford Castle Golf and Country Club, the new venue for this year's final.
The All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge has developed into the ultimate golf competition for Gaels, both home and abroad. Celebrating its 12th year, it has become the definitive golf tournament to accompany the All-Ireland GAA senior hurling and football championships with the final held in Waterford on the weekend between the two Croke Park showdowns in September.
The All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge is contested by four-person teams with GUI handicaps representing their GAA clubs on a four-ball better-ball basis. This year, entries will be taken for the All-Ireland final, which will be held in Waterford Castle GC, Co Waterford on Friday, September 9 and Saturday, September 10.
In recent years, the Challenge has become an international event. Qualifying finals have been staged in Chicago and New York with the Tipperary team from the Big Apple famously winning the All-Ireland title in 2010. An England-based team will also be competing in this year's final.
Speaking at today's launch, Uachtarán Chumann Luthchleas Gael, Criostóir Ó Cuana said: "With summer almost upon us, the All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge appears without fail and Waterford will once again play host to the final this September.
"Now in its 12th year, the All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge is showing no let-up in its attractiveness, affording as it does members from across the Association the opportunity to compete and socialise outside the confines of our games in a hotly-contested competition.
"It has proven to be a huge success with club teams across all four provinces as well as overseas, our members in New York enjoying success on a couple of occasions. I look forward to monitoring the final in September in Waterford Castle, Co Waterford. Go néirí go geall libh go léir."
All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge organising committee chairman Liam Daniels said: "The enduring appeal of the All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge is no secret. Our first love is the GAA and our national games but we realised 12 years ago golf is a wonderful medium in which we can sustain and harness it.
"Through the Challenge, we have created umpteen friendships and bonds with Gaels across the four provinces and beyond. Thanks to the Challenge, clubs have helped clubs, members have lent a hand to one another.
"Volunteerism, friendship and competition is what makes our great organisation what it is today. We believe the Challenge has played its small part in contributing to that. The golf course may not be a pitch but Gaels will be Gaels wherever they are and the opportunity to represent his or her GAA club is one that will always inspire.
"We take great pride in having a thriving overseas representation in the Challenge. In these stricken times, valuing our brethren outside the country cannot be understated. Last year, the Tipperary club from New York followed up on the success of their Waterford colleagues in 2007. With over 32 clubs converging on Waterford this September, who knows where the Challenge trophy will end up."
Run on a purely volunteer basis with all profits going to the Waterford hospice, the All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge is open to all GAA clubs who enter teams selected from their 2010 members. The competition is run as a four-ball better-ball format - 3/4 their Golf Union of Ireland (GUI) handicap. Both men and women are invited to compete, with the handicap limit set at 20 for men and 28 ladies.
Spaces for the final in Waterford GC are limited but for more information, please contact Liam Daniels at [email protected] or on 087-2746271.
Along with Challenge patron, Kilkenny hurling legend, Eddie Keher, a host of GAA luminaries and Challenge supporters attended today's launch including Davy Fitzgerald (Waterford's Munster-winning hurling manager), Denis Walsh (Cork senior hurling manager), Pat Bennett (Waterford senior hurling selector and Barney Rock (Dublin football icon).
Sportsfile will be issuing photographs from today's launch as well as the All-Ireland final in Waterford Castle, Co Waterford.
All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge roll of honour:
2010 Tipperary (New York)
2009 Claremorris (Mayo)
2008 St Brigids (Dublin)
2007 Waterford (New York)
2006 St Brigids (Dublin)
2005 Claremorris (Mayo)
2004 Cavan Gaels (Cavan)
2003 Midleton (Cork)
2002 Parnells (Dublin)
2001 Drumragh Sarsfields (Tyrone)
2000 Boherlahan/Dualla (Tipperary)
For more details about the Challenge and entry, visit www.gaagolf.ie
For further information:
Liam Daniels
All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge organising committee chairman
Tel: 087-2746271, [email protected]
John Fogarty
All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge communications officer
Tel: 087-6312109 Tweet
