The 13th annual All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge was officially launched today by Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Liam O'Neill at Waterford City Hall.

Staged in Waterford Castle Golf Club once again this September, the All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge is the premier golf competition for Gaels both home and with all profits raised this year going to the Waterford Hospice and the Alzheimer's Society.

Actively look for a mainline sponsor this year, the All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge has developed into the ultimate golf competition for Gaels, both home and abroad, with Galway club Sarsfields winning last year.

Celebrating its 13th year, the Challenge is a two-day competition 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 from Thursday, September 13th to Saturday, September 15th.

Teams from Chicago, New York and the UK will once again compete this year, while a number of European teams will be invited to take part. A new one-day singles competition has also been added to the weekend.

Yesterday, Uachtarán Chumann Luthchleas Gael, Liam O'Neill launched the new All-Ireland trophy, a Waterford Crystal replica of the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

Speaking at the event, he said: "The All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge is an excellent way of bringing together GAA people of all ages under a competitive and social banner.

"It is with great delight that I see two worthy charities benefitting from voluntary efforts. I wish everyone the best and hope to help the competition grow and grow during my term of office."

All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge organising committee chairman Liam Daniels said: "The appeal of the Challenge grows because it is a genuine competition bringing together genuine GAA people through the medium of golf.

"The allure of an All-Ireland medal, that cherished possession, is something that stirs every GAA heart and the Challenge presents that opportunity to every participant."

Waterford City Mayor Pat Hayes said: "While the All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge is exactly what it says, a national competition, it is and always has been a Waterford product.

"Much of the reason why it has become a fixture in the GAA calendar is because of the hospitality shown to GAA members in Waterford by Waterford people.

"Whether it's been at Waterford Castle for the golf or in the city afterwards, Gaels come back year after year for the warmth and generosity of spirit exhibited by the people here.

"There is the competition, of course, and there is hardly a better venue that Waterford Castle to stage such a prestigious event."

Run on a purely volunteer basis with all profits going to the Waterford Hospice and the Alzheimer's Society, the All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge is open to all GAA clubs who enter teams selected from their 2012 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 (Clare), former Challenge finalists Declan Ryan (Tipperary), Seanie McGrath (Cork), Noel Connors (Waterford), Jason Ryan (Wexford football manager) and Eddie Brennan (Kilkenny).

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:
2011 Sarsfields (Galway)
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.com or log on to www.twitter.com/golfgaa or www.facebook.com/gaagolfchallenge
For further information:
Liam Daniels
All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge organising committee chairman
Tel: 087-2746271, [email protected] Tweet

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