JP McManus golf event raised €141,746,757 for Mid-West charities
Westlife members Shane Filan, left, and Kian Egan on the 16th tee box during day two of the JP McManus Pro-Am last year. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
He doesn’t say a lot, but in his brevity, JP McManus says so much.
In thanking those who turned last year’s charity golf pro-am at Adare Manor into a joyous global juggernaut, McManus says: "You have helped change lives.”
And then some.
Final tallies are in and the book closed on the summer spectacular last year when the good and the great of world golf, film and entertainment turned Adare into Mardi Gras.
In total, the JP McManus Pro-Am raised a bewildering €141,746,757, with local charities, care centres and community aid projects already allocated over €48m of that money.
The balance of the fund, standing at €93.7m, is to be allocated to projects awaiting approval.
“Over time, the funding should be of immense benefit to many charities and needy groups,” Mr McManus said.
“We walked the fairways of Adare for two days but the imprint of the event should be felt for decades to come.”
The Martinstown maestro was cognisant it had been 12 years since the last JP Pro-Am and really wanted to make this one count.
By even the most outlandish metric, it was a stellar success.
“The Pro-Am raises lots of money which is the main thing but it also unites people and shows us all what we can do when we work, not as individuals, but as a community,” McManus added.
“From the beginning, community has been the backbone of the tournament – community is why the event has stood the test of time.”
McManus’ midas touch lured golf’s biggest names to Limerick, led by Tiger Woods.
The former world no 1 reflected: “When JP calls, we answer. We know he hates the limelight and getting in front of the cameras but that’s just fine because we go ahead and do that for him. We come to support JP and to help raise millions for the causes he holds so close to his enormous heart.”
The trickle-down effect of the mammoth fund for charities and community projects is well underway with the full spectrum of community works getting a leg-up – from a local Children’s Grief centre and new search and rescue vehicles to a new 24-bed unit at Croom Hospital and a major refurb of an addiction centre in Bruree.
“Everyone involved in this and previous Pro-Ams should know that their contribution have and will bring life-changing support to so many in need,” said the organising committee’s Noel Earlie.
In all, over €22m in funding has gone to healthcare projects in the mid-west, a further €10m to community programmes and over €14m in infrastructure help.
These are top-line numbers – drill down and the detail underscores the benefit across the region from the macro to the micro.
The Irish Red Cross has received two new vehicles, a new property has been found and funded for a Rape Crisis Centre in Nenagh, a new CT scanner for St John’s Hospital and a refit of Milford Hospice’s Ennis property.
ADAPT, a centre in Limerick for women and children suffering at the hands of abuse or coercive control, would agree.
“We now have the largest refuge in Ireland and can accommodate 14 families in self-contained apartments. We are so grateful to JP for funding that allows us to extend our building in Rosbrien to accommodate a new outreach and wellness centre.”
McManus added that the event "represents the best of Limerick, the best of the golfing world, the best of people".
The people who traversed the manicured stretch at Adare Manor savoured the treat almost as much as the players.
Major winner Mark O’Meara told afterwards how he struck up a conversation with two-time major winner Collin Morikawa in Las Vegas and asked had his compatriot received an invite from JP.
“Actually, I did,” said Morikawa.
“You’re going, trust me, you do not want to turn down this invitation.”
When he struck up with O’Meara later at Adare Manor, he pulled up a chair in the bar and said: “Oh my god, this is the greatest thing I’ve ever been involved in.”
O’Meara said: “I’ve heard some talk that the 2022 Pro-Am might be the last. I really hope and pray it’s not true. I’ve told JP I will help in any way I can if he needs me for anything. I’m all in. Why? Because quite simply it’s the best pro-am in the world.”
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