Enable Ireland launch exciting golf competition to raise funds for children's centre

Golf clubs throughout Cork city and county are gearing up for Enable Ireland’s ‘Longest Drive’ and ‘Nearest the Pin’ charity competitions which will see men and women of all levels of expertise take part in a two-pronged competition at participating golf clubs throughout April.

"The inaugural ‘Longest Drive’ and ‘Nearest the Pin’ competitions will take place throughout the month of April, culminating in four finalists from each club taking part in the grand final which will be held at Fota Golf Club on May 7 with some lovely prizes planned," said Maria Desmond, Enable Ireland's community fundraising manager, at the launch of the competition.

"We have always enjoyed very strong backing from the general public for all of our fundraising initiatives in Cork over the years, and I’m delighted to report that level of support we have already received for this initiative has been terrific. It promises to be an exciting and engaging competition, which I hope, will ultimately raise much needed funds.

"We are inviting any male or female amateur golfers, who have never held a professional status to sign up! It’s €5 or donation of their choice to enter the competition – this will entitle players to enter both competitions. From the feedback we’ve gotten so far I believe this event will be a great success – people are keen to take part in something which is going to be as fun as it will be rewarding.

"Our new children’s centre, when completed, will provide services including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy hydrotherapy etc. for over 670 children. However, to bring this project to fruition and to hit our goal of completion in 2020 we will need approximately €7.5m."

The Enable Ireland Long Drive Competition will have two elements:

• Long Drive Competition
• Nearest the Pin Competition

"Participants will compete in male or female categories with the four winners – one from each club advancing to represent their club in the Long Drive Final in Fota Island Golf Club on the 7th of May," Maria said.

Here's what you need to know

• The competition is open to amateur (no PGA status) male and female golfers
• Entry must be completed through the professional shop at their local golf club
• Results must be completed at the end of the competitive day, by their local golf club official who will register their result online
• If the golfers think they can improve and want to try again, they can re-enter on another competition day throughout April and their local golf club official will update their improved results online.
• Each club will send four winners forward to compete in the Long Drive and Nearest the Pin Final in Fota Island Golf Club on May 7. 

Wild card entry

Peter from O'Keeffe Golf Performance at Dennehy’s Health and Fitness Blackpool is rolling out the competition on April 8.

At a charge of €10 per person for three drives and three shots at the nearest the pin in Ireland's only Gym Trackman 4 Swing Studio, the public can enter the Enable Ireland competition and compete to be one of the four put forward to represent Dennehy’s in the final in Fota.

Further information available here

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