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Momentous' golfing event raises £130,000 for Omagh Fund

THE weekend's two-day final of the recent eight-week nationwide golf Championship appeal proved an outstanding success for Omagh Golf Club, with an official labelling it 'the most important and momentous event of the club's long history'.
An amazing £130,000 was raised for the Omagh Memorial Fund through the efforts of golfers the length and breadth of Ireland, thanks to an innovative idea by Newry Golf Club.
The Omagh Appeal Fund Golf Classic was the brainwave of Eamon O'Hagan, Jim McKay, Scan Monaghan, and Michael Savage. Fittingly, they were one of the more than 90 four man teams, which battled through to the finals held in Omagh on Saturday and Sunday.
Their idea was a simple one, according to Mr. O'Hagan.
He explained: "We thought we would try and encourage clubs raise funds and co-ordinate their efforts through a major competition. We all got together, contacted other clubs and potential sponsors with the blessing of Omagh Golf Club and the whole thing just snowballed.
"The response has been incredible," he smiled
And the Omagh spokesman added: "If ever two days were able to encapsulate the warmth and generosity of the golfing community, the tenacity of club members, the commitment of industry, and the selflessness of all those who participated in the event, organised in the wake of the Omagh atrocity, then we have just experienced those two days."
He said the Newry quartet had made contact with Omagh GC on the Tuesday after the bombing, and that everyone had worked around the clock since, to bring the championship to a tremendous conclusion.
"Many of the visiting players claimed it was the biggest and best organised tournament they had ever played in, a tribute surely to the hard-working Newry and Omagh committees," the spokesman went on.
Solidarity
Solidarity was the watchword, he said. Over the two days golfers arrived from every corner of Ireland with generous cheques and messages of sympathy.
They came from Carlow and Ballyliffin, from Royal County Down and Gweedore, from Cruit Island and Portrush, and from Dundalk.
"Ballybunnion couldn't make it but sent on a cheque, while Balmoral were there with their substantial contribution. In all 70 clubs travelled to play along with teams representing sponsors," the spokesman revealed.
And club captain, Robert Johnston's earlier prediction that it would be 'standing room only' at Sunday night's presentation cabaret was on the mark, as the magnificent Guinness sponsored marquee was filled to capacity.
The Omagh team, which teed off the finals early on Saturday morning, proved unbeatable on the the first day, despite the best efforts of the Carryduff side, which filled the runners-up berth, and Castlehume, which was third.
Winning teams on Sunday - they went out in the worst of the weather - hailed from Kirkistown, Carlow and Brightcastle.
Mr. Johnston paid special tribute to Eamon O'Hagan and his committee at Newry for their outstanding work on Omagh's behalf, while Sean Phillips and the Omagh GC council were warmly congratulated for their sizeable input.
The captain then disclosed that £130,000 had been raised, a magnificent £117,000 of that coming from the various clubs and sponsors, the remainder from a highly enjoyable George Jones auction and draw.
In his own inimitable style, the BBC radio presenter swelled the fund's coffers by more than £7,000 in just 20 minutes.
The highlight was undoubtedly the sale of a beautiful Waterford Crystal lamp, which had been given to Mr. Johnston at Portmarnock by an anonymous donor.
It was eventually knocked down to a professional bidder, after a healthy exchange of offers, for the sum of £3,000.
Among the other items which attracted keen interest were a host of golfing weekends at famous clubs, top of the range irons and woods sets, and many other valuable goods, all donated for the event.
Perfect therapy
In his speech, Omagh president, Mr. Alan McDowell, said work was sometimes the perfect therapy for those in sorrow, and organising the event had been the perfect anti-dole for so many members.
All had entered into the spirit of the occasion, endeavouring to come to terms with their sorrow, and their feelings for the bereaved and injured.
And, in a poignant moment, Mr. Johnston read a message from Nick Faldo and Christy O'Connor, senior, recalling their visit to Omagh in happier times, to play an exhibition match for the late Rev. Seamus Shields.
The prizegiving concluded with an all star cabaret spearheaded by George Jones, and featuring Gene Fitzpatrick, Chapter Five, the Omagh Swing Band, John Linehan (May McFetridge), Jackie Fullerton, Adrian Logan, Stephen Watson, Trevor Kelly and many more.
And the last word? It rests with the Omagh spokesman.
"Though the phenomenal weekend has ended, and the visiting golfers and celebrities have returned to their own clubs, the experience will live long in the memory. It was a never-to-be-forgotten occasion for Omagh Golf Club," he said.