Big Friday charity drive at Galway Bay

Graeme McDowell says hi to a patient at Crumlin Children’s HospitalGolf helps raise huge sums for charity every year and just a few days ago Graeme McDowell donated $200,000 to Crumlin Children’s Hospital on behalf of the G-Mac Foundation. This Friday (Dec 28), former West of Ireland champion Joe Lyons and his friends will gather at Galway Bay for the third annual Galway Christmas Charity Pro-Am in aid of Galway Simon Community.

“Initially we intended have a sweep between 12 to 16 friends – all professionals and low handicap amateurs,” Joe explains, recalling the first event in 2010.

“Word of our game spread a little and more friends asked if they could play. As the inaugural group mushroomed to 40 players we decided to add a net prize for some of the higher handicappers.

“We also decided that it would be a shame not to collect some money for charity on the day as the numbers had swelled sufficiently to do so and €600 was donated to local charity Cope, and so the Galway Christmas Charity Pro-Am was born.”

Joe Lyons wants to raise as much as possible for Galway Simon Cmmunity on Friday, 28 December at Galway BayLast year, 27 teams of four lined out an thanks to overall sponsor Snoozles Hostel, approximately €4,000 was donated to Galway Hospice.

This year, Joe and Co are hoping to do even better for the Galway Simon Community and following wins for Joe in 2010 and Damien Glynn last year, the professionals will be keen to pick up the top prize

Galway native and Ashbourne professional Mark O’Sullivan, the former Irish Amateur Close champion who played so well in this year’s Irish Open at Royal Portrush, is one of the favourites alongside Connemara’s Hugh O’Neill, who was third last year.

Former international Eddie McCormack is the favourite amongst the amateurs with defending champion Glynn, winner of two All Ireland Senior Cup titles and a Barton Shield, is going for a three-in-a-row of sorts following his win in the Blue Tee Challenge at Galway Bay during the summer.

Joe adds: “Once again local businesses and families have come up trumps and pledged money to sponsor tee-boxes.  

“Galway based web design and marketing company Six Degrees have come on board as the main sponsors of the event and for this we are very grateful.”

The draw will be available at the http://golf.sixdegrees.ie with scoring updates on Twitter via @golfwithamember

Bookings

Ray Ryan (PGA Professional)
E-mail: Info@galwaybaygolfresort.com
Phone: 091 790711

Tournament Director:
Joe Lyons
Email: Joelyons@golfwithamember.com

Charity
Hazel Hendy, Galway Simon Community
Email: cfund@galwaysimon.ie
Phone: 091 381833

Main Sponsor
Eric Hennelly-Flanagan
Email: Eric@sixdegrees.ie
Phone: 091 587700