The 2022 Golf Classic took place in East Cork Golf Club on the 22nd and 23rd June in beautiful sunny conditions. There was a big entry to the Classic, the first one since 2019 (due to the pandemic) and some super golf was played. The golfers enjoyed food and drinks after their exertions in Surf & Turf restaurant at the golf club. This was followed by a very enjoyable Thursday night at the prize-giving in Guilders Bar, main sponsor of the event.

Golf Classic committee chairperson, Norman Walsh got proceedings underway in Guilders Bar. Norman announced the opening of a Hall of Fame to commemorate, celebrate and acknowledge the founding fathers of this fundraising event on the 30th anniversary of the inaugural event. The Golf Classic has raised in excess of €300,000 since the “three amigos” and their entourage took part in the first golf outing in 1992.

Norman sincerely thanked the following people and businesses for their contribution to making the event such a success:

- East Cork Golf Club staff and in particular proprietor, Ms. Claire Moloney.

- Surf & Turf Restaurant

- Dave Ryan, East Cork Golf Club Pro

- Sponsors, teams, tee-box sponsors, Carraig Print

- Simon Ahern & Ahern’s Centra

- John Hurley & Hurley’s SuperValu

- O’Hare’s Mace

- Christy Roche & Roche’s Garage

- Bloomsday Flowers Florist

- Golf Classic committee: Jimmy O’Reilly, Tony O’Flynn, Michael Ahern, Linda Cuddigan, Gary Baverstock, John O’Donnell, Ted Carroll, Christy Roche and Denis O’Mahony.

- Dave Sullivan, Carrigtwohill GAA Club assistant PRO.

Hall of Fame certificates were presented to the founding fathers and their entourage, as follows:

Eddie O’Riordan, Séamus Cotter, Ollie O’Brien, Bobby Keating RIP posthumous (represented by his wife, Carmel Keating), Thomas O’Brien, Liam Walsh, Edmond Ahern.

A special induction to the Hall of Fame was made to Seán Harte RIP posthumously (represented by his son, Conor). A final special induction was made to Jim Cooney, proprietor of Guilders Bar for his continued support of the club in many ways over many years. Jim has sponsored the first prize in the Classic for a number of years and the jovial bar-man is always accommodating and willing to assist the club in any way possible.

Prizes were presented to the winning teams, with the three-ball of Michael Fitzgerald, Eoin O’Mahony and Kevin Cormican taking first prize on 55 points. (See full list of winners and prizes in table.)

Míle buíochas to Pádraig de Búrca who took photos in Guilders Bar and Paul Flynn for his photos taken on the course at East Cork Golf Club.

(Apologies for delayed report. Summer holidays...)