Clara’s Classic For Crumlin 2018

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t was another winning day – despite that pesky rain – for this year’s Clara’s Golf Classic, with groovy prizes and happy faces all round.

Organised by Johnny Groome in honour of his granddaughter, who underwent life-saving open-heart surgery at Crumlin Children’s Hospital, this annual golfing love-in is the man’s way of saying thanks.

As with all these big occasions, it’s as much about the wonderful people who turn up on the day for a good cause as it is the many sponsors who help make the big day happen.

So, shout-out to Alan Monaghan, Anto Byrne, Arklow Golf Club, Barry Davis, Bray Car Dismantlers, Byrne’s Pub, Kilcoole, Commercial Vehicle Repair, Craig Lewis at Woodenbridge Golf Club, David Dodds Chemists, David Lewis at Blainroe Golf Club, Delgany Golf Club, DVP Doyles Veg, Eabha Hennessey, East Coast Mini Bus Hire, Eddie Byrne Motors, Elite Hair & Beauty, Fitzpatrick & Son Electricians, Flatley Engineering, Freddie Hamilton Wholesale, Gordon Maher, Greystones Dental, Greystones Golf Club, Greystones Stone & Tile Studio, Higcon Construction, Jerry Kelly, Jokers Takeaway, Karl Holmes, Karl Kelly, Keegan & Meredith Insurances, Kelly’s Recovery, Lee McDonald, Mango Martin, Mark Kinsella Funeral Directors, Marriott Hotel, Martin Colbert, Matt Britton Flooring & Carpets, Millroom Golf Society, Murphy’s Funeral Directors, Murt Davis, Newcastle Aerodrome, Nigel Doyle Cleaning Services, Paddy Powers, Paddy White, Pat Doyle, Paul Cleary, Paul Hunt Flooring, Paul Lowth, Peter McKenna Carpentry, Philip Kelly, Powerscourt Golf Club, Sam McCauley’s, Sean Kelly, The Castle Golf Club, The Hungry Monk, Tommy Kelly, Tony Ferris, Trendy Toes, Trevor & Barbara O’Sullivan, Volumize, Whytes Motors, Woodbrook Golf Club and Yvonne O’Neill.

As for the prizes, the goodies included an overnight stay at the Marriot Hotel, with dinner & breakfast plus a round of golf, a 1-hour airplane flight with the Newcastle nutters, a signed Paul Dunne t-shirt and a signed Dublin jersey, a Grand Slam-winning Irish training jersey, a box of VUI Manent wine and, hey, a hedge cutter.

As to the winners, Larry Devereux’s team came in first, on 51.6, followed by David Wolohan’s team (54), Nigel Farrell’s (54.2), Ian Britton’s (55), Johnny Groome’s (55.1), Mark Byrne’s (56.4), Paul Southern’s (56.8), Philip Kelly’s (56.9) and Mick Morrissey’s team, on 57.1. Most Honest Golfers were deemed to be Paul Lowry & co, on 79, the Longest Drive: Men went to Shaun Tyrell (he came all the way from Castletownberehaven!) and Longest Drive: Women was Bernie Darcy, whilst Nearest The Pin: Men was Eddie O’Regan, on 15.25inches, and Nearest The Pin: Ladies was Teresa O’Toole, at 46inches. Which all sounds feintly illicit, but, hey, this is golf. They’re all swingers, when you think about it.

Congrats to everyone on another fine day out, and to our own John Mac, for the rockin’ pics. 

You can view – and download for free – over 150 of John McGowan’s hi-res shots from the day here, and take a gander at last year’s shindig here.