Bright host charity fundraising event

Bright host charity fundraising event

16 November 2022

IT would have been very easy for Bright Castle Golf Club’s Sean Lowry to rest on his laurels and take things easy for the rest of his term as captain following his Captain’s Day at the course on Saturday, August 13. 

Instead, Sean was already making plans for a charity fundraising day which was pencilled in for Saturday, September 10.

Given how successful an event Sean’s Captain’s Day had proven to be, it was no surprise that the charity event was an equally brilliant occasion. 

Even the weather played ball, with warm sunshine greeting the huge number of members and invited guests that turned out to play for what could only be described as a huge array of prizes which were all very kindly sponsored by, amongst others, American Golf Discount and McGuirk’s Golf in Belfast, St. Patrick’s Golf Course, Downpatrick and the host club, Bright Castle. 

Given the ideal playing conditions on the day were very similar to those that everyone had enjoyed on Captain’s Day when Emmet Norris’ 46 points total was enough to lift the captain’s prize, it was a major surprise that not a single score in excess of 40 points was recorded on the day. 

Three Bright Castle members did manage 40 points and after several countbacks, Jason Hilditch was declared the overall winner courtesy of a superior points score over the final three holes, with Declan Toman getting the nod for second spot ahead of Peter Lynch by way of a better back nine score. 

The ever reliable, Ian Craig, grabbed fourth spot overall but another countback was needed to separate Ian and the fifth place finisher, Paul Kelly, after both men finished on 39 points. 

Unfortunately, at the time of writing, I seemed to have mislaid my information regarding the respective winners of the various guests prizes, as well as the nearest the pins and longest drives winners. 

However, I am reliably informed that Thomas Price from Crossgar Golf Club was the best visitor after he shot 37 points and that both Kris Stratton and Kevin O’Shea each claimed one of the aforementioned awards. 

Given the huge number of participants, it came as somewhat of a surprise to learn that a single, solitary two was recorded on the day but Bright Castle member Gary Reid did not mind that one bit and he was handsomely rewarded for his fine birdie efforts on the par three 16th hole. 

Apologies to Sean and all the other winners on the day, if and when I retrieve the necessary information, I’ll include it in a future report.

Ultimately, charity was the big winner on the day, with both Prostate Cancer UK and Friends of the Cancer Centre benefitting greatly from the £5,395 that was raised. 

While hopefully a list of those people and businesses that Sean wishes to thank is printed along with this report, on behalf of all the members of Bright Castle Golf Club along with the committee members and Arnold, Gordon and Lynda, I’d like to congratulate and applaud captain Sean for his efforts and wish him the best of luck for the remainder of time as captain. Thank You from Sean Lowry.

As well as thanking Bright Castle for hosting the event, I’d like to thank all those who turned out to play at the venue on September 10 and made the day one that I won’t forget in a hurry. 

A very quick word of thanks to all those that helped me in any shape or form to ensure that the event was the huge success that it turned out to be. 

While I’ll very likely forget to mention someone, a special mention to Kelly-Anne Carberry, Ethna Kearney, Gary Carberry, John Kearney and Joanne Lowry for their help sorting the raffle on the day. 

Also to each and every one of the following who helped with cash donations and/or raffle prizes, I assure you, it was very much appreciated.

These were: Hugh Prendegast, Avenue Bar, Creative Construction, Turley’s Bar, Cosy Insulation, Arkle Bar, Top Coat Decorators, JJ Donnelly Menswear, Gordon Ennis, Joanne Lowry, Emma and Thomas Jervis, Denis McMenamin, Marty Flynn, Sean Lowry Jr, Murphy’s Bar, D.B. Groundworks, Mark Quinn, Murphy’s Stores, Barney Curran, Celtic Bhoys FC, MIB Security, Busy Bee Café, McGreevy’s Butchers, Down Hire Centre, Autozone Car Parts Ltd, Clicky Fryer, P. Gardiner Carpets, D. Hamill Auto Repairs, Castle Inn, Ballynoe, Tom Lowry Builders, M. G. Construction, James Keenan Pro-Fit Windows Ltd., Connolly Stores, DSC Cars, Modern Design, Lecale Contracts, Gareth Telford Groundworks, Downpatrick Golf Centre, The General and Co Ltd, Paula-Marie Synott.