The idea of competing alongside your sporting heroes is one that Golf has always done well through the concept of the Pro-Am.
Yesterday in the sunshine at Dromoland Castle that was doubled down with the unique more relaxed vibe that Women’s sport can often bring to the table as Leona Maguire, teed it up with leading figures from across sport, business, and the media.
It can often be the case that the tension on the eve of a major event can have a sense of edge around the venue, often not a bad thing to keep everyone on their toes, but yesterday was as relaxed and enjoyable a big event feeling as I have experienced.
Dromoland Castle describes itself as a weaver of dreams, of romance, and perfection. It lives up to the billing.
Brian O’Driscoll was lining up putts, Jacqui Hurley was keeping up with the driving distance of her professional teammates, Valerie Mulcahy, Nicci Daly, Annalise Murphy and Davy Fitzgerald were swapping sports to get a taste of the greens and everyone was enjoying the buzz.
Nathan Murphy and Adrian Barry from OTB Sports were exploring areas of the course less traveled but still managing to nail shots as soon as an audience would gather.
The pro-am is a great way to get sponsors, partners and supporters involved and it was teams from Dromoland Castle and Amundi that took the main prizes, presented in the spectacular setting of the Castle’s Brian Boru Hall last night.
Greeted by the Chairman of the Dromoland Castle Board John O’Brien, this was a celebration of what has been started in bringing the event back to life, but also a signal of the ambition to take it further yet.
The discussions around the next phase of development with Forefront Sports Management, KPMG, and the Ladies European Tour will hold until after the sport of the weekend but this is the start of an exciting period for Golf, for the Women’s game, and for those involved.
Sport Ireland and Golf Ireland will be involved and if the player’s sometimes wide-eyed reaction to the professional staging is anything to go by, they will want to be back too.
If you haven’t been here to see and feel the experience there are few better ways in which you might spend a day or two over the weekend.
