Croí Mayo golf classic taking place at Westport Golf Club

THE annual Croí Mayo golf classic returns to one of Ireland's finest championship venues, Westport Golf Club, on Thursday, May 11.

Organising the event at Westport Golf Club are members Christy O’Malley, Richie Barry, Ger McGing, Mel King, Marie Grimes and Liam Friel.

There will be 10 team prizes, including best ladies' team, nearest the pin and longest drive. The entry fee is €140 per team of four and sponsor tees are available at €70.

A special offer for the Croí Mayo golf classic is a discount of up to 20% off golf clothing and merchandise in Mark McGowan’s Pro Shop at Westport Golf Club.

The Croí Mayo golf classic at Westport Golf Club goes back as far as 1997. It was a fourball betterball (stableford) event organised by Christy O’Malley and Sean Joyce of the Westport Friends of Croí.

Westport Golf Club is one of Ireland’s finest parkland courses. A highly regarded championship venue, the club is the three-time host of the Irish Amateur Close Championship, the Smurfit Irish PGA Championship, and the AIG Cups & Shields All-Ireland finals.

Westport is scheduled to host the Cups & Shields finals in 2023 and the Amateur Irish Close Championship in 2025.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to Croí, the west of Ireland heart and stroke charity. This event relies entirely on the goodwill and support of teams, sponsorship, and the generosity of so many people throughout the western region.

Speaking about the event, Westport Golf Club president Anne Duffy said: “We are delighted to host this competition at Westport Golf Club for the past 25 years. To be able to support such a worthy cause, means a lot to our committee and members.

“Heart disease and stroke affects so many people in our community and we are proud to be able to play a part in helping to provide much needed supports and resources throughout Mayo. We would encourage all clubs across Mayo to visit us in Westport and support this great fundraiser.”

Christine Flanagan, director of fundraising at Croí, said: “Westport Friends of Croí and Westport Golf Club have for the past 25 years provided essential funds to Croí through their fundraising efforts. Local events like this ensure that we can continue to provide supports and education to local communities.

“In Mayo we are proud to have the Croí Third Age Mayo programme, specifically designed to promote and support cardiovascular health and well-being of the over 55 population across Mayo.

“County Mayo has one of the highest rates of over 55s, with almost a third of the population being in this age category. We see great potential for this demographic to remain engaged and continue to make a positive contribution in their communities through activities like golfing and programmes like Third Age Mayo.”

For more information on the Croí Mayo golf classic competition and to enquire about sponsorship, please contact Christy O’Malley on (087) 9879131 or Liam Friel on (087) 7477005.

For more information on the Croí Third Age Programme, visit https://croi.ie/thirdagemayo/.