LAOIS INTERNATIONAL GOLF CHALLENGE 2013

Monday 29th April to Thursday 2nd May 2013

The 9th Laois International Golf Challenge took place from Monday 29th April to Thursday May 2nd. This Golf Challenge has grown over the years and still attracts visitors from oversees and across Ireland to take part every year. This year the challenge was held in Rathdowney, Abbeyleix and Mountrath and the final took place in the Heritage Golf Club in Killenard. With great weather throughout the four days those participating really enjoyed the golf each day and all the courses involved were highly commended by all the golfers for the great condition that each course was in.

At the Awards Ceremony held in the Heritage Golf Club on Thursday May the 2nd, Chairman of Laois County Council Cllr Paul Mitchell welcomed everyone to the awards and said he was delighted to see so many people returning every year to participate in the Laois Challenge, he complemented all the winners and all the clubs across the county that get involved every year. He acknowledged the support of Laois County Council and Laois Tourism and the Laois International Golf Challege Committee.

County Manager Peter Carey, who is also Chairman of Laois Tourism complemented all involved especially the Golf Challenge Committee and its Chairman Tom Treacy. He said that this Golf Challenge was now one of the highlights of the many events and festivals that happen every year in Laois. He too also acknowledged the support giving to the event by the Golf Clubs around the County. Welcoming the new Laois Rose Ms. Sarah Conlon who was also present on the night he looked forward to the many more events that were taking place in Laois this year including the Rose of Tralee Regional Finals, the Electric Picnic and the National Ploughing Championships.
Vice Captain of the Heritage Golf Club Gerry Campion welcomed everyone and said he was delighted to see another great turnout this year at the Golf Challenge. He said Laois had a lot to offer visitors and that all the Golf Courses in Laois were of a very high standard and a joy to play on.

MC on the night was RTE’s Justin Treacy who announced all the winners over the four-day event. The results are as follows,

Monday 29th April Rathdowney
Nearest to Pin Emlyn O’ Reilly (2’ 3” )
Female Longest Drive Kathleen Maher
Male Longest Drive Dermot Carolan

3rd Place Brian Colgan & Pat Tynan (38 Pts)
2nd Place Denis Porter & Brian McFarland (38 Pts)
1st Place Terry Campion & Kathleen Maher (39 Pts)

Tuesday 30th April Abbeyleix

Nearest to Pin Charlie Patton
Female Longest Drive Ann Glancy
Male Longest Drive Dermot Carolan

3rd Place John Coyle & Andrew Lambe (38 pts)
2nd Place David Power & Ollie Lambe (38 pts)
1st Place Dermot & Emlyn O’ Reilly (41 pts)

Wednesday May 1st Mountrath
Nearest to Pin Dermot Carolan
Female Longest Drive Ann Glancy
Male Longest Drive Emlyn O’ Reilly

3rd Place Oliver McNally & Pat McAnany (40 pts)
2nd Place Adrian O’ Reilly & John Hill (40pts)

1st Place Denis Porter & Brian McFarlan (41 pts)


Thursday May 2nd Heritage Killenard

3rd Place David Power & Ollie Lambe 38 pts

2nd Place Steve Cronley & Tommy Kane 38pts

1st Place Jack Carty & Marty O’ Connor 39 pts


Best Oversees Players: Mark Ensor & Mike Ansell 35 pts

Best Female Players: Eileen Reilly & Anne Sweeney 29 pts

Tom Treacy Perpetual Cup: Eileen Reilly & Anne Sweeney



Thursday May 2nd Portarlington – Competition for Non Qualifiers

3rd Place Neil Evans & Robert Thomas 24pts
2nd Place Allan Browne & Robert Leeffe 27 pts
1st Place Ann Clancy & Margaert Hynes 27pts.