Record number of 99’s scored on 9th at Captain’s Prize 2021

Sensible men were seen rushing their putts on the 9th green during the final day of Ger Reilly’s Captain’s Prize 2021. The reason? Tommy Ennis’s Ice Cream Van provided surprise refreshments to all golfers as they totted up their first nine

The 99ers David O Brien and Pat Purcell

holes score. Childish giggles could be heard across the lakes as the golfers chose their favourite topping. This attraction was just one of the Captain’s innovations for his captain’s Prize day which included complimentary goody bags, Ray Glennon sponsored hampers and a very enjoyable appropriately socially distanced meal and presentation. Captain Ger received a standing ovation for his work during the year and he paid tribute to all committee members for their dedication and hard work during the second Covid 19 year to ensure that members had a very successful and enjoyable year. He paid tribute to Mr Peter Igoe’s “inspirational leadership, hard work and investment in the golf course over recent years, making Knightsbrook one of the premier golfing resorts in the country” He thanked the golf shop staff including Ben and Adam for their work and also the Director of Golf, Kate Jones for her courtesy and willingness to help. “We are very fortunate to have a greenkeeper of the calibre of Ronan Carey”, the Captain continued, “he can undertake all kinds of tasks from maintaining the greens to driving a digger or manoeuvring the newly acquired amphibious vehicle” Mr Reilly thanked him and his team for their work.

Winner alright, Paul Dunne (139) accepts Captain’s prize for 2021

He paid a particularly warm tribute to Richard Wheeler, 2020 captain for all his work and said that the evening was “dedicated as a celebration of the successes of the club over the two difficult years of Covid 19 restrictions. He also remembered the late 2019 Knightsbrook Golf Club Captain, Damian McDonnell who sadly passed away in October 2020 and sent the members’ best wishes to the family. Ger said that the Damian McDonnell memorial Day in July was a major success, thanks to the work of Richard Wheeler and his committee and the family were overwhelmed by the almost €10,000 raised for charity.