On Wednesday 21st June Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort hosted the 2nd Annual Shabra Charity Foundation Golf Marathon. Players from all parts of Ireland had entered the 45 hole challenge. The Pairs event where both players score was combined proved a most entertaining and challenging completion.
Shabra Charity Foundation is one of Ireland’s rare charities in that it is a 100% voluntary organisation with no paid staff and nobody paid expenses. Every euro raised goes directly to one of the projects being fundraised for at any given time. Over €1.5 million has been raised over the past number of years. The charity was the brainchild of the late Oliver Brady with Rita Shah who promised to provide much needed medical equipment to help the people of Ireland. With his many challenging health issues Oliver saw at first hand what the provision of much needed equipment could do to help the many sick people in Ireland.
The players heading out on round 1 at 7.30am were greeted with glorious early morning sunshine with local pairs of John Lyons, Paul Newell, Simon Mooney and Andrew O’Reilly the favourites to secure outright victory. After the first 18 holes the leaders were Terry Gilsenan & Brendan Casey on 74pts closely followed by A Englisby & N Malone. Diarmuid Cronin & Mark Ashton from Baltinglass were well in the competition on 69 points.
On to the second 18 holes and the early leaders remained well in front with A Englisby & N Malone taking over the lead but Thomas Hefferna & Gary Teelan had moved into contention sitting on 138 points. The final 9 holes saw little change in the overall standings with the best score on this 9 holes of 39pts from John McAleer & John Heffernan proving to be a bit too late to secure a placed finish. The winning score of 185 was great shooting over the marathon distance as tired golfers made their way off the course. All were high in their praise of Moyvalley Golf Club as it was presented in fantastic condition.
There was no signs of the recent dry spell with immaculate tee boxes, lush green fairways and beautiful putting surfaces a golfers paradise. A big thanks to Alan Walsh Head Greenkeeper and his team for providing golfers with brilliant playing conditions
Following the golf all participants headed for the Moyvalley Hotel for the dinner & Presentation. Simon Mooney Hotel General Manager was MC for the event. After dinner Shabra Charity CEO Rita Shah spoke to all present on the achievements of the charity to date and the number of projects in need of funding from the charity. Rita thanked Naren Shah for sponsoring the prizes and she also thanked sponsor Gerard Kelly of JG Kelly Supplies Monaghan. Rita told those present that the latest piece of equipment purchased for the Mater Hospital was a Finapres Machine that will prove beneficial to elderly patients with blood pressure issues from all over Ireland.
The challenge now is to fundraise for Gene Sequencing equipment to help with sight problems by identifying defective genes. She also noted that a drought in Kenya last year left communities devastated with no water available but it is now planned to provide funding to bore a well to alleviate that issue. Rita thanked all the sponsors and players for supporting this event raising much needed funding. Rita was then delighted to introduce Dr David Keegan, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon(Mater Hospital)and Honorary Consultant Temple St Children’s Hospital. Dr David related how Gene Sequencing was a game changer in the treatment of people suffering sight loss. He explained how Gene Editing is now changing people’s lives and monies raised todays will help provide additional equipment to assist this programme going forward. David praised the work of the Shabra Charity committee for their commitment to continue to fundraise and provide vital equipment to the hospitals of Ireland.
Simon Mooney then announced the prize winners as follows.
- Longest Drive measured at 325yds was Mark Ashton Baltinglass GC.
- Nearest the Pin was Paul Newell, Moyvalley Golf resort
- Best Ladies Team with 172pts; B O’Donoghue & A Callaghan
- 3rd Place Thomas Heffernan(Rossmore) & Gary Teelan Bellewstown
- 2nd Place; T Gilsenan & B Casey Rossmore GC
- Winners 1st Place; A Englisby & N Malone Trim GC
That concluded the days activity. It is planned to hold another Golf Marathon same time in 2024 at Moyvalley and if any golfers are interested in finding out more please contact Rita at 0879317100 or John on 0868065512.
