Concra Wood defend their Musgrave Crumlin Children’s Hospital club title

There must be something in the Monaghan air, certainly when it is transported to the Algarve.

For the second year running, Concra Wood Golf Club emerged on top on their Portuguese excursion to retain the Musgrave Crumlin Children's Hospital inter-club competition played over the Faldo and O'Connor courses at the Oceanico golf resort.

The Castleblayney club established a foothold with a strong opening day’s performance on the Faldo course, where 22-handicapper PJ Harte was his side’s strongman. In the singles stableford format of the first day, Harte came in with an impressive 40 points to contribute handsomely to Concra Woods’ total (two cards to count from three).

It gave them a four-point lead over Connacht champions Bearna, who had a top score of 39 points from Siobhán Smyth.

Since its inception, in which time it has raised over €1.4 million for Crumlin Children’s Hospital, the notion of “Rumble for Crumlin” has proven to be a popular format.

A rumble

And, on the second day’s play, a rumble on the O’Connor course, the Concra Woods team of Harte, 12-handicapper Eugene McGuigan and 15-handicapper Noel O’Reilly made it a wire-to-wire success with a 79 -point haul to finish on a total of 156 – four points clear of runners-up Ballyneety GC from

Limerick

.

Guests of honour at the final were Mary McKenna (president, Irish Ladies Golf Union) and Albert Lee (hon secretary, Golfing Union of Ireland).

At the presentation dinner hosted by the Tivoli Carvoeiro Hotel, Chris Martin (chief executive, Musgrave Group) said the company was delighted to be associated with this wonderful event which brings much -needed funds to Our Lady's Children's Hospital.

Generous support

All funds raised from this competition go directly to the hospital, thanks to the generous support from the Musgrave Group.

Clubs can get involved in the 2015 Musgrave Crumlin Children’s Hospital Club Challenge in two ways, firstly by including the three-person “Rumble for Crumlin” competition day in their club’s diary which can include all male teams, all ladies teams or mixed teams.

Or, alternatively, during a singles event charging an extra €10 per person with the winner, runner-up and gross winner going on to represent the club at the provincial final.

The 2015 provincial finals will be held at: Hermitage Golf Club (Leinster), Roscommon (Connacht & Ulster), Ballyneety (Munster). Clubs can enter by emailing their interest to the tournament coordinator Pat Cashman at litia@eircom.net