The purcell family from Abbeyleix had a week to remember at the Abbeyleix Open Week. On the occasion of the last open week of this century and also the last open week on the nine-hole course - Abbeyleix will be extended to 18 holes in the near future - Paddy Purcell and his four sons were among the prizewinners almost every day during the highly successful event.

Paddy Purcell plays off a 16 handicap while sons Ronan, Padraig and Gearoid all play off five. The baby of the family, Muiris plays off 13. The list of successes last week included Ronan Purcell winning the Scotch Foursomes gross with Donal Murphy and Padraig Purcell, partnered by his uncle Eddie Thornton, winning the fourball, in which Ronan Purcell was runner-up with his cousin John Thornton. Padraig Purcell finished third in another fourball, Paddy Purcell came fifth in the singles with 5 up while Gearoid Purcell and Muiris Purcell won the foursomes gross. And finally Ronan Purcell took the gross again in the singles with 34 points.