Pitch and putt open ‘a great success’

The clubs were swinging and participants turned up in strong numbers, as action ran across 4-days at Fermoy GAA Pitch and Putt Club, who hosted their annual open once again.

According to club secretary John Cahill, the biggest day of the Open, which was held on Saturday last, saw around 150 players compete for the Scratch Cup.

“It was a great success and we had a very popular winner, David Sexton who is a local and a former chairman of the club. We had a load of visitors over the weekend. They came from Westmeath, Dublin, Waterford, all over the country really,” John told TheAvondhu this week.

GLAD TO BE BACK The Fermoy Open kicked off on Thursday last, September 16, with the Scotch Foursomes.

Committee member Breda Kennedy, told The Avondhu that it had been a busy morning on the course, with mostly locals competing on the day. However, competitors from Youghal, Mallow and St Stephen’s in Glanmire, were also in attendance on the opening day.

“We’d always have it from Monday to Monday, taking in the August bank holiday, but everything is delayed this year because of Covid-19. It’s nearly two years now since we’ve had an open day and we’re meeting all the people we would have met then, it’s nice to do. People are all glad to be back out playing,” Breda said.

Despite the welcome return, a number of changes remain in place as Covid-19 guidelines still play a role in club get-togethers.

“There’s no refreshments or catering or anything this year because of Covid-19. We’re abiding by the rules. We miss the catering because we used to love doing the catering for everybody. Before Covid, we would have been very busy. It was the biggest week for the Pitch and Putt (club), without a doubt,” Breda added.

SUPPORT OF SPONSORS & VOLUNTEERS

Club secretary, John Cahill noted that the 2021 Open was the ‘first big event’ for the Fermoy club since the commencement of the pandemic.

“You could feel the atmosphere from the members. The open is going on with over 30 years now and it’s great to see all the members getting back together again,” he said.

Thanks were extended to a host of local sponsors of the event and to club members for the work that went into arranging the open event.

“If it wasn’t for our sponsors, this wouldn’t have been the success it was. I want to thank the club members and volunteers too, a lot of preparation goes into this and it wouldn’t have gone ahead without them,” John added.