Foyle Golf Club brought the Holmpatrick Cup to Derry this year following their success at the annual all-Ireland four ball challenge in aid of NCBI. This is the first time that the competition now in its 79th year, has been won by an Ulster team.

Representing the Foyle Golf Club were Stuart Gauld and David Knox who returned a score of 45 on the New Course in the first round and a score of 48 on the Old Course in the second round.

According to Foyle Golf Club Hon Secretary, JJ Logue, “The club was delighted to make it to St. Andrews for the final this year and to bring the cup to Derry for the first time. The competition is a great opportunity to play at such an amazing course and a bonus to be able to raise money for charity along the way.”

The other clubs involved in the final were: Newlands Golf Club (Dublin City) represented by Jeremy Cleary & Michael O’Toole, The Curragh Golf Club represented by Thomas Behan & Frank Archbold, Ballykisteen Golf Club represented by James Keane & Denis O’Brien.

All funds raised from the Holmpatrick Cup go towards developing NCBI services and to developing blind golf around the country. Golf clubs throughout Ireland can take part in the Holmpatrick Cup, which will see the finalists play at St. Andrew’s in Scotland every October. The competition has been run by NCBI since its establishment in 1931 and will be celebrating its 80th anniversary next year.

Congratulating the winners of the 2010 Cup, NCBI Chief Executive Des Kenny said he was delighted to see the Cup travel to Derry for the first time and hopes to see more northern clubs participating in next year’s competition:

“The Holmpatrick Cup is and continues to be one of the most successful fundraising activities run by NCBI. Not only does it give amateur golfers the opportunity to help develop blind golf in Ireland, which, believe it or not, is a fast-growing sport, it also helps to raise much needed funds to support the work of NCBI. I am delighted that for the first time the Cup has gone to Ulster and I hope that other clubs will be encouraged by the success of Foyle Golf Club.

As we all know the golfing calendar fills up quickly so I would I would encourage all those interested in taking part in next years competition to talk to their club secretary.”

The Holmpatrick Cup can be organised as either a dedicated fourball competition or run in conjunction with an existing club competition, with a one-off entry fee of €5 per person. Club qualifiers take place before the end of June, followed by county and provincial finals. For more information or to sign contact Allison Harvey from NCBI on 1850 33 43 53 or email allison.harvey@ncbi.ie.