Sunday November 8 saw the inaugural Wild Atlantic Way Championship Cup take place at Connemara Championship Golf Links.
Despite a poor weather forecast and a rather wet morning, 22 teams from all along the Wild Atlantic Way braved the elements to play in the event. The competition was a mixed 4 ball scramble, which proved very popular with all the teams.
The first group started at 9am under some wet and windy conditions but as the morning continued the weather improved, and by late morning all rain had cleared and blue sky appeared. The wind remained, but what would a Wild Atlantic Challenge be without a little wind?
Connemara Isles (Peadar Ó Flatharta 14, Micheal Ó Domhnall 17, Sean Seoige 10 and Liam Ó Maolaodha 8) were the winning team and proved they were no strangers to the elements. After an eagle on the first hole, they felt it was going to be their day, but it was a case of hard graft and pars that brought them home. Although it took them until the 14th to get a birdie, they never dropped a shot all round.
The fun continued in the club house bar with live music from Ciaran Storey and Mike Corbett, members of The Good Hustle, Galway, and Carmel Dempsey, a regular performer in Clifden.
The party didn’t finish in the club house bar, however, as all entrants were shuttled in to the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, Clifden, for a champagne reception and prize presentation, followed by a three-course meal. The party then moved downstairs, where the music continued until the early hours.
The day and night proved to be a great success, with wonderful compliments from all participants, so much so that a date has been selected for next year. Sunday November 6, 2016, will see Connemara Golf Links host the event again, with more prizes, music, food, fun and perhaps a little wind.
