The Palmer North Course at The K Club provided a fitting end to the combined 2020 and 2021 Irish Golfer Series after a remarkable 18 months for the golf industry as a whole.
The pandemic brought numerous logistical challenges and firstly we must pay a huge thank you to our sponsors for their unwavering support throughout such an unpredictable time. To everybody at Waterford Crystal, to our Order of Merit sponsors Nature Valley, and also to the brilliant team at Kinetica Sports, thank you all for making the Series possible and for your continued support of Irish golf.
It was a fierce mild day in Straffan for the middle of October on Monday but the scoring was anything but. Running out a worthy winner to be crowned our Champion Golfer for 2021 was Spanish Point’s Michael O’Brien with a whopping 46 points playing off 20.
“The ball bounced my way,” said a delighted Michael who’d been looking forward to the Grand Final for weeks after booking his place in the finale with 39 points at Dromoland Castle earlier this year.
“The events are great. You can see how much time and effort John and Peter and the whole team at Irish Golfer put into it. The way we’re looked after for the day, you almost feel like you’re semi-pro.
“And to be able to come to courses like The K Club and the other ones on the schedule, some of the best in the country where you’re normally coming up with €100 plus to play them, it’s kind of like dreamland for guys like myself.”
With his victory, the dream will extend long into 2022 for Michael. Not only does he win a full set of Mizuno irons, a stunning engraved Waterford Crystal decanter and the Irish Golfer Perpetual Trophy, but he also secures free entry into all of our one-day events next year.
“I didn’t even realise it until the boys said it so that’s a great surprise to get. I’m really looking forward to next year now. I can’t wait.”
Paddy Crerand finished a valiant runner-up on 41 points off 17, taking home a Motocaddy Golf Trolley, free entry to an Irish Golfer event in 2022, and an engraved Waterford Crystal bowl.
Brian Commins’ 38 points off 17 completed the podium places with Brian, who only won at Powerscourt the day before to secure qualification, collecting a GolfBuddy Rangefinder and an engraved Waterford Crystal bowl.
Megan Griffith Keane’s 36 points off 21 took the Ladies prize on the day and a GolfBuddy Rangefinder of her own while Catherine Kavanagh and Shane Dunne fired darts to win the two nearest the pin prizes on the day.
Well done to all the winners and last but by no means least, a huge thank you must go to Conor Russell, Gerry Byrne and all the staff at the K Club for putting on a superb show. The course was immaculate and a credit to everyone involved.
Finally, thanks to all the participants throughout 2020 and 2021 campaigns. It’s been a hell of a ride, but we got there. The 2022 schedule will be out in the coming months so keep an eye out on IrishGolfer.ie…. Let’s hope for uninterrupted golfing bliss.
Leave a comment