Mallo Golf Club raised more than € 25,000 to help James Sugru fulfill his dream of touring at last week’s James Sugru Golf Classic.
The Co Cork Club was determined to do something to help the former Amateur Championship and Southern Ireland winners on their way but was prevented from giving his due seconds when the Covid-19 epidemic was caught.
The event was originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday, but due to demand, the extra start time was opened on Thursday.
Local businesses and Sugru supporters sponsored 80 teas and holes.
Sugru is now struggling to rise to the top of the rankings, starting with the Alps Tour, and he was especially grateful to everyone, especially Dennis Walsh, chief patron of Walsh Engineering, and Joe Dowling, club captain at Dowling Security.
While attending the Austrian Alps tour, he sent a video message thanking the club and those who sponsored the event, or those who were unable to play but donated over the phone.
“It’s great to know people are behind you,” he said. “And I’d rather not be anywhere else.”
His mother, Margaret, gave an emotional speech, emphasizing her son’s great pride and love for the Mallow Golf Club.
Captain Dowling thanked many sponsors and “non-golfers and non-golfers” who helped raise more than € 25,000.
Older members who could not play called for donations, while the raffle for Wage, which won the Sugru Amateur in 2019, won a tidy sum.