Kilcullen to the fore in KARE Open

As has been traditional for many years, the Kilcullen members of KARE recently organised the KARE Golf Open which starts off the opens season at The Curragh Golf Club.

Mary Shortt recalls how the event started with the late Joe McTernan sponsoring the 'Hack On Champagne Open' in aid of KARE, the countywide organisation which promotes social inclusion for people with intellectual disability.

"He was the first businessman in Kilcullen to sponsor KARE in such a way," she says. "Some years later, Dominick Doyle of Newbridge Cutlery came on board as well."

After Joe McTernan's death, the Kilcullen branch of KARE decided they would keep the event going in order to maintain the town's input, and they have been running it ever since.

"We make around €3,000-€3,500 a year from it since we began. We were also the first such open to allow lady players."

Since Joe McTernan's passing, Willie Doyle of Newbridge Silver has been the main sponsor of the event.

The prizes were presented in the presence of Curragh GC Mens and Ladies captains Seamus Rothwell and Maggie McElroy.

Seamus Rothwell said the club was proud of its association with the work of KARE and he hoped that the event would continue to be a feature of the club's programme.

Mary Shortt thanked the club for making the weekend available free of charge every year to the event. She also paid tribute to all the sponsors since the event began, especially the current sponsor, Willie Doyle. "I would also really like to express my thanks to all the players who have helped us out over the years," she added, "and also to Chris Lowry and the Competitions Committee for running the competition on the days."