On the 23rd September 2022 at 11.40am we were standing on the 1st tee box in Athlone golf club, 13 days later we were standing on the 1st tee box on the Old Course St Andrew’s.
How did it happen? All we had to do is support a great charity and play some good golf, the first part was the easy bit.
It is difficult to put into words what winning a prize to St Andrew’s was like for us – shock being one!
From start to finish we were treated like professional golfers, staying in a beautiful hotel, practicing on the driving range and eating in the clubhouse after the rounds of golf.
On returning home we were greeted with a beautiful photobook of our time in St Andrews.
Two ladies will represent Blessington Lakes Golf Club again next year, vying for the chance to win and experience this trip of a lifetime.
We would like to thank a few people, our playing partners in the Leinster Qualifier; Janet Tyner and Helen Boyd from Coollattin Golf Club, the All-Ireland Final; Anita Carty and Stephanie Conlon from Strandhill Golf Club and in St Andrew’s; Gabriel Lally and Matt Molloy from Athenry Golf Club who won the Holmpatrick Cup – we couldn’t have asked for better company.
Visiting the St Andrew’s driving range before playing golf
View from the hotel of the 18th fairway
Windy day, so Aisling held the ball for Julie on the tee box
To everyone at the NCBI thank you for a prize of a lifetime, but more importantly thank you for the work you do with people with sight loss.
Aisling O’Connor & Julie Walshe
Blessington Lakes Golf Club