ERNE CHALLENGE UPDATE
(21 May 2009)
Ireland’s two leading golfers, Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy, will each try to win $1,000,000 for a Fermanagh-based charity at July’s Lough Erne Challenge, taking place at Lough Erne Golf Resort in Enniskillen on 22nd July.
The initiative will see each golfer hit six balls at the par 3 5th hole on the new Faldo Course, with each ball earning a cash denomination for one of twelve selected charities from the Co Fermanagh region. In the event that a hole in one is achieved the first golfer to do so will win $1,000,000 on behalf of the charity that has been assigned to that particular ball. This hole looks set to be a unique “competition within a competition” as it will be an integral part of the 18 hole strokeplay head to head between McIlroy and Harrington that is billed as “The Duel on the Lough”.
Twelve local charities – Make-A-Wish, Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice – Horizons West, Macmillan Cancer Support (Fermanagh), Stroke Unit, Erne Hospital, (Enniskillen), Fermanagh Trust, (Enniskillen), RNLI, Goblusk Bay, (Ballinamallard), Ellie Walsh Memorial Fund – Children’s Ward, (Erne Hospital), Aisling Centre, (Enniskillen), Fermanagh Women’s Aid, (Enniskillen), Fermanagh Access and Mobility Group, (Enniskillen), Home Start, (Enniskillen) and F.A.C.T. - Friendship and Caring Trust, (Lisnaskea) – will each draw lots to see which of the two golfers will be representing them on this hole and in which order their particular shot will be hit. The green on the 5th hole will be set out with target rings indicating separate monetary amounts that they will receive depending on where their ball lands.
Jim Treacy, owner of Lough Erne Golf Resort, is excited about the potential for a $1,000,000 payout at the Lough Erne Challenge. “It promises to be a thrilling spectacle. The 5th green is perfect for something of this nature and with both Rory and Padraig having six attempts at a hole in one there’s a reasonable chance that one of these deserving causes will benefit to the tune of $1,000,000. Whatever happens it will be a wonderful occasion”.
The Lough Erne Challenge
The Lough Erne Challenge takes place at Lough Erne Golf Resort, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh on Wednesday 22 July 2009, when Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington will take part in an 18 hole stroke play match for a prize fund of $300,000.
Tickets for the Lough Erne Challenge are priced from £40 and are available at www.loughernegolfresort.com