The Cope Golf Alliance recently celebrated another great year when they presented a cheque for over €40,000 to Cope Foundation following their 2024 season.
The full amount was €41,500 and that means in the past 48 years the Alliance has raised over €1.7million for one of Cork’s favourite charities. Cope Foundation, which recently changed its name to Horizons has provided support to people with an intellectual disability or autism, and currently supports over 2,800 people.
The charity has an annual fundraising target of over €1m so the contribution from the golf alliance each year is a source the charity can depend on.
There are close to 500 members of the Alliance and membership is highly valued by each of the members. It is limited to 60 men and 60 ladies from each of the four Cork clubs, Cork, Douglas, Monkstown and Muskerry, a rule which dates back to the founding of the alliance in 1977.
The four clubs provide their courses free of charge for the Alliance outings, meaning the entire amount collected from 480 members (€75 each), goes to Cope Foundation.
While the members benefit from the use of the four host clubs, there are also a number of sponsors who support the alliance by providing prizes for each of the 11 annual events.
Cope Golf Alliance Committee and Trustees presenting the cheque for 41,500 to Elaine Murphy from Horizons Cope Foundation. Picture: James Doolan
The 2024 sponsors included Hitchmough Kinnear & Co, Sean Keane Fencing Ltd, AOS & Sons Co Ltd, Allied Irish Bank, Keanes Jewellers, Phelans Pharmacy, Dr. Ted Murphy & the late Tessa Murphy, Ecco Shoes, Hanley’s Home & Garden Centre, Liam Ryan SuperValu and Provest.
New sponsors for 2025 include Corporate Life and Seanoiri Muskerry.
The golfer of the year awards for 2024 were given out at the recent AGM. The Ladies Golfer of the Year was Patricia Mackey from Monkstown and the Men’s Golfer of the Year was Ger O’Shea from Muskerry.
The Club of the Year award went to Monkstown who took it from Muskerry who had won it for the past three years.
The first event of the 2025 Alliance takes place in Cork Golf Club early next month when the ladies are out.
The gents’ first event takes place in Monkstown later in April. The Officers elected for 2025 are President Mr. James Doolan (Douglas), Lady President Grace Coakley (Monkstown), Captain Ger Dillane (Muskerry) and Lady Captain Margaret Bruen (Cork).
Trustees Harry Connolly from Muskerry and John McGrath from Douglas, stepped down this year, having given many years of distinguished service. Harry was one of the founding members of the alliance back in 1977.
Fota Island teenager John Doyle is part of the Irish quartet who travel to the European Nations Team Championship later this month.
The defending champions will be able to call on the experience of Matt McClean (Malone) after last year’s heroics in Spain.
However, it will be a relatively new look outfit with 17-year-old former Irish Boys’ Close Champion Doyle, also joined by reigning Bridgestone Men’s Tour winner Brian Doran (Millicent) and Luke O’Neill (Connemara).
Last year’s victory was Ireland’s first triumph in the European Nations Team Championship since 2016 with Jack Hearn’s superb T3 finish helping them secure the win.
The championship takes place over 72 holes, with four rounds of individual Stroke Play beginning on 26 March at Copa Real Club de Golf Sotogrande.
