Over €170,000 has been raised for Make-A-Wish Ireland at last week’s Amgen Irish Open, with more than €80,000 of that amount coming from the Birdies for Wishes initiative on the 18th hole.
Make-A-Wish Ireland was the official Charity Partner for the fourth consecutive year at the tournament, with the aim of raising funds to grant wishes to children living with life-threatening medical conditions.
The Birdies for Wishes campaign was one of several fundraising initiatives on site, with a total of 248 birdies and 26 eagles on the 18th hole on the Palmer North Course at the K Club.
Together, Amgen and the DP World Tour donated €300 for every birdie or better made on the 18th hole on the Palmer North Course – host to the 2006 Ryder Cup, which came to €82,200.
Amgen golf ambassadors Pádraig Harrington, Shane Lowry and Séamus Power also contributed €13,000 to the fundraising effort. The trio pledged to donate €500 for every birdie and €1,000 for every eagle they carded during the week.
There were a number of cash and contactless collection points across the site at the K Club. Combined with the ever-popular Mega-Putt Challenge in the Championship Village over €36,000 was raised directly on site. A further €12,800 was also raised on Super Saturday as Amgen donated €2 for every person wearing green on day three at the K Club, while over €11,800 was raised via an interactive fan game sponsored by Amgen in the Fan Village.
In advance of the tournament, Make-A-Wish Ireland auctioned a four-ball to play the iconic course, generating more than €3,000 in support of its mission, while staff at Amgen in Ireland raised over €11,500 through their Walk for Wishes challenge.
The charity’s incredible work was witnessed on site at the K Club last week as 2019 Open Champion Lowry went above and beyond in giving 11-year-old Dáire Coyle an experience he will never forget at the Amgen Irish Open.
The funds raised at this year’s Amgen Irish Open will help grant more wishes to children between the ages of three and 17 living with life-threatening medical conditions.
Paul Greene, VP, Site Operations, Amgen, commented: “It has been another unforgettable week at the Amgen Irish Open, and we are honoured to stand alongside Make-A-Wish Ireland as their work continues to bring joy and hope to children and families. The incredible generosity shown by players, fans and our partners has helped raise significant funds that will make a very real difference in the lives of children facing serious illness. We are deeply grateful to our Amgen Ambassadors — Shane Lowry, Pádraig Harrington and Séamus Power — whose passion and commitment continue to inspire, and to everyone who contributed to this meaningful cause.”
Susan McQuaid O’Dwyer, CEO of Make-A-Wish Ireland, said: “Over the past three years at the Amgen Irish Open we see the true magic of wishes come to life, and this year was no different. Having Shane Lowry grant Dáire’s wish here at the K Club is a moment Dáire and his family will treasure forever. We are so grateful to Amgen, the DP World Tour, and the players for their generosity and commitment in helping us bring hope, strength and joy to children living with critical illnesses.”
