Next Monday will see the 3rd staging of the annual Waterville Pro-Am, part of the Munster PGA Winter Series.  This year will see a much larger prize fund and a field of almost 40 professionals.  The increased number of pro’s playing is thanks to the hard work of Liam, Brian and David Higgins.  William Rushby is again main sponsor for the event and the popular Waterville member has again put up a car as a hole-in-one prize.  A €35,000 Volvo will be given to anyone who can ace the tricky par three 4th hole.  In addition to the main sponsor, a number of new supporters have come on board to ensure that this year’s event is the biggest to date.  Waterville Golf Links, YOB (Your own Brand) Golf, Vision ID and Donagh McCarthy are all contributing to another successful event.

Last year’s competition resulted in a three way tie at the top.  Local hero David Higgins was tied with Killarney’s Dan Sugrue and Frankfield’s David Whyte.  All three will be hoping for a repeat win this year.

Liam Higgins has been the driving force behind the pro-am, which has grown in size each of past three years.  In addition to the members of the Higgins family that are based in Waterville (Liam, Brian & David), Ted Snr and Ted Jnr are also competing.  The majority of the field is made up of PGA Professionals from Munster, with Damien McGrane, Brendan McGovern, Colm Moriarty and John Dignam among those coming from outside the province.

 

Waterville Manager Noel Cronin is looking forward to next week, an event which marks the start of the new golfing season.  Waterville suffered a long winter like many courses in Ireland, and it’s coastal position meant it was subject to the  forces of five consecutive storm fronts in January and February.  Cronin however has an optimistic outlook on the season ahead: “The Course is playing great considering the weather we have had since November, endless wind and rain.  Our bookings are very good for the summer season and hopefully we will have lots of sunshine.  We host the International Father/Daughter Event organised by Carr Golf as well as the Father/Son Tournament.  We will also host the Kerry Cup College Golf Event later in the year.