With close to a thousand birdies registered by the field in the first two rounds of the Irish Open at Carton House, the tournament's Official Charity, RESPECT Ireland, has already benefitted to the tune of €30,140.
A grand total of 958 birdies were made over the first 36 holes on the Montgomerie Course along with 18 eagles – including a glorious hole in one for Irishman Damien Mooney at the seventh – to send the two-day total through the €30,000 barrier at the halfway stage.
The Tour Players Foundation (TPF), the Mallaghan Family – the venue owners - and a private donor, have joined forces to give €10 per birdie, €20 per eagle and €50 per albatross during the four tournament rounds. And with 493 birdies and seven eagles being recorded in a superb opening day at Carton House, a total of €15,210 was raised for the charity.
As a result of the Birdie Pledge and an initiative on Wednesday, in which the professionals in the Pro-Am donated their playing fees to RESPECT Ireland, over €44,000 has so far been raised for the charity, which supports people of all ages with intellectual disabilities in the Dublin area.
With something in the region of 1600 birdies expected over the four rounds of the championship, around €50,000 is expected to be generated for RESPECT Ireland.
Sr Zoe Killeen, Director of RESPECT Ireland, said: “We are delighted with the number of birdies and eagles made by these top professionals. The total raised so far is overwhelming and will make a huge difference to the lives of the people we care for.”
In addition to the on course activities, spectators are also making a huge contribution with €1 per Official Programme and Drawsheet sold also being donated to RESPECT Ireland.
