On Monday October 5th, The Ireland Funds hosted its 18th Annual New Jersey Golf Classic at Bayonne Golf Club. Over 80 golfers and friends of The Ireland Funds came together in what was the first in-person event hosted by The Ireland Funds since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After guests enjoyed brunch on the patio and a morning on the driving range, Pat Tully formally welcomed everyone and went over the rules for the day before sending the golfers out on the challenging links of Bayonne.

Following a long day out on the course, guests gathered outside for cocktails on the terrace.

Gene McQuade, Chairman of The Ireland Funds America, opened the dinner program and thanked the Golf Committee, the event’s sponsors and everyone who came out to support the work of The Ireland Funds during such a challenging time. Gene said that the golf classic was an example of the camaraderie and friendship amongst our network which is what makes The Ireland Funds so special.

Gene highlighted The Ireland Funds COVID-19 Response Fund, which is supporting the work of 33 frontline organizations across the country in the areas of domestic violence and abuse, food poverty, mental health, access to education, disability services and community support. He noted that several organizations had reached out and said that without this critical funding, they did not know how they would make it through the pandemic. Gene thanked his fellow Board Directors, Mike Higgins, Shane Naughton, Kevin Curley and Bill Murphy for supporting this year’s event.

Gene then introduced Patrick Murphy, Chair of the 2020 New Jersey Golf Classic and President & CEO of Trident Construction. He noted how Patrick started as a Young Leader and is now leading one of The Ireland Funds’ flagship fundraisers. Patrick thanked his fellow Committee Members, key sponsors and guests who made this year’s golf classic possible and a resounding success. Patrick spoke warmly about the work of The Ireland Funds and announced that the event had surpassed its fundraising target. He highlighted the tagline for the event – “Come for the Golf, Stay for the Mission” – and noted how this year that mission has never been more relevant as the current pandemic has proven devastating to so many organizations supported by The Ireland Funds.

Patrick then presented the golf awards, with Alex Lefcakis winning Longest Drive and Pat Tully winning Closest to the Pin.

2nd Net went to Shawn Hanna, Jason McCaughey, John Degnan and Frank Kelly while 1st Net went to Tom Kennedy, Anthony Callaghan, Joe Quinlan and Pat Tully. The 1st Gross winning team went to Jimmy Fields, Conor Rooney, Zeeshan Naqvi and Barry Flanagan.

Special thanks to this year’s key sponsors: Cassin & Cassin LLP, Mutual of America, Northern Litho, Trident Construction.

We are grateful to Invest Northern Ireland for underwriting this year’s Cocktail Reception and the following Foursomes Sponsors: Bank of Ireland, Children’s Medical Research Foundation, Curley Financial Group, John Degnan & Family, Douglas Management & Realty, Michael Higgins, KPMG, Brian & Joelle Kelly Family Foundation, Marsh, Robert J. McCann, Conor T. McCoy, Shane Naughton, The Padded Wagon and the Van Lenten Trust.

Special thanks to our 2020 New Jersey Golf Classic Patron Robert J. McCann, the New Jersey Golf Classic Chair Patrick Murphy and our 2020 committee who made this year’s event possible: Anthony Callaghan, Kevin Curley, Ed Dowling, Brendan P. Farrell, Jr., Bob Garrett, Michael P. Higgins, Michael J. Hurley, Jr. , Martin P. Kehoe, Thomas N. Kelly, Conor T. McCoy, Angus Miller, William M. Murphy, Charles P. Reagan, Pat Tully.