Tournament Wrap Up:
The 25th anniversary of The Ireland Funds Texas Irish American Cup Challenge, co-chaired by Chris Carrie and Sam Chantilis, was held May 6, 2024, at Northwood Club, Dallas, Texas. The Ireland Funds welcomed 120 golfers with 17 joining from Ireland. After the morning competition concluded, players and spectators watched the shootout starting on hole #14. Nine Irish teams competed among themselves, and 10 American teams also competed among themselves to see who would progress. The Irish duo Nick Gallagher and John Kennedy won with a par 4 on #17. Americans Peter Lynch and David Brezette also won with a par 4 on #17. Playing for their respective country and the harp trophy on #18 Nick Gallagher and John Kennedy made 5 to win and Ireland prevailed.
Gross Division
1st Jim Duda – Brian Coe – Kevin Youngblood – Greg Rich – 66
2nd Greg Langston – Steve Burke – Palmer Fortune – Will Dorn — 67
3rd Ed Hourigan – Pat Murphy – Rex Hourigan – Grant Hourigan – 69
Net Division
1st John Oborn – Bill Winkelmann – Jim Falvo – Andrew Winkelmann – 58
2nd Peter Lynch – David Brezette – Sam Viviano – Roby Mize – 59
3rd Kevin Curley – Greg Boots – Syd Hurley – Denis Patterson – 59
Low Irish
Gareth McIlroy – Bill Randall – Geraldine Doran – Peter Smith – 60
Hall of Fame Dinner and Auction
During the dinner program Chris and Sam acknowledged and thanked the sponsors, underwriters, auction donors, Irish golfers, the Golf Committees, Northwood Club and all who supported the tournament and events leading up to the tournament. For the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, John Tillotson acknowledged Archie Bennett, Brian Kennedy, and John Kennedy for their years of commitment and contributions to the event. He also acknowledged Dolores McCall who made a contribution to Glenstal Abbey on behalf of recently departed Tournament co-founder, Mike Corboy.
History
It all began in 1998 with Mike Corboy, Jack Sistrunk, Tom Tierney and Tommy Gallagher and Kingsley Aikins, former CEO of The Ireland Funds. Together, the five dreamed up the idea of having a friendly golf tournament between Irish and Americans. That dream was celebrated with the 25th Anniversary Texas Irish American Cup Challenge.
