Truesdale wins Toner’s emotional President’s Day

Mourne Golf Club News

05.08.2024

By Paul Gallagher

Mourne Golf Club was packed to the rafters last Sunday evening to witness Alan Truesdale receive the top prize at Keith Toner’s President’s Day after a sensational score on the Championship Links at Royal County Down.

Truesdale finished top of the pile with a great score of 43 points. It needed to be good as he was closely followed by Neil Collins in second (42 points), while Gerard Toner (40) was third and Sean Murray (39) claimed fourth on a countback.

Toner generously put up an array of wonderful prizes and there were many more categories to be announced. The Veteran’s Prize was won by Michael Cunningham with his score of 25 points for 11 holes on the Annesley Links. The Visitor’s Prize went to Barry Gilliland from Ardglass with his excellent score of 40 points.

Eugene Rooney had his eye in to win the Putting Competition with seven hole-outs, while few got near Kieran Polly’s booming Longest Drive on the 18^th that measured some 300 yards. Nearest the Pin was Paul O’Kane with his fine effort at the 10^th while Mark Feenan picked up the Gross Prize with his level par 71 that contained three birdies at six, 12 and 18.

For Truesdale it was a day to remember as he also received the perpetual President’s Day trophy presented by Brian O’Boyle to go along with the new TaylorMade driver as the first prize.

“I am honoured so many turned out for my President’s Day. From myself and all my family I want to thank you. I also want to congratulate all the winners,” said Toner.

Toner’s President’s Day was a celebration of golf and one of the highlights on Mourne’s golfing calendar. With almost 140 golfers taking to the Championship Links or the Annesley Links for the various competitions, there was almost double that number present at the clubhouse for the dinner and prizegiving as family, wives and partners joined to celebrate President’s Day.

Those in attendance were treated to food and service of the highest order by Trevor and Dennis Orr and their team before Gene Fitzpatrick took to the floor and had the audience eating out of his hands as he told oul yarns and had plenty of craic.

Toner made a heartfelt speech and thanked everyone who supported his big day. Flanked by family and friends he also asked the late Tommy Fitzpatrick’s wife Patricia to join him to carry out the charity draw for the framed Shane Lowry piece.

The charity draw was held in aid of Heartbeat, which Mourne member Tommy championed for many years. In an emotional exchange it was an entirely fitting gesture by the President to ask Patricia to carry out the draw. Andy Beattie was the winner of the charity draw.

With prizegiving proceedings carried out it was soon time for Anna’s Number to assume their position as the main musical entertainment, while celebrations continued into the night.

It was a President’s Day to remember as Keith and his family pulled out all the stops.

-ENDS

Alan Truesdale (centre) receives the perpetual President’s Day trophy from Brian O’Boyle (left) with Mourne Golf Club President Keith Toner (Photo: Danny Hillen)