SOUTHILL’S Church Green has been transformed into a Mecca for golf enthusiasts, eager to hone their putting skills, and now offers an innovatively designed course for locals. For some time residents had been using the area as a mini golf course, leading to Greg Dillon of the Southill Community Centre, posing the question: “Who is the true Church Green Champion?”.
To find the answer, Greg decided to arrange a tournament at the green, by turning it into a mini pitch and putt course.
“A small group of local enthusiasts decided that they would all pitch in and make this event a possibility,” Mr. Dillon told the Limerick Post.
“It was all done on a voluntary basis.
“The event was supported by the community centre, who provided a meeting place for the young men who came down and designed the course.
“They were Gary Keogh, Brendan McNamara and John Lynch.
“They then borrowed a lawnmower and marked out the course, and cut the T-off points.
“Mark Doherty borrowed a device from the Rathbane Golf course for making the holes”.
The O’Malley Park estate management had the grass in the large green area cut very short before the tournament.
The Family Resource Centre sponsored two trophies in recognition of community development.
“With all of the organisation completed, 12 players took part in the competition to determine who was the local Church Green Champion.
“The event had a great following as it was widely visible from all vantage points of the community.
“It was a great success because it gave locals an opportunity to bond over a common interest and was all in good humour”.
The winner on the day was Mark Doherty, followed by Martin Reilly in second and John Lynch in third place.
“Since the green was designed, it has encouraged more young people and parents to use the green on a daily basis,” added Greg.
“This was an excellent outcome and one that was totally unforeseen.
“Working on this momentum the volunteers are organising a lads and dads tournament for the end of August, with the opportunity to ‘foster’ one for those without a lad or dad”.
