Charity Golf Scramble in memory of the late Petie O’Rourke

Next Sunday, October 29, Ballinamore Golf Club will host a Charity Golf Scramble Competition in memory of their former club captain and popular member Petie O’Rourke. Proceeds from the event will go towards the Irish Cancer society and specifically research into Prostate Cancer.

About 3,940 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in Ireland. This means that 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, in 2020 Petie was diagnosed with the cancer of the prostate and eventually succumbed to his illness in September last year at the age of 71.

Petie’s working career started in Laird’s Jam factory in the 1970’s after the closure of the factory he started his own business, O’Rourke Design and Planning, based in Ballinaglera where he worked right up to his untimely death.

Petie was well known for his work in planning, many of the homes built or extended across Co Leitrim and surrounding counties had Petie’s hand on them.

Petie was a wise counsel and went about his business with a great sense of humour which endeared him to so many people.

He was indeed respected by everyone from the officials he dealt with at local authority level, the legal profession and of course the clients themselves.

Petie had a huge interest in sport, he was the ‘sharpshooter’ for the successful Allen Gaels GAA team in the 1970’s; afterwards he played with his beloved Ballinaglera, holding many other positions as a club officer and team manager.

He joined Ballinamore Golf Club in the 1980’s and was captain in 2008 also in that year he and John Lockhart from Carrigallen won the All-Ireland Captains and Captain’s prize-winner title at Royal Dublin GC.

There was real shock at his passing, and he is dearly missed not least by his family, wife Angela, daughter Melanie and sons Jason and Mark alongside his wider relations but by his close friends in sport and business.

It was decided by Petie’s friends and golfing partners to honour his memory by having a once off charity fundraising day and specifically to fundraise to assist the ongoing research into prostate cancer which hopefully will find ways to tackle the disease and reduce the mortality rate.

The club will host a scramble for teams of 4 people, with two ‘shotgun starts’ at 10am and 2PM over 9 holes. Please contact Enda (086 27677637) or John (086806316) to enter a team.

Refreshments will be served after the round and €100 is team entry.

The main sponsor of the event is the Gallagher Group, Pat Gallagher the company CEO was a very close friend of Petie over many years, and he will be on hand to present the prizes.

In the clubhouse after golfers and friends from all over the county and beyond will be invited back to the clubhouse for the prize giving charity draw and some reminiscing on the stories around Petie’s life in sport and business, of which there are so many!

Music will be provided by Padraig Sweeney (Ballinamore) and it is expected to get under way from 5:30pm on Sunday evening.

Many reading this may not be a golfer and who would like to be associated with this event can contact Enda McGloin 0862677637 or John D’arcy 0868063162. People are welcome to donate spot prizes or a subscription towards the draw.

There is an open invitation to the many friends and acquaintances of Petie to come along Ballinamore Golf Clubhouse on Sunday evening from 5.30, you will be very welcome.