Golf for Irish Insomniacs

A popular expression used to explain a person's illogical obsession is: 

He eats, sleeps and breathes... tiddlywinks, campanology, or golf. Except on this occasion Westport Golf Club have decided to forego the 'sleep' part. All in the name of 'The Gathering' you understand...


So, on Saturday 29th June, 2013, at the wonderful hour of 4am, the International Gathering of Golfing Insomniacs event will tee off, heralded by a shotgun start which will be a useful way to wake some of the competitors.

You won't see much at the start - maybe the foot or so in front of your face - but the dawn will bring Croagh Patrick out of its slumber to gaze down on your every shot. 

2012 Captains (Maura Jennings and Thomas F. Walsh) at Westport Golf Club. Looks like they got a lie-in. 

Westport is a Fred Hawtree designed course, set in the grounds of Westport House, on the shores of Clew Bay. Rory McIlroy recorded his first senior national title here, at the age of 15 (Irish Amateur Close Championship, 2005), but I'm guessing he didn't have to tee off quite so early.

It's a fourball format, so book a team or book just yourself, and join a bunch of other mad-hatters on the west coast of Ireland. The cost is €10 for members and €20 for visitors.

The par three 14th with Croagh Patrick beyond.

There's tea/coffee and a Danish on arrival - although many competitors may be bringing Red Bull - and a light breakfast (I thought that 'light' was a pun, but apparently not) will be served afterwards in the clubhouse... where the TV will be showing the Lions knocking the stuffing out of the Wallabies, in the 2nd Test.

Things to do in Westport if you're down this way. And there's the Atlantic Coast Challenge golf tournament along the north-west coast the following week (1-3 July)

Be mad, have some fun and come and play Golf for Irish Insomniacs.