Ballyneety Golf Club had an immensely successful night at the Golf Course Awards recently in London, whereby the club was awarded the Affordable Excellence Award, as well as the flagship title of Great Britain & Ireland Golf Course of the Year. The trophy – a beautifully hand-carved stone sculpture – was presented by Chris Lomas, chief executive of Worplesdon Golf Club, last year’s winner.
General Manager John Leamy, collected the award, and reflected on what it meant to the club: “I’m speechless, this is the proudest moment of my career in golf. Ballyneety is a movement, made up of dedicated people, tireless volunteers and the entire community. People who love the game, who love their community, and love one another. It is a tribute to everyone associated with the club, we’ve all been in it together since the beginning, and I’m immensely proud to accept this award on behalf of everyone at Ballyneety.”
The Golf Course Awards judging panel chaired by Nick Dougherty, former tour professional and current Sky Sports Golf presenter, reflected on Ballyneety’s success: “They are a course and a club that has enjoyed an exceptional year or two, delivering transformative upgrades across the board, including a successful overhaul of all 50 bunkers. Perhaps more importantly, Ballyneety are the very definition of a community-led club, with a dedicated team of volunteers ensuring the course and club continue to punch way above their weight. Their constant drive to move the bar, to create, and to inspire is hugely motivational – they are a great role model for all golf clubs looking to provide a wonderful experience, whilst supporting the community that houses it.”