Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes (left) pictured at Shannon Golf Club with the winners of the Chamber’s 2023 Golf Classic, Gavin McPhillips, Alan Brigdale, Michael Sillery, and Noel Lynch, joined by David Fitzgibbon, managing director, CREGG and Eoin Gavin, president, Shannon Chamber. Photo by Eamon Ward.

With a team from CAE Park Aviation bringing in a score of 102 to beat 55 teams and 220 golfers at Shannon Chamber’s recent golf classic, the Chamber has its sights firmly set on retaining the title of All Island Chamber golf champions.

Having won the inaugural competition in 2022 with a team from Career Decisions, Shannon Chamber’s 2023 team will comprise the winners of this year’s classic – Gavin McPhillips, Alan Brigdale, Michael Sillery, and Noel Lynch who, playing for CAE Parc Aviation, had a 6-shot lead on a team from Zimmer Biomet to take podium position.

They will now go on to represent Shannon Chamber at the Chambers Ireland All Island Chamber Golf Classic, which will take place on Thursday, 12 October in the K Club, Straffan, Co. Kildare. The event will bring together winners of local Chamber golf competitions from around the country to compete for the prize of “Chamber All Island Champions 2023”. The competition will include prizes for both individual and team formats.  

Congratulating the winners, Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes said: “Our annual classic has become very popular with our members with most teams booking well in advance of the event. In fact, this year, we had a waiting list for entries. 

“That’s all down to the amazing support we receive from our sponsors. They enable us to deliver a high calibre, engaging and fun day. This year’s sponsors included CREGG, the anchor sponsor, with Pepper Advantage, SLE, Siemens, The Park Inn, Zagg, and Shannon Chamber Skillnet also coming on board.

“Players always love our goodie bags, which contained items from Gift Innovations, Don Smitz, Laya, and ABC Nutritional, with ZAGG giving each golfer an amazing departing gift.

“This level of support is testament to the buy-in we receive from our members. It’s a day in the year we look forward to as it enables our entire team to engage with members and for members in turn to enjoy down time playing golf and networking on the lush fairways of Shannon Golf Club. Bookings for our 2024 Classic are already coming in and the timesheet has not yet opened.

“All eyes will now be on the CAE Parc team when they play on our behalf in the K Club. They are very enthusiastic about retaining the title for Shannon Chamber so it won’t be a lack of effort that will impact the outcome; it will all be down to the conditions on the day and the golf itself. Our 330 members will be wishing them well, so, no pressure!,” added Ms Downes.

Shannon Chamber Golf Classic 2023 Results

Longest Drive Men’s:     Blaine O Sullivan, Chemifloc

Longest Drive Women:  Richella O Driscoll, Shoes for Crews

Nearest the Pin:              Liam Duggan, The Clare Champion

Prize Sponsors

• Gift Innovations – Winners’ crystal trophies
• The Shannon Airport Group
• Spanish Point GC
• Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg
• Dromoland Castle Hotel and Golf Club
• Limerick Golf Club
• Blarney Golf Resort
• The Clayton Hotel
• Ballyneety Golf Club
• Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa
• Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel & Spa
• One4All
• The Shannon Estuary Way
• Fota Island Resort Cork
• Shannon Leisure Centre
• The Savoy Hotel Limerick
• Great Southern Hotel Killarney
• The Falls Hotel
• Shannon Springs Hotel
• Killashee Hotel