On Friday the 8th September, on a day where the weather in Wicklow never quite made its mind up, MA submitted a team for the Ireland-US Council Golf Day at the strikingly picturesque Dun Laoghaire club in Enniskerry.

Aer Lingus sponsored the day, and laid on a mouth-watering booklet of prizes. I’m sure I speak on behalf of every team present when I say that we had a brief war cabinet to organise how we would channel our efforts into securing the top-end prizes – such as free Business Class travel across multiple US destinations. The mitigating factor in the back of our minds, however, was that after the success of the Mason Alexander team at a golf day the week prior (where Andrew kept up his happy and convenient knack of playing five shots below his submitted handicap), we were very conscious that another Mason Alexander victory could have us black-marked on the corporate golfing circuit.

Our team of Megan, Susan, Andrea and Bobby teed off in the glorious sunshine on the Par 4 14th, and I’m pleased to report that our negotiation of the various sand and water hazards was very respectable – much more so than our grasp of what hole number corresponded with which tee box across the Upper and Middle courses, anyhow.

Showers came in the afternoon but we ploughed on. As the clouds cleared with a handful of holes to play, morale was high as we finished delighted to run out of holes long before we came close to running out of balls.

Overall, the venue, hospitality and atmosphere were all terrific and our team had a day full of laughs. Many thanks to Roddy at the Ireland-US Council for organising the day, and to Dun Laoghaire Golf Club for being exceptional hosts. Finally, thanks to Aer Lingus for adding so much to the day. We weren’t in the mix for any of the top prizes but the scale of them demonstrates the value they placed on Ireland-US Council, and the event itself.

Bobby Gamble