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Darren Clarke proves a popular Pro-Am winner
DARREN Clarke proved a hugely popular winner of a record-breaking JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am at the Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort on Tuesday evening.
Clarke fired a brilliant second round of 68 to finish on three under and record a hugely popular one-shot victory over England's Luke Donald.
Record-breaking crowds of more than 80,000 golf fans turned out to watch the world's finest golfers showcase their talents in the glamour two-day event which also featured a host of celebrity players and club golfers competing in a team event.
A delighted Clarke was presented with his unique Winning Trophy 'Golf' designed by Lorenzo Quinn by tournament host JP McManus on the 18th green on Tuesday while a large gallery of fans roared their approval.
Dungannonman Clarke, who succeeds Padraig Harrington as Pro-Am champion, said the McManus family had been fantastic hosts for the event.
"It has been a while since I have been in the winners' enclosure.
"To come here and play against a field like this and win is great," Darren Clarke enthused.
"On behalf of all the professionals we owe a huge debt of gratitude to JP and Noreen (McManus) for everything they have done.
"It is a huge mark of how JP is held in the professional golfing world, never mind the racing world, that he has the field of all the players who have come here to play this week.
"They are fantastic hosts. The Pro-Am was a huge success.
"Anything that JP does is always going to be the best of the best.
"The amount of people that have turned up and how kind and generous the spectators have been, ultimately the support that he has generated for local charities, there is nothing comparable to it in the world of golf."
It is estimated that the event raised up to €30 million for local charities and groups in their work with the underprivileged and disadvantaged.
That figure is similar to the amount raised in 2005.
Tournament host JP McManus said the support of so many people who made sure the event worked so well in Adare was very, very satisfying: "Your support when we go and ask - the celebrities, the professional golfers who come during a very busy time of the year, the sports personalities, the screenplayers - is made much easier by the great welcome and reception that you the spectators gave them throughout the day.
"I would like to congratulate our winners. Of the amateur team event the winners were Bernard, Padraig and Raymond Hackett (from Nenagh Golf Club) with an outstanding score of thirty-three under. Well done guys.
"Finally my congratulations to Darren Clarke for a great Irish win here today. And the last couple of winners we had (Tiger Woods and Padraig Harrington) went on to win the British Open very soon after winning here and we wish him all the best at St. Andrew's next week."
After a disappointing opening round of 79 world number one Tiger Woods had the large galleries enthralled as he came roaring back with an impressive round of 69.
The 2000 Pro-Am winner Woods has been an ardent supporter of the Pro-Am since he made his first appearance in the event at Limerick Golf Club a decade ago. The 14-time Major winner revealed that he was determined to make it back again this year, despite the marital problems which surfaced in late 2009.
"I always want to support what JP (McManus) is doing," world number one Tiger Woods said.
"The charitable efforts which he has made over the years is one of the reasons why I've come back. This is my third time doing it.
"JP (McManus) and I have become great friends over the years.
"I think it's a testament to what he has done and is trying to do for all of Irish golf and Ireland in general.
"Just look at the field of people who have come out and supported what he's trying to do, it's pretty phenomenal," Tiger Woods said.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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