Irish Take Home the Cup

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The Irish summer arrived just in time for the US-Ireland Alliance Golf Challenge, which was played at Doonbeg Golf Club this week. But the weather didn't help the Americans as the Irish retained the cup 7 points to 5 points. After the first days play of four balls, the US and Ireland were all squared. In the second days play of singles, the Irish won 5-3 and it came down to the final matches.

The US-Ireland Alliance hosts this golf challenge to introduce American executives to leaders in Ireland.

Alliance president Trina Vargo said, "We had hoped the American win at the Ryder Cup would propel us to victory. We had the inspiration, but unfortunately, not always the putts."

Laurence Crowley, former Governor of the Bank of Ireland, captained the Irish team while Buddy Darby, Doonbeg owner and founder and CEO of Kiawah Resort Associates, captained the US team.

In addition to Buddy Darby and Trina Vargo, the US team included: Jack Shafer, former CEO of Allied Domecq; John Dewberry, Chairman and CEO of Dewberry Capital; Mark Byrne, Chairman of Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings; John Bresnan, Managing Director and Group Head, Global Markets Capital Management, Wachovia; Charlie Koones, former publisher of Variety and CEO Rockmore Media, and Nick Pappas, Managing Director, Eastdil Secured.

In addition to Laurence Crowley, the Irish team included Mary Ann OBrien, CEO, Lily OBriens chocolates; Tom Byrne, VP of Finance with British Telecom; Laurence Flavin, head of business development for Quinlan Private; Liam Donohoe, Country Manager for Apple in Ireland; Andrew ORourke, partner at Hayes Solicitors; Tony Condon, UCDs Director of Development; and Joe OMalley, a partner at Hayes Solicitors.

The ninth class of George J. Mitchell Scholars and Scholarship Director Mary Lou Hartman arrived in Ireland in time to attend the final nights dinner of the golf tournament. They then headed to Galway where they were guests of honor at a reception at NUIG, visited the Aran Islands, attended a Druid performance of Martin McDonaghs The Cripple of Inishmaan, and learned about Irish history from Gearoid O Tuathaigh; Irish stereotypes in film from Rod Stoneman; the Irish language from Dr. Louis de Paor; and enjoy an Irish music performance by Mary McPartland.