Irish Win the US-Ireland Alliance Golf Challenge - John and Pat Hume Present George J. Mitchell Scholars With Their Class Rings

May 19, 2004

The fourth US-Ireland Alliance Golf Challenge was held at the K Club earlier this week, once again bringing to Ireland some of America's top corporate executives to play in a competition against their Irish peers. The Irish team won the tournament with a score of 10-8, taking the cup back from the Americans. The Irish are now up 3-1 in the series.

Sponsors of the tournament were Bowne Global Solutions, DiamondCluster International, French Estates, IAWS, Michael McNamara & Co., Optica, Royal College of Surgeons, and Transaction Network Services.

On Monday evening, Tom Coughlin, Vice Chairman of Wal-mart and participant on the US team in the golf tournament, addressed the Dublin business community at a dinner at the Four Seasons. John and Pat Hume were also honored for their commitment to Ireland and they presented the graduating class of George J. Mitchell Scholars with their class rings. Trina Vargo, President of the US-Ireland Alliance said of Mr. Coughlin, who is a member of the Alliance Advisory Board, "We're grateful that he agreed to speak at this dinner which served as a fundraiser for us. An opportunity to hear from someone who runs the world's largest corporation was of great interest to the Dublin business community and we're delighted we could provide this opportunity."

This year's US-Ireland Alliance Golf Challenge coincided with the annual ring ceremony marking the end of the academic year for the George J. Mitchell Scholars. The Mitchell program is the flagship project of the US-Ireland Alliance. It brings to Ireland, for a year of post-graduate study, future leaders from the US. The class rings are specially designed for the Scholarship program and are a gift of Cross Atlantic Capital Partners. The dinner was attended by a wide variety of Irish life including former Taioseach Garret Fitzgerald, U2 Manager Paul McGuinness, producer Noel Pearson, Pat Rabbitte, Gay Mitchell, property developer Derek Quinlan, Xsil Chairman Peter Conlon, Matt Rossmeissl of Microsoft, Laurence Crowley of the Bank of Ireland, Maurice Pratt of C&C, former US Ambassador to Ireland Mike Sullivan, and numerous leaders in the Irish business, education, political and entertainment communities.

Members of the American team included: Ed Anderson, CEO of Ambrosia Solutions; Mel Bergstein, co-founder, Chairman & CEO of Chicago-based Diamond Cluster International; Rob Clancy, VP of Investor Relations at Alltel; Tom Coughlin; John Daly, host of "Real TV" and "House Detective;" Mark Ein, CEO of Venturehouse Group; James Fagan, President & CEO of Bowne Global Solutions; Scott Ford, President & CEO of Alltel; Jeff Brauer, VP of Universal Pictures; Jack McDonnell, founder, Chairman & CEO of Transaction Network Services; and Barry Sternlicht, Chairman & CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Members of the Irish team included: Michael Butler, President of the Royal College of Surgeons; Peter Butler, Group Head of Banking, Anglo-Irish Bank; accountant David Coyle; Frank Fenn, Managing Director of Foods & Beverages, DCC; Arthur French, French-Estates; Michael Horgan, Deputy Chief Executive of the Royal College of Surgeons; Philip Lynch, Chairman of IAWS; Dr. Martin McAleese; Minister Charlie McCreevey; Benard McNamara, Managing Director of Michael McNamara Builders; Donal MacNally of Optica, and John Nagle, CEO of Alphyra.