PowerPlay Golf Barretstown Serious Fun Weekend.

February 10th, 2009 by PowerPlay Golf

Between Friday 13th and Sunday 15th March, 30 golf clubs across Ireland will be participating in a massive national fundraising event in aid of Barretstown.

The PowerPlay Golf Barretstown Serious Fun Weekend is a new initiative from the people behind the ‘two-flag game’ which aims to give Irish golfers the chance to try this 9-hole format on some of the best golf courses in the country and at the same time raise money to bring kids suffering from serious illness to Barretstown for some serious fun of their own.

Robert Hill, PowerPlay Golf CEO in Ireland explains “With 30 golf courses and over 600 tee times from Waterford to Antrim - this is a weekend for fun and fundraising. We want golfers everywhere to get out and try PowerPlay Golf at their nearest venue. The clubs supporting the event are offering some fantastic value and all are contributing €10 of their green fee to Barretstown”.

The weekend also marks the official start of the PowerPlay Golf Irish Rankings. At every event throughout the year, there are PowerPlay Golf Dollars up for grabs which gives players the chance to participate in an order of merit just like the professionals and also create your own leagues for friends, clubs or colleagues.

PowerPlay Golf is played over 9 holes and uniquely there are two flags on each green – one white, and one the black PowerPlay flag. Golfers must take three ‘PowerPlays’ in their first eight holes and score double Stableford points for net birdies or better.

They have an optional fourth ‘PowerPlay’ on the final hole, but face a two-point penalty for net bogey or worse, so decision-making plays a crucial role in the enjoyment of the game.

What happens at Barretstown?
Barretstown offers a fun programme of challenging activities designed to help children deal with the emotional trauma of serious illness. Hospitals take care of the physical effects of serious illness. Barretstown helps to heal the emotional scars.
The children who come to Barretstown have spent a long time in hospital and been denied ordinary childhood experiences such as making friends, developing independence and social skills. At Barretstown they are encouraged to step outside their comfort zone and take on challenges such as being on a stage or climbing a 40ft tower. Through their successes they stop seeing themselves as sick kids and use their new-found confidence and skills to deal with the challenges of their everyday lives.

Quote from a Family at Spring Camp 2008
“It is as if we had been slaves for a long time.  Our chains were:  chemotherapy, drips, operations, tears, forced smiles for our child, lies to help him live ……, and then all of a sudden it was as if the chains were broken and we were set free.”

Fin Breatnach, Executive Director, Barretstown
“All the children and families come to Barretstown free of charge. Everything, including flights, food, accommodation and first-class medical care is paid for. In 2009 we have to raise more than €5 million to make the magic happen for more children with cancer and other serious illnesses.”