JP McManus Pro-Am

I thought it was a fantastic event and ran unbelievably well from all points of view to transport, crowds etc. The one criticism I had which has already been raised here is the food and beverage offerings were not fit for purpose for the size of the crowd. The Championship Village along the 9th fairway didn't have enough capacity for the crowds and the scattering of other food trucks around the grounds weren't enough either as they were for the most part mobbed with queues also.

I think there should have been a second village at the practice area to load balance the demand. The best place to go was to the Woodlands Hotel just off the course where there were no queues.

As regards the course it is amazing. I was lucky enough to play it in May as I made it through to the grand qualifier, but unfortunately didn't make it all the way to the pro-am (although I would have **** myself on the 1st tee🤣). Some have criticised that it wasn't a good course to watch form. I didn't fine that to be honest. Now I am over 6 foot which probably helped. I stationed myself at the 1st tee the first day and got close to all the tee shots. It was surreal watching all those players come through one after another. One the second day I found some excellent places to watch from. I do accept that many of the greens being elevated means a restricted view from some angles but I still saw plenty of action. I do believe they will need a grandstands for the RC though (I've no doubt they will as there is plenty of room). It's especially true of the 18th which was one of the worst to view from as there was now viewing spots behind.

It's also funny how some impressions I had of some players coming in was so wrong. I didn't really like Scheffler that much prior to the pro-am, as I found him boring and robotic. Seeing him in person, nothing could be further from the truth. He was excellent. Interacted with the crowd, always had a smile on his face. A very amusing scene on the 9th fairways playing with Michael O'Leary where the first 2 amateurs hooked their second shots into the crowd (big shouts of fore), then Michael steps up and hits on down the middle and Scheffler roars "FORE" at the top of his lungs! 🤣

Overall an excellent two days with memories that will live with me forever.

I’m not from Limerick and I’ve never benefited in any way, shape or form from JP McManus but I know plenty people who have.

One lad that lives in the village close to us was caught up with the wrong crowd at home. He was mad into horses and someone put him in touch with a friend of a friend of Enda Bolgers. McManus got wind of him and organised a job for him in a racing yard down our way. The young fella is flying now because of it.

A neighbour of my sister’s was awarded a JP scholarship for medicine and is now a doctor on his way to becoming a consultant. He had the brains but not the means to get put through 3rd level. JP’s scholarship got him his start.

Our local GAA club got new sets of jerseys for two adult teams when JP gave money to every county board when Limerick won the All Ireland.

He isn’t tax dodging, he’s fully tax compliant in the state. What don’t people get here? Would his money be better served lining the pockets of a corrupt and totally inept government? No it wouldn’t.

Case in point is Michael O'Leary, who was playing in this ProAm. He pays his tax here and is very generous with his money. He doesn't curate the benevolent philanthropist persona that McManus does.

Considering how bad the Irish climate is, its probably the best of both worlds to spend 6 months in a sunny tax haven and spend the summers in Ireland.

I just realised the American golfers missed July 4th celebrations with their families to play this pro-am. Still can't see how JP convinced them

Those giving out about LIV golf and saying this pro am is ok is an awful hypocrite

This event was sports washing at its best, splashing money at golfers and their partners to boost an image and promote a 5 star hotel sounds awfully like what Saudi Arabia are doing

I'm nearly embarrassed for you with that comment.

What was the net take for charity so? Does that get released? Because between the 10K vouchers and however the pros get looked after hard to see where the actual benefit is to charities versus mr.selective residency just dipping into his own pockets on the quiet.

a lot of cap doffers in the house here

Your confusing me with someone else this is my 1st post on the matter.

and surely asking what net benefit was versus costs is a legit question?

and I don’t see any allegation of scamming in my post- that’s some projection

The best bit is people moaning about this and still going to it, just hilarious

What did the say about him?

Quite right too . The amoral blood money-grabbers should be ostracised on every front.

Not news really- though you won’t see much in the papers

giving away a tiny fraction of your untaxed pile in an ostentatious manner enough to shut most people up. Very cheap for what he gets out of it