Noble takes on 'Mission 99' to raise funds for club

County Cavan Golf Club professional, Bill Noble, is taking on a huge challenge in an effort to raise vital funds for the club.

On Friday, June 22, the 47-year-old will attempt to complete eight rounds of golf at eight different courses in County Cavan. That's a total of 99 holes.

The county of Cavan boasts three 18 hole courses; Co. Cavan Golf Club, Slieve Russell and Farnham Estate plus five nine hole courses; Blacklion, Belturbet, Crover House, Cabra Castle and Virginia Golf Club.

Noble intends to begin his 'Mission 99' challenge at 4am in Blacklion and follow a route that will take him to Slieve Russell, Belturbet, Farnham Estate, Cabra Castle, Virginia and Crover House before finishing at Co. Cavan sometime around 11pm.

Well, that's the plan anyway.

“I know that there will be a least four hours travelling by car on the day,” said Noble who is a keen amateur runner.

“I'm going to try and play normal golf but just very quickly. At some of the venues I will be using a buggy to get around but my intention is to run at the nine hole venues.”

Like many clubs, Co. Cavan was a victim of the financial crisis of the late 2000's and suffered a noticeable drop in membership and revenue. Having invested heavily in facilities during the early part of the decade, the club was left trying to service a €1.6m debt.

The club’s debt was later sold on to a vulture fund and there followed 30 months of difficult negotiations. A final settlement figure of €655,000 was agreed and following intensive work by the club committee and with an outstanding commitment from members and some third-party funding, a settlement was made and the club remains in the ownership of the members.

The members invested in six-year debentures carrying an annual dividend payment. The task now facing the club is to make good on these debentures while also ensuring the effective management of the facility over the coming years.

Noble added: “Some of the money raised from this event will go towards paying back those members but a significant part will also be spent on improving the course.

“One of the members here at the club, Terry Smyth, who is a former captain came up with the idea.

“We are aiming for around the €50-€55k mark but we think potentially we could raise as much as €90k.

“Obviously it's all a bit of an unknown for me. As a child, I would regularly have played 36 and even 54 holes in a day but clearly, I haven't done that for a long time!”

To become part of this amazing feat the fundraising committee is inviting members of the public to become ‘Friends of Cavan Golf’ for just €10.

With this €10 investment comes a gift of a green fee voucher allowing two people to play for the price of one at Co. Cavan Golf Club and an invitation to attend the Monster Barbeque that will follow Bill’s amazing effort.

In addition, there will be a fantastic range of prizes on offer on the night of the barbeque to those who become Friends of Co. Cavan Golf Club.