The first JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am teed off at Limerick Golf Club in 1990 attracting many of Europe's top professional golfers of the time, including Philip Walton, Christy O'Connor Jnr, Des Smyth, Brian Barnes, Gordon Brand jnr, Bill Longmuir, Paul Way, Eamonn Darcy, and Richard Boxall. The tournament helped to raise almost €1.2 million for charities in the Limerick region.
In 1995 the event attracted many more professional golfers from the highest echelons including three outstanding members of the US PGA Seniors Tour - Jim Colbert, Bob Murphy and Tom Wargo. Many of the younger professionals who also took part were embarking on exciting new careers at the time such as Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood, Paul McGinley and Andrew Coltart. The funds raised on that occasion increased to almost €4 million.
The Pro-Am in 2000 was once again hosted at Limerick Golf Club. Over fifteen thousand people enjoyed two fantastic days of golf, witnessing none other than Tiger Woods securing victory. He fended off some of the world's greatest golfers including Stuart Appleby, Padraig Harrington, Thomas Bjorn, David Duval, Lee Janzen and Mark O'Meara to name a few. Other sports personalities who also competed in the tournament were Martin O'Neill, Keith Wood, Gary Lineker and Eddie Jordan. The tournament that year raised €19.8 million.
The 2005 JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am moved to a new home at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort and had approximately 200 volunteers working on the event. The line-up was outstanding with the likes of Tiger Woods, Michael Campbell, Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie all making the trip and taking time out of their busy schedules to play a couple of rounds of golf for charity. Make no mistake, however, the competition was fierce. The 56 teams competing consisted of one professional and three other players. Over 8,600 people played in pre-qualifying golf tournaments organised by local charities throughout the country. As a result, twelve charity teams qualified to play in the Pro-Am.
A few famous faces also popped up on some of the teams, Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres, Real Madrid football star Michael Owen and The OC's Peter Gallagher to mention but a few. In the end there could only be one winner, and how fitting that Ireland's own Padraig Harrington was the successful player to lift the 2005 trophy, with Charleville Community Care having the successful overall winning team. As a result, over €31m was allocated to 56 charities in the mid-west region.
Over €55m has been raised since 1990 with all the monies in their entirety going to the beneficiaries. The tournament's success stems from the genuine interest invested in the event by all the parties including the golfers, volunteers, supporters, media, public, and the European Tour and the committee.
Padraig Harrington set to defend his title of the Jp Mcmanus Invitational Pro-Am In 2010 The 2010 JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am was officially launched today, 19th November, at a press conference attended by reigning champion, Padraig Harrington.
The tournament will take place at Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort on the 5th & 6th July.
