6th Annual AIF Philadelphia Golf Classic : 9.17.07

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This year's 6th Annual AIF Philadelphia Golf Classic elevated this esteemed event and chapter to new heights as a record 340 golfers particpated in what has become the premier charitable golf outing in the greater Philadelphia area. Under the magnificent blue autumn skies of the regal Philadelphia suburbs, golfers descended on four of the areas premier courses for a day of camaraderie, competition and celebration of Ireland.

Under the superb leadership of Chairman, Ward Fitzgerald, and Deputy Chairmen, Bob Loftus and Michael McCabe, this year's event not only added an unprecedented fourth course to the outing, but raised a record $345,000 bringing the total raised from this event to close to $1.6 million.

Additionally, it was this dynamic trio who instituted the first annual AIF Philadephia Leadership Award presented to the Philadelphian who best exemplifies the core values of The American Ireland Fund through charitable works, a love for Ireland and contributions to culture and the game of golf. This year's inaugural honoree was the legendary James W. Finegan, distinguished author of six books, including Where Golf is Great: The Finest Courses of Scotland and Ireland which was the recipient of the 2006 United States Golf Association’s Herbert Warren Wind Book Award. Mr. Finegan regaled the dinner audience with some of his most memorabe golf experiences from Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. All participants received a signed copy of this collectible volume and we extend our thanks to Mr. Finegan for taking the time to sign each book.

The event also honored and sponsored another Philadelphia icon, Fr. John McNamee of St. Malachy's school in north Philadelphia. Two of the highlights of the event were the students from St. Malachy's who cheerfully greeted the golfers and Fr. McNamee's very moving address to the audience that evening. In addition to his famed devotion to preserving St. Malachy's for inner city Philadelphia's most underprivileged, Fr. McNamee is a renowned poet and author whose book, Diary of a City Priest, was made into a motion picture. St. Malachy's and select schools in Northern Ireland who integrate Catholic and Protestant children were the highlighted benficiaries of this year's event.

The AIF and this year's Golf Committee would like to extend special thanks to our sponsors and Mark Sweeney for product donations from Diageo.

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Information: Jim O'Connor
P - 617-694-9899
E - joconnor@irlfunds.org

Photo Index
1. Tony Hayden, Jim Maguire, Peter Pierce, Eustace Wolfington
2. Brian Early, James W. Finegan, Bob Loftus, Brendan Kilty
3. Step dancers from Ryan's School of Irish Dancing
4. The ACE Club - evening reception.
5. Chairman, Ward Fitzgerald
6. Fr. John McNamee, St. Malachy's School.
7. Deputy Chairman, Bob Loftus introduces James W. Finegan.
8. James W. Finegan addresses the audience.
9. Bob Loftus, James W. Finegan, Kingsley Aikins
10. Kingsley Aikins, Young Leaders' Brian Kent.
11. Deputy Chairman, Michael McCabe.
12. Waterford Glass trophy
13. Where Golf is Great: The Finest Courses of Scotland and Ireland