Barretstown Gang Camp, located in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland, is a specially-designed camp that offers psychosocial support for children diagnosed with cancer and other serious illnesses, as well as programs supporting the families of these children. Corrymeela Reconciliation Center, founded in 1965, is dedicated to the healing of social, religious and political divisions in Northern Ireland and throughout the world. With the funds raised from the annual golf tournament, both organizations have made vast renovations and refurbishments to the facilities to further help the communities and children that depend on their services.
Irish golfing legend O'Connor Jr. began his professional career in 1970 and was at the forefront of the PGA European Tour for over two decades. During his PGA career, Christy won 17 tournaments in seven different countries, representing Ireland in the World Cup, the Alfred Dunhill Cup, the Double Diamond, the Hennessy Cup and the Ryder Cup, in which he defeated the then world No. 1 golfer Fred Couples at Belfry in 1989, when he hit a magnificent 2-iron to the 18th green and won the match, 1-up. O'Connor joined the European Senior Tour in 1998 and the American Senior Tour in 1999. Over the years he won the State Farm Senior Classic, the 1999 Senior British Open at Royal Portrush, the Foremost Insurance Championship and the 2000 Senior British Open title at Royal County Down.
The 14th Annual Eithne & Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, May 14, at the Knollwood Country Club in Elmsford, NY. This year's sponsors include the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group, Heineken, Anheuser-Busch, Continental Airlines, British Airways and Aer Lingus.