Cork golfer Seamus Cronin's 32 County Golfing Challenge for Marymount Hospice

Cork man Seamus Cronin is setting out on a golfing marathon this weekend, he’s planning to play 32 courses over the next few weeks, one course in every county in the country. 

And on that journey he’s hoping to raise a large amount for Marymount Hospice.

Seamus has a very personal reason for selecting the charity. 

His wife Emma passed away in 2024 following an illness and he has now decided take on the golfing challenge to raise funds for Marymount. 

“My wife Emma spent time in Marymount before she sadly passed away from cancer in 2024, age 43,” explained Seamus. 

“The care she received there was exceptional compassionate and truly caring this challenge is my way of remembering Emma and giving something back to a place that means so much to me.”

Marymount is a cause that’s close to many people in Cork, and it receives badly needed support from many different fundraising groups. 

As a hospital and hospice, the state covers the basic operating expenses like staffing and medications. 

However Marymount relies on roughly €3 million per year in fundraising for capital projects, facility upkeep, and clinical equipment. The fundraising donations also help support clinical outreach visits, day services, telehealth, and bereavement programmes.

The golf community support the charity too, with several golf classics naming Marymount as their beneficiary. 

This is a unique fundraiser in that it’s a month-long campaign by a single person, and one that will take him to all 32 counties in Ireland.

Seamus is a member in Blarney Golf Club and he says that he has had a great response to the campaign from golf clubs all over the country. 

He’s looking forward to playing a mixture of high-profile courses as well as some hidden gems. 

“The clubs I've contacted have been extremely positive about the fundraiser and have been very encouraging. 

"I suppose in particular I'm looking forward to seeing some of the courses which I haven't played previously, the likes of Slieve Russell, Malone in Belfast, Mullingar and Bunclody. 

"They are all top courses with great reputations so I'm looking forward to playing them. Also I'll be at the home clubs of both Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, Holywood and Esker Hills so they are sure to be highlights as well.”

Unlike many other endurance events like this, Seamus will not have a large entourage or support team, deciding to go it alone or with a few friends as he journeys through the four provinces. 

“For the most part it will be a solo effort but I have some people lined up to play with me at certain courses, a couple of fellow members from Blarney Golf Club and Inniscarra GAA Club. 

"Also some old friends from my UCC days who live in various counties around Ireland will join me for a game at courses along the journey.”

This is another impressive endurance golf event. In 2019 Monkstown’s Cian McNamara and Brian Hurley completed ten full rounds in one day in their home course, and ten years before that Denis O’Brien played seven rounds in Lee Valley. Seamus has the biggest challenge with 32 rounds, although he will just one round per day.

With close to 300 kilometres of golf course walking ahead of him, Seamus has taken on a big physical challenge, playing five or six games a week for over a month, but he’s up for it. 

“I'd like to think so, hopefully I can keep the ball straight and cut down on the number of steps I'm taking! I played hurling for a good number of years with Inniscarra but anyone who played with me would know I wasn't a fan of the running and there was a reason I ended up as a goalkeeper!”

The fundraising effort has got off to a great start with supporters donating more than €10,000 in the first week of the campaign. 

The target that Seamus has set is €15,000 and he hopes to have reached this by the time he has played all 32 courses.

Seamus starts in Kerry on Sunday with the first round in scenic Kenmare, and then he moves through a few Munster courses including Newcastlewest, Tipperary and Ennis. 

From there it’s on to Connacht and Ulster, Seamus then heads to Leinster before heading back south. 

Seamus will play Goran Park, Bunclody and Tramore before finishing off in his home course, Blarney. 

His journey can be followed on his Instagram page, 32 for Marymount and there are also links there to donate to the fundraiser.