Pitch & Putt IrelandAnne Sweeney R.I.P.
Sad loss of Kildare Pitch and Putt personality
The Kildare Pitch and Putt community is mourning the loss of Anne Sweeney (RIP) as is the wider Pitch and Putt world.
Anne was a stalwart and determined Pitch and Putt competitor for decades. Across three months in 2002, for instance, Anne was crowned Club, County and Provincial Matchplay champion. On April 24, Anne won the St. Bridget’s Junior Club Matchplay. On June 23 (fresh from a knee replacement), she took the Kildare County Junior Matchplay at St. Bridget’s. Just a month later on July 21 Anne was on the winner’s rostrum again, after clinching the Leinster Junior Matchplay titke at McDonagh.
A regular Kildare Inter-Club tournament winner with St. Bridget’s, Anne reached the Leinster Junior Matchplay semi-finals as recently as 2024.
Anne had a particularly fruitful relationship with and aptitude for the All-Ireland Over-55 Junior grade Strokeplay, a championship she won in 2018 (at McDonagh) and in 2023 (at Glenville) having been runner-up at E.S.B. in 2019.
An encouraging and yet challenging teammate, Anne contributed handsomely to Leinster Ladies Junior Inter-County winner successes with Kildare teams (that also included Dina Dillon, Gabrielle Sweeney, Catherine Dillon, Emma Hanley, Christina Foley, Marian Gannon-Kelly, Fiona Lambe and Theresa O’Keeffe) in 2016, 2019 and 2023
National Junior Strokeplay runner-up at St. Bridget’s in 2019, Anne was held in the highest esteem by all who had the privilege to meet her.
A strong supporter of Scratch Cups, Anne regularly lifted the ladies category two laurels.
Deeply interested in the ladies aspect of our sport, Anne took an active part in the various provincial national social days. She claimed overall honours in the 2017 National Ladies Promotional Day at McDonagh (alongside Frances Murphy from Kilshannig and Betty Fox of The Acres).
Anne linked-up in myriad Pitch and Putt tournaments with her beloved husband Christy and the pair collected the Best 1st 18 award in the 2014 Leinster Mixed Foursomes at Old County, one of scores of prizes they won together.
Anne delivered huge support while Christy served as a very effective Competitions Secretary of Kildare County Board for many years.
Anne also functioned administratively at St. Bridget’s, acting as an enthusiastic and successful Lady Captain of the Kilcullen club, each visitor to which she greeted with an engaging smile and welcome.
Anne, from Kildare town and Curragh Camp native Christy and lived all their lives in Co. Kildare. They raised a large family, amassed many Pitch and Putt titles, and latterly doted on their grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Most of Anne’s nine sons also played Pitch and Putt at St. Bridget’s.
Anne was a first cousin of the late, great Kildare Inter-County player Jim Connolly.
She loved Country and Western Music and was no mean singer herself, enlivening many a social occasion.
Anne’s was a warm and charming personality. She will be sadly missed on the Pitch and Putt circuits of Ireland.
We send heartfelt sympathy to Christy, to Anne’s extended family, to St. Bridget’s club and to her many friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.
Latest National News
Latest Regional News
| 2025 Cyder Cup |
| Cill Na Móna Scratch Cup |
| MELLOWS SCRATCH CUP 28th September |
| Loughlinstown Scratch Cup 10th August |
| Bellewstown Scratch cup - Sat 26th July |