A United front for Ronan's charity day

By Ken Sweeney

Tuesday September 07 2010

IT is the fundraiser where sporting legends, Hollywood actors, and pop stars tee off together.

But the annual Marie Keating Golf Classic took place yesterday at the K Club without any of the usual fanfare.

Named in honour of his late mother, the event is staged every year by Ronan Keating to raise funds for cancer research.

However, no media were invited to cover yesterday's event in Co Kildare because of fears that it would be overrun by reporters more interested in the Boyzone singer's marriage problems than happenings on the Arnold Palmer course.

One lensman who did gain access, freelance photographer Mark Doyle, was personally thanked by Ronan Keating yesterday for not turning up outside his Malahide home in recent months.

"Ronan just told me he appreciated that I hadn't been at his house taking pictures. He seemed in great form yesterday," Mr Doyle told the Irish Independent.

The 33-year-old pop star, a father of three, was still wearing his wedding ring.

This despite a statement issued last week that reiterated a release in May announcing his separation from wife Yvonne Keating.

It added: "The situation as outlined in that statement remains the same and the couple continue to work together for their children."

But it was driving rain rather the press pack that put a dampener on Keating's golf day yesterday, as players including Steve Staunton, Niall Quinn, Ray Houghton, Bobby Charlton, Ron Atkinson, Sharon Smurfit and Brian Ormond, were forced to abandon the course because of downpours in the afternoon.

Earlier in the day, event organisers had freed up the course to allow former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice to play a round.

Ms Rice is on a tour of Ireland's most famous links, having visited the Royal Dublin Golf Club last Thursday.

A PR spokesperson for the Marie Keating Classic did not return calls from the Irish Independent last night, nor did a spokesman for the Marie Keating Foundation.

Last Saturday night, the Irish Independent can reveal, the K Club was also the setting for a 70th birthday party for Ronan's father, Gerry Keating, which was attended by family members.

- Ken Sweeney

Irish Independent

THE 11TH ANNUAL MARIE KEATING GOLF CLASSIC AT THE K CLUB CO. KILDARE IRELAND
06.sep.2010

Ronan Keating gets into the swing of single life at charity golf tournament

By Daily Mail Reporter
7th September 2010


After months of uncertainty over his marriage, Irish singer Ronan Keating attended his first official engagement as a single man.

Just a week after his estranged wife Yvonne confirmed their separation - originally announced in May - was still very much continuing, the Boyzone star appears to be embracing his new life.

The father-of-three, 33, looked in good spirits as he mingled with Irish personalities at the Ballygowan Celebrity Golf Classic tournament in County Kildare yesterday.


The annual tournament at the K Club in Straffan raises money for the Marie Keating Foundation, a charity founded by Ronan following the death of his mother from breast cancer in 1998.

Usually Ronan's loyal wife Yvonne is by her husband's side at events for the foundation, but the singer will now have to get used to attending fundraisers alone.


Teed off: Ronan Keating chews on a golf tee as he shelters under an umbrella at the Ballygowan Celebrity Golf Classic in Co. Kildare, Ireland



On the fairway: The tournament marked Ronan's first public engagement since he clarified rumours surrounded his broken marriage


Glum: Ronan takes a breather on the golf course in between holes

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1309790/Ronan-Keating-gets-swing-single-life-charity-golf-tournament.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0yrHLaa4w

Boys' night out for Keating at his charity bash

Tuesday September 07 2010

Ronan Keating put the pain of his marriage split aside last night as he enjoyed a boys' night out alongside Bobby Charlton, Ruby Walsh, Shane Byrne and Ronnie Whelan at the K Club.

The Boyzone singer (33) was spotted making the most of his last few days in Ireland before he returns to Australia for the next three months to film their version of the X Factor, as he joined his brother Gary Keating and sister Linda at the annual Marie Keating Celebrity Golf Classic sponsored by Ballygowan.

The outing marked Ronan's first public appearance on Irish shores since news of his shock break-up with former model Yvonne Connolly first hit the headlines last May. But despite the recent statement reiterating that he and his estranged wife are finished for good, the singer was said to have been in high spirits throughout the day, laughing and joking with fellow golfers.

And he was keen to keep the celebrations going last night as he joined his celeb pals to tuck into a three-course meal.

"It was tough for him as this is the first year he's acted as MC without Yvonne by his side, but he's in a much better place after his time in Oz and was determined to honour his commitment as he does every year," said an insider.

"He put on a brave face and did his best to ensure all those who had paid to participate in the golf challenge had a good time."


SOLO: It was the first time Ronan had hosted his golf classic without Yvonne