2011 Dundrum House Pro Am

The 11th annual Philip Walton Dundrum House Hotel Golf & Leisure Resort Pro Am is taking place this year on Tuesday the 12th and Wednesday the 13th July. Entry Fee - €900 per team of 3 and includes:

Itinerary

Monday 11th: Practice Round

Tuesday 12th: Competition with Golf Pro

Wednesday 13th: Competition with Golf Pro

Dinner Tuesday in Hotel

Dinner Wednesday in The Clubhouse “Venue”

Entertainment Mon, Tue & Wed in The Clubhouse “Venue”

B&B at €50pps, B&B at €65 single room

Excellent Prizes including a Holiday to Spain sponsored by Spanish Tourism Board

Competition Format

Team Of Three plus pro 36 Hole Stableford

Two best scores to count each hole

www.dundrumhousehotel.com

Damian Mooney Takes Title

Damian Mooney

Damian Mooney clinched top spot in the Ping PGA Ulster Grand Prix after an amazing performance at Castlerock.

Unattached Mooney fired a sizzling six-under 67 and goes into the matchplay draw as No.1, irrespective of what happens in the 10th and final round, at Royal Portrush on April 8.

He stormed off with a hat-trick of birdies, going 3-3-4. At the first hole he steered a pitching wedge to six feet, at the next he drove the green and at the long third he reached the green with a drive and three wood.

From the eighth hole, Mooney had three three-stabs in a row for par, bogey four and bogey five but then reached the surface at the long 11th with a drive and five iron for birdie four, before wedging to three feet and eight feet at 12 and 13 for back-to-back birdie threes.

A drive and nine iron to the 15th green set up eagle three and he finished with three pars, having had five threes in a row from the 12th hole.

Massereene's David Hughes leaped into eighth and final place in the Order of Merit after being second to Mooney, just one stroke back.

There are still a few of the final places still up for grabs at Royal Portrush on April 8. The matchplay will be staged at Killymoon on March 31 and April 1.

Next Tuesday, there will be a further outing for members of the Ulster Golfers' Alliance at Concra Wood.

Club History - Portumna

Portumna Golf Club was founded in 1913 on land directly across the road from the entrance to the present course. In 1934 the move was made to the present location on land rented from the Clanrickard Estate. The new course was designed then by Michael O'Keeffe, B.E. and was opened by Mons. Joyce on June 30th 1935. In 1935 also a new pavilion was constructed mostly of timber supplied free of charge by McAinish & Co. and a new bar and modern toilet facilities were added later.

In 1956 a ninety-nine year lease was secured on the land. In 1971 a new clubhouse was opened and a further thirty acres was added to the lease in 1972 with a view to extending the course to 18 holes. Work on the new course began in the mid eighties and culminated in the official opening of the first eighteen hole course on June 21st 1992.

In 1993 the club availed of an opportunity to purchase the course from Coillte. The eighty-eight acres on the 99 year lease plus 38 other acres were secured for £90,000.

In 1997 the existing clubhouse was extended and refurbished to provide modern facilities for a rapidly expanding club membership. Subsequent alterations and addition to the course has resulted in the fine facility that we now enjoy.

www.portumnagolfclub.ie

Meet the Team - Mountain View

Mountain View Golf Club is owned and operated privately by The O’Neill Family.

On any given occasion the O'Neill's are on site to make sure your visit is personal, enjoyable and memorable. Genuine hospitality and a friendly atmosphere are the key elements that Mountain View thrive on.

No matter whom you meet, or where you meet them, on the course or in the clubhouse, you will no doubt hear a humorous story and receive a warm smile.

The O’Neill Family invite you to experience warm hospitality and a great golfing experience. From start to finish, the team will add those special touches to help clinch that great memory.

Management Team @ Mountain View GC

Bee O'Grady - Managing Director

Michael Dobbyn - General Manager

Edward Power - Course Superintendent

Golf Club Officers 2011 @ Mountain View GC

Noel Roche - Captain

Josie O Gorman - Lady Captain

Patrick Halligan - President

Kathleen Lanigan - Lady President

www.mviewgolf.com

New GolfTwitsIre Society Launched

On Saturday, February 19th, on a glorious morning in Millicent Golf Club, the first meeting of the newly formed @GolfTwitsIre (Golf Twits Ireland) Golf Society was held. Of course, only after a relaxed nine holes !

Our plan initially is to have four outings this year spread across the four provinces and hope to attract other twitter golfers to join us!

We will be announcing the dates and venues over the coming weeks and you can always follow all news updates probably first on @golftwitsire and of course here on the site.

If you are interested in being part of our new friendly and relaxed society, follow @golftwitsire on Twitter and send a message there or here to let us know!!

www.millicentgolfclub.com

Course Designer Knott Dies Suddenly

Lee Westwood and Bob Knott

Bob Knott, who has died suddenly, aged 65, was a champion golfer and international course designer who was the construction manager of the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates where the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World is played as the finale to The Race to Dubai on The European Tour International Schedule.

Knott, who lived in Devon, was associated with Churston Golf Club for most of his life although in 2005 he headed out to the United Arab Emirates to work for Leisurecorp, the company developing Dubai’s leading residential golf community at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

What Knott’s friends thought would be a three year contract ran to almost five years and he watched a dream unfold as on the Earth Course the inaugural Dubai World Championship took place in November, 2009, and Lee Westwood (pictured with Bob) won the title and secured The Race to Dubai.

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “Bob Knott was a lovely man who became a wonderful friend of The European Tour and we offer our sincere condolences to his wife, Sue, and their children, Alex and Ben. Bob was at the forefront of the design and development of the Earth Course with Greg Norman and his team, and the course has now played host to two wonderful Dubai World Championships.”

Knott, who won 11 Churston club championships and played off scratch for more than 40 years, captured the Devon Open – a competition open to professionals and amateurs – in 2003. He became captain of Devon in 1980 and 30 years later he was still playing county golf as a member of the Devon Seniors team in the Channel League. His last match for the team was in a win over Somerset last September which secured the league title. He was also extremely proud of the fact that he played for the English seniors golf team in 2005.

Knott was attracted to the golf and the business of course design after playing football for Torquay United A side in the early 1960s, and he was highly respected by people in the game.

Brian Huggett, the 1977 Ryder Cup captain, said: “Bob was a terrific guy and a good friend. He worked for me as a project manager on several courses including Orchard Leigh in Somerset and The Lakes Course at Hawkstone Park in Shropshire. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him and my condolences go to his wife Sue and their family.”

Rule of the Week - 25-1b/24

25-1b/24 Ball Enters Burrowing Animal Hole in Bounds and Comes to Rest Out of Bounds

Q:A player's ball entered a rabbit hole, the mouth of which was in bounds but only about a foot from a boundary fence. The rabbit hole sloped steeply down below the fence, so that the ball came to rest beyond the boundary line. What is the ruling?

A:Whether or not a ball is out of bounds depends on where it lies in relation to the boundary of the course and this must be measured vertically upward or downward -- see Definition of "Out of Bounds."

In the case cited, the ball was lying out of bounds and Rule 27-1 applied. 

Relief could not be obtained under Rule 25-1, i.e., from a hole made by a burrowing animal.

Thornton Wins Ardglass Team Event

It was wet and windy at Ardglass with conditions so difficult that consideration was given to calling off the arranged outing of the PING Ulster Golfers' Alliance members but, eventually, it was decided to stage the event.

No-one was more pleased with the green light than Peter Martin who carded a splendid two-under-par 68, in the difficult conditions, to top the leaderboard and climb the winner's rostrum.

The Riverside Academy head pro didn't start well as he pencilled in bogey fours at the second hole, where he was blown 40 yards off target, and the 219-yards seventh where, despite using a driver off the tee, he was 20 yards short and didn't get up and down.

That, however, was the end of Martin's woes as he wedged to two feet for birdie three at the eighth to turn in 35 blows and then strode over the back nine in three-under-33 for his winning 68.

A drive, five iron, chip and putt carved out birdie four at the 11th hole; he wedged to five feet for birdie three at 17 and drove the 18th green for another birdie three.

Scrabo 12-handicapper Colin Morrison returned 40 points to take the amateur's top nett award with local member Michael Nugent (17) beating Alan Patterson (14, Edenmore) for second place on the back nine, 19 points to 18. Ulster interpro David Kernohan (+3, Galgorm Castle) returned a 75 to win the gross prize.

The team event was won by Simon Thornton and his amateur partners on 86 points which they shared with local pro Philip Farrell's team but the winners collected 44 home to 43 for Farrell and partners.

www.ardglassgolfclub.com

News and Events - Gracehill

1st Hole Gracehill Golf Club

Running Seniors Opens over the season on the first and last Tuesday of the month starting in April-August green fee will be £12-£15.

There is a ladies and gents open stableford on Monday 25th April for £15.00 for Visitors with tee times available online/pro shop/clubhouse on 31st March.

www.gracehillgolfclub.co.uk

Green Fees - Castletroy

Castletroy Golf Club

Individual Green Fee Rates October 2010 - March 2011

Monday to Thursday - €30.00

Friday to Sunday - €30.00

Bank Holidays - €30.00

Student (under 24) - €15.00

Societies/Groups - €25.00

Individual Green Fee Rates April 2011 - September 2011

Monday to Thursday - €40.00

Friday to Sunday - €50.00

Bank Holidays - €50.00

Student (under 24) - €20.00

Societies/Groups -€30.00

Additional Information - Hire Rates (per round)

Golf Buggy - €30.00

Battery operated Golf Cart - €10.00

Pull Trolley - €3.00

Set of Golf Clubs - €15.00

www.castletroygolfclub.ie

Did You Know - Golfers Elbow

Most people know all about the great things golf does for a person, like exercise and stress relief. But the dark side of golf is often something that people choose to be rather selective about and choose to ignore. This dark side can include a lot of aspects that can cause a normal person to be driven quite insane by the game, leading to some serious conclusions about the game of golf that need to be aptly considered.

One of the cons of golf is the possible medical problems that can result from playing the game intensely. Those who play the game of golf incorrectly may injure their arms. Golfer's elbow is a common condition found among avid golfers. Similar to tennis elbow, golfer's elbow is characterized by a pain in the elbow, particularly in the medial area of the joint. The pain can be present at rest, but is intensified when the flexor muscles are activated. The pain is caused by an inflammation of the tendon that attaches the flexor muscles to the elbow. The flexor muscles are the muscles in the forearm that cause the fingers and thumb to bend. Golfer's elbow is particularly painful when the fist is clenched.

Golf is one of the most expensive sports out there to play. Many a person has been driven straight to the welfare line because of their lucrative golf habit. The golfer needs to have the right equipment, green fees, and other aspects of the game in their back pocket in order to not be laughed off the course. The right clothing is important, as are golf lessons and the cart rental unless you intend to slum it and walk the course. Don't forget the food you will eat, the air you will breathe, and the water you will drink as you are out on the course. All of these aspects add up to one fundamental truth about the game of golf: it's expensive!

Golf is not an easy sport to teach a child. In order to teach your son or daughter to golf, you will need to invest considerable amounts of money, time, and energy just to get your child on the golf course! You have to pay the greens fee, buy or rent the equipment, and pay for lessons, all before your little golfer decides whether or not he likes the game. And, in order to be exceptionally good at golf, potential pros really should start as children. Unlike other sports like basketball and football, a group of kids cannot start a pick up game of golf in the back yard. If a kid is going to learn to play golf, it will take a level of commitment and dedication that most kids are not ready for.

With these cons aside, golf is with us to stay. Too many large corporate decisions happen on the golf course. The followers of pros like Tiger Woods will continue to fuel the fire of the PGA and other golfing groups. So, like it or not, golf will be with us for a long, long time. 

By: Jack Piersol

ILGU Receives ISC 2011 Funding

The ILGU has received €204,316 as part of the Irish Sports Council's (ISC) National Governing Body Grants, announced by Kieran Mulvey ISC Chairman, 17 February 2011.

The ISC High Performance Grant of €118,000, same as in 2010, will help top women golfers compete on a world stage while an Administration Grant of €46,316 will support the core activities of the Union. The Women in Sport Grant of €40,000, will continue to support the very successful ISC programme, which encourages women and girls of all ages to take up the game. 

While the grants will aid the ILGU High Performance Programme and the day-to-day workings of the Union, they will also support the game's development at grassroots level. The ILGU will continue to develop the country's underage players, a programme that sees 500 promising juniors receive regular coaching. The successful Women in Golf initiative, that has already enrolled over a thousand beginners, is also set to go from strength to strength as a result of the grant.

On hearing the announcement, ILGU Chief Executive Sinead Heraty said "We are delighted with this year's funding allocation, particularly in these uncertain economic times, which will help us mould the successful youth system we have in place. The ILGU is entering into a very bright and exciting period and this would not be possible without the funding we are receiving."

World Amateur Rankings

The official website of the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) was launched today. Administered jointly by The R&A and the USGA, and incorporating both the men’s and the new women’s ranking, the website ranks over 8000 players, awarding points based on more than 3000 worldwide Counting Events. The WAGR compares amateur performance in elite competition over a rolling, 52-week period.

The new website offers an enhanced search function, which allows the user to search for players and events by name, region and country. It features an expanded player biography section, showing the selected player’s full ranking history. And for the first time, detailed event information, including round-by-round scores and a breakdown of points awarded, will also be available.

The updated Ranking, accompanied by news stories reporting the previous week’s action, will appear on the website at 12pm (GMT), every Wednesday. Information about the WAGR system, as well as answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Ranking, is clearly displayed on the website.

The introduction of the Women's World Amateur Golf Ranking was announced earlier in the month. The launch follows an extensive period of testing by The R&A. The women’s ranking currently has a calendar of 1,350 Counting Events with more than 3,100 ranked players from 50 countries.

The men’s ranking was founded on 1 January 2007, and currently includes 1,800 Counting Events, with more than 5,000 players from 70 countries. Since then, it has been adopted to determine the fields at national amateur championships in Spain, Britain and the USA, as well as many other amateur events throughout the world. There have been 17 WAGR number ones, including the current world number seven Rory McIlroy and 2010 USA Ryder Cup team member Rickie Fowler.

The current men’s number one is reigning US Amateur Champion Peter Uihlein of the USA. The women’s number one is 2010 LPGA Xavier International Champion Mitsuki Katahira from Japan.

To view the website, visit RandA.org/WAGR. Links to WAGR are available from The R&A and USGA websites.

Score Card - Rathbane

The new Rathbane Golf Course Score Card is proudly sponsored by Pro Golf Limerick. 

From the Blue Tees, the course is 5659 metres in length with a Par of 70 and a Standard Scratch of 70 strokes. 

The new Rathbane Golf Course Score Card is proudly sponsored by Pro Golf Limerick. 

From the Blue Tees, the course is 5659 metres in length with a Par of 70 and a Standard Scratch of 70 strokes. 

www.rathbanegolfclub.com

Rule of the Week - 18-2a/3

18-2a/3 Ball Lifted and Dropped Away from Boundary Stake Under Obstruction Rule

Q:A player's swing is interfered with by a stake defining out of bounds. The player mistakenly considers the stake an obstruction and he lifts his ball and drops it in the manner prescribed in Rule 24-2b. What is the ruling?

A:The player incurs a penalty of one stroke under Rule 18-2a and he must replace his ball before playing his next stroke. Otherwise, he loses the hole in match play or he incurs a total penalty of two strokes in stroke play -- see penalty statement under Rule 18.

www.randa.org

Where are they Now - Chris Devlin

Originally from Ballymena Chris Devlin has been pursuing his golfing dream for a number of years and mostly in the United States. This week however the Ballymena man is playing the Irish Open hosted at Royal Portrush.

Some years ago he squeezed one of the last places at the European Tour School Stage 1 Qualifier at The Oxfordshire in 2009 but chose not to compete at the next stage and did not travel back from the United States. It was his second attempt having failed at Stage 1 the previous season at Arcos Gardens where he finished 32nd. 

That same season Chris also played in the Challenge of Ireland presented by Moyvalley where he finished in 68th place in 2008. 

Some years ago Devlin switched Country Antrim for the southern United States when he won a golfing scholarship at the University of Alabama in 1996 where he studied until 2000. Within a year he turned professional and has been trying to make the breakthrough ever since whilst living full time in the USA – where he married his girlfriend Michelle in 2004. 

In 2008 he lived the golfing dream when he teed up alongside Tiger Woods and Padraig Harrington at the US Open in Torrey Pines becoming Northern Ireland’s only standard-bearer at the Major, following the failure of Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell to qualify for the event. 

The contrast was one of the big stories at the time as Devlin was playing the American Hooters tour - the third tier of professional golf in the States and equivalent to EURO Pro Tour – was suddenly into the big time after a fourth place at the 36-hole qualifying event in Columbus, Ohio. 

Amongst those Devlin saw off on the qualifying day were former Masters Champions Fred Couples, Chris DiMarco, father and son players Bill and Jay Haas, former US Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman and Kevin Stadler. 

In the end Torrey Pines was not a dream, even from the start, when he holed the first in eight strokes to finish in the opening round in 83, followed by an 84 in round two. Having always had ambitions to play the main tour in America or in Europe the hope was that the 2008 US Open would be the break he needed. But it was not to be. 

Over recent years he has continued playing the NGA Hooters Professional tour - where Ballyclare's Gareth Maybin played before finishing off closer to home on the Challenge Tour in 2008. Indeed, former Masters champion Zach Johnson, former Open winner Ben Curtis and double Major winner John Daly also competed on the Hooters Tour before making it on the PGA Tour. 

On a personal front Devlin has also faced some challenges as in his early years in the USA he noticed a continuous sense of fatigue knowing at time it was affecting his golf and the reason he was not playing as well as he could. 

It took four years to diagnose the mystery illness which was a neuromuscular condition which could only be cured by open heart surgery and he underwent an open heart surgery in 2006. 

"Some doctors said I had an allergy to Bermuda grass while another thought I had a food allergy. Obviously it was a shock when it was eventually diagnosed but ever since the operation I've been getting stronger and stronger.” 

"I've always loved the game and I've always been a very hard worker - it was always going to be difficult to give up my dream." 

Fact File 

Date of Birth: April 17th, 1975 

Attachment: 

Turned Professional: 2001 

Tours: Hooters Tour, Gateway Tour

www.ballymenagolfclub.com

Supplier News - BARENBRUG

Barenbrug continues to demonstrate its commitment to the Irish turfcare sector with the launch of a dedicated product range – full details of which are featured in the company’s new standalone catalogue for the country . 

Leading the new BAR range 2011 mixtures line up is BAR Medal, a product specifically developed with the demands of Irish fine turf applications in mind. Containing an innovative blend of 60 percent Bargold perennial ryegrass and 40 percent Viktorka slender creeping red fescue, the mixture promises to provide the superior wear tolerance and fast-establishment combined with a very fine-leafed appearance required for fine turf applications, such as golf tees and greens. 

Another new addition is BAR Trio, an innovative 100 percent fescue blend designed to provide superior salt tolerance, shoot density and disease tolerance. Containing a unique blend of three top-performing Barenbrug slender creeping red fescues – 40 percent Viktorka, 30 percent Barcrown and 30 percent Barpearl – BAR Trio has been developed through extensive trials across Ireland and the UK in order to cope with the distinctive demands of the country’s links courses. 

The 16-page catalogue also includes products particularly suited to the sports unique to Ireland, from Gaelic football and hurling to equestrian applications. All that and a wealth of expert advice designed to help Ireland’s turf professionals get the best out of their overseeding endeavours! 

Plus with the specialist grass seed breeder undertaking in-depth golf trials at Druids Glen in County Wicklow and Ballybunion in County Kerry, regional sales manager for Ireland, Neil Pettican, says the company’s support couldn’t be stronger. “We continue to show our commitment to Ireland with a pioneering trials programme together with our new catalogue, new mixtures for Irish customers – as well as attending the GCSAI show in March. This significant investment shows we’re serious about finding grass seed solutions for Ireland’s unique climate and conditions, and helping turf professionals get the best from the their seed.”

www.barenbrug.co.uk

Membership Offer - Wicklow

2nd hole Wicklow Golf Club

Reduced cost of Full membership, now €1,500.00 including the 2011 Annual Subscription. Please contact us if you are interested as there are limited numbers available. 

Events

17 Hole Open Competition each Monday to 18th April. Visitors €10.00. Book on line at 

www.wicklowgolfclub.ie

Equipment News - Callaway

Callaway has become the official golf ball supplier to the Ladies European Tour in a partnership that sees the new three-piece HX Diablo Tour golf balls used for all pre tournament practice sessions. In addition, Callaway will be sponsoring 20 players who will be putting the product in competitive play.

Alexandra Armas, Executive Director of the Ladies European Tour, commented: “The Ladies European Tour is delighted to be teaming up with Callaway, a company internationally renowned for superior quality products. Callaway provides equipment to the best tour professionals on the world’s biggest stages, of course not forgetting Annika Sorenstam, a European vice-captain at this year’s Solheim Cup.”

The new HX Diablo Tour provides an optimum combination of distance, feel and control in a three-piece performance golf ball. Featuring a Power Reaction Core with a softer centre that gets firmer towards the outer edge, it creates lower spin with the driver and more spin around the green for better control.

An advanced DuPont HPF inner cover increases ball speeds, promoting the maximum distance on all shots, whereas a soft ionomer outer cover produces an incredibly soft feel off the clubface, with increased spin on short-iron shots.

Callaway’s proprietary HEX Aerodynamics used on the outer cover reduces drag and promotes a more penetrating trajectory, preferred by golfers on Tour, for stability in all conditions, particularly wind.

Neil Howie, President of Callaway Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “Ladies golf is hugely important to us and this new long-term association with the Ladies European Tour underlines our commitment to support not only the Tour and its players, but ladies golf in general.

“This alliance establishes a firm partnership between Callaway and the Ladies European Tour and creates ongoing opportunities for collaboration.”

Club Pro - Gavin Kavanagh

Gavin Kavanagh

Delgany Golf Club Professional is Gavin Kavanagh and is assisted by Dick Opperman who looks after the day to day running of the Pro Shop.

Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm

Saturday - 8am - 6pm

Sunday - 8am - 6pm

If you require any assistance please do not hesitate to contact Gavin or Dick as they stock a wide range of golfing products and offer a professional service. We also offer the hire of Buggies, Trollies and clubs.

To contact the Pro Shop, please call (01) 287 4697 or email: dgshop@indigo.ie

Code Of Conduct For Junior Members

Dungarvan Golf Club

This “Code of Conduct” governs the Junior membership of Dungarvan Golf Club. This “Code of Conduct” comprises existing rules which have been in place for many years, and some new rules calculated to provide a safe, friendly environment in which your son / daughter can enjoy their golfing activities. We request that parents go through the “Code” with your son / daughter and if clarification of any point is required it can be dealt with by our Secretary Manager, Ms. Irene Lynch at the club, or can be submitted in writing to the Honorary Secretary.

A breach of the “Code of Conduct” or other misbehaviour will lead to a written warning and a second breach may mean a suspension of membership at the discretion of the Management Committee. A serious breach of the Code or incidence of misbehaviour may lead to suspension without a previous warning at the discretion of the Management Committee.

Clubhouse

1 Junior members are allowed in the Bar / Restaurant area for dining purposes up to 5.15p.m.

2. Junior members may use the Locker Rooms for changing / showering, however loitering in the Locker Room areas is strictly prohibited.

3. Golf Bags or Caddy Cars are not to be brought into the Locker Rooms except for storage in the lockers provided. Food is not allowed in the Locker Rooms.

4. Loitering in the Clubhouse or Environs is prohibited and juniors found so doing will be asked to leave. Entering surrounding lands from the Golf Club is strictly prohibited.

5. Junior members must comply with the dress code of the club at all times, a copy of which is enclosed.

Course

6 Junior members may use the Golf Course and Practice Facilities between the hours of 10.00 am and 5.15 pm, Monday to Friday inclusive, subject to availability. Junior members may only use the playing facilities after 5.15 pm or at weekends and Bank Holidays, in the following circumstances: 

a) When involved in an official club competition or activity.

b) Under the direct supervision of a Parent / Guardian.

c) By permission of the Committee. 

7. Junior members involved in casual golf must not play in groups of more than three players.

8. Junior members should note that the Putting Green is for putting only and pitching on to this Green is prohibited.

9. Apart from noted exceptions above, junior members must vacate the Club Grounds by 5.30 pm.

Dress Code Course:-

Soft spikes preferred

Appropriate dress required: no runners, tracksuits, singlets, football shirts or untailored shorts

Mobile phones only allowed turned off/on silent.

Dress Code Clubhouse:-

Smart casual dress is essential

www.dungarvangolfclub.com

Team Ireland Golf Trust

The Team Ireland Golf Trust was established in 1999 by the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation to assist Irish golfers, both male and female, in the early stages of their professional careers. While Irish golfers have consistently performed with distinction in international tour events, the realisation is that Ireland does not have a sufficient number of young tour cardholders to eventually succeed the established professional players. 

The Team Ireland Golf Trust Committee was established to oversee the operation of the Trust Scheme and to consider applications received under the Scheme. The Trust Committee consists of a representative each from the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, the Irish Sports Council, Fáilte Ireland, the Irish PGA, the GUI, the ILGU, and the private sector.

Objective of the Scheme

The objective of the Scheme is to support golfers who have the potential and programme to become established players on the main international tours, such as the European Tours and US PGA Tours. The Team Ireland Golf Trust is designed to provide support, both financial and non-financial, to selected young professional golfers to help them realise their potential to perform successfully at international level.

Golfers, who are being supported by the Trust, will be expected to show and maintain a reasonable level of progression in their performances on a yearly basis. This level of progress will determine future funding decisions by the Trust.

Services for golfers

Golfers on the scheme have access to the sports science and medicine network already provided by the Irish Sports Council to high performance athletes on the International Carding scheme. Access to these services is administered by the National Coaching and Training Centre in Limerick.

Link with GUI National Academy

In an initiative which commenced in 2006, golf trust golfers will be able to access the Golfing Union of Ireland’s National Academy facilities at Carton House Estate in Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

The following facilities will be available as follows,

• Unlimited use of golf balls on the Driving Range

• Use of short game area and reserved grass tee

• Use of the indoor/outdoor training rooms which are equipped with the most modern swing analysis video equipment (subject to availability)

• Access to putting green

• Use of the Synthetic putting green (built by TourGreens)

www.irishsportscouncil.ie

New Member Offer - Wexford

Wexford Golf Club

New Member Special Offer

From January 1st 2011 to February 28th 2011

Gents €884.00 (includes Entry Fee & Levies)

Ladies €890.00 (includes Entry Fees & Levies)

Phone Roy: (053) 9142238

www.wexfordgolfclub.ie

Green Fees - Navan Golf Club

RATES:

Spring Summer Monday - Friday Sat,Sunday & Bank Holiday

Individual €20.00 €25.00

Group (15 or more) €19.00 €20.00

9 holes €15.00 €18.00

OAP/Juvenile €13.00 €16.00

Member with Guest( Max 3) €15.00 €15.00

4 ball deal €70.00 €90.00

Monday Special 

18 Holes €15.00 

9 Holes Monday to Friday After 6.00pm €10.00 

Monday

Special member & 3 Guests €30.00

www.navangolfclub.ie

Golf Course Focus - Lee Valley

7th Green at Lee Valley

Lee Valley Golf & Country Club is an 18 hole Championship Golf Course deigned by Ryder Cup Legend Christy O'Connor Jnr. The course was opened by Christy and former U.S Champion Fred Couples.

This Cork Golf Course is unique in design. It is a parkland course but demands the skill of a links golf course due to ever changing wind conditions. The course affords the higher handicapper an enjoyable day's golf while offering a stern test to anyone wanting to break par. Water is a prime feature on seven holes and the greens would arguably be the best in Munster.

The spectacular views really add to your overall enjoyment and the whole experience that is Lee Valley Golf & Country Club.

We are proud to introduce the arrival of our new Refreshment Shop on the 10th Tee. Due to open early 2007 we will be offering refreshments and a variety of snacks, hot and cold. There will be seating provided and bathroom facilities.

Course Guide

Up Close and Personal - S. Whelan

Sean Whelan

Ballinrobe Golf Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Sean Whelan, PGA Professional, as the Club's new Teaching Professional.

A Note From Sean...

I would like to thank the Council and members of Ballinrobe Golf Club, for allowing me the opportunity of becoming the Teaching Professional at the club. I have been involved with the juniors for the last two years and have enjoyed it immensely.

I am a firm believer, that professional tuition can benefit golfers of all levels ( from the inexperienced beginner, to the elite player). The most important thing for me during a golf lesson is communication, for that reason I try to keep each lesson as simple as possible. The golf swing is not a difficult movement as long as we have the correct foundations ( e.g. stance, posture, grip, ball position) in place to allow the movement to happen. If we have good basics at set up it gives us a much better chance of hitting consistent golf shots.

Always remember that the lesson is only part of what needs to be done to improve, practicing the changes after, is probably more important than the lesson itself."PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT NOT PERFECT ", you will only reach your full potential by practicing correctly. With such great practice facilities in the club, they should be used and enjoyed by all members.

I will be offering group coaching on short game and other areas of the game during the coming year, dates and details will appear on the web-site and the notice boards in the clubhouse beforehand. I look forward to working with many of the members and visitors to the club this year. Remember, playing well makes the round even more enjoyable.

Sean can be contacted on (087) 756-9175 or by e-mail at golfproseanwhelan@gmail.com.

www.ballinrobegolfclub.com

Peter Martin wins at Whitehead

Peter Martin will regret missing the green at the short 18th hole at Whitehead as it cost him outright victory in the latest PING Ulster Golfers' Alliance tournament.

Making bogey four at the last hole meant that the Riverside Academy professional had to share the winner's cheque with Wesley Ramsey as both players finished on one-under-par 69.

Martin teed off at the first and made birdies at long holes three, where he chipped and putted, and six, where he found the surface with a drive and four iron. In between, he dropped a shot at the fourth hole after doffing his second approach.

That left Martin out in one-under 34 and he went two-under at the par four 14th. However, he drove into trees for bogey five at 15, and then rolled home a 40-footer for birdie three at 17 before suffering that bogey four at 18.

Knockbracken's Ramsey must have been thinking of packing up and going home after his first nine holes, having teed-off at the 10th. He three-putted the 12th for bogey five, took three stabs at the next hole for double-bogey six and three-putted again at 17 for bogey five to turn four-over-par.

It was a different story over the front nine which he sped over in five-under-par 30 without another bogey in sight. He wedged to two feet for birdie three at the first hole, slotted in a 15-footer for a two at the fifth, was on at the long sixth with a drive and six iron, got down from 20 feet at the seventh and shot his fifth birdie at nine from 25 feet as the putter had turned red hot.

Ballymena plus-two handicapper Dermot McElroy matched the winning pros as he took the amateur's gross prize on 69 while Bill Nixon, who plays off 16 at Portadown, won the nett prize on 41 points.

www.whiteheadgolfclub.com

McCorduck New ILGU President

Marjorie McCorduck

The Irish Ladies’ Golf Union is pleased to announce Marjorie McCorduck as President of the ILGU for 2011-2012. Marjorie commenced her two year term of office on January 15th, after taking up the reins from outgoing President Anne Wallace at the ILGU AGM. 

Marjorie brings a wealth of golf knowledge and experience to the role of President, having served as a member of both the Ladies Golf Union (LGU) Council and ILGU Council in the past ten years. She also completed two full terms as a member of the Midland District Executive Committee.

Originally from Templemore,Co. Tipperary, Marjorie is currently a member of Roscrea and Courtown Golf Clubs. She was Lady Captain of Roscrea in 1977 and represented both clubs in Senior Cup on many occasions, having achieved her lowest handicap of 4.

Marjorie’s interest in golf has extended far beyond simply playing the game. She served as a District Selector at both Girls’ and Ladies’ level and is a fully qualified Rules Official acting for the ILGU, LGU and R&A. She has officiated at numerous major overseas golf events including 'The Open Championship' on four occasions and has represented the LGU on the R&A Rules of Golf Committee and CONGU Committee. 

 Additionally, she is currently a member of the National USGA Course Rating Committee and is a District Scratch Score Assessor working under both the LGU and USGA systems.

Her husband David, daughter Jayne and son Robert are delighted with Marjorie’s nomination for ILGU President and will offer their full support during her term of office. 

“I am pleased and honoured to become the 32nd President of the Irish Ladies Golf Union and look forward to contributing to the ILGU’s ongoing development, also, to meeting many of the lady golfers throughout Ireland at our various ILGU Championships for all age groups”, she remarked on her appointment.

Boards members Teresa Morgan (Ardee), Nora Murphy (Curragh) and Bernie Treacy (Donegal) retired following theirthree year terms, with Dympna Conlon (Black Bush), Bernadette McTague (Birr) and Vonnie Noonan (Co. Longford) replacing them respectively. Kathryn Whatley (Ardee) joins the board as Finance Director as does Junior Development Director Irene Poynton (The Island). 

Gillian O’Leary (Cork), Sinead Sexton (Lahinch) and Helen Jones (Strabane) were presented with the Women's, Girl's and Senior's Order of Merit Trophies following their table-topping performances in 2010.

www.ilgu.ie