Men’s Captain Adrian Copeland and Lady Captain Mary Cooper held their Captains’ Days in July. Captain Adrian had his final day on Saturday 9th in beautiful sunshine, and after a closely contested battle the worthy winner was John Fitzgerald with a great score of 139. Congratulations to John and all the prize winners.

​Lady Captain Mary had her qualifying day on Tuesday 19th in blistering sunshine with the final on Saturday 23rd July. A large number of ladies contested this much sought-after prize, and the winner was Mary Russell with a score of 137. Well done to Mary and to all the winners and competitors.
James and the Greens team had the course in magnificent condition for the Captains Days, but there were some rumblings about difficult pin positions!

The Captains’ Prize to the Juniors was held on Friday 22nd July where the winners on the day were Girls 18-hole Aideen Geraghty, 35 pts, Boys 18-hole Caelan Funge, 44 pts, and 9-hole winner was Junior Girls Captain Theodora Lande with 21 pts. Congratulations to the winners and to all who played on the day.
The Annual Tom Funge Memorial Day will be held on Thursday 11th August, and is open to all Juniors with a Golf Ireland handicap.  Entry is €15 which includes prizes and a meal. Book by calling the Pro Shop or office on 053 94 25166 office Ext: 2 pro shop Ext: 4
The Junior Captains Day is in the diary for Monday August 15th.
Good luck to our Junior Captains Theodora and Andrew and to all those taking part.
​The President's Prize to the Juniors will be on Thursday 25th August

Our Club President, Noel McCartan’s, prize is on Saturday 27th August, and will be a 27-hole competition for Ladies and Gents.
Ladies qualifying day is on Tuesday 23rd August (Time sheet opens on Monday 15th
August)
The Men’s’ qualifying days are Friday 26th 7:00am till 5:00pm, and Saturday 27th 7:00pm till
12:06pm. (Time sheets open on August 12th)
The best 27 scores from both Ladies and Gents will qualify for a 9-hole shotgun start play off on Saturday evening at 5:30 pm.
Please note the back 9 will be closed from 5:00pm for casual golf that evening.
Presentation of prizes will take place that evening in the Clubhouse at 9:30 pm. Dinner in Mossel Bay at 8:00 pm. and must be booked in advance.

​Competitions
The last Bank Holiday weekend of the Summer is nearly upon us, so have a look at the upcoming competitions …… something there for everyone.
9 and Dine on the Friday evening–
Saturday 30th Invitation 2 Person Team Sponsored by James Tomkins Suzuki and Citroen Dealer, Gorey,--
Sunday 31st Open Ladies and Gents Singles sponsored by Glen Fuels Ltd.--
Invitation 4 Person Scramble on the Bank Holiday Monday 1st August sponsored by Raspberry Restaurant, Gorey.
Tuesday 2nd August Open Day Ladies Singles Stableford, kindly sponsored by Prospect Holiday and Leisure Park.
Wednesday 3rd August Men's Open Gorey Guardian Summer Series. Only a few weeks left to qualify for the final day of the series.
Thursday 4th August Open Seniors Ladies and Gents Singles.

As you are aware, we have been approved for a Sports Capital grant for the improvement of the practice ground. Copies of the detailed plans are available to view on the notice boards. It is hoped to commence with the practice ground upgrade in the month of August. As there will be heavy machinery in operation the practice ground will be closed for the duration of this work. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Practice Area Etiquette
It has come to our attention that some of our members are attempting to hit balls from the practice area into the pond on the 12th. This is an extraordinary practice and holds little regard for the property of the club, the staff and volunteers who collect the balls and, of course, the safety of our members. Any members who engage in this practice will have their entitlement to use this facility removed and their membership will be reviewed. We would ask our members to report any breaches to the office. As always, when using the practice facility, please be mindful of members playing the 12th and do not hit shots which may carry to their position.

Team News
Hard luck to the Barton Cup team, Ladies Challenge Cup Team and Ladies Revive Active Fourball Team who lost out in their last matches. All matches were closely contested and went down to the wire, but lady luck wasn’t on our side on the day. There is always next year.
The Men’s All Ireland Fourball is in the Leinster Central Final where they meet Newbridge. This match will be played in Bunclody on Sunday 7th August. Good Luck to the team and Managers.
Team:
Larry O’Brien & Donal O’Keeffe
Liam Clare & Pat Timmons
Dearan McGrath & Paul Doran
Donal Sheehan & Gary Sheahan
Brian Malone & Tommy Kinsella

Subs: Andy Buckley & James Casey
Paul Kehoe played his part on the team but is unavailable on Sunday 7th.
Team Managers: Conor Flynn & Alan McDonald.
 
Thank you to all the teams’ players and managers who have given freely of their time to represent Courtown Golf Club. It takes time and commitment to go for a practice round, and then play on a team, sometimes travelling long distances to do so. You have all done us proud.

Mossel Bay
Mossel Bay is open for Lunch, Dinner and snacks throughout the week and weekend. Booking is advisable. Having a Summer party or Barbeque? Why not take the stress out of it and pre order your salads, main course or desserts from Mossel Bay. Contact Ian or Siobhan for an Outdoor/Takeaway menu. 053 94 25166 Ext: 5

Restaurant opening hours bank holiday week:

Saturday 30th July         10 — 8pm
Sunday 31st July            11 — 8pm
Monday 1st August        11 — 7pm
Tuesday 2nd August      12 — 8:30pm
Wednesday 3rd August  12 — 8:30pm
Thursday 4th August      12 — 6:00pm
Friday 5th August           12 — 7:30pm
Saturday 6th August        10 — 8:00pm
Sunday 7th August          10 —7:00pm
 
These times may be altered due to course and timesheet conditions.

​Review on Tripadvisor 
Excellent service and food superb

My husband and I had an excellent evening meal at the Golf Club yesterday.
Shauna, our waitress, was so friendly as was Mick the bar man.
Very good selection on the menu. Vegan choices were extensive. Overall, an excellent experience. Thank you, Anita and Larry, March 30, 2022

Well done to Ian, Siobhan, Shauna and Mick.

Juniors
Please note that due to unprecedented interest the Cadet Juniors U13’s programme is now fully booked, with a priority waiting list in place for 2023. For details, please contact Club Manager David at 053 94 21566 Ext: 6 or email: [email protected]

Get into Golf
The Ladies Get into Golf Program is in full swing with 20 Ladies having completed Phase 1 of the first program. 15 of these ladies are now in Phase 2. 10 ladies are currently enjoying Phase 1 of the 2nd program. There will be a presentation of Golf Ireland Certs to all the ladies who have completed the full program on Tuesday 9th August at 7:30 pm. Thank you to co-ordinator Catherine Quinn and her team of helpers.

Clubnet App
To receive notifications on your app, please ensure you have the notification setting on your phone and on the app turned on.  Please visit the News icon on the front page of the app regularly to keep up to date with what is happening in your club.

​Member Bag Tags
If you have not received your membership bag tag upon payment of your subscription please call into the office, where you can get a tag and holder. Periodically club staff will patrol the course during the day and in the evenings to ensure all players are members or have paid green fees.  We have had more than 200 new members in the last 3 years so please do not be offended if you are queried as this is good practice.

Rule of Golf
Did you know that you may remove a red stake or a yellow stake, should they interfere with your swing or stance. If the ball moves as you remove the stake you must replace the ball in its original resting place.  see Rule 15.2a. Please note you may not move a white stake which marks an out of bounds area.

​

Dates for your Diary
 
Our first club major, Mr Captain Adrian Copeland’s day, is nearly upon us.                           
Qualifying Day 1 & 2 will be played on Saturday 2nd July and Sunday 3rd July, with the final day on Saturday 9th July. There will also be a Ladies 9-hole stableford qualifying competition on Saturday 9th starting at 15:30 pm.
Still time to get some practice in for this coveted prize! Time sheets for the qualifying days are open and there are still some time slots available. There will be a Three course dinner in Mossel Bay on Saturday 9th July for members and friends. Cost €32 p.p. Booking must be in advance through the restaurant or bar. Captains prize giving will be on Saturday 9th July at 9.30 p.m. followed with music by ‘Fretless’ at 10p.m. and dancing till late. Good luck to all.
 
Lady Captain Mary Cooper holds her qualifying day on Tuesday 19th July followed by Lady Captains Buffet that evening in the clubhouse. You will find full details on the Ladies notice board.  The final will be played on Saturday 23rd July. with a Men’s 9-hole competition in the evening. Time sheets for Day 1 will open two weeks in advance. Lady Captain Mary will hold her prize giving on Saturday 23rd and there will also be music and dancing on the night.
 
As we are returning to normal indoor entertainment after two years of restrictions, why not come along to either, or both nights for some fun and also to support your captains, in what promises to be fun filled nights.
 
While the men will be battling to qualify for the Captain’s prize on the 2nd July, the Ladies have their Lady Captains Away Day in Coollattin. This will be a Team event with food and prize giving later that evening in Courtown clubhouse.
There is a full fixture list available from the Pro-Shop, Bar or Office. The fixture list is also available on the website and may be found by clicking on Events. 

Open Week was a great success this year and very well supported by members and visitors. Thank you to all our sponsors for your generosity. The course was in fantastic condition for the week, and this was commented on many times by visitors to the club. Well done to James and the team. Gorey Guardian Summer Series continues every Wednesday and some great scores have been recorded to date. Don’t forget the Open Ladies and Gents Singles the first Thursday of the month, and the new 9 to Fivers on Thursday evenings is up and running. Nine and Dine Any Combination Fourball will continue for the Summer on most Friday evenings and is great value at €15 for members and €25 for visitors for 9 holes and a main course. Start the weekend with golf and Dinner in Courtown ……..
 
Sunday 10th July is an Invitation 2 Person Team Competition, kindly sponsored by Mossel Bay. This is our annual Teams Classic and entry is €10 p.p. and €25 for visitors.
 
We remind you that if for some reason you must take your name off the timesheet, would you please contact your playing partners as soon as possible to give them time to organise opposition. This particularly applies to a fourball competition. We are currently working with Clubnet to close the time sheet at 6:00pm the day prior to play. We will keep you informed of any changes made to the booking system.
 
We have increased our booking time with Clubnet, so you now have two minutes to enter the names and save the booking.
 
You will have noticed some trees in spinneys marked with blue tape. When the spinneys were planted, they were overplanted to ensure a good strike rate and some of them need to be thinned out. Following a course walk, it was decided to mark the trees for removal, and the decision was made based on which trees had the best opportunity to survive, condition of the trees and density of tree growth preventing the progression of the ball towards the fairway or green. It is hoped to start this work during the Autumn. Any young trees that may be removed will be replanted in other more suitable locations.
 
It is hoped to commence the painting of the exterior of the clubhouse in the next few weeks, (weather permitting).
It was great to see so many of you using the patio area during the recent sunny spell. Let’s hope the sunshine returns shortly!
 
Teams
We still have some teams in the Inter Club matches. Well done to all who participated or played on a team. Still going strong are the Men's Barton Cup Team and Men’s All Ireland Fourball. Ladies Challenge Cup Team and Ladies Revive Active Fourball are flying the flag for the Ladies.
Ladies Revive Fourball beat Tullamore on Friday 1st July and are now through to the Semi-Finals. 
Barton Cup play Greystones on Sunday 10th July and Ladies Challenge Team play Rathdowney also on Sunday 10th. The Men’s Fourball are also out on Sunday 10th against Waterford. Your support would be appreciated by the teams.

Bar and Catering
 The Bar is open every day from 12 midday with closing time dependent on patronage.
Mossel Bay hours are on the Notice Boards, with weekend booking for Dinner or Sunday Lunch advisable.
 
Other News
Congratulations to Mike Beetlestone who has just published his novel, ‘Finding Santeria, Losing Sanity’.  The book is available to purchase on Amazon or Kindle Amazon.co.uk : finding santeria... losing sanity
 
You may be aware of a new 18-month membership offer currently available to new members only. If you know anyone that may be interested, please encourage them to join.
 
The Horizon Irish Open comes to us from Mount Juliet this weekend, and with some of the big names in golf competing, it should be a great four days of golf.  Best of luck to our own Irish golfers.
 
Rules Refresher
 
Pace of Play
 
Clubnet has introduced a pace of play tracker on the app.
 
Golf Rule; Relief from Movable Obstruction
Removal of Movable Obstruction. You may remove a movable obstruction without penalty anywhere on or off the course and may do so in any way. If your ball moves while you are removing a movable obstruction, there is no penalty and your ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated)

DIAGRAM #1 15.2a: BALL MOVES WHEN MOVABLE OBSTRUCTION REMOVED (EXCEPT WHEN BALL IN OR ON OBSTRUCTION)
 
But there are two exceptions when movable obstruction cannot be removed:  
Exception 1 - Tee Markers Must Not be Moved When Ball Will Be Played from Teeing Area.                                      Exception 2 - Restrictions on Deliberately Removing Movable Obstruction to Affect a Ball in Motion.
​See The R&A - Rules Of Golf (randa.org) for more information on the Exceptions.