August Newsletter

Courtown Golf Club July 2025
Newsletter
 
 
It’s hard to believe that we are fast approaching the August Bank Holiday Weekend!
There is plenty of golf to be played over the holiday weekend with a varied schedule of competitions.  Please be aware that this Saturday and Sunday are likely to be our busiest days of the year and we would ask that all players be as diligent as possible in adhering to the clubs pace of play policy, keeping up with the players in front, thereby ensuring an enjoyable weekend for everybody.
Please see below for the full fixture list. 
As always, many thanks to our generous sponsors and we ask that our members support them as much as possible
 
The keenly contested Tom Funge Trophy Open for Juniors took place on Monday 28th July and was very  well supported by our Junior members and Junior visitors with 85 keen golfers taking to the fairways. Thank you to the sponsor and the Junior Golf Committee for overseeing the day. The winners were  Lucy Gibney 37 pts, and Donnacha Boland (Ballymoney)55 pts.
 
The Men’s Captains Prize Cathal O’Donohoe and Ladies Captains Prize Mags Greenan are over for another year and the very popular winners of these coveted prizes were Bryan Hughes and Caroline Hewitt. There was some great scoring for both prizes and the weather held up for each Major.  Both nights saw a busy clubhouse for the presentations which was preceded by a delicious buffet in The View Restaurant. There was chat and stories of missing putts, finding water or losing balls well into the night, although Mags night took on a different flavour as we took to the dance floor for a ceili. Great craic, mar a deir siad. 


                                                                                                                                                                                             The course was in superb condition for both Captains Days and pin positions were deemed to be generally fair -  which certainly suited the prizewinners. Thanks to James and the groundkeeping staff for all their hard work.


Congratulations to Joseph Betts who had a Hole in One on the 18th on Captain Cathal’s Final day and to Martin Sherlock who also had a Hole in One on the 8th hole on Sunday 20th July.
 
President Catherine Quinn will hold her prize day on Saturday 6th of September. Ladies qualifying day is on Tuesday 2nd September and the Gents qualifying days are Friday 5th and Saturday 6th with the traditional play-off on the evening of the 6th of September. Full details will be posted nearer the time.
 
There will be a Spanish themed food and golf evening on Friday 15th August. An Open 9 hole shotgun start four-person team event followed by a Spanish themed buffet in The Green Restaurant. This team event replaces the Nine & Dine on this date and  booking is essential as the timesheet is limited. Golf followed by tasty Spanish themed food and maybe a glass of  rioja or a cold cerveza … What's not to like on a Friday evening?
 
The recent E.G.M. on 17th July was well attended and the motion to proceed with the new short game area was unanimously supported. It is hoped to start this project as soon as possible and while this work may cause some disruption around the first tee area, members will be kept informed. A huge thank you to the Bookies for their contribution of €800 towards the new project, it is much appreciated.  This new project will greatly enhance the Club facilities along with the Academy Practice ground.
 
The Academy is in constant use and receipts for balls have surpassed expectations. The dispenser is causing problems on occasions and parts cannot be replaced.  We have, therefore, agreed to purchase a new dispenser with a contactless payment function. It is hoped to have it installed by late September/October.
A gentle reminder that the grass area in the Academy is for adult members only. Please hit from the designated area. All Juniors must use the mats and adult members are encouraged to use the mats as much as possible. Many thanks to our small army of ball collectors. Your input is much appreciated.
 
A huge welcome to our new members including the 9 Ladies who joined the Club following their introduction to golf in the Get into Golf program. Thank you to Mags Dooley and her team for organising and running the program. We look forward to seeing you all out on the fairways.
                                                                                                                                                                                    Please turn on Notifications on your phone to receive constant updates from the Club via the Clubnet app or refer to the news items on the App regularly. If you have difficulty in accessing the app please call into the office. News items on the app is our preferred means of communicating with members.
 
The new Trolley shed is nearing completion. We will be in contact with you shortly to allocate your trolley space. Chains will be supplied by the club and you will need a small padlock to secure your trolley. Electricity will be installed this week and we will then be in a position to fit a keypad lock on the door and a security camera.
Our course rangers are doing sterling work but could do with about 8 more volunteers. With sufficient numbers each ranger needs only to volunteer for two, three- hour sessions over the Summer months. If you are interested, please email  and we will contact you. Thank you, rangers, for your support.


Members are reminded that competitors have precedence over casual golfers on competition days and casual golfers should let competition players through.
 
Well done to our Men's team in the Old Conna Seniors Invitational Trophy as they are through to the final day to be held in Old Conna on 18th August.  Best of luck to the players and team managers.
 
The Ladies Minor Foursomes are through to Leinster Central Final and will play Tulfarris in Callan on Monday 4th August. Best of luck to the team and team managers.
 
The Ladies Boyne Trophy competed in the quarter final versus a very strong Wexford team, but unfortunately lady luck wasn’t with them on the day. Well done to our Ladies for putting up a strong fight.
 
 
Rule of Golf
Ball (or ball-marker) moved - Accidentally - by practice swing (On the Green)
If you accidentally cause your ball to move by your practice swing when it is on the putting green, the ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) and there is no penalty.
 
Ball at rest moved or lifted - By your practice swing (General Area)
If you accidentally cause your ball to move by your practice swing when it is in the general area, the ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) and you get one penalty stroke.
 
Ball moved by your practice swing (Teeing Area)
If you accidentally cause your ball to move when it is in the teeing area (including by your practice swing), it may be re-teed anywhere in the teeing area without penalty.
Related Rule 9.5
 
What is the unwritten rule in golf?
Do not walk on the Putting Line
Avoid stepping on the path between another player's ball and the hole, on the green. Walking on this line can alter the grass and affect the ball's path. Always take a moment to consider your route across the green to avoid interfering with others' putts.
 Fixture List
 
Thursday 31st July                                                           11 hole Evening Stroll
Friday 1st August                                                             Open Any Combination Fourball 9 & Dine
Saturday 2nd August                                                      Invitation Ladies & Gents Singles
Chadwicks
Sunday 3rd August                                                          Invitation Any Combination Fourball
Dominic Smith Electrical
                                                                                                9 hole Ladies & Gents Singles 2pm - 3pm
Monday 4th August                                                        Invitation 4 person Scramble
McCartan and Burke
Tuesday 5th August                                                        Ladies Open Day Singles Stableford
Whelans Pharmacy, Gorey and Riverchapel
Wednesday 6th August                                               Glen Fuels Summer Series Open Gents
Thursday 7th August                                                      11 hole Evening Stroll
Friday 8th August                                                             Open Any Combination Fourball 9 & Dine
Saturday 9th August                                                       Ladies & Gents Singles
Sunday 10th August                                                        Open Ladies & Gents Singles
Warren Estates