Newsletter #18

Welcome to our summer newsletter and what a great summer it had been, weather wise, before a more disappointing July.  We live in hope for a more benign August!

Team News
We are delighted to extend a heartfelt congratulations to our Ladies Challenge Cup Team on their resounding victory in the Leinster Central Final, bringing home a pennant. Their dedication and hard work have brought immense pride to Courtown Golf Club. We applaud their success and wish them the best as they progress to the next stage of the tournament, in Abbeyleix, at the end of August.  The team, managed by Denise Burke, includes Mags Dooley, Dympna Doyle, Ann Morgan, Mary O’Connor, Angie Dooley, Ann O’Shaughnessy, Ann Codd and Aine Roche.    

Commiserations also to our Ladies Minor Cup team who reached the Leinster Central semifinal and our Men’s Senior Cup team for reaching the Leinster Central semi-final. Well done to both teams, you did us proud.

Town Hall Meeting
As previously advised, the club will be hosting a Town Hall “Teams Meeting” in the coming weeks. The purpose of this meeting is to gather ideas from all our members as we discuss and shape a medium-term plan with the goal of winning more pennants. The meeting will provide a platform for open and constructive dialogue and believe that your insights will be invaluable in charting the course of our club’s success. 
We encourage all interested members to participate in this collaborative discussion, where we can explore innovative strategies and build a united vision for the future of Courtown Golf Club. Date and time to be announced soon.

The Majors
Congratulations to the winners of the Captains' Prizes: John Creagh for Captain Paul's Prize and Eileen O'Brien for Captain Eileen's Prize. Congratulations to both for their outstanding performance and well-deserved victories. The finals were held on July 8th and July 22nd, and the support for our Captains on both days and, indeed, nights was truly phenomenal.
The View restaurant did a fantastic job in providing a wonderful meal, adding to the enjoyment of these special events. We extend our gratitude to The View for their excellent service and delicious offerings.
Let us not forget to acknowledge the talents of our young golfers! The Captains' Prize to the Juniors was won by Thomas Rush and Caoimhe Geraghty.  Caoimhe Geraghty also won the Tom Funge girls junior open while Aaron Gethings won the Tom Funge boys open

Once again, congratulations to all the winners, and a big thank you to everyone who assisted in making these events memorable and enjoyable. 
Let us remember, of course, there is one more Major opportunity, President Bronagh’s prize takes place on 26th August with qualifying days on the Tuesday and Friday beforehand……so all to play for!

Leinster Men’s Mid-Amateur Open
The club hosted the Leinster Men’s Mid-Am and was played over 3 rounds on 16th & 17th June.  Local man, Graham Donohoe (Enniscorthy) won the event with a score of 1 over par for the 3 rounds.  The course certainly stood up to the test and well done to James Timmins and his team who presented the course in fantastic condition!

L-R Captain Paul McDonald, Golf Ireland Chair of Leinster Siobhan O’Donnell Murphy, Graham Donohoe, Leinster Chair of Championships John Cullen

Inter-Club trophy
The Courtown Ladies Inter-Club trophy will be held on 17th August with 18 clubs, including ourselves, competing.

Practice Area
DAR golf has completed the remedial work on the practice area and many of you will have witnessed the huge efforts made.  Some of the smaller slit drains are partially blocked and these will be redone in September to ensure great drainage on the facility.  It is up to the elements as to when it will reopen, and we ask for your patience and forbearance.  Rest assured we are committed to opening the facility as soon as is possible.

Course Rangers
A big shout out to our band of course rangers who are doing a great job!  The rangers will continue to patrol the fairways at weekends until the end of September when we will stand down for the winter months.  Thank you to all our volunteers.
Care of our course
The number of pitch marks on our greens and the large number of divots left without repair last weekend was quite remarkable.  Even more remarkable was that there were no societies playing so it was really down to us, the members.  Please ensure that pitch marks and divots are repaired.  It is part of golf etiquette and adds to our overall enjoyment of the facility.
Please continue to support your club by using the facilities, including the bar and restaurant, to the fullest.  Why not invite your friends to one or two of our many open days and promote Courtown Golf Club.
Enjoy the rest of the season!