Through the early history of golf, the Captain traditionally won his office in a tournament held at the end of the competitive year.
Horace Hutchinson won two British Amateur Championships in the late nineteenth century. His finest moment was his victory over the famous John Ball at Hoylake in the 1887 final. He was the first English captain of the R. and A. Golf Club at St Andrews.
As a member of Royal North Devon GC, better known as Westward Ho!, Hutchinson won the club’s Autumn Medal in 1875 and assumed the role of captain. The captain in those days automatically became arbiter of all things concerning golf within the club, but there was a problem with this. Hutchinson was only 16 years of age. Westward Ho! changed the rule. There would be no more sixteen year olds running the club.
The following year, the captaincy became an elective office. This idea caught on and the old method of electing captains died.
Athlone Golf Club course care
Presently, the first, third and 18th holes are out of play to give them a chance to recover and have them in pristine condition for the coming golfing season.
There are not any flag poles in the holes on these greens. Under no circumstances can members practice chipping and putting on these greens with course care very much a priority at this time.
The restaurant is closed at the moment as Piotr, his family and staff are on their annual leave. Service will resume on January 25.
Kevin’s “Better the Score” competition is in full swing with certain members outperforming their own expectations and bringing in the much sought 32 points.
Winter League Update
The state of play in this year’s Winter League as of Thursday, January 13 is as follows:
1. Team 19- Frankie Donnelly- 474; 2. Team 8- Gerard Rowlands-459; 3. Team 17- Eamonn Kenny- 457; 4. Team 10- John Barry- 455; 5. Team 18- Adrian Kelly- 451; 6. Team 14- Dermot O’Connor- 446; 7. Team 6- Thomas Gilhooly- 441; 8- Team 20- Sean Cleary- 440; 9.- Team 11- Paddy Kenny Snr.- 439; 10. Team 16- Derek Kenna- 438; 11. Team 24- James Joyce- 435; 11. Team 15- Paul Hunter-435; 13. Team 22- Ger O’Kennedy- 431; 14. Team 7- Colm Cummins- 429; 15. Team 4- Finbar Jordan- 428; 16. Team 12- Mark Kelly- 426; 17. Team 28- Dan Clarke- 422; 18. Team 13- Colm Fitzgerald- 418; 18. Team 29 - Aengus O’Rourke- 418.
As you can see from the table, things are quite tight at the bottom of the table. There are just eight points separating the team in 16th place from the team in 19th place so things are building up to a great climax.
The last day for qualifying rounds is January 31 with the top 16 teams qualifying for the final play-off on February 12 which will be a shotgun start.
