Ballina Golf Club
The AGM of Ballina Golf Club was held recently and was attended by a substantial body of members. Honorary secretary Sean Rowley reported a very satisfactory year for the club with a solid increase in membership and increases in income from subscriptions, competitions, sponsorship, and fundraising. He thanked the membership for their co-operation and their support for various club initiatives.
Whereas the club was not immune to the effects of the recession, 2009 had been a year of progress. Outgoing captain Michael O’Malley had initiated a policy of development which saw the appointment of a qualified greenskeeper, the sinking of a well to provide an on course and club water supply, and other important on-course facilities. The club will host the Connacht mixed foursomes final and the over 55 seniors open in 2010. Winter and spring improvement programmes to the course were in the pipeline which would involve drainage, tree planting, and the building of new bunkers.
In competitive golf the club had built on its All Ireland Junior Cup Success of 2009 by winning the Connaught Shield, thus bridging a 48 year gap. Jonathan Doherty had won the Connaught u13 title, qualified for the Irish u14 panel, and featured on the Connaught Shield team. The club had supplied the nucleus of the St Muredach’s College Connaught title winning team.
The priority for the incoming captain and committee is to further increase membership and to continue to improve facilities for members. The membership subscription will be very competitive with special rates for first and second year beginners and payment plans to suit all requirements. The club’s centenary will be celebrated in 2010 and a sub committee will be set up for that that purpose.
Committee for 2010: President: Anthony Kilcullen, vice president: Des Farrell, captain: Des Cronin, vice captain: Gerry Tuffy, hon secretary: Sean Rowley, hon treasurer: Pat White, past captain: Michael O’Malley. Committee: Bill Kiely, Charles Doherty, Des Sweeney, Gerry O’Mahony, John Fox, Richard Doherty, Tommy Cronin, Denis Forde, Eddie Keigher, John Forkan, Paddy O’Donnell, Robbie Mc Ginty. Connacht branch: Nicky McLoughlin.
Westport Golf Club
As the club enters into the fifth week without golf competition, details of the actual re-opening time for the course will be published on the home page of the club website. The office will also text members who are on the club text messaging service with the relevant information. The key will be how deep the frost has penetrated the greens and fairways. Even though the expected “thaw” is scheduled to have begun this week, there is no guarantee that the course will be fit for play in time for the winter league, scheduled to take place on Sunday.
