Secretary's Report 2010

An interesting and enjoyable year of golf was had under the captaincy of Pat Holmes. As has become the norm four outings were held during the year, with consistent attendances at all four.

Our first outing was held on Saturday 24^th April in Knightsbrook.  46 people played with Conor Sherry winning with an excellent score of 43 points.

This was followed by President (Tony Dorman’s) prize in Castleknock on Saturday 29^th May, 38 played with rookie Sean Byrne winning with a score of 42 points. Later that night a reasonable attendance enjoyed a nice meal in the Tennis club.

Our third outing was held in Killeen Castle on Sunday 27^th June. Thanks are due to Rory Toal for securing such a fine golf course for the Society at a prime time of the year for reasonable cost and in such good condition. Despite counter attractions in the shape of England against Germany in the World Cup and the Dubs versus Meath at Croke Park 36 played on the day with Phelim Kelly taking first prize with a score of 35 points.

The final outing of the year, Pat Holmes Captains Prize was held in Luttrellstown on Saturday 4^th Sept. 39 played on the day with Eugene Garrihy winning with a fine score of 43 points. Approximately 30 people turned up for a most enjoyable evening with Ciaran MacDiarmada and Paul O’Gorman leading the entertainment.

Golfer of the Year was won (by his own reckoning) for the 6^th time Joe Lynch with an excellent average of 34 points over all four outings.

Unfortunately the Matchplay competition did not take place during 2010, so every effort will be made to ensure the event will get going soon after our first outing, if not before in 2011.

Special mention is due to the Society’s Dugsa team of Norbert Kellett & Chris Kinsella, Denis Markey & Leo Keogh, and Ray Devlin & Paul O’Gorman, who, after comfortably qualifying for the final day then had to endure just about the worst golfing conditions of driving rain, howling gales in Corrstown in early September. While not featuring in the prizes on finals day we are genuinely proud of your availability, persistence and resilience throughout the competition.

During the year we introduced a mobile phone for sending out text messages notifying the various outings, time sheet availability on the web and result updates. I hope you found this innovation worthwhile.  At the request of Paul O’Gorman the Golf society noticeboard in the Snooker Room has also been updated.

In closing, I would like to thank my colleagues captain Pat Holmes, and Treasurer and Vice Captain Kevin Fitzgerald for all their very hard work during the year. We are in a period of transition, long standing members moving on, new members slowly evolving, sponsorship drying up, a difficult economic climate placing golf club membership and more especially society membership under threat. The support of all those in attendance tonight, together with other members not present is greatly valued. Long may it continue.

Ben Connellan, Hon Sec, Feb 2011