Dear Member.

In 1962 the late Frank Pennink wrote in Golfers Companion “that Baltray golf course is a natural unspoilt seaside territory with towering sand hills and long fairways”.
I got the impression from reading his article that he really liked the place a lot. If he had experienced the weather we played in last Thursday his observations and comments would most probably have been scripted from the comfort of the bar while looking at the course through a window.
For those members who ventured up to Co Louth we got the whole package. An absolutely amazing golf course that came complete with all four seasons in the space of six hours. High winds, freezing temperatures,driving rain, hailstones the size of golf balls (well nearly) and sunny blue skies all for €55.00. Now that is value for money !
The majority of our members took to the conditions like ducks to water and thoroughly enjoyed battling this wonderful golf course and the elements. It was noted however that one or two of the more sane members headed for the showers after nine.
Unfazed  by all that nature could throw at him Alan Leonard carded a very impressive 39 points to win the outing. Alans excellent score secured his place in the society record book also winning the Memorial trophy dedicated to our deceased members.

Congratulations to all of our winners who played this championship course in pretty tough conditions.

Winner      Alan Leonard         39 points
Second      Colm Menton        38 points
Third          Sean Guirke           36 points

Class 1      Joe O Flaherty       33 points
Class 2      Derek Erskine       34 points
Class 3      Michael Brennan   35 points

Front 9       Dominic Murray      18 points
Back 9       Vincent Clarke         18 points

The Pin     Stephen Tucker
Two’s        Joe O Flaherty

Our thanks to Liam Mullaney and Larry Gordon for generously sponsoring the wonderful wine hampers that were presented to all of the winners at Baltray.

Resident photographer Philip McGowan has been working overtime to ensure that the photos from the outing are available on the website. Check out the gallery for photos from the Baltray outing.

MATCHPLAY COMPETITIONS.
Please check your dates and ensure to have your matches played on time.

KINSALE OUTING 10th. May 2013

The Old Head of Kinsale considered to be one of the best courses in the country is the next one on our Silver Jubilee calendar. In the event that we get Baltray like weather conditions we are considering a hang gliding competition as an alternative. Apparently the cliffs surrounding the course are considered to be ideal for such an event. Please ensure that you have adequate insurance in place and your last will ready for reading. Hopefully May will be kind to us and we will finally get a break from the inclement weather we are currently experiencing.
Our thanks to Tadgh O Meara and Kish Fish who are sponsoring the Old Head event. Hopefully it will be for the golf and not the hang gliding !!
The time-sheet for the Old Head is full and you will receive sms texts concerning  any changes etc. if you are travelling to Kinsale.
To facilitate members on the time-sheet who are travelling on Friday morning we ask that anyone going to Kinsale on the previous day contact Sean Guirke or myself to allocate tee times. The time-sheet will be published on the website as soon as we receive the aforementioned information.
I have already sent you the name of your hotel however I will reconfirm this information later in the week.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Sean Guirke or myself regarding the Kinsale trip.
Due to the fact that the time-sheet is full and members are paid up we will not have the usual sign on for the Kinsale event.
The time-sheet for the Saturday competition at Kinsale Golf Club will be available on the website prior to departure. I will send you a text to advise when it on the site.

Yours sincerely.

Michael Brennan.
Honorary secretary.