Golden Jubilee is eagerly anticipated

THE TJ society missed out this year like a lot of golfers on their cherished pastime – in their case a week away playing and staying at the wonderful Rosapenna resort with the choice of two splendid courses to play and marvellous food, hospitality and entertainment, largely provided by members.

The society has made the expedition without fail since 1991, but the golfers mainly comprised of members of the Greenore and Dundalk along with other clubs in the area, joined by family and friends from across the country and indeed overseas, one travelling from Abu Dhabi no less will make up for the disappointment with next year marking a big milestone for the society.

The biggest number ever of 58 members were set to travel this year, but already the months are being counted down to the Golden Jubilee anniversary outing of the first trip with some with their money paid—a blessing of the April cancellation due to the Corona virus.

The first trip in 1972 was made by the four founder members of the society which combined a holiday for their families, and was to Rosapenna.

The small group grew in number over the years as North Wales for five years and then Donegal, mainly Bundoran, but also Westport , Ballybofey/ Stranorlar became the destination for the annual outing until a return to Rosapenna in 1991 where they set down roots ever since.

The last week in April is the date fixed on the calendar for the trip, and from just four the average number travelling has increased to 50 in recent years , and a coach is run to take the members there and back for the last 15 years. Some make the journey by car, with the facility to send their equipment on the coach. .

It is a sizable administrative task to make and carry out all the arrangements from booking transport, hotel accommodation, meals, allocating rooms and everything surrounding the organising of the golf, including score cards, buggies, prizes and the course for each day.

It can be a challenge for a big and diverse group to fit in and feel content and happy for five days. The regular members mightn’t meet each other from one year to the next, and the society welcomes newcomers a lot of the years.

That hasn’t posed a problem with a big attraction a social and entertainment programme that the society largely organises with the full co-operation and support of the Rosappenna Hotel and golf management and staff. The golfers are of assorted abilities.

“The golf is the catalyst. Some are not great golfers but still love the trip with all the craic. It is magical the way all get on. They are so amenable and pleasant. They mightn’t have met each other for the year in between and are from all walks of life, “told Joe Molloy, one of the four founder members.

Joe explained it was not the intention at the start to form a golf society, but it has all worked out in stark contrast to one of the years for a group they met up with from Belfast. They spent the three or four days in Westport together arguing and fighting.

Initially the group used to play 36 holes a day, but after a number of years reduced that to 18 holes. The competition is casual, but the rules of golf are obeyed.

Christmas time the preparations begin , with the organising and arranging of finance and collection of fees , bookings right down to arranging of golf buggies. A small team comprised of founder members Tom Molloy and Tom Hughes and their respective sons Joseph junior and Larry and Jim Rogers takes charge of this all important and essential putting together of the trip. Each member is supplied with an itinerary and schedule, which serves as the member’s ticket on the trip.

Tom looks after the financial affairs, with Jim the score cards and organising of rooms. This was a laborious hand written exercise until the event of computers, with the younger members of the team adapting the task to a fine art

“Quite a few people pay in advance. Even now some have paid for next year. It’s a testament to how much they look forward to it” said Joe , adding that with it being the 50th anniversary year those who haven’t travelled for a number of years wish to go. Some of those mightn’t even play? “

The old Tom Morris designed course and the complex’s newer Sandy Hills lay-out created by Pat Ruddy and Frank Casey snr offer a combined package with the hotel facilities, high quality of food and meals and service that the society wouldn’t get anywhere. Plus they are flexible in allowing the society to change times of golf and course if the weather is bad. They even put on entertainment, pointed out Joe.

They have struck up a great relationship with the management, and it was a big disappointment for the 54 who were set not to get going in April. Consideration was given to switching the trip to September, and some 20 of the golfers are to travel up that month to ease the disappointment.

Different and important roles in making the trip so enjoyable and relaxing have been served by the like of Dermott McGuinness, who drives the golfers to and from the venue; Brian Murphy who oversees the eclectic competition and checks score cards, and entertainers Tom Corcoran on the piano and Gerry Hughes the keyboard since 1985 along with the late Paddy Doherty.

Eddie Maguire RIP was another who excelled in this sphere and Pa McGee, along with singers, Kieran Clarke, Andy Kenny, Luke Sharkey, Brendan Cleary and Pat Gonnelly RIP, while Larry Witherow, Tommy Murphy and Anthony Gorham have been loyal supporters from the early 80s.