A beautiful day for a game of golf
Coollattin Golf Club member Siobhan McEntaggart, from Brookfield, Coollattin, putts on the fifth green, watched by Ian McEntaggart and Tom Ryan on Monday morning.
you’ve never done that before, why are you doing that now?’ And I went down to Coollattin the next day and put down my name. That’s what I did. It took me a year or two to get in but when I go to play golf – if you don’t concentrate, you’re not able to play. If you do concentrate you go in and you come back out with a fresh mind. I did more work in the week taking four hours to go play golf on a Saturday and Sunday than if I didn’t go play golf, because my mind was clearer. That’s just a bit of background.
‘To play golf you need to concentrate, which means that you are leaving the stress and trials of life behind for a few hours. You come home mentally refreshed and able to cope better with everyday challenges,’ he added.
The Coollattin Golf Club captain said that competitions are likely to start on June 8 and that Coollattin Golf Club are running a special deal to attract players from contact sports who are idle at the moment.
‘The course reopened on Monday in line with Government health advice for casual golf only in three-ball in 14-minute intervals. Competitions are likely to start on
the weekend of June 8 with the usual 18-hole competitions. We are looking at running a nine-hole competition to cater for memebrs who may be under time pressure.
‘Coollattin are actively looking for new members and have a special deal to attract players from contact sports who are unlikely to be allowed play anytime soon.
‘I would like to thank Padraig Behan, Dermot Nolan and Eileen Byrne for all their hard work since March. The condition of the course at the moment is testament to their hard work.
‘The other staff are Paul Behan, Billy Hennessy, Terry Nolan, Tommy Moran, Vicky Mulhall and Peter Jones who unfortunately fell victim to the financial woes brought on by the virus.
‘And I’m also extremely lucky to have excellent people on the various committees on the club. Keep safe and keep well.
John added that he wished to thank the members of Coollattin Golf Club for their courtesy and forbearance in the current trying times.
‘I wish everyone happy golfing for the rest of the year,’ he added.
Baltinglass Golf Club captain
Liam Horgan said that it was great to get back to playing golf and that all the members playing at Baltinglass were very aware of the guidelines.
‘Everything worked out grand. People were enthusiastic to get back and they had an enjoyable day.
‘It was casual golf and the course was in excellent condition. We’re like every other course I imagine, we’re looking forward to a drop of rain,’ he said.
‘Everyone adhered to the social distancing. They were very aware of the guidelines. They arrived up within 10 minutes of their tee of times, there was no gatherings of any type and they kept their distance throughout.
‘The flags were kept in the hole with the device made by John Kelly and his nephew John Kelly that allowed people to retrieve their ball without touching the flag. The device is working a treat for us.
‘I hope that our members and their families keep well in this trying time and that everyone will adhere to the guidelines set out and that all golf clubs will remain open and that it will be a place for exercise for our members,’ he added.