April showers!
The year moves on, the days lengthen, the crops remain unsown, the ground is soggy, and the golfers venture out less frequently. Thus, has been the story of 2024 so far. Exceptionally high rainfall for the early months of this year and the later months of last year has seen a countrywide effect on life and leisure. We have all learned to phone the course condition line (in hope more than expectation) before throwing the clubs in the boot over the past month. On the upside surely things can only improve from here.
A huge thank you is owed to our course staff for their wonderful efforts in managing the challenges thrown at them by the inclement weather conditions over the winter and spring. We have seen our course kept in a condition that has been exceptional for the circumstances and our greens in particular have been tended fantastically well. Also evident is the careful management of our fairways and trees with constant attention being paid to improvement. We are privileged and fortunate to have such a dedicated workforce looking after our course – thank you again to Pat Murphy and his crew.
LOTTO
Our next lotto draw will be held in the clubhouse on Sunday evening, 14th April – the jackpot now stands at €1,300 – remember if you’re not in you cannot win!
VOLUNTEERS
The Parent committee would like to extend a word of thanks to those who undertake voluntary duties both in the clubhouse and on the course. This contributes significantly to the finances of the club but also helps to gel the club membership and cause the realisation that we are club members rather than facility users. We are of course always open to hearing from anyone who feels they might have a talent, a skill, or simply a bit of time which they could give to voluntary activities within our club. Please don’t be shy to approach John O’Brien regarding voluntary work within the clubhouse or Rory McMahon if you feel you could be of some help for occasional (or even one-off) tasks on the course and I am led to believe we have an area to clear close to the 15th tee in preparation for tree/ shrub planting. Also we would like to hear from volunteers (possibly parents) who could assist with the Juniors.
HELP WANTED THIS SATURDAY
The left hand side of the 15th tee requires attention. To this end, volunteers are required this Saturday at 9am to clear this area for planting. As this is a relatively small area, works should be completed very quickly so please bring your lopping shears (if you have them), Tea and biscuits after in the clubhouse.
MEN’S CLUB RESULTS
Results -Monday 1st April - 3 ball better ball, 1st Monica Hodgins, Mary Rea and Maire Lineen - 46pts. 2nd Paddy O’Callaghan, Ed Fitzgerald and Liam Gamble - 45pts. Results - 7th April - 15 Holes Open Singles, 1st Pat Cleary (17.8) 36pts. 2nd Michael O’Donovan (13.2) 35pts. Next weekend - 12th, 13th and 14th April - 15 Holes Open Singles
LADIES’ NOTES
Results for week ending 3rd April sponsored by Ita Luddy. Winner - Jean Roche (34) 31 pts. 7 ladies played. This week's competition is a 15-hole singles sponsored by Noelle Finn commencing Friday 12th and running to Wednesday, 17th April.
This year, the ladies’ club will run a singles matchplay competition which is very kindly sponsored by Deirdre of the Wardrobe Boutique. This will be organised to commence in early May. There will be 3 handicap categories and a draw will take place within each category. The handicap categories will be 0-20. 20.1-30 and 30.1 +. Please add your name to the sheet on the noticeboard in the locker room if you are interested or contact lady captain Mag Slattery. The draw will be based on your course handicap on the day.
Our first Open Competition of the year will take place on April 26th, 27th and 28th April. This competition is open to ladies and gents and is kindly sponsored by Horgans, who are one of our regular, generous sponsors.
Next Sunday, April 14th sees the Revive Action team from Mitchelstown take on the Cahir team.
This is a fourball match play competition with Mitchelstown GC team having 5 pairings. There are 2 matches at home and 3 in Cahir with a tee off time at 2pm. We encourage as many members as possible to come along and support our players.
JUNIOR GOLF
The MGC Juniors coaching hoped (weather permitting) to start back on the course on Saturday, 13th April from 4pm to 5:30. All are welcome and if you know any new players who would like to try out the game, they are welcome to come along every week.
SEANÓIRÍ
Seanoiri results for Thursday, April 4th are as follows. Winners of scramble are Willie Casey, Tom Dwane and Jim Griffin with 33.36 nett. Scotch foursomes winners are Pat Kavanagh and Donal MacSweeney - 59 nett (B9). Second are Tony Lewis and Gerry Kearney - 59 nett.
On the table for next Thursday are Tom Nugent. John McCarthy and Billy Murphy. Don’t forget South Munster Seniors Open on Tuesday, April 23rd. Invite your Senior friends.
INTERCLUB COMPETITION
The list for those interested in playing interclub competition is now on the club noticeboard – please add your name if you would like to be considered for any of the teams and/or contact the relevant team manager.
45 CARDS
We had a very enjoyable evening of cards last Sunday in the clubhouse when the semi-finals and finals of the remaining card competitions were played. Although these competitions have concluded there is certainly an appetite for continuing our cosy/friendly/competitive/genial games on the Sunday evenings from 5pm onwards. Please text Clem on 086-8912769 to be included in the “Six for Cards” App and to be kept up to date
INTERESTED IN TAKING UP GOLF?
As are now getting into our active time of the golfing year we are interested to hear from anyone considering taking up the sport, whether joining for the first time or re-joining after a period of absence. We have attractive and affordable options for all. Enquiries please to Dolores on 025-24072 (9.00 – 13.00) or see details on our website – www. mitchelstown-golf.com.