Kieran Dennehy continues as men’s club captain for 2022

The men’s club held its AGM via Zoom meeting on Friday night last, which unfortunately is not a first for the men’s club as this precedent was set last year. Sean Ryan reports that meeting took place with a good and well involved attendance.

The meeting kicked off with Hon Secretary Captain Chris Ablett running through the agenda for the evening and how the Zoom meeting would work and the etiquette for such a meeting and then moved on to the Secretary’s report. Chris congratulated Captain Kieran on his year considering the many obstacles that he and the club faced including restrictions, lockdowns and ever changing landscape, often at very short notice. He noted that the men’s club was able to run off all our cup and major competitions in a much condensed timeframe, with no significant hitches despite all the restrictions. Chris thanked all the club volunteers, men’s club committee and had special mention for parent club and men’s club PROs and also Clem Leonard for their work in promoting the club and men’s competitions. He then congratulated all our major winners including captain’s prize winner Michael Fogarty and president’s prize winner Kevin O’Farrell. Chris’ report was completed by saying that it was an honour to work for captain Kieran on his committee and he will be happy to continue as secretary for captain Kieran in 2022.

This was followed by a detailed Hon. Treasurer’s report, which was presented by Pat Cleary. In summary, the year had to be considered very successful bearing in mind the reduced playing time, estimated at 22 weeks lost to Covid restrictions and the significantly reduced opportunity for sponsorship. Pat listed and thanked all our sponsors and asked our members to consider them whenever possible. Pat thanked Don O’Regan in particular for all his help in setting up the Club V1 software which has dramatically helped in his role as Treasurer, and also called out Dolores, Mike Lyons, Mike Fogarty and Lady Captain Kate Biggane and Lucy O’Reilly from the Ladies Club for all their assistance over the year.

Outgoing and subsequently incoming Captain Kieran Dennehy’s report was well received by the meeting. Needless to say Covid-19 had a huge impact on his year losing out on close to 22 weeks play. It was a massive effort by all to keep everyone safe whilst trying to run competitions and events in as normal a fashion as possible. It was a significant achievement to get all major and cup competitions played during the year. Kieran had a special mention for Don O’Regan in helping set up the new Club V1 software which greets all our members when entering competitions. He was very complimentary to all his committee and particularly all the volunteers which made for an enjoyable year. He gave special mention to Bernie Caffrey for all his help throughout the year, particularly in recent times with the renovation work inside the clubhouse, to outgoing PROs Batt Power and Sean Ryan for their excellent work in promoting the Club, to Competition Secretary Mike Lyons for successfully getting all our competitions played off and to Ned Finn, Michael English, Michael Fogarty, Fergal Whelton, Tim Doody and also Dolores who always assisted in whatever way possible no matter the request. He thanked President Kieran Casey and Lady Captain Kate Biggane and their committees for all their assistance, Head Greenkeeper Pat Murphy and Course Manager Michael Nevin for their work in maintaining the course in such good conditions throughout the year.

The next item on the agenda was to welcome back incoming Captain Kieran Dennehy, his officers, Hon. Secretary Chris Ablett, Hon. Treasurer Pat Cleary, Competition Secretary Michael Lyons, Handicap Secretary Michael Fogarty and committee members Michael English, Ned Finn and John Lineen. In his incoming captain’s address Kieran committed to continue the work of 2021 committee and he hoped that 2022 would bring improved times to all and that all our members stay safe and well and would hope to see them out on the course in the near future. Finally he concluded by saying that he hoped that we would be back in attendance at next year’s AGM event. The AGM was concluded with AOB and congratulations of the floor for the incoming Captain.

The men’s club would like to formally wish Captain Kieran and his team every success for the forthcoming year in what continues to be a challenging environment in so many ways for golf clubs and society in general.

MEN’S CLUB NEWS – GAMBLE COMES OFF IN BIG CHRISTMAS WIN

As is the tradition, the men’s club held an Open Singles again kindly sponsored by Ger Harte painter and decorator over the Christmas period from Monday, December 20 through to 2nd January. As the competition runs for close on two weeks, it always takes something a little special to win. In this instance it was one of our seanoiri Liam Gamble (26.7) showing the young bucks how it should be done. Liam has been in fine form of late and obviously brought it to fruition with a blistering score of 40 points for the 15 holes. This is a score that would feature in any of our 18 hole competitions later in the year, so to do it on the shortened course was a super display of golf. Well played Liam and hope the form continues into the new year. On any other weekend John O’Keeffe (17.7) with 39 points would have streaked away with the win but on this occasion had to settle for second place losing out by the minimum. No shame in this after a fantastic round of golf. And the high standard continued down the leader board with Don O’Regan (7.8) picking up third place also with a great round shooting 38 points for the 15 holes.

The Cat A winner was Ned Finn with 37 points, Cat B winner was Ed Fitzgerald with 35 points and the Cat C winner was Seamus Walsh on 34 points. If these high standards are maintained, golfers will have to bring their A game in 2022 to feature in the weekly

notes. The results of the 12 hole scramble held on the bank holiday Monday, January 3 are as follows; the winners were David Walsh, Shane Murphy and Ed Fitzgerald (5.43) on 33.57 nett and in second place was Stephen Dunne, Martin O’Sullivan and Hugh O’Neill (5.05) on 34.95 nett.

Unfortunately, no play was possible the weekend just gone as a result of the inclement weather all week beforehand. The upcoming weekend of 14th, 15th and 16th January will see the men’s club host a 15 hole Open Singles and timesheets are available on the BRS system for booking. Tee times can also be booked by phoning 025-24072. We are currently running 15 hole events due to the short daylight hours. In the event of bad weather members can get the up to date course information news by phoning 025-24231 or by email. Catering is available in the clubhouse if required.

Lastly congratulations to all our members from Ballygiblin (and commiserations to those from Skeheenarinky) on the historic junior A Munster title triumph last Sunday afternoon.

SEANOIRI NEWS

Results of ordinary scramble on Thursday, January 6 as follows: Ml Fogarty, Dave Russell and Jim Griffin - 36.5 nett. 2nd Pat Cleary and Sean Buckley - 37.5 nett. See you all next Thursday.

END OF AN ERA

The recent men’s club AGM saw the end on an exceptional reporting era for that club. Sean Ryan, who has served as the PRO for that club for the last 4 years, has decided to take a well-earned break from committee work and his replacement in this role will be announced in the coming weeks.

During his tenure in the position Sean did an exceptional job. He was first appointed to the role during John O’Brien’s term as club captain in 2018, and was reappointed as PRO by Paddy Leonard (2109), Chris Ablett (2020) and Kieran Dennehy (2021). His adherence to internal club pre-copy deadlines for TheAvondhu never faltered even when on holidays. Sean is a young man with a young family and a very patient partner. His dedication to the role of PRO for the men’s club took that position to a new level. Being able to put detail to relevant news items is an attribute he has in abundance and he has set a high standard for his successor to live up to. The role of PRO is often understated. The vast majority of the PRO’s work is done out of the glare of the spotlight and the camera lens. But the copy deadline is always there to be met and Sean regularly beat the internal copy deadline with a day to spare. He’s been a joy to work with for the last 4 years. There are many fine contributors to TheAvondhu each week from different clubs and organisations in TheAvondhu region. Sean ranked right up there and carried out the function with dedication and professionalism. His final input to these weekly notes comes this week and the AGM report as well as the men’s club news item are Sean’s last contribution.

Sean will be missed at committee level also. His level headed approach and quiet unassuming demeanour never faltered during his term on the men’s club committee. We wish him well in his daily work but look forward to the day when he will return in an even more challenging role in the future. Thank you Sean. You certainly did the club some service. We’ll see you on the fairways as the golfing year unfolds and wish you good golfing for 2022 and beyond.

PARENT CLUB AGM FIXED FOR JANUARY 23RD

The AGM of the Parent Club/Management Committee has been confirmed for Sunday, January 23. Notice of this was circulated to members earlier this week by club Honorary Secretary Sean Buckley. Members will be updated internally in due course in advance of this important meeting. In following with current club policy this meeting will be held via zoom.

OUTSTANDING PRIZES

For those who were unable to collect their outstanding prizes over the weekend, please contact competition secretary Mike Lyons or captain Kieran Dennehy to arrange a collection this week.

GOLF SOCIETY BOOKINGS

The club is currently formalising the events calendar for next year. We have already taken a number of golf society bookings for 2022. To avoid disappointment for next year we are advising that golf society secretaries contact Dolores on 025-24072 during office hours or by email at info@mitchelstown-golf.com to reserve your preferred date and time. We are now offering an excellent catering service at the club and we are geared up better than ever to look after the needs of societies on and off the course. If Mitchelstown’s superb golf course is on your list of “must play” courses for 2022 we look forward to hearing from you asap.