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Dear Member

 

Planning for 2008 campaign kicks in

 

After 11 successful years we have decided to go back for more, more drinking that is! We would like to thank you for your support to date without which we wouldn’t have a golf society. We hope that you are able to join us again next year and outline below the key dates surrounding the plans for our 12^th Annual event.

 

So why are we writing to you now? Traditionally we have arranged our week to coincide with the last full week in June – the accommodation rate goes up significantly on 1^st July and next year’s dates will be the 21^st to 28^th June inclusive, this coincides with the last week of the European Football championships

 

First soundings taken on golfing numbers	Summer / Autumn 2007
Preliminary discussions held on accommodation	Winter 2007
Accommodation provisionally booked	Spring 2008 – Ballinrobe & Westport?
Course research starts subject to open week publication	Spring 2008
Collection of accommodation deposits	January 2008
Collection of Green Fees	March 2008

 

 

There is an outside chance we will be running two accommodation venues next year, in the event of this happening it is even more vital that we get the deposits in on time – if there is an issue then please let us know asap

 

 

As always I would like to say a big thank you to everybody but especially the following for their input above and beyond the call of duty

 

Chris Moran – all those phone calls booking accommodation and golf tees, it isn’t easy

Jenny Young – sterling efforts on the website, don’t forget to sign the guest book for her!

 

So who did what last year?

 

John Walsh, only the 2^nd person to win both majors in the same week – i.e. the Weekend and Weekly competitions.

           

Tony Hogan – Par 3, he is threatening to make that trophy his own with his 2^nd win in three years.

 

 

Handicaps – I am assured that a review has taken place and some gentle manipulation will take place following this year’s results, generally you will be better off with your own handicap but we will always make allowances for those who don’t get to play as often as they would like. You have been warned, get practicing!

 

The itinerary for the week will look something like the following

 

Saturday morning	Arrive, unpack and prepare for afternoon golf
Saturday afternoon	Golf at local course – Ballinrobe / Claremorris
Saturday evening	Presentation of daily prize by last year’s final day winner / overall winner
Saturday night	European Championships 3rd Quarter Final – 20.45
Sunday afternoon	Afternoon golf
Sunday evening	Presentation of daily prize by Saturday’s winner
Sunday night	European Championships 4th Quarter Final – 20.45
Monday afternoon	Afternoon golf
Monday evening	Presentation of daily prize by Sunday’s winner and weekend prize by last year’s winner
Tuesday afternoon	Afternoon golf
Tuesday evening	Presentation of daily prize by Monday’s winner
Wednesday afternoon	Afternoon golf
Wednesday evening	Presentation of daily prize by Tuesday’s winner
Wednesday night	European Championships 1st Semi Final – 20.45
Thursday afternoon	Afternoon golf
Thursday evening	Presentation of daily prize by Wednesday’s winner
Thursday night	European Championships 2nd Semi Final – 20.45
Friday afternoon	Afternoon golf – in reverse order of placing, last will be first out and first will be last in accordance with tradition
Friday evening	Presentation of daily prize by last year’s weekend winner
Friday night	Gala dinner & presentation of Weekly prize by last year’s winner – remember everybody gets to present
Saturday	Depart for another year with a sore head
Sunday night	European Championships Final – 20.45

 

Quite a hectic schedule really, the days fly once you have had breakfast. At this stage it is too early to predict courses and order of play as we cater for overall enjoyment, facilities, etc. and we are always looking to introduce a new one wherever possible

 

 

Individual player briefings will be issued with your tee time allocation by the previous day’s winner on a daily basis.

 

 

On completion of your round please hand your card to Mike Seal who will tally the points prior to you attending the 19^th Hole for drinks before changing for dinner, all clubs have provisions for changing and shower facilities.

 

 

Before we depart each day’s golf club a presentation will be held for that day’s winner (Weekend winner on the Monday).

 

 

In view of the potential extra numbers for next year this is a good opportunity to issue a guide to golf with CVGS which is about more than drinking after all!

 

Playing format & Etiquette

 

As always we will be playing a stableford format, if you are unsure of how to score fill in your score, just fill in your own score for each hole, then the scorer will fill in your points for you.

 

All of the courses are private clubs so we will have to comply with the same etiquette as the members, so just a few general reminders.

 

Only collared shirts can be worn

 

On the course please keep up with the group in front and not in front of the group behind. A round should not take more than 4 hours.

 

Park trolleys on the side of the green closest to the next tee. Do not fill in your scorecard on the green.

 

We all want to play every hole, but if you cannot score do not mark your ball on the green. Have a long put by all means but marking your ball takes time for no reason.

 

Do not dawdle between holes. Be prepared.  Have your glove on, your ball, and tee ready while you are walking, this all saves time.

 

Have plenty of loose change to mark your ball. Markers on the back of gloves are a nuisance and take up time taking on and off.

 

Above all be aware of what is going on around you. Where your partners have hit their ball, where the group in front are, who’s turn it is to putt, etc.

 

All of these may sound pedantic but if you observe all these you will be round in less time and with more rhythm. Which helps both your game and those around you?

 

 

One last thing before we sign off, we are considering the introduction of an honourary life time achievement award for unusual energy and all round commitment to our cause – it is envisaged that this will not be an annual award, more of an exception than an expectation. It won’t necessarily carry any privileges other than the right to be heard at official functions (there is only two recognised nights in any one calendar year after all!) We would be grateful for any nominations and hope to make an announcement during next year’s event.

 

 

We will be in touch soon as we start to firm up the arrangements. Best wishes to you and your loved ones for the New Year, we look forward to seeing you in Ballinrobe on Saturday 21^st June 2008

 

 

Best Regards

 

 

 

Dermot Burke                           Sean Moran

El Presidente                            Captain 

 

 

 

How well do you know Ballinrobe and the surrounding golf courses?

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