CVGS Newsletter '97

CVGS NEWSLETTER '97

When Ireland's most famous golf course designer, Eddie Hackett, offered his services to the new golf course in Mayo's oldest town little did he know of the impact it would have on an international society still in its infancy, namely 3BGS. Local speculation will have you believe that he wouldn't have lent his name to any scheme that didn't have the long-term ability to make its name on the international area. However the immediate reaction of the international circuit in awarding Ballinrobe its first European Competition exceeded even Eddie's belief in its potential. The Master Craftsman is synonymous with Waterville, Connemara, Killarney and Donegal to mention just a few among his extensive list of golf developments in a lifetime dedicated to the game.

When the 3BGS Planning Committee met to book the first venue of its annual tour Pebble Beach and The Belfry were among the favourites to be named by its members who had reputation as hard to satisfy. Whilst Ballinrobe was known to certain members overseas colleagues had to be persuaded and this involved a lot of arm twisting. Looking back on it now nobody can explain why there was such resistance to this little known course - certainly not Pat Young who finished ahead of the field by a net three-shot margin!

The tour covered Ballinrobe, which drew the following comment from one of Ireland's finest professional players, Padraig Harrington: "This must be the finest course in the West of Ireland. The par three's in particular are a delight". Next stop was the links course at Enniscrone which was the venue for the Irish Close Championship in 1993 and the West of Ireland Championship in 1997 (unfortunately this particular tour missed out on the nearby seaweed baths to sort out the aching muscles). Westport's Hawtree-designed parkland renewed a flagging faith in a number of players' swings.

JACKEEN DELIGHTS DUBLIN TO WIN ON HIS TRAVELS OUTSIDE OF THE PALE!

Dublin born and bred, father of three beautiful brunettes and the husband of the fair Margaret, Pat Young charmed the culchies with his masterful control of the short game. Pat justified his pre-post billing as championship favourite and stormed home in spectacular style despite the best efforts of Mike 'Dipso' Moore and John 'Virgin' Walsh. Tom Moran, Ballinrobe's 1997 Club Captain, put the achievement into perspective when he portrayed the antics of the local partisan support as "single-minded in their efforts to keep the trophy in Ballinrobe". Pat intends to extend his international tour with plans to visit the home of the Ryder Cup in 1998 intent on filling his newly acquired Trophy Cabinet.

All of this will be undertaken prior to achieving Senior Status in his home club of Ballinascorney on the slopes of the Wicklow mountains!

BATTLE OF BALLINROBE CIRCA 1997

Gardai were assigned additional overtime duties when the 3BGS visited Ballinrobe. Night calls were all the rage as rumours of illegal gambling gave cause to late calls to the Western Pride Holiday Homes. The peace of this beautiful 200 acre estate was shattered with the arrival of competitors and spectators alike amid accusations of wild partying and �'000 card schools.

One of the biggest winners who did not wish to be named was rumoured to have financed his week's golfing expenses on the back of colleagues fiercly fought losses. When asked to comment his only reply was "Fuck It" in a thick Dublin accent.

DISGRACED HANDICAP COMMITTEE RESIGNS AMID ACCUSATIONS OF CORRUPTION

The normally docile 3BGS was rocked to its core this week when the Handicap Committee resigned en masse. This followed the society's inaugural tournament last year when Gardai investigations let to charges of corruption and back handers.

The only remaining Committee Member, Secretary Dermot Burke, was shocked at the mass resignation of his close colleagues and playing partners. When asked to comment his only reply was to stand behind those who had voted him into power a year ago and who now find themselves exiled. "These are all family men who sadly found themselves tempted by the opportunity of easy money. I am now charged with responsibility for grooming a new committee in time for this year's tournament. Through the forum of CV Newsletter I would ask all interested parties to apply in person at the bar of the Orchard Public House in Rathfarnham. I drink Smithwicks!"

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