Early 2020 Introductory Membership deals now available at Donabate Golf Club.

16 Months Membership Offers (Terms & conditions apply, offer subject to availability and for limited period)

Membership from 1st of September 2019 to 31st of December 2020

For all categories of membership and for further details simply click here…

• • 27 Holes + Extensive practice facilities including a new dedicated short game practice area.
  • 6 Full Floodlit Tennis Courts with discounted rates for Tennis Club Membership.
  • Excellent clubhouse, bar and restaurant facilities.

Contact our office for further details: +353 (0)1 843 6346

Please click here for more details of opening hours, menus, contact details, etc etc relating to our newly launched Bunker Restaurant.

Please note that Gents “Winter Cuts” began on the 27th of October.
There will be a 2 shot cut per prize winner.
Please note that “Winter Cuts” do not apply to Opens or Winter league.

For those new to the club, the prize winners of all club competitions, except 18 hole open comps, will receive a 2 shot reduction in their handicap not their score. Prizes for these competitions will be in the form of vouchers (not turkeys). These cuts will continue until the Christmas fare competitions which take place around Christmas week.

Rory celebrates after winning a Turkey Voucher

Entry fee €10

Teams of three

Choose your playing partners or you can just sign up

Period of 5 weeks

Tuesday league: 5th of November to 3rd of December

Sunday league: 3rd of November to 1st of December

Full handicaps apply

The leagues will run in conjunction with the normal Sunday and Tuesday competitions

Prizes:  First and Runner up

Individual scoring – best  4 out of 5

Tie resolution; team or individual points the result will be decided on “best overall” score.

Week 2 and 4 three scores to count

NB front nine will only count for the league scoring

Carr Golf secures 5-year contract at Donabate Golf Club

https://irishgolfer.ie/latest-golf-news/2019/10/24/carr%e2%80%afgolf-secures-5-year-contract-at%e2%80%afdonabate/

Glass of Prosecco on Arrival

Starters:

French Onion Soup – Gruyere Cheese Crouton

Gambas a la Plancha – White Wine, Garlic, Chilli & Fine Herbs

Baked Goats Cheese – Roasted Red Pepper, Walnuts & Rocket Salad

Fresh Mussels – Cider Cream & Fine Herbs

Chicken Liver Parfait – Pear & Raisin Chutney, Sourdough Toast

Main Courses:

Slow Braised Rib of Beef – Cavolo Nero, Creamy Mash, Fresh Horseradish & Red Wine Jus

Pan Fried Fillet of Seabass – Grilled Asparagus, Creamy Mash, Roasted Red Pepper & Tarragon Salsa

Confit Duck Leg – Potato Gratin, Braised Red Cabbage & Red Wine Jus

Cheese Risotto Butternut Squash & Goats – Toasted Almonds & Crispy Sage

Grilled Fillet of Chicken – Fricassee of Wild Mushroom, Baby Potato & Port Jus

Desserts:

Selection of Dessert – Warm chocolate brownie, Apple Crumble & Raspberry Eton Mess

Congratulations to the ninth set of winners in our 100 Club Draw:

1st €500 Margaret Maher & Margaret Kelly (55)
2nd €300 Mary Tobin (31)
3rd €100 Mairead Mulligan (90)
4th €100 Declan Rickard (84)
5th €100 Frank Barry (8)
6th €100 Damien & Aileen Hanratty (18)

Winter League starts on Sunday 13^th October 2019

We’re keeping most same features as last year. The main features are as follows:

Get your name down now on one of the timesheets in the bar or Pro Shop and enjoy a great Winter League.

​Sponsored​ by ​Gallant​ ​Security​ ​System

8 Sundays​ ​from​ ​13^th October​ ​until​ ​1^st  December​ ​inclusive

• Create your own team of 4 players (Men only). Teams pick their team name.
• Paper entry sheet at bar & club shop.(Closing date for entries: Fri 12th October).
• €20 entry fee per person.
• Junior rules apply (also only 1 junior per team of 4 permitted).
• Five Day Members not eligible to enter.
• Presentation Sunday 8^th

Committee will put names on BRS at closing date and entry fee will be taken through BRS so please make sure you have enough money in your account.  Make​ ​sure​ ​also that your​ ​team​mates​ ​are​ ​all​ ​topped​ ​up​ ​so​ ​you​ ​can​ ​get​ ​on​ ​sheet​ ​together easily.

New​ ​Members​ ​and​ ​those​ ​without​ ​a​ ​group​ ​of​ ​4

If you don’t have 4 players, put your name down anyway and the committee and shop will assist in completing a team for you.

Format will be Two Man Team each week with best score to count on each hole.  Team decides on the pairings each week with the best pair from team each week counting for league points.

If only 3 from a team is available on a given week then the usual low man rule applies and therefore the team can have 2 pairings with the low man partnering both of the other 2.  Minimum of 2 from a team required to play each week.(otherwise zero league points).

Weekly league points are based on a team’s best pair’s position each week as follows: 1st – 20, 2nd – 17, 3rd – 15, 4th – 14, 5th – 13…. All the way down to last. (if 2 pairs from a team play only best one counts for league)

If there are only 2 from a team on a weekly timesheet with no opposition they may play and mark their own card.

Teams count best 6 from 8 weeks scores

If any course closures happen during the league, the following applies, 5 from 7wks, 4 from 6wks, 3 from 5wks and so on.

No handicap cuts for league.  However, as  winter cuts apply to the regular Sunday competitions, each Sunday you must enter separate cards for the league and the Sunday competition.

Each week’s regular competition can be played by league and non league entrants.

Committee’s​ ​decision​ ​is​ ​final​ ​on​ ​league​ ​cancellations​ ​due​ ​to​ ​weather​ ​delays​ ​or​ ​course closures

Congratulations to the eight set of winners in our 100 Club Draw:

1st No 40 €500 Joe Dempsey

2nd No 36 €300 Des O’Shaughnessy

3rd No 22 €100 Tom & Theresa Kilmurray

4th No 71 €100 Angela Rowan & Joe Grennan

5th No 35 €100 Brenda Fearon

6th No 58 €100 Liz Hennessy

MEDIA RELEASE

ISSUED BY GOLF IRELAND

MARK KENNELLY APPOINTED CEO OF GOLF IRELAND

Following an extensive recruitment process, Mark Kennelly has been appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer of Golf Ireland. Prior to taking up the role in December 2019 Kennelly will begin engaging with Golf Ireland from mid-October as CEO Designate on a part-time basis, to facilitate his preparations.

Kennelly was Chief of Staff at the Department of the Taoiseach, during the term of Enda Kenny from 2011 to 2017.  He is a member of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club in Co. Kerry.

Speaking about the appointment, Tim O’Connor, Chairperson of the Transition Board of Golf Ireland said: “I am delighted with Mark’s appointment. He brings a wealth of experience from the very senior positions he has held in the public and political sectors. His knowledge and understanding of the importance of volunteers from the world of politics will stand him in great stead in Golf Ireland, given the pivotal role they play in our sport.

“Golf on the island of Ireland is moving forward in an exciting and dynamic way, building on its great history and tradition, and having somebody of Mark’s calibre and qualities in such a key leadership role is a tremendous boost to us on that journey.”

“My colleagues on the Transition Board, and also in the GUI and ILGU, are greatly looking forward to working with him in implementing the historic decision of members of the two Unions in January to create one single governing body on the island of Ireland for our great sport.”

Mark Kennelly said: “As we enter a new and exciting era for Irish golf, I am delighted to have the opportunity to play my part in the creation and evolution of Golf Ireland. Building on the remarkable heritage and achievements of the GUI and the ILGU, the new single governing body will ensure that golf will continue to grow and flourish on the island of Ireland in the future.

“I look forward to working closely in the months ahead with the Transition Board, with the officers and staff of the GUI and ILGU, after 1 January 2021 with the Board and other structures of Golf Ireland, and with the very many volunteers who are the lifeblood of golf throughout the island to make these plans a reality.”

O’Connor added: “We are entering a crucial time in the transition period and I am delighted that both Sinead Heraty and Pat Finn will work closely with Mark Kennelly during what will be a lengthy handover process.”

“They have both helped deliver the project to where we are today and I welcome their commitment to ensure we have a smooth transition. I would also like to acknowledge their decisions to pursue other ambitions outside of Golf Ireland in the future and thank them for their integrity and assistance in getting us to this point, a very exciting time for the sport”.

NEW HANDICAP SYSTEM SET FOR NOVEMBER 2020

The governing bodies of amateur golf in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales are delighted to announce that they have signed the licence for the new World Handicap System (WHS) which will come into operation on November 2, 2020.

As members of the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU), the Golfing Union of Ireland, the Irish Ladies Golf Union, England Golf, Scottish Golf and Wales Golf have supported The R&A and USGA in planning for the new system.

The current Golf Handicapping System maintained by CONGU will be replaced by WHS which will unify the six different handicapping structures currently in operation throughout the world of golf.

For the first time, handicap systems worldwide will be substituted by a global system where golfers will obtain and maintain a handicap and use this on any course around the world. In addition, they will be able to compete or simply play a casual round with fellow golfers anywhere on a fair and equal basis.

As well as encouraging players new to the sport to obtain a handicap with ease, the WHS will also modernise the game for those already well versed in the game of golf.

Under the new system a player’s handicap will be based on the average of eight best scores from their last 20 rounds. WHS will also take into account factors currently not fully represented in the existing handicapping procedure through a course and slope rating system.

Sinead Heraty, Chief Executive of the ILGU said: “The Irish Ladies Golf Union and the Golfing Union of Ireland are delighted that the new World Handicap System will come into practice in November 2020.

“The transition from an incremental system to an averaging one will be period of great change, however once a planned education process is complete, the new system will make handicapping much more consistent globally.”

Pat Finn, CEO of the Golfing Union of Ireland added: “We look forward to meeting with our member clubs over the coming months to outline the World Handicap System. With CONGU adopting the system for Ireland and Great Britain from late next year we need to ensure golfers across Ireland are prepared for the change.”

CONGU, the USGA, Golf Australia, the European Golf Association (EGA), the South African Golf Association (SAGA) and the Argentine Golf Association (AAG) represent around 15 million golfers in 80 countries who currently maintain a handicap.

The aligning of all six handicapping authorities behind WHS is a hugely significant step in the modernisation of golf across the globe.

WHS has been introduced under the auspices of the USGA and The R&A.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A said: “The R&A’s purpose is to ensure golf is thriving in 50 years’ time and WHS is one of the key ways in which we can ensure the long-term health of the sport.

“We all want to encourage more people to take up golf and having a handicap which provides an accurate measure of playing ability is one of the best ways of achieving that.”

Further information about the new World Handicap System can be found via The R&A website at https://www.randa.org/WorldHandicapSystem

Congratulations to Pat Doran who has won the 2019 Irish Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship at Carlow Golf Club.

Heartiest Congratulations to Pat from all in Donabate, we are very proud of you!

Join us for our Open Day on Saturday 5th of October from 2pm to 5pm.

Experience our amazing facilities and learn about our fantastic membership opportunities for 2020.

The Stone Irish Challenge is coming to the New Course at Headfort Golf Club in Kells, County Meath and will be played from Thursday 10th – Sunday 13th October, 2019. A field of Challenge Tour members together with leading Irish professionals will compete in this important event which comes at a crucial time in the Challenge Tour’s schedule. With the dream of playing on the European Tour next season, competition for ranking points will be fierce which will undoubtedly produce some magnificent golf.

Spectators are very welcome and are invited to attend free of charge. We look forward to a great week and hope that you will be able to join us.

Should you have any further questions relating to the Stone Irish Challenge, please contact Sally Stewart at sstewart@europeantour.com

Golf Ireland Update

As you are aware, a Proposal to establish a single governing body for golf in Ireland, to be called Golf Ireland, was approved by GUI and ILGU delegates at meetings held in January 2019. Under the Proposal, it is intended that Golf Ireland will “go live” on 1 January 2021.

In the interim, a Transition Period has been instituted during which the structures and organisation of Golf Ireland are being established. This process is being led by a Transition Board*, comprising four nominees of the GUI and four nominees of the ILGU, with Tim O’Connor as the independent Chairperson. The Transition Board was appointed in February and has been meeting monthly since then.

Vision, Mission and Culture

The Transition Board has established the Vision, Mission and Culture for its work which will guide it through the remainder of the Transition Period and into the new body.

Sub-Committees and Transition Board Priorities

Work by the Transition Board to implement the Golf Ireland Proposal has commenced in a number of areas and the following Sub Committees have been established: Chief Executive Appointment; Finance and Governance; Branding, Logo and Website; Property and Office Accommodation; Handicapping; Competitions and Tournaments; Models of Club Governance; and Organisational Structures.

A key priority for the Transition Board is the appointment of a Chief Executive of Golf Ireland and an open competition has been instituted in that regard. Once appointed, the task of the Chief Executive in the first instance will be to drive forward the Transition process under the direction of the Transition Board. Further Sub Committees will be appointed by the Transition Board as needed over the coming period.

The Transition Board has liaised with Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland, who welcomed the decision of the GUI and ILGU as well as offering support and encouragement for the new body. Additionally, the Golf Ireland trademark and domain name have been secured.

The Transition Board intend for the Transition Period to culminate with the first AGM and the first Regional meetings of Golf Ireland in the final quarter of 2020, which will pave the way for the new organisation to ‘go live’ on 1 January 2021.

What this means for GUI, ILGU and CGI

Until Golf Ireland is established in 2021, and the transfer of functions from the GUI and ILGU commence, it is business-as-usual for both the GUI and ILGU. This means that clubs, players and officials continue to communicate with both Unions as they always have. The same holds true for the CGI, whose work continues as before pending the transfer across in due course to Golf Ireland.

Under the Terms of Reference of the Transition Board, the Chairperson is required to be available to provide quarterly updates to the Boards of the ILGU and GUI. He has met both Boards once in that regard. The Transition Board will regularly update GolfIreland.ie on progress as the work of the Board continues.

The Continuing Role of Volunteers

Golf is dependent on the many volunteers at club, regional and national level who undertake a range of activities. This will not change with the establishment of Golf Ireland. Current and new volunteers will be needed in the new body. If you are interested in a voluntary role in golf, you are invited to express interest with the relevant ILGU District or GUI Branch Executives to find out what roles are and will be available.

Chairperson O’Connor said: “Just as volunteers have been the lifeblood of the GUI and ILGU over the decades, so too will they be central to the success of Golf Ireland. There will be changes in how Golf is structured, with one overall governing body where previously there were two, but volunteers will continue to be a central pillar of the game in Ireland. We will be providing more detail in that regard as the Transition Period progresses.”

Conclusion

O’Connor added: “The establishment of Golf Ireland is an exciting new development for golf on the island of Ireland. I am encouraged by the positive start to the work of the Transition Board. Everybody is committed and dedicated to the success of the project. Working closely with the ILGU and the GUI, we look forward to ensuring that the Proposal, approved overwhelmingly by members in January, is faithfully implemented and that by January 2021 the new structures and arrangements will be in place to enable Golf Ireland to take forward its mission of securing and developing the future of golf across the island.”

*Members of Transition Board: Tim O’Connor (Chairperson); Pauline Bailie; Mary Culliton; Ian Kerr; Brege McCarrick; Joe McNamara; John Power; Brian Punch; Fiona Scott.

Congratulations to the seventh set of winners in our 100 Club Draw:

1st €500 Angela Rowan & Joe Grennan (71)

2nd €300 Evelyn de Lacy (29)

3rd €100 Paul Spierin (59)

4th €100 Joe Blake (4)

5th €100 Mary Collins & Jim Gillespie (19)

6th €100 Mick Taylor (91)

Fingal County Council

PRESS RELEASE

August 9, 2019

Golf stars of the future heading to Donabate

The next generation of international golf stars will be on view at Donabate Golf Club from August 20 to 23 when the Irish Boys U16 Amateur Open Championship takes place on the peninsula.

Since the competition began in 2006, many players who have gone on to be top class amateur and professional golfers have played in it, including current European Tour professionals Paul Dunne and Gavin Moynihan and Challenge Tour player Robin Dawson.

This year the Irish challenge in Donabate will be led by 15-year-old Joshua Hill from Galgorm Castle in Co Antrim, who plays off a plus three handicap. Hill has already won several tournaments this year and played for Ireland in the recent Boys U18 Home Internationals in Wales.

In addition to Hill, players from all over Ireland will be in the 144 strong field which has also attracted entries from France, Germany, England, Wales and Scotland. The field will also include up and coming Donabate golfers Brian and Ben Hanratty while another, Josh Higgins, is currently on the waiting list hoping for a late call-up.

Tuesday, August 20 will be the official practice day with the 54 hole strokeplay tournament teeing off on Wednesday, August 21 and finishing on Friday, August 23 when the new champion will be crowned.

Members and staff at Donabate Golf Club have spent the last few weeks preparing for the tournament and local residents are advised of possible traffic delays along New Road, leading to the golf club, during the four days of the event.

At a recent event in Donabate Golf Club to announce details of the Championship, the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Eoghan O’Brien, said: “I am delighted that Fingal has been selected to host another major golf championship so soon after Portmarnock and The Island staged a very successful Open Amateur Championship in conjunction with the R&A. There are 26 golf clubs in Fingal so it is a very popular sport in the county with high participation numbers. I am sure that golfers of all levels will want to avail of the opportunity to see what’s coming through when the Boys Championship comes to Donabate later this month.”

The Captain of Donabate Golf Club, Joe Rice, said: “This year marks the 80th anniversary of our move to our current home and we are extremely grateful to the Golfing Union of Ireland for giving us the opportunity to host one of their Championships. It has attracted an exciting international field and we are looking forward to presenting our championship standard course in the best possible condition for what we expect will be a challenging but fair test of these young golfers’ abilities.”

Donabate Golf Club is one of the top golf clubs in Fingal and in the 94 years since its founding in 1925, it has evolved from a nine hole course into a 27 hole parkland course with state of the art practice and coaching facilities. The championship course offers a challenging golf experience on beautiful well-manicured greens and fairways and the club is firmly rooted in the local community as it is also the home of Donabate-Portrane Tennis Club.

****Open Week 2019****

Time Sheets now open for our fantastic Open Week which starts on Wednesday 31st of July and continues to Monday 5th of August 🏌️‍♀️🏌️‍♂️⛳⛳

We have a 2 Person Team, Mixed Foursomes, 9 Hole Singles, 18 Hole Singles and our Scratch Cups during the week.

Sheets are filling fast so book quickly to avoid disappointment.

Contact our ProShop to book your Tee Time 018436346 or through the BRS link:
https://www.brsgolf.com/donabate/opens_home.php

 

We are delighted to announce that Ben Hanratty has been selected to represent Leinster at the Inter-Provincial Championships @ Athlone GC from 23rd to 25th of July.

For live updates please click here…

Congratulations to the sixth set of winners in our 100 Club Draw:

1st €500 David Power (2)

2nd €300 Pat McNeill (49)

3rd €100 Tony Fetherston (17)

4th €100 Pat Gavin (9)

5th €100 Carmel Tuck (30)

6th €100 Paddy Mulligan (39)

To all members and visitors planning a visit to Donabate Golf Club this weekend (Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th of June) please leave adequate time to get to our club as the Flavours of Fingal is taking place at Newbridge House which may result in some delays.

Congratulations to the fifth set of winners in our 100 Club Draw:

1st €500 Frances Gorman & Catherine Crummey (32)

2nd €300 Christine de Lacy (48)

3rd €100 Liam Bridgette (82)

4th €100 Paul Spierin (59)

5th €100 Brenda Fearon (35)

6th €100 John O’Riordan (15)

Sitting here in the plus 20 heat and lovely sunshine. It has struck me that very few including myself prepare for golfing in the sun. Most will put on their golf shoes gloves even a Golf hat however who puts on sun-screen? We all know the dangers of over exposure to harmful UV rays from the sun and still take little action. The Diagram below Slip, Slap, Slop refers to a simple 3 step way of dealing with Sun exposure:
Slip: Slip on clothing to cover exposed areas Arms and legs
Slop: Slop on Sun Screen factor recommended 30+, 20 minutes prior to going out in the Sun. Bring cream with you to top up or offer to someone who forgot theirs.
Slap: Slap on a wide rim hat that shades ears and neck.

Follow the simple steps above and don’t forget if you notice some area of skin showing changes consult your doctor now. Consult the Irish cancer society web site for further information.

Donabate Golf Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Fintan Lacey as our new resident PGA professional.

Fintan brings with him a wealth of experience both from his time working with Golf Clubs and also from his time spent in the retail sector with Halpenny Golf.

We strongly encourage our members to support Fintan through the use of the Pro Shop and various other golfing services which Fintan can provide.

This is another exciting step in our Club’s development.
We are very happy to welcome Fintan and wish him a long and successful residency in Donabate Golf Club.

Congratulations to the fourth set of winners in our 100 Club Draw:

1st €500 – Jack Martin (21)

2nd €300 – Mairead Mulligan (90)

3rd €100 – Tom Buggle (45)

4th €100 – Pat McCrudden (5)

5th €100 – Pat Brennan (94)

6th €100 – Grainne & Brendan Synnott (26)

Early Bird Winner – Pat Scullion

All Ireland Mother and Daughter Open Foursomes

FREDDY MORAN PERPETUAL CUP

Friday 14th June 2019

Shotgun Start 2.30 pm

Sponsored by
The Moran Family & Jenny’s Boutique, Ashbourne

Members €10 / Visitors €15 (per person)

Prizes:  1st, 2nd, Best Gross, Front 9, Back 9

Timesheet now available for booking:
https://www.brsgolf.com/donabate/opens_home.php

Or contact Donabate Golf Club at 01-8436346

Please note that from the 29th of April to mid-June there will be major roadworks on the Balcarrick Road, which may result in delays getting to and from Donabate Golf Club. It is advisable that members and visitors use the Corballis Road during this time.

Please click here to read more about the major roadworks scheduled for the Balcarrick Road.

Congratulations to the third set of winners in our 100 Club Draw:

1st €500 Tommy Byrne

2nd €300 Joe Dempsey

3rd €100 Paula Christie

4th €100 Joe Rice

5th €100 Evelyn & John Galvin

6th €100 Derek Kane

A dedicated campaign to raise awareness of the health benefits of golf for people of all ages and abilities is to tee off this week.

The first ever Golf and Health Week will take place from 15-19 April and will aim to encourage golfers, non-golfers and lapsed golfers into taking part in the sport.

A number of health-related themes will be promoted during the week of the campaign, including:

• Monday 15 April: Fitness – professionals and amateurs

• Tuesday 16 April: Mental health (including dementia)

• Wednesday 17 April: Disability golf

• Thursday 18 April: Golf for everyone – featuring various health projects (e.g. Parkinson’s, loneliness, stroke and other programmes that can benefit health)

• Friday 19 April: Club level – focus at golf clubs (e.g. fitness, food, drink, gym classes)

MORE INFORMATION AT WWW.GOLFNET.IE DURING THE WEEK

The collaborative campaign will run across digital and social media channels using the hashtag #GolfHealthWeek and include content focused on highlighting the physical and mental health benefits of playing golf and projects being delivered by golf bodies and clubs.

Focusing primarily on Great Britain and Ireland, it will be co-ordinated by The R&A with the support of the European Tour, the Ladies European Tour, The Professional Golfers’ Association and the Golf Foundation, as well as national associations including the Golfing Union of Ireland, Irish Ladies Golf Union, England Golf, Scottish Golf and Wales Golf.

A number of other organisations have expressed interest in supporting the week, including EDGA (formerly the European Disabled Golf Association), the PGAs of Europe and Golf Australia.

The campaign is also to be backed by professional golfers including Annika Sorenstam, Brooke Henderson, Padraig Harrington and Zach Johnson, who are ambassadors for the Golf and Health Project.

The dedicated week builds on the work of the Golf and Health Project, which since 2016 has studied the many and varied health and wellbeing benefits of golf, considered any risks and had research published regularly in international, peer-reviewed journals.

“The lead that the R&A have taken in relation to the promotion of Golf and Health has been fantastic, “said CGI Club Support and Participation Manager Anne McCormack. “The research that has been undertaken to show the physical and mental health benefits of golf continues to challenge perceptions of the game. Throughout our Get into Golf initiatives, we have given participants pedometers to track the amount of steps they take playing golf and there has always been an element of surprise at the results.”

“We have introduced fitness as an element to our Boys and Girls Get into Golf frameworks through the use of Fundamental Movement Skills in Stages One to Four and recently we have added further age and standard appropriate fitness activities for golfers in Stages Five and Six of Golf4Girls4Life. For 2019, CGI are excited to continue working with CARA and various other groups to create a sustainable plan that supports all golfers and showcases the health benefits to golfers who we would not have worked with in the past.”

To drive interest and encourage activity in the days before the dedicated week, golfers will be asked to tweet their steps achieved and calories burned from any golf they play, again using #GolfHealthWeek. The week then finishes on Good Friday at club level, with golfers to be encouraged to head for the fairways over the Easter holiday weekend.

Last year, a global consensus amongst leaders in public health, public policy and sport backed golf in the race to tackle physical inactivity and the prevention of illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer of the breast and colon.

Evidence linking golf and health, commissioned by the World Golf Foundation and supported by The R&A, was presented at Westminster following research led by the University of Edinburgh and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Previous research has also highlighted that those that play golf live five years longer than those that don’t play, while the sport has been shown to have self-esteem and self-worth benefits.

Please note that the Corballis Road will be closed from Saturday 30th of March until Saturday 27th of April inclusive.

See Map below for details of the closed road. Please follow the Blue route to Donabate Golf Club.

​​In addition to Tim O’Connor as independent Chair, there are eight other Board Directors, four nominees each from the GUI and ILGU.

As you will be aware, a single governing body for golf in Ireland was approved by both GUI and ILGU delegates at meetings held in January. A transition period has begun and the first meeting of the Transition Board of Golf Ireland, chaired by Tim O’Connor (Edmondstown), was held on March 12th. In addition to Tim as independent Chair, there are eight other Board Directors, four nominees from each organisation: Pauline Bailie (Belvoir Park), Mary Culliton (The Heath), Ian Kerr (Royal Portrush), Brege McCarrick (Mullingar), Joe McNamara (The Heath), John Power (Portmarnock), Brian Punch (Castletroy) and Fiona Scott (Dun Laoghaire). The board is charged with getting Golf Ireland up and running ahead of the official launch of the body in early 2021.

What this means

Until Golf Ireland is established in 2021 and transfer of functions from the GUI and ILGU commence, it is business-as-usual for both the GUI and ILGU. This means that you continue to communicate with us as you always have done. General queries, including those relating to handicapping and rules, should be directed to your relevant GUI officer or ILGU District Official. Get into Golf programmes are still managed by the Confederation of Golf in Ireland while coaching programmes at underage level are managed by your provincial branch offices in the case of the GUI and Women and Girls’ Interprovincial Development queries should be directed to your ILGU District Executive.

Please note the contact details at https://www.golfnet.ie/contact-us  for details on who to communicate with.

A Transition Period, under the direction of the Transition Board is underway as we move towards Golf Ireland. The intention is for this to culminate with the first AGM and Regional meetings of Golf Ireland in the final quarter of 2020 which will pave the way for the organisation to ‘go live’ on 1 January 2021.

The transition period will involve the organisation taking shape through the creation of a regional and national structure and the drawing up of rules and processes to underpin the activities of the organisation, all overseen by a CEO who will be appointed during the Transition Period. The Transition Board will issue quarterly reports on topics being discussed and progress being made as the work of the Board continues.

Congratulations to the second set of winners in our 100 Club Draw:

1st €500 Jim and Mary Clinton (98)

2nd €300 Captain Joe Rice (57)

3rd €100 Patrick Gavin (9)

4th €100 President Pauline Byrne (41)

5th €100 Pat Scullion (14)

6th €100 Brenda Feron (35)

Breast Cancer Awareness Talk – 8pm on Monday 1st of April

We have some exciting news… You may have seen a large pull-up banner in the lobby showing the “significant” upcoming fixtures for 2019. Today we have also published the “full“ 2019 Diary on the website (dates are subject to change).

To see the full diary (up to Feb 29th 2020) simply click here…

So make sure to inform your family and friends that you are very busy between now and the end of the season! Wishing you all good golf for 2019!

Congratulations to the first set of winners of 2019 in our 100 Club Draw:

1st €500 Linda Hamell (46)

2nd €300 Angela Rowan / Joe Grennan (71)

3rd €100 President Pauline Byrne (41)

4th €100 Brian O’Callaghan (95)

5th €100 Patrick Gavin (9)

6th €100 Declan Rickard (84)

We would like to invite all our members to come and join us for an informative evening with regard the new changes to the Rules of golf. This event will take place on Wednesday the 27th of February at 8pm in Donabate Golf Club. We would like to thank the GUI and ILGU for providing us with this service.

Tea / Coffee will be provided beforehand.

Look forward to seeing you all on the night.

Please note that the Local Rules at Donabate Golf Club have changed with immediate effect. The New Local Rules are posted in the Gents and Ladies Locker room and on the Whiteboard next to the Shop. Please read them carefully before your next game.

These are the new Local Rules which are effective immediately:

• Tractor and machine marks are to be treated as Ground Under Repair – As per Rule 16.1
• All fallen trees, large fallen branches attached or cut, and disturbed ground should be treated as Ground Under Repair – As per Rule 16.1
• When on the putting green, if an artificial hole cover lies on the line of play, the ball may be moved to the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole

The Captains’ Drive-in will kick off the new golfing year on Saturday, 16th of February. Captain Joe Rice and Lady Captain Gráinne Synnott invite all members and friends to join them on this special occasion. Usual surprise in store! All are asked to attend before 12pm to welcome in Captains Joe and Gráinne. Following the actual drive in, there will be soup and sandwiches followed by a sixsomes 9 hole competition, starting at 2pm. If you intend to dine in the evening, we urge you to please book a table in advance so that the caterers can have an idea of numbers. The Presentations will be followed by some musical entertainment.