Mullingar recognised by Destination Golf Ireland
Mullingar Golf Club notes
The recent drop in temperatures brings some welcome frost. While it means a break from golf for us it was good news for the greens staff who informed Brendan McEvoy last week that work will commence on the January 18. DarGolf the contractor will be on site from Monday this week. The third will remain in play for the moment.
On Saturday morning the course was closed until after 11am. I took a walk around and saw we had a visitor in the bunkers with little paw prints in the sand and frost. We’ll forgive them for not raking their steps!
Our 2024 Captains photos are now on Mullingar Golf Club website and are ready to adorn the entrance hall of the clubhouse.
And hot off the latest press, it is gratifying to see that the efforts of all at Mullingar Golf Club has been paying rewards with the inclusion of MGC in Destination Golf Ireland’s Top 150 golf courses for 2024. Let’s keep up all the good work!
Extraordinary General Meeting results
We would like to thank all who came out in force on a blustery night to attend last Tuesday. All motions passed by a majority show of hands.
Men’s Branch notes
It will come as no surprise that the inclement weather has played havoc with all competitions of late. The first week of the New Year started out much like how 2023 finished, wet and blustery. Notwithstanding, the first weekend in January 2024 arrived with early signs of change, with some clear blue skies. Low temperatures and hard frosts, however, will do nothing to facilitate the playing of good, if any, golf. Maintenance operations have also been impacted. Winter greens have now been introduced and all golfers are reminded to be extra careful and vigilant when encountering slippery conditions underfoot.
Scratch Matchplay competition
The weather conditions have ensured that no matches could be played, with no results recorded thus far.
Sunday competition
The weather for Sunday’s competition (January 7) was very cold and frosty. In the circumstances, the course was rendered unplayable by the freezing temperatures and the competition had to be cancelled.
The Winter league
It is proving to be quite a challenge for players to submit cards in this on-going event, again no thanks to the weather. That said, Friday January 5 was a glorious day particularly in the morning and many men managed to submit a rare card for this on-going competition. Many thanks to our generous sponsor Mick McCarthy of Fair Green TV. The coming week is week 12 (Sunday January 7 – Saturday January 13).
Next week’s competitions
Daylight hours have started to improve of late (December 21 was the shortest day), but even so it is hoped that remaining weekend competitions, sponsored by the men’s branch, can continue to be played over 15 holes. It should be noted however that, with earthworks commencing on 18th and 3rd holes, all players should kindly take note of the holes to be played and in which order, on any particular day. (With apologies for any inconvenience caused. It is expected that these works will be completed in a few weeks weather permitting.)
Other News
Congratulations to Mullingar’s very own Leonard O’Mahoney, who won first place in the DUGS Winter Meet 2024 (Dublin University Golf Society). This annual event was played out at Portmarnock Golf Club over 36 holes, in singles stableford format, on Saturday January 4 and Sunday, January 5. He secured victory with 33 points on Day 1, followed by a tremendous 41 points the following Day 2.
Ladies Branch Notes
As a result of the adverse weather conditions last week the course remained closed on Wednesday so no competitions took place. Next Wednesdays is our fourball betterball kindly sponsored by Ann Fagan and Liz Armstong. Hopefully the weather conditions will improve this competition.
Upcoming fixtures
January 17: ladies 9 hole Stableford Kindly sponsored by Emily King.
January 24: Ladies 9 hole fourball betterball kindly sponsored by Miriam Mac Manus and Julie Delahunty Moore.
January 31: Ladies 9 hole Stableford Kindly sponsored by Rosemary Whelehan
Winter league
The last submission for cards came to a close on January 7. We look forward to the results of the qualifying teams. Well done to all who participated. Looking forward to the commencement of the winter league matches.