Captain John, Lady Captain Niamh, President Tony and members of the Management Committee wish to thank all the members who came out to fill divots on the fairways and assist in the presentation of the Club for the Connacht Seniors Championships.
Oughterard GC Pro Shop is the Facebook site used by Derek and the Club for up to date news and summarised results. (Upper Case GC)
Greenkeepers Report from Michael Darcy Now that the playing season is fully underway, maintenance on the course will mainly be presenting the course to its best through cutting, maintaining bunkers etc. We all know May was very wet. We had 157ml of rain in May 2015 compared to 95 ml in May 2014. Let's hope the summer arrives and stays in June. I would like to thank all the members that came out to divot the fairways. It was a great success and very much appreciated. Lest hope we can do it again in July. Enjoy and play well and remember to repair pitchmarks
Report of Interclub Competitions—Ladies Challenge Cup: H/C 29-36 Rd 1 Narrowly defeated by Gort Intermediate Cup: H/C 16-22 Rd 1 Defeated by Galway
Interclub Mixed Foursomes 2015 Team Captains John Carr and Freda White have been working hard with their mixed team members and the results so far give the club lots to be proud of. A 1st round 4 1 win over Ballyconneely was followed by a 3 2 win over Gort last week . Next up is a clinch match next Weds 24th against Galway. With 3 matches at home and 2 away, we should try and get out there on the fairways and cheer our players on. Best of luck to all members of the panel, both ladies and men. We are all proud of your successes to date and hope we will be cheering again next Weds.
Nature Notes from the course Our wet and windy May may fill the barns with oats and hay but the lower temperatures slowed the growth of all our plants and trees. The roadsides have just lost their white hawthorn blossoms with the elderflowers now in all their glory. Did any of you spot the Early Purple orchids on the edge of the 4th fairway.? Keep your eyes open for the Fragrant Orchids which are found occasionally around the pond on the 11th hole. But please don’t be tempted to pick them—they are few and far between and are classified as “Worthy of Protection” See page 2 for picture.
It is nice to see that the waterhens on the ponds of the 6th and the 10th are progressing. One wonders how those little baby balls of black feathers can stay afloat and when out of water, can run as fast as their parents.
Ladies enjoying their weekend away at Spanish Point
Women in Golf For six weeks commencing on April 27th , the WIGS or Women In Golf Programme ran 6 weeks of Golf tuition and short blitz-type games for women interested in taking up golf. Derek, our club pro ably assisted by Devin Morley and some of the lady members ran informative and fun evening sessions. As a result many of these ladies have taken advantage of the special offer made to entice them to partake of the sporting and social activities in the club. LC Niamh is to be complimented on the smooth running of this initiative. Early Purple Orchids
Rules Night 26th May Áine Binchy (Galway GC) and Rules official with the ILGU attended the Club and gave a very helpful and informative presentation of some of the Rules of Golf. In an intuitive and practical demonstration of Rules involving the taking of Relief., Movable and Immovable Obstructions, Loose Impediments and dropping techniques, Áine helped explain some of the mistakes made by club golfers. Following a short demonstration outside, Áine continued inside with a short slide presentation of the salient points dispersing some of the “urban” myths that surround the Rules but make for good bar-stool conversations or arguments.
Getting the sand
Report of Interclub Competitions - Men J B Carr: This non GUI Competition organised by Wooden Bridge GC, Co. Wicklow is for the Over 60’s and is played over 2 legs. After 3 Rounds , the men unfortunately lost the County Final to Tuam. Barton Shield: Under Team Captain David Walsh our players lost to Galway in the Semi - final . Galway went on to win the Final. Hard luck but a near thing! Pierce Purcell 4somes: In this competition based on a minimum H/C of 12 and a combined H/C of 27, our players were beaten by Creggmore on the 19th in Rd 1. Over 55s Seniors: Beaten by Galway Bay Rd 2 Jimmy Bruen: In this H/C 6 - 11 (Max comb.17 H/C) competition, Bartley’s lads were beaten in Rd 2 by Galway. This match went to the 19th. Another near thing. ******** Junior Cup: Yet to play. Cecil Ewing: Match on Sat 20th June.
Best Wishes to Devin Morley in the Connacht U 18 Boys Competition On 07/07/2015 to 09/07/2015
