Castle Tidings
Castle Golf Club Newsletter
March 2015
Upcoming Events
in 2015
Men's Senior Open
Monday 27th April
12 noon Shotgun start
Singles Stableford
Visitors €45.00
Members €25.00
Price includes meal
To book online click here
"A special welcome to
our new members
The Mens Winter
League and the Ladies
Lamb competition came
to an end earlier this
month. While there
were great celebrations
from the winners they
paled into insignificance
compared to those the
took place in the club
on the evening of
Thursday 19th March following the election of
new members for 2015.
There were over 160 applications for all
categories of membership. 11 people were
elected to Full,7 to Six Day and so far 27 to
Pavilion membership. Applications for Pavilion
membership are open all year. It is a great
reflection on our club and all it has to offer that
we remain one of the few clubs that is
consistently oversubscribed for membership.
We are delighted to welcome our newly elected
members to Castle Golf Club. We wish you
great golf and many happy years in the Castle"
Captain Derry and Lady Captain Margaret
Castle "Ryder Cup"
Masters Challenge
UPDATE
Captains Lee Healion and Collie
Gleeson have both reported
that their Over 50 and Under
50 Squads respectively, are
playing well and looking
forward to the forthcoming
matchplay challenge on 12th
April 2015 to coincide with the
final day of the Masters in
Augusta
Castle Charity Day
24th May 2015
This year we will be supporting
BLANCHARDSTOWN HOSPITAL
SOCIETY
GUI Updates
Greg Dilger Claims Bailey Cup - At
Last!
Greg Dilger was recently presented with the
Bailey Cup having won it last June. 2014
Captain, Brian Nevin was on hand to make this
belated presentation.
Alex Gleeson leads to UCD to
Matchplay Title
The fundraising body for
Connolly Hospital.
We are supporting this worthy
cause in memory of
Michelle Laherty
Daughter of Joan and Jerry (our
Bar Manager)
Our aim is to make a
contribution towards the
purchase of
Mobile Scanning Equipment
for the
Intensive Care Unit.
You can support this project by
sponsorship - cash - cheque credit card - bank transfer also
by donating a raffle prize and
by participating on the day.
After Alex Gleeson's superb performance in
dominating the field at the Irish Intervarsity
Championship at The European Club less than a
month ago, Alex played his part in helping his
college to victory against Maynooth University in
the final of the Irish Matchplay Event.
Winter League Final
Cork are declared 2015 Champions!
PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE
on 0035314904207 OR OUR
VICE CAPTAINS FOR MORE
INFORMATION
Membership Cards
Gentle reminder to ALL
members that
if you have not yet collected your
Castle Membership card (issued last
year) please check with
Caddymaster.
Cork under the magnificent leadership of Collie
Gleeson defeated Andrew Keely's Dublin team in
the final of the Winter League.
Wexford (Hilary Haydon) managed to grab third
place from Mayo (Lee Healion) in an exciting play
off.
Brian Nevin's Kerry emerged as the victorious
Plate champions on the final day.
A great night was had by all with Captain Derry
Byrne expressing great gratitude to John Jones
for all his work as the Winter league Co-Ordinator
Course Information
Hotline
Poor Collie was lost for words on the night and left
Harry Gleeson to do all the talking - not a good
move for Collie or indeed the Christy Browns on
the team!
Please ring the Course
Information Hotline to find out
if the Course is Open or Closed
during times of inclement
weather.
Please ring (01) 4999140 as
the primary source of course
information.
Congratulations To Member - Caroline
Kinsella & Husband Roy on the Birth of their
baby Boy - Milo on Weds 25th March.
Caroline is the Daughter of Club Professional
David & Alison Kinsella.
March Bridge News
A fond farewell to Lucas
Returning home to Brazil after
8 years of Service at Castle Golf
Club.
March has been a very successful month for the
bridge section with the club winning the Rose
Bowl for only the second time in the 25 year
history of the competition, our first win being in
2007.
The Rose Bowl is an inter golf cub bridge
competition, played between Castle,
Edmonstown, Elm Park, Grange, Miltown,
Rathfarnham and Dun Laoghaire who were this
year’s hosts. The competition was first played in
1991 and is always fiercely contended.
Pro Shop - Members
Accounts
We would encourage those
members holding credit to
please use it during the coming
months.
If what you require is not in
stock, we will do our best to
source it for you. Please talk to
David or Colin in the Pro Shop.
Members accounts are printed
every three months and the
majority of members receive a
statement of their account.
For those who currently do not
receive a statement and would
like a copy, please email
kinsella41@gmail.com
This year Castle was represented by Vivienne
Cosgrave, Gerry Dunne, Ciara Gleeson, Margaret
McConville, Sylvia O'Doherty, Sheila Williams,
Anne Woulfe and Tom Woulfe.
ILGU News
ILGU NEWS
Some important dates
for your diary: (note
some dates are
changed from club
diary)
Tuesday 14 April -Club
Foursomes 16 pairs to qualify
Thursday 16 April Rules night
Friday 17 April -Away
Day in Royal Tara Golf Club
Tuesday 21 April-Invitation
Team (3 guests/member)
Tuesday 5 May3T's Charity
A warm welcome to all new Castle Lady
members. We hope that they all enjoy many
years of great golf and social life in Castle Golf
Club.
The second ladies Tea and Prizegiving of 2015
took place on Tuesday 24th March. The Lady
Captain organized an Italian Wine tasting and
antipasti night. Henry Anderson from Bacchus
Wines gave a most interesting and entertaining
presentation on Italian wines as all ladies
present sampled Italian prosecco, white and
red wines which were complemented with a
great selection of antipasti from the restaurant.
There wasn't the usual numbers of ladies in
attendance on the night (maybe a lot of ladies
are off the drink for Lent) which meant there
was plenty of wine for those of us present to
drink! Carina Staunton made a big effort to
dress in Italian colours and looked great in her
red boots!
Tuesday 12 May-Presidents
prize
Tuesday 19 May -Club Fourball
16 pairs to qualify
The usual prizegiving took place with our
treasurer Nicola Doyle distributing ILGU
vouchers to winners of weekly competitions.
Do you know who many beans
are in a tin?
452 according to the bright
spark who opened the tin in the
"Guess the Number" round at
Castles 10th Annual Putting
Quiz. There was also some
creative answers to the
question "What does GSOH
stand for?" Unfortunately too
many were X-rated to print. We
can however share "Gone Short
Of Hair". Winners on the night
were Anne Woulfe's team who
shook off strong competition in
the final round to be crowned
Champions.
Included in the photo with
Captains Margaret and Derry
are Kieran and Fionnuala
O'Callaghan, Anne and Tom
Woulfe.
The first Medal competition of the year was
played on 16th March and this year the Lady
Captain decided to make a change from the
usual first prize of a John Rocha wine goblet.
She has organized a stunning solid silver disc
on a chain with Castle logo as first prize and it
was fitting on the night that Janet Byrne, wife
of Captain Derry, was the first lady member to
be presented with the medal.
On the night Martha Jones received a special
presentation for her hole in one on Tuesday 3rd
March. This was Martha's second hole in one;
the previous one was in October 2014. Two
holes in one in six months is some
achievement. John, Richard and Amy will have
to up their game to try and match their
wife/mother!
Debra Ireland Thanks
Castle
Susan Woodcock from Debra
Ireland recently joined Captains
Margaret and Derry, Strictly
Winner Susan Norris and Social
Committee Organisers Sarah
Harkin and Philip Murphy for
the presentation of the funds
raised at the memorable
Strictly comes to Castle Show
held in January. Debra Ireland
have subsequently responded
with a letter expressing thanks
for the "incredible generosity"
which is on display in the bar.
Following on from last year's success of the
away day in Royal Tara Golf Club this year
another away day has been organized in the
same venue. The outing which is a team event
and a shot gun start takes place on Friday 17th
April, the cost of golf and food on day is €45,
all details are on notice board in ladies
Such has been the
overwhelmingly positive
feedback we are considering
running the show again. Should
you be interested please
contact
Sarah.m.harkin@gmail.com.
--
changing rooms, just sign up and put money in
envelope with your name on it and leave it in
box and you will be assigned to a team.
On Thursday 16th April Anne O'Sullivan is
going to present a rules night to all lady
members. Over the years Anne has done a fair
few presentations and each year the ladies who
attend are surprised by how much they learn.
Anne's presentation is one not to be missed as
she keeps audience alert with her quizzes and
examples .So come along listen and learn and
enjoy a drink afterwards in the bar.
ILGU has a new website and all lady golfers
must re-register with Golfnet if they want to
follow their handicap throughout the year. So
log on and register.
St Marys College
Singers
Coming to Castle Sat
18th April
We are delighted to welcome St
Mary's College Singers, multi
award-winning choir, to Castle
for an after-dinner show. The
choir is directed by our own
Maria Stanley and have agreed
to join us ahead of their busy
Competition Schedule. They will
regale us with a Repertoire of
contemporary music, all in
perfect harmony...from
Simon&Garfunkel to Fleetwood
Mac to the Beach Boys! There is
literally something for every
music-lover in this explosive
and uptempo programme! This
is a wonderful opportunity to
Juvenile News
hear this fantastic choir
boasting some of our own
distinguished Castle
members at their very best...
Celebrity Lunch
31 Juvenile members were elected in
February. We welcome the new boys and girls
into the Club and hope they will enjoy the golf
that they will play and the friends that they will
make. We say goodbye to 36 Juvenile
members who have either been promoted to
Junior category or otherwise have left the Club.
Colin Clancy's winter coaching programme
draws to an end with Summer Time now with
us. The programme has been popular and
helpful, both in the classroom and on the
range. Thank you, Colin
A number of Juveniles are already in team
trials for the coming season e.g. Barton Cup,
Metropolitan Cup and Fred Daly. We wish
them and the team’s early qualification success
and look forward to supporting them in the
warm afternoons ahead.
Guest Speaker George
Hamilton Joined an array of
Castle Members to our Celebrity
Lunch. Pictured with Captain
Derry Byrne, Carol Hanna, Lady
Captain Margaret McConville
Social Golf
The Dick Walsh Trophy has been re-launched
for the season ahead. There will be plenty of
opportunity for boys and girls to represent the
club in matches against Elm Park, Milltown and
Grange. Apart from competing in the team
competition, each player's round will qualify for
handicap review.
Juvenile competitions are taking place over the
Easter school holidays; check for timesheet
opportunities on our Club website and other
club websites too if you're down the country.
Provincial juvenile championship events are
also scheduled for the season ahead; check out
and enter at
www.golfnet.ie/events/championships
As the evenings grow longer
and the clubs have been dusted
off, consider introducing your
friends to Castle for a sociable
9 holes of golf followed up with
a burger fresh from the BBQ.
The first 9 and Dine of the
season will take place on Friday
8th May.
Gentle reminder & call out for unwanted Castle
Branded Jumpers & Shirts any sizes' gladly
accepted! Our Juveniles Love to wear the
Castle Logo with Pride.
Our Castle boys are playing in the qualifier on
10th April in Bray GC against Bray... Please
come out & support..
New juvenile members information night on
14th April at 7.30 in dining room
For more information regarding Juveniles
please contact Joanne Smyth
joannesmyth19@yahoo.ie
Philippines Sao Rafael School
Rebuilt
Rules..
Here is a question that I am
asked regularly. The answer is
quite subjective so I am going
to quote directly from the R&A,
Rules and Decisions Book.(132/0.5)
A player accidentally knocks
down several leaves from a tree
in his/her area of intended
swing with a practice swing. Is
this a penalty?
It is only a penalty if the player
has improved the area of his /
her intended swing.
"Improve” means to change for
the better so that the player
gains an advantage..
So, if there are still so many
leaves or branches remaining
that the area of intended swing
has not been materially
affected.. There is NO penalty.
However,
If a player accidentally knocks
down a single leaf from a tree
in his/her area of intended
swing with a practice swing,
but, as this was one of the very
few leaves that might either
interfere with his/her swing or
fall and thereby distract
him/her, then the area of the
intended swing has been
materially affected and so it is a
penalty.
It is all down to whether the
player has created a potential
advantage with respect to
his/her next stroke.
The penalty is two strokes in
Stroke play and loss of hole in
Matchplay.
Thanks to the generosity of the Castle Golf
Club and the donation made to the San Rafael
School which was completely demolished
during Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, the
school has now been rebuilt and the children
are back in school.
Attached are photos which the school wanted
to share with the Castle. They also wrote a
letter but it is in their own language so Jenny
read it out to me translated and the sentiments
the children conveyed in their letter was to say
"thanks to the Castle Golf Club from the
bottom of our hearts".
Happy Golfing
Anne O'Sullivan
ILGU Rules Official
A fantastic night was had by all
at the TED FEARON final in
Milltown
The Castle team were up
against a resilient Grange side
After level pegging at the break
2-2, the Castle moved quickly
up the gears to ease past the
Grange 4-2
All the meetings, planning and
heartache finally ended with
Captain Derry Byrne getting his
hands on his first trophy in his
tenure.
Congratulations to all sixty
players who competed in this
year's competition
Course Update
As we approach the end of March our winter
maintenance programme is nearing
completion. It has been a mild winter with
many long dry spells. All activities have been
completed as planned.
Work is now beginning on the spring
programme. Greens, tees and fairways have
been aerated and the first application of
fertiliser has been spread. As I write this we
could do with a day's soft rain followed by
some heat to really kick start the growing
season.
Our tables got a revamp over
the last month to tidy up a few
of the rolls. Luckily we had John
The observant among you will have noticed the
freshening up of the edges of many bunkers in
the past few months. New turf has been laid in
many areas and all edges have been redefined.
We are also continuing with our revised bunker
raking procedure. Our mechanical bunker rake
is now only used following periods of heavy
Rogan, John Whooley & Jerry
keeping an eye on the works!!!
Pictured is the slate that the
cloth and cushions sit on. With
the addition of new balls the
tables have never looked
better.
The climax of the Castle
snooker season will be
Thursday 2nd April featuring
three championship finals
Senior championship - Fergal
Behan vs Karl Ward/Eric
Goodwin
Martin Connor - Niall McNiff vs
Gary Talbot
Intermediate - John Rogan/
Noel Connor vs Hilary
Haydon/Liam Curran
We will bring you all the action
in next month's edition.
We are keen to get you
involved whether you are an ex
player or just starting.
Looking forward to seeing you
in the snooker room.
The Snooker Committee
rain or long dry spells. The course team
manually rake the bunkers throughout the
week. This is quite a big job, we estimate that
it takes the equivalent of two full time staff to
rake the bunkers each week.
You can play your part in helping to ensure our
bunkers remain in good condition throughout
the day. After you have played your shot
please use both hands to rake, when you are
nearing the edge of the bunker rake by
pushing the sand away from you and continue
in this fashion until you have stepped out of
the bunker.
Following a review of the condition of the
bunker known as "Jaws" the following has been
decided:-

The revetted face (stacked turf face) is
no longer distinguishable from the sand
floor of the bunker.
 The boundary of the bunker henceforth
is the grassed area surrounding the
bunker, as is the case with all other
bunkers on the course.
 The face is now an integral part of the
bunker.
 There is no free relief for balls plugged
within the bunker, even if they are
plugged in the face of the bunker.
 If necessary, relief with a penalty, may
be obtained under Rule 28, unplayable
ball.
A notice to this effect has been posted on
notice boards.
Think Castle!
There are a limited number of
dates still available for Golf
Outings in 2015. So if you are
involved in a professional
association or business group,
please 'Think Castle' when
booking your next society or
corporate golf outing. For
further information please
Our tree management programme is also
continuing and will be an ongoing feature of
course maintenance for the foreseeable future.
We have removed several trees behind the
11th green and 12th tee and have planted a
laurel hedge to screen the adjoining property
from view. The trees in this area were, in the
opinion of our Tree Surgeon, rapidly becoming
unmaintainable. They were very close together
and were growing in to each other. The 11th
green was also shaded from sunlight and wind
for about five months each year, giving cause
for concern regarding the long term health of
the green. Once the laurel hedge has matured
contact the General Manager on
(01) 4904207 or
manager@castlegc.ie
Castle Waterville
Challange
Likely Lads
The likely lads had a very
pleasant few days in Kerry
recently enjoying great
weather, wonderful golf and
one of most exciting days in the
history of Irish rugby. As one
could imagine everyone was
tucked up in bed by 10pm each
evening with the exception of
Billy "bacardi and coke" Johns.
Pictured below is the travelling
party prior to teeing it up in
Waterville Links Golf Course.
the remaining trees will be removed and
selective re-planting will be considered.
In the valley the new 5th green is maturing
nicely and should be open for play before the
end of April. We have had an occurrence of
tree vandalism in the valley with seven mature
trees being decapitated in a deliberate act. We
informed An Garda Siochana who are
investigating the matter. To date no culprit has
been apprehended. It is planned to re-plant
this area in the autumn. We should take this
opportunity to ask valley golfers to familiarise
themselves with the valley bye-laws a
summary of which are on a notice adjacent to
the first tee.
We are all looking forward to playing a high
quality golf course in the coming season and
once again our thanks are due to Paul, Niall
and all their colleagues for their continuing
work.
Ladies Teams 2015
John Kelly didn't make the pic
as his golf was so poor the first
few days that he decided to
take a last minute lesson- it
didn't work.
Brendan Butler emerged the
winner over the three days
closely followed by Harry
Gleeson - who got a tad excited
when the French team didn't
kick to touch when awarded a
penalty in extra time again
England- and Paul Fitzgerald.
Social Media at Castle
ILGU Match Results
Mary McKenna Trophy:
Hard luck to Castle who lost to Clontarf in the
first round of the Mary McKenna Trophy on
Friday 20th March. A good match with the
home team having advantage on the day!
Junior Foursomes:
Great win to Castle in all 3 matches against
Millicent, in Castle on Friday 27th March. Best
of luck in the return match which will be played
on 19th April in Millicent as above.
Challenge Cup (29-36):
The Challenge Cup was played on Sunday 29th
March, in very tough conditions, particularly in
Dun Laoghaire with high winds and heavy rain.
Connect with other members of
Castle Golf Club by clicking on
the hyperlinks below:
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This Newsletter is brought to
you by our Marketing &
Communication Committee.
We love a bit of good news to
share with our members!
If you have anything you would
like included in the Newsletter
such as a 'big' birthday, new
baby, an engagement or
wedding please drop an email
to sandra@castlegc.ie
Dun Laoghaire won 2 home matches and one in
Castle with Castle winning 2 home matches. All
matches were very tight going to 17th or 18th.
Well done and thanks to the managers,
players, caddies and supporters
Please check the notice board in the ladies
locker room and the Castle website under
'Teams 2015'for regular up-dates on fixtures
and results. A lot of work has gone into
preparing for these matches by managers,
players and caddies. Please show your support
and appreciation by coming along to support
your club on the above dates wearing the club
colours!