Category: Captain’s Notes

Notes and announcements from the Lady Captain

22/10/2020: Golf Update, AGM & Society Guidelines

Good morning ladies,
I’m sure that by now you have all heard the very disappointing news that under level 5 restrictions golf is not permitted for the next six weeks and therefore, the golf course at Leopardstown will be closed until at least 1st December.   Leopardstown will keep us apprised of any further communications that may come from the governing bodies.
It is very disappointing for us given that golf was one important thing that helped us get out and about and to socially interact with each other, in a very safe way.   However, if missing golf for six weeks means that the spread of Covid retreats, then it will be worth it.   If it all opens back up on the 1st December we will have 2 to 3 Saturdays left to complete our golfing year.   It has been a very unusual and unexpected year but I think we have made the most of it.
I have updated the Calendar of Events for 2020 and attach same.  Golfer of the Year is now your best 4 out of 6 games.  Unfortunately, there is no time left for us to run the annual Turkey Competition!  It is highly unlikely that we will be able to hold our Christmas Party which I know will be missed by many.   Instead, I am running a Christmas Special Competition on the 5th December with a prize for the most festive head piece worn on the day.   There will be three lovely prizes ‘up for grabs’ in each category.   The format on the day will be single stableford.
The AGM will take place on the 3rd December at 7.30 p.m. via Zoom.   I will circulate the access password and format details prior to the 3rd.  On behalf of Honorary Secretary Karen Clinton, please see attached the official Notice comprising the nominations for Vice-Captain Margaret’s proposed new Committee members.
During the course of the year I was asked to provide an up to date copy of the Membership Guidelines to the Society’s bankers.   On investigation it transpired that the most recent Guidelines we had were dated 2005.   A sub-group of the Committee comprising myself, Vice-Captain Margaret and Honorary Secretary Karen reviewed the Guidelines and updated them, as attached.   There were no substantive changes made that would require member consultation.   Rather, we updated them to reflect the current practices and administration processes that have evolved over the years.  I attach a copy for your information.  As is good governance, these will be added to the AGM agenda for formal adoption.  Going forward they should be reviewed annually by the Committee and updated as necessary prior to adoption at the AGM.
President Joyce has asked me to let the winners of prizes on Presidents day know that she would like anyone who has not collected their prize to contact her to make arrangements for collection.
It will be a few weeks before we meet up again and, in the meantime, I hope that you and your families stay safe and well.
With best wishes,
Paula
Lady Captain

7/10/2020: Timesheet for President’s Day 10th October 2020

Hi everyone,
I hope you are all keeping well and looking forward to President Joyce’s big day.
Attached please see the timesheet with your tee-off time in the first column on the left.   Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your tee-off time in order to allow you a few minutes to greet Joyce and collect your score card.
Please remember that if you loose a ball you should only take 3 minutes time out to look for it.  While you are looking the next person should take their shot, while the other two players may assist you in looking.   At no stage should all four players be looking for a ball.   Play must keep flowing so that there are no back-ups.   It is a very full timesheet and the last line to tee-off will finish at approximately 18.30 hrs, if play is not delayed!!
The cards will be marked on Sunday and Joyce will contact the winners directly before the results are uploaded to the website.    Please check your handicap from the list on the website.   The password is Fairways.
Please take care and put your score card into the correct box after you have finished playing.
Fingers crossed for a good day weather wise and golf wise EmojiEmoji
Best wishes.
Paula

7/10/2020

Hi everyone,
As you may be aware Leopardstown have advised all Societies that we cannot put up a Prize Table for any of our events.
Joyce has come up with an ingenious plan to give you an advance preview which is to send you the attached list of prizes together with some photographs.
I, for one, am definitely going to the driving range to get in a bit of practice so I can be in the running for any one of these fabulous prizes.  We don’t need anything more to get our competitive side out!!
Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.
Best regards,
Paula
Lady Captain

6/10/2020: Away Day 24th October Charlesland – CANCELLED / AGM 3rd December 2020

Hi everyone,
As you know the whole country will move to level 3 Covid-19 restrictions from midnight tonight, for three weeks.   Unfortunately, this means that we cannot travel to Charlesland Golf Club in Co. Wicklow on the 24th October and so the outing has been cancelled.
There is racing in Leopardstown on Saturday the 17th and 24th October, therefore there will be no golf on either of those dates.  I’m not sure if racing gets cancelled as well but, if anything changes in relation to this, I will let you know.
The revised calendar I circulated for this year has indicated that the AGM will take place on the 19th November in the Green room in Leopardstown.  Even if we are out of level 3 restrictions we cannot have an indoor event.   To allow us more time to prepare for nominations etc. we will hold the AGM on Thursday, 3rd December and will circulate the Notice for it on 22nd October, giving the required six weeks advance notice.   The AGM will take place over Zoom and I will issue the details for this nearer to the 3rd December.
Anyone who is on the timesheet for the President’s Day golf competition, and who cannot make it, please let me know as soon as possible.
Stay safe everyone.
Best regards,
Paula
Lady Captain

30/9/2020: President’s Day – 10th October 2020

Hi ladies,
I hope you are having a good week so far.
President Joyce’s Day is taking place on Saturday, 10th October 2020.   The timesheet for this will open up tomorrow evening at 19:00 hrs and will close on Sunday, 4th October at 18:00 hrs.   Each player can put up to 4 people on the timesheet.   This should ease up on the number of people trying to login at the same time.   There will be enough spaces for everyone as we have our full capacity of 93 slots.
If you want to play 9 holes please email me to confirm this.  If I don’t hear from you I will take it that you are doing 18 holes.
I am attaching the guidelines for filling out your score cards.  Could I ask you to please review this before playing so that you know exactly how to complete the score card.  It can be very difficult at times for the Committee to interpret between the marker and the player.  On President’s Day if there are any issues with your card it may be disqualified.
The odd score card is still being put into the wrong Society’s box.  Maire has put a big red sign with our name on it at the back of our box, so please look out for this.
Enjoy the rest of your week and I look forward to seeing you on Saturday.
Best wishes,
Paula,
Lady Captain

24/9/2020: Various Updates & Charity Day

Hi everyone,
I hope this email finds you well and not too inconvenienced by the additional restrictions placed upon us here in Dublin.
This coming Saturday, 26th of September, in order to facilitate the Signets Captain’s Day we are playing the Back 9.  At the time of writing, there are 9 people on the Waiting List.  Could I ask that anyone who is unable to play on Saturday to take your name off the timesheet as soon as you can.  If it is after 18.00 hrs tomorrow and the timesheet is closed, could you please text me and I will let the next person on the list know.
Saturday, 3rd October is the Swifts Vice-Captain’s Day and we are swopping with them for the earlier slot.  We will be playing the Front 9 with tee times from 7.50 a.m. to 11.20 a.m.  The timesheet for this opens up this evening at the usual time of 19:00 hrs.
Charity Day was a terrific success and I want to thank you all very much for your very generous donations.  I am thrilled and delighted to confirm that between the per head membership donation, BBQ and donation box money we have raised a very significant €4,000 for Merchants Quay Ireland.
MQI are in dire straights at the moment.   The nursing team are seeing an increasing number of homeless people with worsening health issues.  The strain on the team coupled with the difficulty in running fund raising events is extreme.   Currently, one of the three nursing team positions is in jeopardy.  Supplies are also a constant concern with the additional requirements to supply masks, goggles and face shields.   I contacted MQI to let them know of our significant donation.  They were so excited and over the moon that it brought a tear to my eye!   Well done to all of us!   The raffle was great fun and I attach a list of the prizes’ and prize winners.  I still have a few to give out and will bring them with me on Saturday.
The Committee, as always, put their heart and sole into organising the day and I am so lucky and grateful to have such a wonderful team of hardworking ladies supporting me.
For those of you who may not know our Match Play winners this year are (1st) Mary McNulty, (2nd) Niamh Quinn and (3rd) Lindsay Sharpe.    Congratulations ladies EmojiEmoji
Keep safe everyone.
Best wishes,
Paula
Lady Captain

14/9/2020: Charity Day 19th September: Merchants Quay Ireland

Good evening ladies,
You may recall at last year’s AGM I mentioned that my Charity Day this year would be in aid of Merchants Quay Ireland.  MQI are a very worthy charity who maintain services for men and women who are homeless, suffering from mental illness and struggling with addiction.   They provide meals, showers, health care and a listening ear and practical support to people in crisis.
This year we are unable to run our charity day the way we have done in previous years.  With social distancing in mind and with the aim of not exchanging money or raffle tickets, the Committee and I have made the following arrangements:
–    golf in the day will be the normal single stableford competition;
–    a donation of €20 per member will be contributed from member funds;
–    the Committee will co-ordinate a raffle and every member will be nominated a raffle ticket;
–    the draw will take place on Saturday morning in Leopardstown and prize winners can take their prize home with them.
A Committee member will be based in the reception area and will have a donation box available should anyone wish to make a donation, separate to the one mentioned above.  It is probably best to put cash into an envelope and then into the box.    Some members have kindly asked me to donate the €30 they had pre-paid for the BBQ, so that is another option if you so wish.  Please confirm by email if you are happy for us to do that.
It was unfortunate that we had to give up some of our tee tines this Saturday to facilitate the Fairway’s Captain’s Day.   However, both playing and non-playing members will have the same chance of winning the prizes as there will be one ticket per member entered into the draw.   I have some very nice prizes which have been kindly donated for the raffle.
 
Leopardstown have asked me to convey the following to all members:
Bunkers:  while there are no rakes in operation a player may place a ball in the bunker within 6 inches no nearer to the hole.   The ball must remain in the bunker.   After the shot has been played smooth over the area with your foot or club as best you can.
Café:  the café is a different experience than before and they would appreciate everyone’s understanding with the changes that are necessary for the time being.   Going forward they would ask that you sit with the group that you played golf with as much as possible and there will be a maximum of 4 people permitted to sit together.   Please do not put additional chairs at tables or rearrange the furniture in the café.
Face coverings:  these must be worn when entering the golf centre but can be removed once you are seated in the café or if you are going to the driving range, when you reach your bay. As positive cases continue to rise across Dublin please continue to sanitise your hands upon entry and keep a good social distance from each other.
Presentations:  Traditional presentations, speeches, shotgun starts and social events are not permitted at the moment in line with GUI/ILGU guidelines.  Prizes may be left on a table for display purposes only.
 
Timesheets:  timesheets look like they will remain as they currently are on Saturdays, i.e. 4 balls every 10 minutes.
As always, I look forward to seeing you on Saturday next.
Best wishes,
Paula
Lady Captain

 

9/9/2020 – Prize Giving BBQ 18th September 2020 – CANCELLED

Hi ladies,
I hope you are all keeping safe and well.
In light of the recent escalation of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Dublin, and heeding all the renewed warnings and requests to double down on our efforts to prevent the spread, I have decided to cancel the BBQ on the 18th September 2020.   The Committee is fully supportive of this decision.   The Radisson Hotel have been notified and, as previously agreed, will refund us 100%.
Regardless of whether the Government recommendations on the 13th September advise a relaxation in current restrictions for holding events, it is not worth putting our health at risk.   After all, we are a very special bunch of people who still have great strides to make on the golf course Emoji!
I think it will be a while before we can consider having any of our social events and all we can do is hope that before year-end we may be in a better position to allow one big celebration to mark this most unusual year.
Our Charity Day is Saturday, 19th September.  This will go ahead but will be a different format from previous years.   Golf will be our usual single stableford competition and, to facilitate the Fairways Captain’s Day, our tee times are 10.40 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.   The timesheet opens tomorrow evening at the usual time of 19:00 hrs.  I will be in touch again with more information on our Charity Day.
We are so lucky to have our golf and I look forward to seeing everyone travelling to Glen Mill this coming Saturday.
Keep safe everyone.
Best wishes,
Paula,
Lady Captain

2/9/2020 – AWAY DAY GLEN MILL GOLF CLUB – 12th SEPTEMBER 2020

Good morning ladies,

I hope you are having a lovely week so far.   The weather is due to pick up again tomorrow!  Warm congratulations to Marie Maher who is our Player of the Month (Category A) for the month of August.  Player of the Month for September will be from Category C.

We are heading to Glen Mill Golf Club for our Away Day on the 12th September.  It is a lovely 18 hole, Par 3 course.   We have a total of 48 slots available with tee times starting at 11.00 a.m. and finishing at 1.30 p.m.  There will be 3 golfers per line every 10 minutes.   It will cost €15.00 per person, payable directly to the club on the day.  There will be an A and B category with 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize in each.

The timesheet for this will open tomorrow evening, Thursday 3rd September, at our usual time of 19.00 hrs. and will close on Friday, 11th September at 18.00 hrs.   The Waiting List is activated so please put your name on it if you don’t manage to make the timesheet.

Unfortunately, with 48 players it is very unlikely that we will be able to group book anywhere for a bite to eat afterwards.  I will make contact with the winners that evening following which the results will be uploaded to the web-site.

Have a great week everyone.

With very best wishes,

Paula,
Lady Captain

25/8/2020 – Congratulations and Save the Date 18th September 2020

Hi ladies,

I hope you enjoyed ‘Captain’s Day’ golf on Saturday last, despite the very mixed weather.   It seems to have been a very different experience for people, depending on the time of duration of play!

Thanks everyone for your lovely good wishes and gifts which are very much appreciated.

Congratulation’s to Dympna McCabe who won the Captain’s Prize and to Patricia Murphy who was the runner-up.   Congratulation’s also to Marie Maher who won the Best Gross.

The full set of results are up on the web-site now and congratulations to everyone who was a winner on the day.

It was a pity we could not proceed with the BBQ on Sunday but we should be proud that we set an example for ‘other prominent Societies’ around the country, particularly in the west!!

I have provisionally agreed a new date with the Radisson Hotel, which is Friday, 18th September at 6 p.m. for the same BBQ format.   We won’t know until the 13th September whether or not we can go ahead but, in the meantime you might like to pencil it into your diary.

Many thanks for your kindness and support on Saturday.

Very best wishes,

Paula,
Lady Captain