Engineers Christmas Outing: Over forty Local Authority Engineers played at Dungarvan on Friday for generous Christmas Hamper prizes generously provided by Roadstone through Ger Hayes. They have been coming to our club since 1975 and, once again, they were fulsome in their praise for the facilities we provide. Remembering Michael Mernin fondly, and wishing him well in his retirement from the post of Course Manager, the engineers from Cork, Carlow, South Tipperary, Kilkenny and Waterford enjoyed a great day out, and I recognised locals Jimmy Mansfield, Vincent O' Connor, Pat O' Mahony, George Taylor, Tom Lineen and P J Kindregan - who ably organised the day. Tom Mulcahy lent a hand by sorting out the scorecards and winners. Local man Pat Foley, a long-serving engineer in Kilkenny, won with 37 points, but only just, as it went to the last hole in the breakdown. Paddy Crotty and Michael O' Neill of South Tipperary were 2nd and 3rd respectively. Glenn Jones from the National Roads Authority (NRA) was 4th and Frank Cronin from Cork was 5th. Ger Hayes won the Guest Prize, but there were no losers. Apart from the great day out, the visitors spoke in glowing terms our club - admin, course, catering and bar staff, and spoke especially of the condition of the greens. There were no losers on the day as everybody there, including our Captain Noel Brennan who welcomed the group and thanked them for their support, went home with a bottle under their oxter.

Speaking of Which! Yes, it was good to hear visitors commenting positively on the course and greens, but we must not neglect to repair our pitch marks. It is important to put the proper implement into your pocket each time you play. I notice some members who always repair their own before checking for other marks to be repaired. Course staff tell me that if the plug marks are repaired immediately the greens recover quickly. So, please oblige.

Sponsors: Irene has written to all our generous and loyal sponsors, and Captains Ann and Noel have been following up with telephone calls and visits. During the year there are many, many sponsored competitions, and the club has found that many business firms have a keen interest in being associated with our club. In return, we hope, our members support these business people in their enterprises.
The response from sponsors has been very encouraging and affirming. This year we hope to have our annual Fixtures Booklet available early, with all details of sponsors included. The 2009 draft fixtures are already on the club website for members' information, and we hope to put details of all sponsors on the website in the near future. Added to this we will include with each prize voucher a list of those sponsors whose line of business lends itself to 'spending' one's voucher.

Member Queries: Don't forget, the committees at the club want to hear from the members on a range of topics. If you have any suggestions, queries, constructive criticisms, observations on the course, handicaps or competitions run - indeed anything - we welcome your not in the 'Suggestions Box' or at the bar, or you may e-mail the office at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for Irene to forward your note to the relevant officer or committee.

DUNGARVAN GENTS RESULTS: 04.12.08 Enrights 16h S/F 1ST. Jimmy Wemyss (10) 41, 2nd Ml. Fitzgerald (20) 38, Gross Ml. Foley (Faithlegg) (5) 30, 3rd Jim Kenneally (18) 36 pts 

06.12.08 9h S/F (Frost on course) 1st  Jack Collins (18) 22, 2. Gerry Raher (14) 22.

07.12.08 9h S/F 1. Martin Landers (19) 23 2. Connor O’Brien (11) 21 B6

DUNGARVAN GENTS FIXTURES: 16 H Singles S/F: Thurs. 11th (Open), Sat. 13th and Sun. 14th  Thurs 18th Open 16h S/F Lions Club Appeal.

DUNGARVAN LADIES RESULTS: Tues 2nd 11h S/F 1st Mary Phelan (21) 24, 2nd Betty O’Brien (10) 23. Sat 6th 9h 1st Mary McGrath (35) 19, 2nd Teresa Hayes (23) 18.

Tues 2nd: Home Alliance Results: Section 3. 1st  Pat Flanangan (19) 22, 2nd Maura Kindregan (16) 20 pts Section 4. 1st  Mary Phelan (21) 24 pts 2nd Maeve Fitzgerald (22) 23. SECTION 5: 1st Mary McGrath (35) 22 – 2 20.2. Marianne Mulcahy (32) 16,

Dungarvan Ladies Fixtures: Sat 13th 16h S/F & Home Alliance &  ongoing 9 hole club comp. Tues 16th 11h S/F Lions Club Christmas Appeal. Sat 20th 16h S/F Lions Club Christmas Appeal Sat 27th Dec. Open Ladies 16h S/F. Timesheets now open.

LADIES CLUB NOTES : Winter league: This is kindly sponsored by Olivere’s Beauty Salon: We are now in the 3rd round of the league, and hopefully  those of us trailing behind may make up for it in this round. Don’t forget Ladies, you have 4 days to play your game and support your team !!

HOME AND AWAY ALLIANCES: Our Home Alliance is also being played this week, and Dungarvan did very well in the Coastal Alliance played in Faithlegg G.C. on Thur 4th Dec. – in 2nd place was Mary Ann Coffey, and 3rd place went to our Ladies Club Sec. Pat Flanagan. Well done girls !!

LADIES CHRISTMAS PARTY:What a party !! we kicked off the night with wonderful mulled wine, then presentation of prizes to the Alliance winners, this was followed by a sumptuous meal cooked by Tom and Chris, and served by Rita and Ger. I would like to congratulate both kitchen and dining room staff for excellent food and service, it was the highlight of the night – thank you all so much.
We then reposed to the bar for further refreshments and a sing-along  supplied by various singers, and a very witty story from Ruth Byrne who had us in stitches !!
There are a few people that deserve special mention for their contribution to the smooth running of the night. Firstly, our Lady Capt. Ann, and Alliance Capt. Theresa who organised the night, and sent everybody home with a spot prize.  Secondly, our very able Treasurer Maria, who did a fabulous job in decorating  the entire clubhouse, and set the mood for the event – a very big thanks to all of you. All I can say to those who were not there, you missed one fantastic night !!

THE YOUNG ONES: Results 03.12.08 Winner Brid Killigrew (30) 20, 2nd Maria Ryan (28) 19 pts. Next Competition 12.12.08

SIXTY.COM: Results 03.12.08 Winners: Greta Harris (36) Ml. Fitzgerald (20) Seamus O’Neill (9) 27 7/8, 2nd Ann Twomey (28) James Power (22) Denis O’Brien (18) 28 ½  3rd Ml. Brosnan (23) Ml. Twoomey (22) Sean Power (14) 30 5/8 Next Competition Weds 10th December Draw for partners at 1.30 p.m     

Progressive 45  Winners Aileen Mulcahy & Teresa Hourigan Runners Up Vincent & Teresa Hayes, Tom Osbourne & Percy Hallahan Johnny Hogan & Chrissie Terry Derry Cotter & Martin Landers Last 5 Ollie O;Neill & Bernie Hayes Lucky Table Ned O’Connor & Michael Aherne : Progressive 45 every Thursday night at 8.30. All are welcome. 

Lions Club Charity Weekend: Saturday the 20th and Sunday 21st give members the opportunity to support the Dungarvan Lions, who have done outstanding work for more than thirty years. The Lions fundraise for worthy causes; over time they have supported the elderly, disability groups, needy families and many more. They co-ordinate the local effort towards ensuring that no family is without the basics for a memorable Christmas day. This year Ben O' Neill is generously sponsoring the prizes; rest assured there will be plenty to play for.

Harbour Point: We were all sorry to hear of the imminent demise of Harbour Point G.C. The owners of the land have decided to sell to developers; so, from May 2009 the harbour Point Club will no longer exist. Many clubs have advised and informed members on what is available, and we at Dungarvan G.C. have done our bit. We have had a representative visit, and it is likely that many of the Harbour Point members will be driving down the road to join us. As always, we will do all we can to welcome them and enhance our reputation as a friendly club with top-class course and facilities. 'A home from home' we say!

Annual Sub: Time is running out for payment of your Annual Subscription and Social Levy. They are due since October 1st, but some members are slow to part with the money. 'It flows from him like glue' said one quick-witted member while mentioning another  - whose name escapes me right now!
Irene, our affable and popular Secretary/Manager tells me that anybody not fully paid up after the Christmas break well have their names removed from the online booking system and club databases. Irene has been instructed by Management to charge an administration fee , with no exceptions, on those who arrive with their money after Christmas. 'They will not be entitled to use the course, their handicap will lapse, and they will not be eligible to enter competitive golf anywhere' said Irene, who echoes the sentiments of the many members who feel that in running the business we need to have the money in on time. Don't say you were not reminded!

DUNGARVAN GOLF CLUB MINI LOTTO:  Week ending 7th Dec : WINNING NUMBERS 7, 9, 30, 24  No Winner 15 euro winners: Sean Power, Fidelma Fitzgerald, Bernadette Cleary, P.J.Kindregan , Joseph Gordon.,   NEXT WEEKS JACKPOT  €12,700. Next Draw  Sun 14th Dec 2008. If you’re not in you can’t win! Thank you for your support.