Pitchmark Disease! Outbreaks are spasmodic, symptoms obvious and simply understood, can be very upsetting when seen, and the scarring will be there for a long time if action is not taken. However, some golfers wouldn’t know a pitchmark on a putting green if it was as big as a dinner plate and twice as deep! Throughout the season pitchmarks on the greens should be repaired immediately. They are very easily seen, especially during the softer winter conditions. Attending to them (or not) is often contagious, and golfers who are interested should lead by example.
Our PGA Pro, David Hayes, will provide pitchmark repairers, and every golfer should get into the habit of putting the said item into his/her pocket at the 1st tee. Don’t be selfish and just repair your own; have a quick scan around for other pitchmarks to repair. There are various versions of how to fix a pitchmark, and this writer is not into the pedantic way of giving private tutorials on something which stands to reason. The ‘disease’ can be contained providing all players are indoctrinated and take appropriate precautions.
South-east League: Our team start their campaign on Saturday in Youghal, and we play in the group with Youghal, East Cork, Gold Coast and Cobh. Managers Roger O’ Connor and Austin O’ Connor have been studying possible ‘Purcell’ and ‘Bruen’ pairings, and they are committed to making changes from week to week. Both managers have contacted several players in the handicap categories concerned, and the response has been very encouraging, with most players relishing the opportunity of representing Dungarvan in matchplay, along with playing on different courses.
Course Committee: Course Manager Anthony Morrissey met with the Course Committee on Friday, and priorities for the year were discussed in detail. Apart from machinery and equipment required, and arrangements for their maintenance, Anthony spoke of the routine stuff of cutting fairways, greens and roughs, trimming around trees and drains, maintaining bunkers, and the occasional programmes in hollow-tining, fertilizing and weed-killing. Anthony was loud in his praise of the support and encouragement that he and his squad receive from Secretary/Manager Irene and the various officers and committees.
Members’ queries and suggestions on our course and its maintenance are always welcome. Recently there were suggestions that some bunkers require drainage urgently; it was also mooted that the status of the sunken spinney area in front of the (mens’) 3rd tee might be changed to that of a hazard, and that the stream by the 11th tee be diverted to give a landing area for short hitters. These suggestions, and others, are always noted and discussed. So, don’t be shy – speak up, as we are always very interested in your views.
Gents Results:  Sat 7th (9 hole due to frost) 1. David Raher (16) 21, 2. Dermot Walsh (4) 20 (B6).  Sun 8th 16h S/F 1. Lar Boland (13) 37, 2. Mick Leacey (5) 33 pts. 

Gents Fixtures: Thurs 12th  Open 16H s/ford & Gents winter league, Sat 14th & Sun.15th  Feb 16H s/ford & Enrights Eurospar Winter League

Ladies Fixtures:  Tues 10th 11h S/F & 5th  Home Alliance , Thurs 12th Ladies Coastal Alliance  Sat 14th 16h S/F  Tues 17th Ladies 11h S/F. 
LADIES NOTES: Again, due to the inclemency of the weather last week the course was closed. Our WINTER LEAGUE sponsored by OLIVERE’S BEAUTY SALON and HOME ALLIANCE is again deferred to next week, also the COASTAL ALLIANCE is deferred to Thursday 12th Feb, tee times 09.45-11.45am weather permitting.  On-going 9 hole competition if the course is playable.

CONDOLENCES: On a sad note, we wish to convey our sincere sympathy to Joe (Tara Crystal) and Kieran Foley on the untimely death of their sister Triona Quinn, and to Tish Baumann (first cousin). Thinking of you all on this very sad occasion.

MEMBERSHIP: Membership is open at Dungarvan Golf Club. The annual subscription fee is €825 which includes a social levy of €100 to spend using your GUI/ILGU smart card on bar & restaurant purchases at a 5% discount.  Dungarvan Golf Club is a members’ club democratically run.  Members who join can avail of social golf or competition golf once a handicap is obtained, and timesheets are easily accessed by using our state of the art Internet booking system to view or book times.  Members of the club can bring out guests to play at concessionary prices and also can play our neighbouring courses West Waterford and Golf Coast at reduced rates.  Further details on how to join the Club can be obtained from the office or information and an application form can be downloaded from the club website www.dungarvangolfclub.com.       

SIXTY.COM:  Next competition Wed. 11th Feb . Draw for partners at 2.00 p.m. All are welcome. 

THE YOUNG ONES: NEXT COMPETITION 11.02.08 at 1.30 p.m

JUNIOR GOLF NOTES:   Calling all Junior Golfers on mid term break!  There will be two Open Junior Competitions on during the mid week break next week. The 1st will be held on Wednesday 18th February starting at 10 a.m. The next on Friday 20th, again at 10a.m .  All junior golfers are welcome to come along, particularly new members who may be new to the game and would like to meet other young golfers in the club. You can book online using the online tee time system or contact the Junior Officer David Hayes P.G.A directly on (058) 44707

Progressive 45: Winners: Bernie Hayes & Ollie O’Neill. Runners Up Tom Melody & MikeKelleher Last 5 Don Brennan & Frank Ryan Lucky Table John Considine & Colm Bannon. Progressive 45 every Thursday in the clubhouse at 8.30 p.m . All are welcome.

TABLE QUIZ : The last quiz of this winter will be on Sat 21st Feb. at 8.30 p.m. If this quiz is as enjoyable as earlier quizzes it will be a good night out, with questions to tease, amuse and argue about. The usual suspects of Tom Mulcahy and Noel Brennan have been working on the questions already, and they say that any money made will go to the Juvenile section of the club. So, you have time to muster your team, and it would be nice to see some new faces.

DUNGARVAN GOLF CLUB MINI LOTTO: Week ending 8th  Feb : WINNING NUMBERS 4, 12, 15 & 16  Jackpot Winner: No Winner : 15 euro winners. Jimmy Wemyss, Marion Roche, Colm Bannon, Brian Morrissey, Des Cleary . NEXT WEEKS JACKPOT €2,550. Next Draw Sun 15th Feb.   If you’re not in you can’t win! Thank you for your support.

CLUB CONTACT DETAILS: Pro Shop (058) 44707 Club (058) 43310  Website www.dungarvangolfclub.com for online booking & timesheets.