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

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
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.
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.

Course Information Hotline
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.

A fond farewell to Lucas Returning home to Brazil after 8 years of Service at Castle Golf Club.

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

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 May-
3T's Charity
Tuesday 12 May-Presidents prize
Tuesday 19 May -Club Fourball 16 pairs to qualify

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.
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.
Such has been the overwhelmingly positive feedback we are considering running the show again. Should you be interested please contact .
--
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 hear this fantastic choir boasting some of our own distinguished Castle
members at their very best...
Celebrity Lunch

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

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.

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.(13-2/0.5)
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.
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

Our tables got a revamp over the last month to tidy up a few of the rolls. Luckily we had John 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

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 contact the General Manager on (01) 4904207 or
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.

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.
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"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
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

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!

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
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!

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
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.

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

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!

The usual prizegiving took place with our treasurer Nicola Doyle distributing ILGU vouchers to winners of weekly competitions. 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!

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 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.

Juvenile News

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.
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
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
Philippines Sao Rafael School Rebuilt

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".