Update 4th March

It is with great sadness that we learned this week of the sudden passing of Fred Perry. Fred was a former Captain and President of Boyle Golf Club, and at the time of his death had almost half a century of unbroken service with the Golfing Union of Ireland, including having served as President of the Union in 1982, a huge honour for both Fred and Boyle Golf Club. He remains the only member of the club to have served in this capacity. Fred served the GUI in several roles over the decades and was involved as referee when Rory McIlroy became the youngest ever winner of the Irish Close Championship in Westport in 2005. Fred was awarded lifetime honorary membership of Boyle Golf Club several years ago in recognition of his contribution to the game both here in Boyle and at national level. Fred's work ethic and desire to promote the game remained as strong as ever and despite being in his 85th year he remained active in the GUI and was due to chair a meeting of their constitutional review committee this week. An obituary has been published on gui.ie describing Fred's career in golf.

Deepest sympathies are extended to Fred's family and many friends.

Funeral arrangements for Fred are as follows: reposing at his residence at Carrick Road Boyle Monday 4.00pm to 7pm. Removal from residence Tuesday 1.30pm for service at Church of Ireland, Boyle at 2pm. The Club will hold a guard of honour on Tuesday at 1.30pm at Green Street (Credit Union).  Club Members are asked to wear club blazers or club/blue jumpers.

The Golf Course remained closed this past weekend and the Spring League was reduced to just two rounds due to the poor weather conditions. Congratulations to Brendan Gaffney, Vincent Egan and Moira Egan who are this years winners. Next Sunday, the 11th of March will see the start of the 18 hole Competitions with an 18 Hole Mens' Foursomes.

Update 26th February

The 2018 Captains Drive-In took place in perfect conditions on Sunday the 25th of February. Captains Terry and Marie hit 2 well-struck drives up the 1st fairway, thus launching the golfing season in the traditional manner. They would like to thank the members for the great turnout on the day. After the ceremonial start, a social 9 hole scramble was played.

In first place was the team of Brendan Gaffney, Paul Connolly, Margaret Loftus and Owen Garvin. Second place went to Lorcan Egan, Willie Tiernan and Fiona Keenan, and in third was the team of Captain Terry Canning, Lady Captain Marie Hanmore-Cawley and Michael Rush.

Next weekend, the 3rd and 4th of March, sees the final round of the Spring League. Vincent Egan, Moira Egan and Brendan Gaffney are the in-form team at present, but they have a tight lead over the next 2 teams.

A 9 hole stableford competition for the men will also be played on Sunday the 4th of March. On Sunday the 11th of March there will be an 18 hole Mens' Foursomes competition.

Update 19th February

This weekend saw round 3 of the Spring League take place (round 2 has been postponed til the weekend of March 3rd and 4th due to the inclement weather conditions of last week).

The leaders after round 1, Moira Egan, Vincent Egan and Brendan Gaffney continue to be the pacesetters with an aggregate score of 119. Charlie O'Donnell, Ted Hester and Michael Rush are a close second on 122.5 , with the last podium place currently occupied by Willie Tiernan, Tommy King and Jim Callery. 

This week saw a meeting take place in the Clubhouse to discuss some proposed changes in the layout of the course. There were no objections and the club has already initiated some of the changes, starting with new out of bounds areas behind the 1st green and to the right of the 6th fairway, and the widening of the "spinney" water hazard to the right of the 2nd fairway.

The other changes will be seen over the next few months and include open drains in front of the 5th and 9th greens, trees between the 2nd and 4th fairways and introducing areas of rough around some tee-boxes.

Other work planned this year includes the finishing of the recently constructed chipping practice area by installing drains and preparing the surface of the green. A practice driving net will also be installed beside this green.

The club has arranged a social golf outing to St Margaret's Golf and Country Club in Co Dublin on Saturday the 14th of April. Boyle member Gary Carty works in St Margaret's and has obtained a great deal for us for 18 holes of golf followed by a 2 course meal for 40 euro. All members are invited.

Next weekend sees the official launch of the golfing year with the Captains' Drive-In. The draw takes place at 12.45 pm with tee-off at 1. The bar will be open and food will be available.

Update 12th February

Weather conditions akin to a succession of biblical plagues resulted in many of the 2nd round matches from the Spring League not taking place this week.

• All members are invited to attend a meeting in the clubhouse this coming Wednesday the 14th of February at 7.30 pm to discuss a number of proposed changes to the layout of the course. A full account of the proposals is available on the club website, www.boylegolfclub.com under the "Course" section. Many of the proposals are acknowledging the reality that some areas of the course never dry out fully in the course of a year and that cutting and maintaining these areas has become disproportionately labour intensive. It is proposed that several such areas be left uncut throughout the year. In the same vein, it is proposed that 2 open drains be created on both the 5th and 9th holes to protect the 5th green from flooding and to improve drainage on the 8th and 9th holes in the area near the 9th teebox.

• There are a few other proposals including some tree-planting, re-aligning semi-rough areas and widening of hazards. 

• The Captains Drive In takes place on Sunday the 25th of February.

Update 3rd July

Results

The following are the results of the Fore Club Alliance sIngles stableford competition held last weekend: 

Men: 1st Michael Simon 39pts, 2nd Jim Dwyer 39pts, 3rd Owen Garvin 38pts. 

Ladies: 1st Ann Neary (Strokestown), 2nd Peggy Feely, 3rd Ruth Hogg.

The Ladies Australian Spoons competition results from last Tuesday: 

1st Mary O Hara & Carmel McGarry, 2nd Liz Dwyer & Regina McLoughlin, 3rd Peggy Feely & Moira Egan.

The Men's 12 Hole S/Ford was won by Club Captain Gerry O'Hara 29pts. The runner up was Paul Connolly.

Fixtures

Monday (July 3rd) sees the start of Open Week and the competitions are as follows: 

Monday 3rd Ladies & Gent's 9 Hole Stroke

Tuesday Ladies Gala Day 18 Hole S/Ford - Gent's 9 Hole S/Ford  Wednesday 18 Hole Scotch Mixed Foursomes

Thursday Gent's 18 Hole Stroke - Ladies 9 Hole S/Ford 

Friday Ladies & Gents 9 Hole S/Ford

Saturday 18 Hole Fourball Betterball  

Sunday Ladies & Gent's 18 Hole Stroke

The Club would like to thank all our sponsors for Open Week & competitions throughout the Year.

Junior Golf

There will be a Junior Skills Challenge on Saturday morning which will take place at 11am followed by the presentation of prizes.

Interclub Golf

The Ladies Junior Foursomes team take on Ballinasloe in the Connacht Semi Final this Saturday 8th July. On the same day the men's Junior Cup tea travel to Westport to compete in the North Zone qualifier with the top 8 team progressing to Sunday's matchplay. Best of luck to both teams.

Upcoming Event

The James Shivnan Memorial Golf Challenge in Aid of Mayo/Roscommon Palliative Care will take place at Boyle Golf Club on Saturday 15th July.

Update 26th June

Results

Boyle Golf Club's June Monthly Medal took place on Sunday last. 

Many thanks to Surprises Giftware/ Better Buy Boyle who kindly sponsored the competition. The results were as follows: 1st Eamon Perry (20) 65, 2nd Liam Whyte (13) 66, Gross Sean Heslin 78, 3rd Jim Dwyer (19) 67. 

Fixtures

The Ladies Australian Spoons Scotch Foursomes competition takes place on Tuesday 27th, the men's 12 Hole sableford is on Thursday 29th and next Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd is the Fore Club Alliance 18 Hole S/Ford. Players from the other Fore Alliance Clubs - Ballaghaderreen, Ballyhaunis, Castlerea & Strokestown are all invited to play. Thanks to the Roscommon Herald for their continued support of the competition.

Club Matchplay

Congratulations to Paul Connolly & Cian Smith who booked their place in the final of the Club Foursomes Trophy and now await the winners of the other semi-final between Sean Heslin/ Michael Rush and Jim Dwyer/ Liam Whyte.

Junior Golf

The Junior Golf Lessons will take place as usual on Saturday Morning at 11am. Newcomers always welcome.

This year's series of lessons for juniors with a PGA Professional has been provisionally set to commence on the evening of Wednesday 12th July. More details to follow.  

Course Drainage Work

This week will see the completion of the drainage work on the course and the new practice area. Thanks to Niall Foran and his team for the very professional way the in which the work was carried out.Thank you to all who were involved on the Lottery Fund Committee & the Course Committee. All their hard work is much appreciated.

Update 5th June

Results

Congratulations to our Lady Captain Mary O'Hara who won the President’s Prize to Ladies on Sunday with a score of 72, in second place was Tish Perry with 72, the gross was won by Peggy Feely and third place went to Susan O'Mahoney with 73. In the men’s 18 hole s/ford well done to Sean Heslin who won with a score of 43pts, in second place was Kevin O'Connor with 42pts, the gross went to Gary Carty with 74 and in third place was Vincent Egan with 41pts.

In other competition news, congratulations to our Ladies Junior Foursomes team who beat Ballaghaderreen to book their place in the Connacht Semi Final.

Fixtures

Next Sunday 11th June we have the 2nd Major of the Year, the President’s Prize hosted by Seamus Gallagher. The Club would like to take this opportunity to wish Seamus the best of luck next Sunday.

Sports Capital Program

The course will remain closed from Tuesday – Friday while the drainage work continues but will re-open on Friday evening at 6pm for the President’s Scramble with the draw at 6.30pm.

Club Matchplay

In the Club Foursomes Matchplay, Sean Heslin & Michael Rush are the first pair to book their place in the semi final and all other matches to be played must be completed by Sat 17th June.

Junior Golf

Junior golf continues on Saturday at 11am. This week's session will include some skills challenges for kids in attendance on account of it being the President's weekend.