Date posted: 28 November 2019, 11:37am

Contents

1. A message from the Communications Committee

2. A message from Lady Captain Miriam

3. A message from Captain Brendan

4. Club photograph taken on 1st September 2019

5. Bloom Cup Manager's View

6. Bloom Cup Players' View

7. Junior News

8. Intermediate Section Report

9. A note from Finance

10. Autumn - Winter 2019

11. We're going green

12. Special Olympics Gold Medal Winner

13. Santa Claus is coming to town

14. Hugs and kisses in Killiney

15. Caption Competition

16. Radisson Sponsored Invitation Mixed Matchplay 2019

A message from the Communications Committee

The Communications Committee has been up and running now for nearly 2 years with myself as Chair and David Little, Cathy McGovern, Gerry Drum and Ronnie Kane as members ably assisted by Niall Keyes who, word has it, does all the work.

As a committee we were very keen from the ‘get go’ that we would have a clear purpose that would inform and guide all our activities.  The purpose agreed was very simply:

To increase members engagement with our club by improving all communications with them.

We began our work by asking you, the members, what we needed to do to achieve this purpose. You gave us loads of ideas which we listened to and acted upon.

• You asked us to communicate more frequently about general club matters. 

  We now have a weekly ezine and quarterly newsletter both penned by Niall Keyes and which, we hope, you are finding informative and enjoyable!

• You asked that we improve the use and co-ordination of the many notice boards in the club.

  We hope Leo's posts is to your liking is helping make sense of the vast array of information displayed.

• You asked that we look at hosting some club nights that members could attend and learn from.

  Leo’s “How to Cut 3 shots over 18 holes” went down a treat as did the Dermot Gilleece evening which was ably facilitated by our own Gerry Drum.

• Our club website, the brainchild of our amazing webmaster Peter Bennett, while a fantastic resource is one that you told us some members needed help in navigating.

  Cathy McGovern hosted a web information evening and did a great job in bringing our IPAD holding members up to speed on how to get the very most from this fabulous resource.

• You asked that we do a better job communicating with new members about the general workings of the club. 

  David Little has worked tirelessly pulling together an A-Z of club information. It covers information that many of us long term members take for granted, but which we hope new members will find very helpful as they settle into Club life.  More of this anon.

• And finally, you asked us to better Embrace Social Media (Facebook (www.facebook.com/KillineyGolfClub) & Twitter (@KillineyGC), ) in our communications.

  Given the general age profile of our committee we decided help was needed in this regard and are delighted that Cornelia McNamara and Paddy Allen have agreed to join us. Their remit is to represent the communication needs of our younger members as well as help us embrace new communication technologies.

Some done more to do.

We hope you are seeing the benefits of the above communication initiatives and look forward to doing more over the months ahead.  It goes without saying that we are always looking for new ideas so if you have any please don’t hesitate to let one of us on the committee know. 

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A message from Lady Captain Miriam

A look back....

As we approach the end of the golfing season for 2019 I look back with great fondness on my year as Ladies’ Captain.

Some may say the gods were against us the day of our Drive-In with the amount of rain that fell in a few short hours, forcing us to abandon our plans to arrive in style at the first hole with members and family gathered around. However, thanks to the collective efforts of Leo, Niall and the Men’s Committee, the Drive-In went ahead albeit from an unusual angle and (almost) everyone stayed dry. For Captain Brendan and myself it was a truly memorable day and not even the rain could dampen our spirits.

With the golf season in full swing life in the Ladies’ section was busy with team managers, players and caddies preparing for matches. Although we were unlucky not to have advanced further with our teams this year there were some hard-fought battles on the course, including one match that went to the 26th hole before being won by Killiney; one for the history books I’m sure. The commitment and team spirit never wavered, and I enjoyed following all the matches whatever the outcome.

The Lady Captain’s Prize was a real highlight for me. I won’t forget the warmth and generosity I experienced over the week. Good golf was played in all four seasons of weather, culminating in yet another successful Killiney Ladies’ night with dinner and Prize-giving.

Visiting Captains’ days, spread over the year, were an occasion to look forward to, as they provided the opportunity not only to compare notes with Captains elsewhere, but also the chance to play friendly team golf on other courses. In July we welcomed the Captains of our neighbouring clubs for golf and dinner and the many compliments paid about the course and our dining room made us all feel proud to be a part of Killiney.

As I reflect on this past year, I am ever conscious of the dedication and enthusiasm of many who volunteer to assist in any way needed.

The success of the club is largely due to the efforts of so many of our members, and along with the commitment and support of our professional staff in the Pro Shop, office, kitchen and bar, it is easy to see how Killiney is so special. It has been my privilege to serve as Ladies’ Captain for this year.

I thank you all for your valued support, and I wish incoming Captains Diane and Brendan every success and enjoyment for the year 2020.

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A message from Captain Brendan 

My year as Captain is drawing to a close but it doesn’t seem so long ago that the Captains Drive-In was the focus of all our efforts. Rain was to be the theme of that day, but we still managed to kick off the new season with some fun.

One of the major changes we made this year was to the timesheet on Saturdays to allow more players than ever on the course through the introduction of a 9-hole competition. It looks like that is going be a growing trend in the year ahead.

Radisson Week was a huge success with positive comments from all our visitors, which means we can expect even more players next year.

I was particularly pleased to see how our new members have been welcomed and have settled in so well into the uniquely friendly atmosphere of Killiney.

While it’s not possible to mention every contribution that has been made to the success of the Club this year, I particularly want to recognise the historic achievement of our Bloom Cup team.

Winning after so many years has brought renewed confidence to Killiney and is a sign of even better things to come in the year ahead.

Wishing every success to Brendan Seaver in 2020.

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Club Photograph 1st September 2019

It was 30 years ago that the club took a picture of members that stands in the main lobby today. Indeed, it was a stand that was required to accommodate members in that photo.

Plenty of water has passed under the bridge since, so it seemed appropriate to take a photo of the current generation of members.

The date set was the 1st September and we held our breathes hoping the weather would be kind. Circulars, notices & reminders and were posted giving plenty of advance warning that the photo was imminent.

In the end the weather was kind and over 200 members turned out. Buggies ferried our members of more advanced years to the 8th fairway.

Paul Sherwood, our photographer, stood perilously on a ladder supported by our Course Superintendent, Michael Browne. Then Michael had a go for himself…

After Months of preparation the Photographer called all to order and, hey presto, 2 minutes later it was all over!

Our resident photographer Peter Bennett was in action taking photographs of “The Photograph” being taken!

Then all back to the clubhouse for a tipple, safe in the knowledge that their place in Killiney Golf Clubs’ history can never be erased.

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Bloom Cup - Manager's View - Ronan MacGiollaPhadraig

May 2019. Round 1 of the 2019 Bloom Cup took place in Killiney against Carrickmines. Killiney started slowly, down in all 5 matches early on. An excited Carrickmines player declared “we’ve never won anything!” and still hadn’t after Killiney go on to win 3:2 with great wins by Paul Phelan & Gavin Murray, Donn O’Shaughnessy & Brendan Seaver and Jim Mountjoy and Harry Lawlor. Bring on round 2!

On a fine June afternoon, the much-fancied Grange Golf Club arrived in Killiney. Their manager, confident, spent the first 3 hours sipping gin and tonics on the veranda. Killiney are 2.5 to 1.5 up as the last match turns the corner of the 18th with Killiney 1 down. Killiney need to win the hole to avoid a head to head up the 19th. Fionan Breathnach elegantly hits a 9 iron shot to land within 12 feet left of the pin and with 2 putts wins the hole securing a 3:2 win for Killiney.

The semi-final was scheduled for July against the mighty Castle Golf Club. Killiney support arrives in numbers creating an amazing atmosphere for the team. The father and son combination of Dave and Paddy Allen win match 1, an amazing half won by Donn O’Shaughnessy and John Quinn (having been 4 down after 13 holes) and Pat Walsh and Stephen Doris win the last match. At 2.5 v 2.5 the last match, under the rules, go up the 19thto settle affairs. Pat Walsh plays three sublime shots and putts to within 6 inches guaranteeing a par. Castle have 2 twenty footers to negotiate to go up the 20th but both miss. Killiney are now in the Bloom Cup final for the first time since 1977!

Roll on the final against Newlands Golf Club. On a damp, wet and rainy September day, Team Killiney arrive in Newlands en masse. “Where are the Newland’s supporters”, I heard someone say. Then it’s down to business, but before a ball is struck John Greene is organising his band of ball spotters and those assigned for group one is dispatched down the fairway and take shelter under the trees. Killiney win matches 1,2 and 3 and narrowly lose matches 4 and 5. 3:2 to Killiney after the away leg of the final – much done but more to do to quote an (in)famous politician.

September 22nd, 2019 – the day of reckoning arrived. A fog descends on Killiney, but the match must go on. Another huge crowd from the Killiney contingent congregates for the match. Paul Phelan and John Quinn win match 1, Killiney lose matches 2,3 and 4. The scoreboard reads Killiney 4: Newlands 5. Match 5 comes up the 18th all square, Killiney needing a win to bring the final up the 19th.  David Mountjoy & Declan Morrisey, in shirtsleeves are impervious to the weather conditions. An adrenaline fuelled second shot through the back of the final green leaves a tricky third shot for Declan. He chips, leaves it well above the hole. Shot four, a downhill putt, rolls 7 feet past the hole. I can’t watch, I hear the roar, it’s 5:5 and we’re going up the 19th. David Mountjoy hits a sublime iron, 10 feet right of the pin, 2 putts to win the match.

Killiney win on playoff hole! The crowd horseshoed around the green and down the first fairway roar in unison.  Hugs, high fives and embraces – the trophy is back in Killiney after 42 years.

What an experience for Conrad and I to lead the great panel of players who took part this year. Each and every one played a part in bringing the trophy back and the supporters, men and women, from Killiney came out in their droves to cheer on their fellow members.

This truly was a club effort and the overwhelming sense for Conrad, and I is one of pride A sincere thank you to everyone who supported our Bloom campaign this year, the members, our officers and the playing panel. Last but not least I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Conrad for his significant contribution, constant support and being a great sounding board.

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Bloom Cup – Player's View - Kieran Killeen

It was 18th April when the Killiney 2019 Bloom Cup WhatsApp group was born. Who knew the journey that awaited! With a home draw against Carrickmines on 3rd May the shout went out from team managers Ronan MacGiolla Phadraig and Conrad Lyons to see who was available to play. Following the team announcement Fearghal McEvatt posted “we have the players and the players have the game, let’s bring it home”.

The panel listened and the win was achieved. Kilmashogue or Grange awaited us in round two and word was received on 27th May that we had secured a home draw against Grange, with the match scheduled for 21st June. In a tight encounter it came down to the last pairing of John Dawson and Fionan Breathnach who needed a win to send Killiney through. With Grange in great shape on 18 and Killiney in the trees, it all looked lost. The crowd gathered, urging the players to find the shot and Fionan produced, with a stunning third to six feet and with two putts to win the match, his nerve held, sending rapturous applause to the eager and starved Killiney crowd. Foxrock or Castle were battling it elsewhere for a semi-final spot, with Castle coming through to meet the now confident Killiney team. A home draw was secured, but later overturned and Killiney headed to Castle on 28th June.

Now it was getting serious. In a repeat of the tension at Grange, the last match headed up 18 with Killiney needing to win the hole to halve the match. Enter the “Donn & John” show. A stunning up and down from John Quinn. The responsibility rested on the shoulders of Stephen Doris and Pat Walsh to carve their way up the 19th to seek the win. This time it was the turn of Pat Walsh to destroy Castle hearts as he took out his wand and put his ball to within gimmee range thus securing the win and taking Killiney to the final. Newlands or Rathfarnham, who cares, but we’d prefer Rathfarnham was the sentiment.

Up stepped Newlands, the holders of the Bloom Cup had a wry smile as Killiney entered their gates on 15thSeptember (following copious practice rounds from panel members). The rain lashed down, advantage Newlands. But Killiney took travelling hordes of supporters, outnumbering the home support by 10 to 1. The battle commenced. A 3-2 loss would be okay knowing we were back at Killiney the following week. Up in four matches after nine, the Killiney team were on a roll, but this is match play, this is a final, this is pressure and we’re against the holders. Controversy in the second match saw it finish 2.5 to 2.5 overall, but after a decision over-turn Killiney were confirmed as the winners of match 2 to take a slender 3-2 lead back home. What a result!

Team managers left to struggle with who to play and in what order. It’s come down to this moment. When the team is announced, there’s no going back. That’s it. It’s done. Out go our warriors, knowing that folklore will tell tales of heroes or villains.

And so, it begins, with fog claiming the course in the early minutes as the home support swells. It’s not looking promising with Killiney down in three, all square in one and up in one after nine. But this is a team with passion, energy and drive and the fight back starts. Nip and tuck throughout the back nine but with Newlands ahead it’s the final match once again that has to win on 18 to keep the dream alive. Newlands in trouble and 5 iron from Declan Morrissey over the back right with a front green pin position leaves a mighty task, but with hurling in his blood he gets it down in two and up 19 we go.

There must have been 200 plus lining the fairways. The tension is powerful. Heroes or villains? Heroes or villains? Newlands in a spot of bother. A five will do it. A five is achieved. Newlands with a putt each to take us up 20. Miss one, miss the other. The trophy is in the hands of Killiney for the first time since 1977!!

Blooming Magic!!

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Junior News

Congratulations to our own Cian O'Sullivan who shot rounds of 71/69 to finish Runner up in the Ulster Boys Under 16 Championship in Carnalea Golf Club on 7th August.

“Morgan O'Sullivan (Ballyneety) has won the Ulster U16 Open Championship by 3 shots from Cian O'Sullivan (Killiney) & Ross Campbell (Greenacres). He followed up his opening round of -1 with a level par 69 to finish on level for the Championship. Cian O'Sullivan (Killiney) shot 71 and then 69 in r.2 which was the exact opposite of Ross Campbell who opened with a 69 and followed this up with 71”. Golfnet News 7th August 2019.

Congratulations to Conor Ryan, winner of the Under 15 section of the Dom Pedro Junior Masters 2019. The tournament is played over 54 holes at Victoria GC, host venue of the Portuguese Masters on the European Tour.

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Intermediate Section Report

The KGC Intermediate WhatsApp group was created back in October 2018, only weeks away from the first competition held on Sunday October 29th.  To date, we have managed to play seven successful scramble competitions, with many player’s stating their highlight as the drink in the bar afterwards!

The purpose of these social scrambles is to get young players (between the ages of 18-30) playing more golf and golfers of all abilities are always welcome.

Our next event is scheduled for this coming Sunday 17th November (providing the course is open) with the timesheet open for booking between 2:00pm-2:20pm and we hope to increase the numbers even more in 2020.

If you’re interested in being added to the KGC Intermediate WhatsApp Group, please contact either Paddy Allen or Cornelia McNamara.

Many thanks to Brendan Seaver, David McNamara & Aisling Sherin for starting this initiative.

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A Note from Finance

The Finance Committee was formed so as to provide an advisory body to the Council and to make recommendations on issues that relate to the short-term and longer-term finance issues of the club.  There is a particular focus on ensuring that the longer-term capital needs are adequately funded relative to short-term needs and funding sources.

The committee comprises Jim Mountjoy (Chairman), Emer McGovern, Joe McNiece, David Ringrose, Niall Keyes (Secretary Manager) Sean Hayes (Hon Treasurer) and Ken McCullagh (Chairperson of the Council).

Over the course of the meetings to date we have discussed the ten year capex requirements, appraised current capex proposals, longer term funding sources, accounting year ends, accounting treatments, the club house development fund, general reserve fund, annual subscriptions, new member fees, cash flow statements, readability of the clubs accounts and other general finance related issues.

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Autumn - Winter 2019

How quickly we have moved into the winter part of the season.

Where did the time go?

With the constant rain along with the mild weather we have seen a resurgence of worm casting giving our fairways a muddy wintry look. In fact, as you know, we have had placing on the fairways since September. The casting worms used to be controlled with a chemical called ‘Carbendazim’. This was taken off the market two years ago. Our greens staff are testing some products to ascertain their effectiveness. These products are expensive and currently have little research behind them on their effectiveness along with what effect they have on the soil ecosystem. Until an effective safe product can be found it is something that we are going to have to live with. Please be reassured that everything that can be done is been done by our staff.

We have a number of projects in the plan for the next few months. A full list can be seen here.  The main one is the upgrade to the 5th/14th bunkers.

The construction company (Dar Golf) is scheduled to start on Monday 11th November and weather permitting should take three weeks to complete. While this project is ongoing it will be necessary to close the 5th/14th holes resulting in 8- or 16-hole rounds.

We have trimmed the trees front right and left of the 7th/16th green.

The third major change in the plan is the reorganising of the airbay. Here we want to block the old exit, adjust the trolley exit to allow buggies through, place recycling bins and move the sandbag deposit. The plan is for the area to be not in view from the golf course with the use of a fence, the stones and replanting to give it a natural colourful look.

In early January we will be coring our greens as we have done over the last few years. This year the process will be slightly different. A new scarifying machine that injects sand into the green will mean we will do one coring pass rather than two. This should result in less disruption to the greens resulting in a quicker recovery.

Finally, as the course is wet and soft those using golf buggies please drive carefully avoiding sudden braking which causes damage to the turf.

Happy Golfing!

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We're going green

The Staff in Killiney Golf Club have initiated a “green policy”.

A Policy document for presentation to Council is currently underway. The goal of the project is to reduce energy consumption, eliminate wasteful practices and harvest resources currently available to the club with a view to making Killiney Golf Club as environmentally friendly as possible.

They have implemented a number of initiatives which we feel will contribute to an environmentally sustainable golf club. Our actions to date include:

• Use of biodegradable coffee cups and lids in the Bar and the Proshop.

• Replacing plastic Milk containers with biodegradable cartons.

• No more plastic straws.

• Re commissioning of Cardboard Bailer.

• Introduction of new waste bins to separate waste.

  We would ask that members be diligent on placing their waste in the correct bins.

• New wine coolers in the dining room eliminating the need for Ice.

• Installation of LED lighting in the clubhouse.

• Reduced fungicide & pesticide applications through better cultural practices on the course.

• Introduced Wildlife corridors on the sixth, eighth, and the practice ground.

• All new course drainage channels being direct to the pond on the 9th for use on the course.

The team are working on a number of other ideas including, Re-usable water Bottles, harvesting more rainfall, consideration given to the use of battery powered course machinery, and keeping abreast of Solar technology advances and benefits.

In addition to the above, Secretary Manager Niall Keyes and Course Superintendent Michael Browne would like the club to share our goal of attaining GEO certification.

The Club’s staff have fully embraced these new policies. If you feel there is something else that we could be doing, please contact the Secretary Manager.

Golf's Opportunity "To credibly and visibly engage in the modern sustainability movement. Fostering more nature; doing more to conserve resources; and creating more value for communities - strengthening golf's image and long term vitality."

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Special Olympics Gold Medal Winner

Andrew Simington and his Unified Partner Phyl Kelleher (Elm Park Golf Club) competed in a 9 Hole Alternate Shot Competition at the Yas Links Golf Club in Abu Dhabi and won gold medals for Ireland. We are all very proud of his achievement. Andrew is a member of Blackrock Flyers Special Olympics Club who play their golf in Elm Park Golf Club and he also plays in Killiney Golf Club with Carmona (Dunmore). The member volunteers in both Elm Park and Killiney give their time selflessly to help develop the skills of the Special Olympic golfers and they should be highly commended. Andrew has received a huge number of congratulatory messages from people in Dalkey since returning from the Games and we would like to thank all concerned on his behalf.

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Santa Claus is coming to town

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas: One of the highlights on the Calendar for the Children & Grandchildren of Killiney Members is our much awaited “Santa Sunday” - Santa, Mrs.Claus & the Elves come to visit all the boys and girls while they enjoy their Sunday Lunch.

The excitement in the Dining Room is quite unbelievable, especially when Santa’s Buggy is spotted coming over the hill - even our Captains can hardly contain themselves. Ronnie Kane & Michael Purcell in their Christmas Jumpers is a sight to behold! We would love to see more jumpers etc. this year!!

And while Dylan sits on Santa’s knee, our Captain’s stand guard at the Postbox to ensure the Elves collect every letter and Mrs.Claus keeps a close eye on them to check they are doing their job properly.

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Hugs and kisses in Killiney

 

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Caption Competition

Your Captions Please to Niall Keyes, secretary@killineygolfclub.ie or drop them into the Office

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Radisson sponsored Invitation Mixed Matchplay 2019

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