Templemore Golf Club Seniors Executives, Vice Captain 2023 Les Mason, 2018 President Phil Ryan 2016, Captain and current Hon Secretary Pat O’Connell, all enjoying the Seniors XMass Celebrations. (Photo by Seamus Bourke)
2022 Review / Highlights.
A Historical New Chapter for Templemore Golf Club.
On 21st July 2022 the Club signed a 21year lease with the OPW, Severing its connection with the Garda College over the past 50 years. This now means that the Club has its own “Autonomy” to a bright future ahead.
Golfer of the Year 2022.
Golfer of the year Ned Delany. This was a particularly proud presentation as Ned had participated in the Juvenile program run by the Golf Club during the school break in the summer over many years. A proud day for his family and no doubt a possible career of great enjoyment in this great game. It was also a special occasion for the 2023 Captain Declan Kennedy performing his fist presentation of his captaincy. The top three winners in Templemore Golf Club’s Golfer of the year 2022 were Ned Delany 29. John Stapleton 15, Jerry Keegan (Jnr) 14. The Competition was an accumulation of points over six competitions held in 2022.
Cancer Awareness “’Play in Pink’
Lady Captain Mary Hogan on behalf of the ladies committee, presented funds raised for Breast Cancer Ireland ‘Play in Pink’ week £1,255, a testament of the club generosity. A sincere thanks to all of you who supported this very worthy cause.
Club Classic Appreciation by Captain Jim Ryan.
A fantastic weekend of golf. Our 2022 Club Classic saw great weather and great golf. Templemore Golf Club recently signed a 21year lease with the OPW giving the Club its own Autonomy. This gives Templemore Golf Club great stability and a very positive future going forward. But it will also bring its own financial challenges, that’s why the Annual Club Classic is very important for our Club. 40 teams played over the weekend, the Senior Men played on Thursday and Senior Ladies played on Monday. I’d like to thank the team sponsors, members and visitors that played in the Club Classic. Also a huge appreciation to local commercial sponsors and to the overwhelm support from Golf Clubs all over the country. A lot of work goes into the running of the Classic, organising prizes, catering, registering’s players and tallying the results, checking the lotto, getting the course ready. Thanks to the Club Committee especially the Competition and Course management teams. We look forward to your continued support. All very much appreciated by the Club. Captain Jim Ryan.
Men’s Seniors Club Classic.
13th. Oct. On a fantastic Autumnal day for golf where the only issue was leaves and the Sun ( a nice complaint) 8 teams strolled around and the conditions gave us some great shooting so on count back in 1st. place with 57 points Bertie Keane, Ollie Murray, Mick Murphy and Paddy Nolan, in 2nd. also with 57 points, Jim Gleeson, Seanie Gleeson, Colm Dooley and Christie O’Rourke. In 3rd place with 53 points, Bernie O’Rourke, John Mullally, John Galvin and Willie Haverty again a special thanks to Rody Cawley for looking after our catering.
Seamus Cody Perpetual Trophy.
Presented to the club by Andrew Cody, son of Seamus in 2019 on behalf of the Cody family as a recognition of the commitment and legacy from Seamus to the club. Seamus was Captain in 1977 and President in 2005. His dedication to the club is unquestionable in the landscaping and development of the course which is the foundation of the current course layout. Winner. Seamus Bourke, Runner up, Declan Russell.
Ladies Seniors.
19th. September. Eighteen Senior ladies played in the Club Classic on a beautiful, pleasant morning Winners were Kathleen Cahill, Josephine Lyons and Gertie Kelly. 2nd. place, Breda Murphy, and Frances Stapleton. Well done to everyone. A lovely lunch was enjoyed by everyone after the golf. Special thanks to Pat O Connell and Les Mason for looking after everyone so well. Senior ladies play every Monday at 11oc. New members always welcome. A special thanks to Mary O’Connor for her diligent work in promoting the seniors. Contact Mary on 086 8813898.
Golf Classic, Borrisoleigh Primary School Fundraiser.
1st. Team, Aidan Cowan, Eamon McGrath, Kevin Walsh. 2nd. Team, Pat Sheehy, Frank Russell, Sean Lee. 3rd. Billy Hayes. Gerry Hayes. Mark Moroney. 4th. Team. Liam O Gara, Matthew O Gara, Robert Foley. 5th. Team. Martin Mullally, Martin Bohan, John Fitzpatrick. 6th. Team. Martin Gleeson, Pat Gleeson, J. Ryan. 7th. Team. Sean Gleeson, Biddy Gleeson, Michael Webster. Women’s prizes. 1st. Tram, Marian Keely, Síle Keely, Kate Brickley. 2nd.Team. Mary Ryan, Margie Costigan, Mary Gilmartin. Nearest the Pin: Patrick Gleeson. Men’s long drive: Daniel Kennedy Dundrum. Women’s long drive: Helen Hayes.
Juvenile School of Excellence.
Commenced on Tuesday 12th July followed by Ladies lessons at 11 am. The attendance by all continues, an indication the interest there is in taking up Golf as a recreation hobby. The school is an embryonic for star players i.e. former student Ned Delaney winning the Vice Captains with a magnificent score of 77 and 64 net. Contact Club Secretary Pat O’Connell, 087 9205821. “GOLF IS FOR EVERYONE”
Presidents Prize Winners,
3rd. and 4th. September. Winners. 1st. 45pts. Denis Maher. 2nd. 42 pt. Frank Russell. 3rd. 40pts. Paddy Bourke. Best Gross, Declan Kennedy. Past President. Liam Daly. Cat.1 (1-18) John Maloughney. Cat. 2 (>18) Les Mason. 8th. 40pts. Brian Kennedy. 9th. 39pts. Johnathan Coleman.
Vice Captains Prize Winners.
13th. & 14th. August. On a scorching (+30) weekend for golf, there was a great turn-out for Declan Kennedy’s Vice Captains prize. In 1st. place with a net 64 was Ned Delaney. 2nd, on countback, with 65 net was Bertie Keane. 3rd. Donal Golden also with 65 . 4th. Ted Kennedy also with 65 net. 5th. with 66 net was Oliver Murray. 6th. place again on countback Michael Fogarty with Net 68. The Best Front Nine with 38 shots was Pat Dunne. The Best Back Nine, On Count Back, with 38 shots Declan Russell. Well done to all for making this a great Golf Weekend.
Captains Prize.
Jim Ryan’s Captain’s Prize Friday 22nd. to Sunday 24th. July. Congratulations to the winner Jerry Keegan Jnr. A delightful weekend of Golf. The course was in excellent condition. Jim thanked all who made contribution on the preparation of the course also to all members who took part in the competition and to the ladies for their commitment in the supply of the food and beverages. A very successful weekend of Golf.
Bereavement. R.I.P.
Joe O’ Connor. A longtime member and competitor of Templemore Golf Club. He will be sadly missed by all for his constant tuition on the ball play and also for his dedication to the club as a very competitive player. Condolences to his loving wife Ellen, and family “Joe left us as he lived, “Every ones Friend” May he rest in peace.
Mary Long. Lady Captain 1975, Honorary Secretary and long standing dedicated committed member. May she rest in peace.
Jimmy Bruen
19th. June. Congratulations to Declan Russel on a great performance of Golf by his team Versus Clonmel. It was a great day for golf and marvelous to see young new team players coming to the fore which will continue secure future competitions. Declan congratulated Clonmel on their win 3.5 v 1.5 and wished them every success in the competition. Templemore team; John McGrath, Philly Ryan, Shane Russell, Mark Stakelum, Declan Kennedy, Ned Delaney, Ciaran Hassett, Johnathan Coleman, Martin Gleeson, Timothy Tuohy, Reserves Keith Morris and Ned Walsh.
Pierce Purcell Shield V Cahir.
18th. May. Our Pierce Purcell team was defeated by Cahir this evening in Cahir. Tommy Foley Captain expressed a great thanks to the players and panel for their efforts. Thanks to John Galvin for his assistance, and to our supporters who travelled with us. Tommy also congratulated the Cahir Team in their success and wished then all the success in the tournament. Templemore Team. Denis Maher, Padraig Moloney, Tom McGrath, Michael Delaney, Declan Russell, Jerome Ryan, Andy Purcell, Mick Keely, Michael Purcell, Paul Touhy. The subs were Denis Touhy, John Hassett, Ambrose Purcell and Cathal Leahy.
J B Carr Tournament Victory for Templemore V Nenagh.
Congratulations again to John Stapleton (The Saint) and his team in a progressive victory over Nenagh in Nenagh with a 3/2 win. On Friday 20th. May. The next round will be versus Nenagh in Templemore on Monday 30th. May. This return leg is for the County Championship title having previous victory over Dundrum and Clonmel.
LMC. (Leinster, Connaught Munster Seniors Golf).
Congratulations to Sean Cashman, Frankie Shortt, Mick Carey, John Moloughney on winning their category at the LMC outing in Portarlington.
Fred Perry Trophy Victory for Templemore.
Congratulations to Leam Leahy and his team in a decisive victory over Clonmel in Clonmel with a 4/1 win. On Thursday 4th. May. The next round will be versus Thurles at home in Templemore. The Team; Dinny Maher, Padraigh Moloney, Ger Clifford, Declan Russell, Tom McGrath, Ambrose Purcell, Seamus Bourke, Joe Fahy, Dinny Touhy, Bertie Keane.
Doonbeg Social Competition.
There is great appreciation to Tommy Foley and his team in organising this Social Golf Day for the members of Templemore Golf Club in Doonbeg. Tommy expressed thanks to Tom and Kevin Kenny for their help. Special thanks also to John Stapelton for his assistance. The results were. 4th. Matty Stapleton, 3rd. Bertie Keane, 2nd. Paudie Butler, and in first place, Ger Clifford. Presentation of prizes at the club house in Templemore.
Fred Daly U18 Trophy 2022..
Congratulations to the Templemore Fred Daly U18 Team. Daniel Joyce, Ned Delaney, Eoin Kelly, Ned Walsh and Tom Duggan. They put up a proud performance for the club and deserve congratulations. It was a very close contest with Dundrum snatching the victory in a 3-2 win. A special appreciation also from the club to the Team Manager Pat O’Connell. A special word of thanks to Sinead and Arthur Kelly and Michael Delaney for their support and encouragement. Complements to Dundrum in their victory and we wish their team all the success in the tournament.
Spring League.
A very successful spring League which concluded Sunday 24th. April. The winners were; League One. Winners Team 13 with 340 Points. Tom McGrath, Sean Lee, Bernie O’Rourke, David Coleman. Runners-Up Team 19 with 335 Points. Padraig Moloney, Pat Dunne, Pat O’Connell, Martin Bohan. League Two. Winners Team 03 with 324 Points, Declan Kennedy, John Hassett, Pat Looby, Peter Slattery, Runners-Up Team 05 with 322 Points. Cathal Leahy, Ambrose Purcell, Dessie Hennessy, Les Mason
J.B. Carr Tournament 2022. Templemore Victory over Dundrum.
The J.B. Carr Diamond Trophy was inaugurated by Woodenbridge Golf Club in 1996. This popular event has effectively become the Senior Club Championship of Ireland (Over 60’s) with some 200 or so clubs from every corner of Ireland participating. The semi-finals and finals are held each year in Woodenbridge Golf Club, usually over the second weekend of September. Congratulations to Templemore Team on their 1st. round victory over Dundrum in Templemore today 13th. April. Team Manager, John Stapleton. Assistant Manager, Jerry Keegan. Team; Dinny Tuohy, Joe O’Connor. Bertie Keane, Bernie O’Rourke. Tom McGrath, Ambrose Purcell. Dinny Maher, Jerry Keegan. Michael Webster, Frank Russell.
Green Keeper Jack Alexandra Retirement.
Captain Jim Ryan made a presentation of the course portrait by Rody Cawley to Green Keeper Jack Alexandra and thanked his on behalf of all the member for his due diligence on the upkeep of the course. Lady Captain Mary Hogan also made a presentation to Jack Alexandra. Templemore Senior Golfers also made a presentation to Jack Alexander. Everyone wished him well on his retirement and look forward to seeing him on the course again “playing the great game of Golf”.
Captains Drive-in.
On a glorious and perfect day and the course in excellent condition on Sunday 6th. March the Golf Season in Templemore became active. 2021 Captain Dinny Maher presented the traditional Golf Ball to incoming Captain Jim Ryan. The attendance was in abundance as all were delighted to get back into their golf after long inclement weather delays resulting in course closures. Captain Jim thanked all those who attended, also best wishes to the incoming President Michael Purcell, Lady Captain Mary Hogan and Lady President Mary Butler. Captain Jim made a presentation in appreciation to Greenkeeper Jack Alaxendra for his dedicated work on the greens and the Golf course in general. Lady Captain Mary also made a presentation on behalf of the Ladies to Jack, both wishing him well in his retirement and looking forward to seeing him playing the great game of golf . Fr. Domonic gave all his blessing and wishes to a happy year of Golf. The Ladies organised a hospitality reception in the Club House Lounge which was greatly appreciated by all as this was the first in two years due to Covid-19.
Templemore Golf Club Succeed in achieving a Sports Capital Grant of €31,338.
Congratulation to all the application team in making this application successful. It was a long period of numerous protocols and applications. The news came on Friday 11th. Feb. It confirms the ability of the team involved to bring such an application to a successful conclusion. There was great delight from all the members as it endorsed the confidence in the club towards developments to achieve the highest standard as one of the best 9hole Golf Club in the country. The grant will be ringfenced for essential drainage. The Sports Capital Programme aim is to foster an integrated and planned approach to developing sports and physical recreation facilities throughout the country. It is the primary vehicle for government support for these developments.
‘Golf for Everyone’ – Strategy 2022 – 2026
Golf Ireland has launched a new five-year Strategic Plan that will help guide the game from 2022 to 2026. Titled ‘Golf for Everyone’, this is the first Strategy of its kind from Golf Ireland, that comes after a lengthy consultation process. “Golf is a game for everyone – for enjoyment, for health, for life”, is the Vision of the Strategic Plan, with five focus areas set out throughout the Strategy for men, women, boys and girls to compete together in National Championships.