Testing Castleisland’s new golf course on Saturday were from left: Andrew Kelliher, Dick Spring, Arthur Spring, course designer and his sons, Arthur and Graham Spring with course manager Mick Coote and Dano Dennehy. ©Photograph: John Reidy 1-6-2002
Castleisland golfer, Pats O’Donoghue enjoying the opening day on the town’s new course on Saturday afternoon. ©Photograph: John Reidy 1-6-2002
Castleisland Golf Club Lady Captain, Babs Kelliher (left) presents her prize to Marian O’Connor at Castleisland Golf Club on Sunday evening. The competition was played on Sunday, July 4-2004 ©Photograph: John Reidy 11/07/2004
Local golfers out on the Castleisland course for opening day on Saturday afternoon, from left: Ciaran Fleming, Pats O’Donoghue and Donal Nelligan. ©Photograph: John Reidy 1-6-2002
Castleisland Golf Club President, Andrew Kelliher (centre) pictured with his President’s Prize winners, Marian McGillicuddy and Liam Walsh at the clubhouse on Sunday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy 31-8-2003
Out on the new golf course in Castleisland on Saturday afternoon were, from left: Seán and Diarmuid Brandon, Castleisland; Tony O’ Sullivan, Tarbert and Tim Brandon, Ardfert. ©Photograph: John Reidy 1-6-2002
At the official drive-in at Castleisland Golf Club on Sunday morning were, Presidents: Tomo Burke and Sheila Hannon (left) with newly elected captains: Danno Dennehy and Babs Kelliher. ©Photograph: John Reidy 18-1-2004
Landowner and main contractor, Richie Walsh pictured on site before work began on the new Castleisland golf course at Tulligubeen in March 2000. ©Photograph: John Reidy 29-3-2000
A historic occasion for Castleisland Golf Club on Sunday night as its first captain, Martin O’Donoghue (centre left) presents his prize to Eamon P. O’Connor. Included are: Paul Geaney (left) (4th) and Barry O’Neill (2nd). Back from left: Danno Dennehy, vice-captain; Eamon O’Connor, secretary; James O’Grady, best gross and Andrew Kelliher, club president. ©Photograph: John Reidy 29-6-2003
Castleisland Golf Club Captain, Dano Dennehy (centre) pictured after he had presented his captain’s prizes to the various category winners at the club house on Sunday night. front from left: Brendan Brosnan, 4th; DJ Cronin, 3rd; Michael Moriarty, overall winner and Michael Coote, Best Gross. Back from left: Gerard Sheehy, 5th; Frank Fleming, back nine; John Geaney, Cetegory B and John Murphy, Category C. The second prize winner was Kieran Mulchinock who was not available at the time the photograph was taken. ©Photograph: John Reidy 20/06/2004
Another historic first for Castleisland Golf Club as the Lady Captain’s Prize winners are photographed at the Tulligibeen club house on Sunday evening. Seated from left: Sheila Hannon, Lady President; Mary O’Neill (4th) Mary Whelan, Winner; Breda Geaney, Lady Captain; Betty McAuliffe (2nd) and Kathleen Dowling (Best first 9). Back from left: Mary Geaney, (Best Gross) Máire Geaney, (3rd) Marie O’Connor (F9) Liz O’Connor (5th) Anne Stuart (B9) Mary Shanahan (40 H’cap) and Anne Hanifin (6th). ©Photograph: John Reidy 6-7-2003
Castleisland Golf Course under construction in this view from Upper Tulligubeen on June 21-2001. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Castleisland Golf Club Captain, Dano Dennehy pictured after the presentation of his prizes at the clubhouse on Sunday night 20/6/04. The winners included, from left: Nancy Fleming, 1st; Moira Quinlan, 3rd; Joan Costello, 2nd and Máire Geaney, 4th. ©Photograph: John Reidy 20/06/2004
Local golfers out on the Castleisland course for opening day on Saturday afternoon, from left: Ciaran Fleming, Pats O’Donoghue and Donal Nelligan. ©Photograph: John Reidy 1-6-2002
There was a sense of Spring in the Air this morning at the now launched Castleisland Members’ Golf Club. Historic captains, Domhnall de Barra, Catherine Horan and junior club captain, David O’Donoghue conducted their drive-in with an air of new beginnings, fresh growth and yes, a spring in their step.
It has been a long, tough year at Tulligubeen and nobody at the club-house on Sunday morning was in any doubt about what a close shave it was.
Last April there was talk of the grass growing in the windows of the clubhouse and the immaculately kept greens going back to the wilderness of pre-2001 and of the body-blow of losing something that was so hard fought for and won at the time.
Club PRO Seán Turner will send the results of the day later. In the meantime take at look at a selection of photographs from this morning’s drive-in and an arbitrary collection of pictures of highlights from the past decade.
Castleisland Members’ Golf Club captain, Domhnall de Barra driving in as his female counterpart, Catherine Horan looks on with: David O’Donoghue, junior club captain and club President Maurice O’Connor on the club course on Sunday morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Club members from left: Dan Nelligan, Patsy Sweeney, Con O’Connor and incoming captain, Domhnall de Barra before the drive in to launch Castleisland Members’ Golf Club on Sunday morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Newly elected captains: Catherine Horan and Domhnall de Barra are flanked by club president, Maurice O’Connor (left) and junior club captain, David O’Donoghue and supported by a backing cast as they prepare to drive in to launch Castleisland Members’ Golf Club on Sunday morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Owenie Nolan is flanked by his twin brothers-in-law, James (left) and Tim O’Donoghue before Sunday morning’s historic, captains’ drive-in at Castleisland Members’ Golf Club. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Up and at it: Newly elected, Castleisland Members’ Golf Club captains, Domhnall de Barra and Catherine Horan flag the club’s fund-raising day before their drive-in on Sunday morning. The fund-raising day will be held at Ballybunion Golf Club on Friday, April 17th. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Junior club captain, David O’Donoghue lining up his drive in as captains: Domhnall de Barra (left) and Catherine Horan look on with club president, Maurice O’Connor at the launch of Castleisland members’ Golf Club on Sunday morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy
A historic day as newly elected captains: Catherine Horan and Domhnall de Barra prepare to drive in to launch Castleisland Members’ Golf Club on Sunday morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy