WELCOME BACK
There was great joy and excitement around the Club last week as the golf course re-opened in accordance with the Governments Phased easing of restrictions. In glorious spring sunshine happy members returned to the fairways and we were delighted to welcome everyone back.
While the golf course had been closed during the lockdown, it was continually cared for and maintained by Rob and his team and all their hard work was evident by it’s magnificent condition and the positive feedback received.
An updated Return to Golf Protocol for golf clubs and golfers has been prepared by Golf Ireland following the announcement of further easing of restrictions by Government Departments and state agencies. Both documents relating to periods 26th April to 9th May, and from 10th May onwards are available for viewing on the Golf Ireland website www.golfireland.ie. Please familiarize yourself with the relevant protocols.
Currently the following protocol applies:
From Monday 26th April to May 9th, golf club are open to members only. No organised social gatherings, of any size, are permitted at golf facilities. All golf activities should be organised based on “arrival-play-depart without delay”.; Golfers must only travel from within their county or within 20km of their home to play golf.
Groups playing on golf courses during the initial phase must be confined to a maximum of two households however from 10th May timesheets can be set up for two-balls, three-balls or four-balls at the club’s discretion. Also from 10th May Golf Clubs can open for members and visitors and inter-county travel restrictions will cease to apply. In accordance with the Government announcements formal, organised competitions and Inter-Club matches are not to take place any earlier than 7th June 2021.
Note: It’s essential that tee times must be booked in advance online or over the telephone.
Players’ names/guests must be recorded on timesheets and timesheets must be kept for a period of at least six weeks to assist with contact tracing should the need arise.
There is a major responsibility on golf clubs and golfers to ensure that our sport is conducted in a safe and responsible manner. Full adherence to the provisions of the Protocols will be absolutely essential. Club officials and members are urged to familiarise themselves with the up to date Protocol so that we can all play our part keeping our members and communities safe.
WORLD HANDICAPPING SYSTEM AND GOLF IRELAND APP at www.golfireland.ie
The World Handicap System was launched in November 2020. Please go to the Golf Ireland website and find your handicap index. The WHS is an averaging system based using the best 8 of the last 20 scores on your record. To access your handicap information, you must register and create a new account at www.golfireland.ie using your eight-digit CDH number and 4-digit PIN, both of which are printed on the rear of your GUI/ILGU Member Card. You can also now download the new Golf Ireland App which will also enable you to view your own handicap index and playing record. We would urge all members to register now and familiarise themselves with the WHS system.
HOW TO USE YOUR NEW WHS HANDICAP INDEX
Course & Slope Rating tables are located at the Club but are also available on the Golf Ireland App. You simply have to choose the tees you are playing off that day and cross reference your Handicap Index on the Course & Slope Rating table to ascertain your Course Handicap. Different tees on the same course could have varying slope ratings. Your Course Handicap determines the number of strokes you give or receive off the tee set you intend to play from red, yellow, white or blue.
Then, depending on the format you are playing (singles, fourball etc.) you will apply a handicap allowance to your course handicap which will present you with your playing handicap.
For example: The recommended handicap allowance for individual stroke play events is 95% which means a player could have a handicap index of 18.2, course handicap of 20 but a playing handicap of 19.
More information on the World Handicap System can be found at www.golfnet.ie/whs
HOW DID I DO APP
When competitions return, the facility now exists for members to sign in and input their scores at the Club for competitions through their phone on Howdidido mobile App. Members are encouraged to register for this service on the HowdidiIdo website.
JIMMY BRUEN 2021
Anyone interested in playing this year please contact Ger Bagge. Min handicap 3.5 Max 12.0
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
Annual Subscriptions are now due for the membership season April 2021 to March 2022. Thank you to all members who have already paid. An information email has been forwarded to members advising of the rates with preferred payment methods etc. Golf Insurance is also available at a cost of €30. If you were not in receipt of an email or your email address has changed please let the office know so we can update the database.
Here at the Gold Coast Golf Club we also have fantastic Introductory rates for new members. We’d like to give a very warm welcome to all our new members who recently joined.
New Gents member only €450 inclusive of Golf Ireland affiliation fee.
New Gents Senior (65+) only €350 inclusive of Golf Ireland affiliation fee.
New Lady member only €350 inclusive of Golf Ireland affiliation fee.
New Lady Senior (65+) only €300 inclusive of Golf Ireland affiliation fee.
For an application form or further information on our fees, please contact our Director of Golf Irene on golf@goldcoastgolfresort.com or 058 44055
SOCIETIES AND GREEN FEES WELCOME
Gold Coast Golf Club warmly welcome Societies and Green fees in accordance with Covid guidelines and we look forward to greeting you and your guests and friends in 2021. Bookings are being taken and our society rates are very competitive. Contact Irene Lynch our Director of Golf on 05844055 or golf@goldcoastgolfresort.com for favourable rates and to discuss your booking requirements.
LADIES NOTES
It was great to see so many members taking to the fairways last Monday in glorious sunshine, what a welcome back!! Everyone was delighted just to be out swinging a club and taking in the beautiful scenery around Dungarvan Bay, absolutely stunning!! Our Captain John was very busy on Monday taking some fabulous shots of the course which are posted on the Gold Coast WhatsApp group, a superb introduction for any potential new members. Well done John you showcased the course to its best!!! Rob and his team have been working tirelessly during the lockdown to keep the course in pristine condition for our return which was very evident on Monday, well done to all.
CONDOLENCES
Lady Captain Anne and members which to convey their heartfelt condolences to Mary Fenton, her daughters Mary and Neasa and the extended Fenton family on the recent sad passing of Austin. May he Rest In Peace.
COVID 19
The guidelines for this week are members only with 2 households permitted per booking for social golf; but we don’t have to wait long before we have a relaxation of the rules and kilometre distances so more of our members can return. Meanwhile timesheets are now live and all regulations have to be adhered to when entering, so ladies enjoy and get the swing in motion!! The weather has even improved for our comeback, so get out there and add a bit of colour to the fairways, God knows we need it!!
Members please keep yourselves aware of the changing guidelines in relation to golf from the government and Golf Ireland, information regarding any changes can be viewed on Golfireland.ie.
NEW MEMBER DEALS
Ladies, if you had ever thought of taking up golf, now is the time to do it, our Lady Captain Anne and any committee member would be delighted to take out potential members and showcase our beautiful course and unrivalled scenery!! There are great deals on offer for new members. Please contact our Director of Golf Irene or Brian the kiosk on 058 44055 for more information. The management and staff have implemented all the safety procedures to protect both staff and members who wish to play golf at the Gold Coast GC. Please keep yourself informed of new notifications within the club!