Lighting upgrades in Club
The installation of new lighting fittings is ongoing. The work in the downstairs hall, the Pro Shop and office areas is completed. Work on the external building and car park will commence next week and the work on the bar and kitchen area will follow shortly afterwards.
Update on course works
The shockwave machine has been used extensively since the start of August and 6 fairways have been sanded as part of an agreed annual sanding programme. Tree maintenance has also been undertaken on the 1st and 18th holes.
Clonmel Golf Club was allocated €149,176 under the 2020 Sports Capital Grants Scheme and some work has now commenced on this essential drainage work – holes 9 and 11 have been started but are not fully completed. These works were supposed to start in late July/early August but due to the very unfavourable weather they did not commence until September. The contractor has now undertaken whatever drainage work that is possible at this time and it is planned that he will return and complete all works in Spring 2024 (subject to weather and suitable ground conditions).
2023 Sports Capital Grants Scheme
An application for funding under the 2023 Sports Capital Grants Scheme has been prepared and submitted to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media on 8th September last. Proposals had of necessity to be in conformity with the strict application guidelines and eligibility criteria. The amount of funding being sought is in the region of €200,000.
Details of the project proposals included in the application are as follows:
- Completion of essential course drainage programme
- Surfacing steepest connecting walkways between greens/tees
- Replacing of old course maintenance machinery
- Biodiversity protection and environmental enhancement
I would very much like to acknowledge the significant input and work of the Working Group which consisted of Tom Byrne (Chair), John Bolger, Michael O’Neill, Seán Crosse, Patsy O’Keeffe and Fergal Condon. A special word of thanks for the professional assistance of our Secretary-Manager, Áine, in preparing and submitting this application. It is expected that the successful funding applications will be announced in May/June 2024.
TGI Partnership Cup
3 Clonmel Golf Professionals (former and present) represented Ireland in the recent TGI Partnership Cup which was played in Fairmont St Andrews, Scotland recently. They were David Ryan, David Barry and Dylan Burke. The Irish team were just pipped by Scotland for overall victory so well done to all concerned.
Congratulations also to Dylan for finishing in the top 40 in the 2023 Irish PGA Order of Merit.
Shay Bannon
President