PRESIDENT’S REPORT.

I am delighted to have served as President of Charleville Golf Club for 2007. To say the least it has been a very interesting year.

The club has made steady progress over the years and this year 2007 is no exception

The building of the new 3rd green has been very welcome and we as members are looking forward to the day it will be officially open.

Overall we had a very good year and it was a pleasure to work with and be involved with the members & the staff .

The only downside was that our teams did not do as well as we would have liked in their respective competitions. The exception being the Junior golfers who retained the Inter club trophy defeating Adare Manor in a most exciting final.

Our Juniors also reached the Munster Schools final and I must say it was a pleasure to watch the exceptional standard of golf and sportsmanship displayed on the day.

Congratulations to the Junior Officer & his team.

I would like to congratulate the winners of the president’s prizes, Bill Hanley & Noreen O’Riordan. I must thank all the people who helped to make my day & night, a wonderful success and a treasure memory. It was brilliant

It was a great honour to serve the members of Charleville Golf Club as President

and I would like to wish the incoming President and the members every success in the year ahead.

In conclusion I must thank my wife, Brid and my family for their patience and support during the year.

Tom Clarson,

President.

LADY CAPTAIN’S REPORT.

The past year has been one of the most enjoyable since I joined Charleville Golf Club. The honour of being Lady Captain for the year has given me great enjoyment and added to my ambition of raising the profile of the ladies club.

It began with the winter league and with 19 teams taking part. It proved to be a huge success. Then we had the A.A Insurance league matches, which started in March, with a change in format to home and away basis. This year we also included the Miele fourball championship. All our players did us proud but did not reach the finals. For the first time, in the history of Charleville golf club, we were represented by a ladies senior cup team. On our first outing they were drawn against the hotly tipped Ennis ladies team, who went on to win the All Ireland final. I would like to thank all the team managers, caddies, players and supporters.

My Captains Day was held on the 17th June, it was a great success with over one hundred and fifteen ladies participating including new members and juniors. Luckily it was held on one of the few fine days this summer. I would like to thank everyone who gave me cards and gifts on the day. Margaret Deady was a very popular winner on the day with a net score of 66. Congratulations also to Ber Clarson who won golfer of the year. Thank you to David O’Sullivan for presenting this prize on an annual basis and for his support and help during the year.

Our open days were a great success and we are indebted to our sponsors on these occasions. In September we absconded to Faithlegg where we enjoyed great golf, this was a memorable event with so much fun and entertainment from our very own talented ladies.

I would like to thank the following people for their help and support during the year. I wish my vice captain Vivienne Lillingston the best for the coming year. Honorary treasurer Teresa Flynn, competition secretary Ema O’Shea and her team, honorary secretary Mary Madigan, honorary handicap secretary Frances Hawe, P.R.O Helen O’Mahony, my hard working committee and Brid Clarson for her flower arrangements. I would like to thank our President Tom Clarson and Captain Val Moloney, course manager Greg Collins and staff. Secretary manager Pat Nagle, Louise and Eileen, office staff, the Pro-Shop David Keating and Cathal Hawe.

I would also like to thank Breda, Martha and the bar and catering staff.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the members for their support during the year.

Special thanks to my husband & family for their help.

Alice South .

Lady Captain.

CAPTAIN’S REPORT.

‘Man proposes but God disposes’

It is hard to believe that it is a year since I assumed office as the Men’s Captain for 2007. I am sure that many of you, like I, feel that ‘time is flying’ and this year was no exception.

Pro-Am. There were many highlights to the year but I could not help but feel a great sense of pride and satisfaction at the outcome of the Pro Am, the first in the club since 1999. A special thanks to Cavanaghs for their generous sponsorship.

The Club. It was a great moment for the club when it was rated to be in the top 100 courses in Ireland – I am sure this was no big surprise to its members but it was great to see it confirmed by an independent survey. This will prove an important milestone for the course into the future.

The Captains prize. I suppose I have quoted the famous biblical phrase ‘Man proposes, but God disposes’ many times during this year because it seemed so appropriate. Well this year He must have had a mild kidney infection! I would say it is something of a record – perhaps a dubious one – that the course was closed on about six or seven consecutive Saturdays in July and August. The wags referred to me as the ‘raining captain’ but my own theory is that he was very unhappy with one, some, or all of the qualifiers!

The third green. I cannot let the opportunity go without mentioning another landmark for the year, the third green – the bane of many people’s lives for so long – was finally excavated and put out of its misery.

Appreciation. I would like to say a special word of thanks to both Cathal Hawe and Dave Keating for their tremendous support during the year. I wish Cathal every success in whatever career he pursues.

My thanks also to the following: My Vice Captain Jimmy Kavanagh. Our Secretary Ger Gould, Handicap Secretary, Brendan Griffin, Competition Secretary/Treasurer, John Kavanagh and your team, Jim Kearney & Jimmy Kavanagh, ably supported by Brendan Griffin.
Mens Committee; Mike Fitzgerald, John O’Brien, Barra O’Dwyer, Anthony Fitzgerald, John O’Keeffe and ex-Captain Bernard O’Shaughnessy. President Tom Clarson, The Lady Captain Alice, the staff of the Golf Club. To the bedrock of Charleville Golf Club David A O’Sullivan, a particular thank you.
Thanks also to the Course Superintendent, Greg Collins & Staff.
I would also like to thank the bar and catering staff for the great food and service, especially during the day of the Pro-Am when the pressure was really on!

I would like to remember our deceased members of 2007. May the Lord have mercy on them. Finally I want to thank all the members for giving me the opportunity to serve as Captain of Charleville Golf Club for 2007. I consider it to have been a great honour, which I will cherish for many years to come and I will continue to support the club in any way that I can into the future.

Val Moloney, Captain.

COURSE OFFICER’S REPORT 2007.

An extensive program of works for the year was drawn up by the Course Committee in consultation with the Course Superintendent. A detailed budget was drawn up, agreed with the finance committee and passed by the Committee of Management. A plan of work will be drawn up for the coming year and a budget will be drawn up for the plan. The budget will run from 1st of October 2007 to 30th September 2008.

In accordance with recommendations extensive sanding, vertidraining, aeration, slitting, top dressing, hollowcoring and judicious application of fertilizers and chemicals have ensured that the course was in good condition throughout the year.

The short game practice area was completed and drained and was in play for mid April. Bridges were rebuilt and Astroturf distance markers were placed in the fairways.

The third green caused the West 18 to be closed in wet weather. A detailed study was made of green drainage systems that were being used in other courses. A report was compiled stating that this drainage system was not suitable for Charleville Golf Course and recommending a new sand based green to replace the old third green. This green has been completed. A short-term temporary green is in play.

A machinery purchase plan was developed and implemented. All the course machinery was replaced with new machines and a structured payment plan, over five years, on terms favourable to the Club, was put in place.

A detailed plan was developed, in conjunction with the Development Committee and the course consultant agronomist, Eddie Connaughton. The plan suggests replacing the soil based greens with sand based greens. The plan also suggests changes in the layout of some holes. Following upon information meetings these plans will be considered by the members at an E.G.M.

Trees were removed near the 16th green to eliminate over shading and the area has been drained with one main drain and three lateral drains. Unsightly stumps were also removed. The wet area near the 10th tee has also been drained along with a wet area near the 15th green. The new short game practice area has been drained and the problem area on the fairway of the 6th hole [East nine] has also been drained with main drains and lateral drains. Gravel banding of these areas will be considered during the coming year if necessary.

Our Consultant agronomist, E. Connaughton, visited the course on a number of occasions during the year and supplied reports on his visits. He also supplied the plans for the new 3rd green and actively supervised the construction of the green at all phases.

I wish to express my appreciation to the members of the Course Committee, Tony Murphy, Pat O’Shea, Maria Reape, John Kavanagh & Greg Collins for their faithful attendance at all meetings and their interest and constructive approach to all course issues; to the Course Superintendent, Greg Collins and his staff for the excellent standard of presentation of the course during the year and their skilful development of new course works; to the Committee of Management for their positive support for all development projects; to Mr. Eddie Connaughton for his invaluable advice and his innovative ideas for the future development of Charleville Golf Course; to the Sec. Manager Pat Nagle for always having time for discussion and for his advice on many issues; to the club members for their suggestions, the respect they show to the course, replacing divots, fixing plug marks, and in general, adhering to club policy while playing and practicing on the course and on the putting green.

Michael Harrington,

Course Officer.

Development Report 2007

Last years report indicated the area’s that had been assessed for development. We had worked on 3 main levels - Administration, Clubhouse and Course coming out strongly in favour of course development.

At the beginning of this year the course committee set a strategy under a 9 point plan to evaluate the future development of Charleville Golf Course. It basically set out a course of actions to be undertaken to consider all aspects of course development and its long term benefits for the club.

It was agreed with the parent committee that a progress report would be furnished monthly in relation to the strategy and any aspect could be queried/discussed, this allowed for a full flow of information and was beneficial for all concerned.

The development committee has been working its way through the 9 point plan and this also entailed meeting our consultant and arranging for sketches and plans to be drawn up, discussing aspects for consideration with members, club manager, course superintendent and golf professional to name but a few. Many evening meeting were taken up in discussion over minute detail before moving on.

But move on we did and in early October we presented a plan to the Parent committee for their consideration and their approval to bring the present stage to the members for their information and input.

In November we had 3 member information evenings outlining the course plans and the rationale for same and we were delighted with the feedback. Indeed I would like to thank the great number of members who took the time to attend and give their views, it was very much appreciated by the development committee.

Members views and ideas are now being taken on board and this will enable us to finalise our plans from which we will bring the outcome for your consideration at an EGM in the very near future.

I would like to thank everyone for their input to date in respect of this development project but in particular to the development committee members, notably Tony Connolly, Michael Harrington, Val Moloney and Pat O’Shea.

Gay McEvoy.
Development Officer 2007

Premises & House Officers Report 2007.

Bar & Catering.

Bar sales decreased and gross margin increased by 1% to 53%.
Catering sales decreased by 1% and gross margin increased by 2% to 60%.
Trading profit from the Bar & Catering decreased by 5%.
31% of sales were to members using the EPOS card system, an increase of 7% over the same period last year. This amounted to discounts of €17,000 to members. The level of profitability in the future will determine whether the current level of discounts can be maintained.
Non members continue to make a significant contribution to our business accounting for 69% of turnover.

Maintenance & Development.

The clubhouse was broken into on the 11th July and seven golf prizes were stolen including the Captain’s prize to the men.
The front doors were damaged in the break in & were replaced with 2 new doors.
Two security systems have been installed, one on the premises and the second on the driving range/machinery shed.
An additional toilet has been constructed on the 8th tee/12th tee & two new toilets have been constructed in the driving range..
A new contract was negotiated with the contract cleaners which includes the cleaning of the toilets on the course and the driving range six days a week.
The men’s showers are operating satisfactorily following the appointment of a new heating contractor. New taps were fitted on the wash hand basins in the gent’s.
A new industrial microwave was purchased for the kitchen..
Extra smoke alarms were also fitted & the clubhouse was painted.
Additional space in the Annexe was made available to our Professional, Dave Keating
to provide indoor golf lessons. It is located at the back of the reception area and is equipped with the latest technology, custom fitting & practice facility.

Appreciation.

A big thank you to the house committee comprising of Maureen Murphy, Ger Gould,
John Kavanagh, Barra O’Dwyer, Sean Noonan and Coley Keating for their commitment on your behalf.
To, Breda Mulcahy and her entire bar & catering staff for their hard work & dedication, that can best be described as wonderful ambassadors for our great club.
To, Jim Kelly for his total commitment to the things that matter most.
To Brid Clarson for the consistent high standard of floral arrangements.
To David A O’ Sullivan & Pat Nagle for your ongoing help.

Brendan Griffin.
Premises & House Officer, November 2007.

JUNIOR GOLF REPORT 2007

Another active year in junior golf is drawing to a close. This season has seen major progress with eight juniors playing well off single figures and with many featuring in the winner’s enclosure throughout the year. Great credit is due to the committee of Ann McEvoy, Aine McMahon, Brendan Griffin and David Garvey. Once again many thanks to the parent committee, Pat Nagle, club secretary/manager and David Keating our professional for all their assistance in advancing junior golf.

Winter League.

Once again we entered two teams in the winter league. One team missed out on qualification by one point. Participation in this competition has been of great benefit in developing our juniors.

Munster Club Competitions.

We took part in the usual three competitions, the Fred Daly, Junior Foursomes and the Irish Youths. Once again we found Limerick an insurmountable obstacle while playing them on their own course. It is intended to start preparations for these competitions at an earlier stage this year.
The Junior girls participated in the Cidona Finals and reached the afternoon session.

Wednesday Competitions.

This year 14 competitions were organised throughout the year. An average of 60 players competed weekly, with 40 on the 18-hole course and 20 beginners on the 9 hole course. Our year culminated with our prize giving night after the Adult and Junior competition, which was won by Maurice O’Brien and Pat Nagle.

Inter Club Juvenile League.

This competition was expanded this year to seven teams; Newcastlewest, Mallow, Doneraile, Kanturk, Fermoy and Adare. As defending champions we set off to retain our trophy and played very well in the qualifying stages only losing away to Adare. The final saw us pitted against Adare but in the neutral venue of Mallow. A marvellous day of very competitive golf saw us retain the trophy. Many thanks to the organisers of the competition and the O’Keeffe family who sponsored the prizes. In all, approximately 20 players contributed to this success over the summer.

Junior Match Play.

This is the second year of this competition and once again is sponsored by David Keating. The final pairing is John O’Keeffe V Danny O’Flynn. The girls’ match play was won by Erin Reidy.

Girls Golf.

This year has seen steady progress amongst the girls with quite a few progressing to the 18 hole-course competitions.

Coaching.

In addition to the Young Masters Programme, our usual coaching sessions with David Keating and Cathal Hawe were held throughout the summer. The committee has seen a major improvement in the beginners due to completion of the young masters programme.

David Garvey
Junior Officer.

Charleville Golf Club Annual General Meeting

Alice South .