Noticeboard

Beaverstown Golf Club 05/06/2020

Return to golf … what is happening? The first 3 weeks of the phased return is almost over. A special thanks for all the members within 5k who have warmed up the course for all the 20k members who are chomping at the bit in anticipation of a return to golf on Monday 8th June. The course staff are all in situ, the pro shop is open with social distancing procedures in place and the office will be open 3 days a week during the next 3 weeks. The restaurant cannot open until the end of June but a limited take-away service is on offer on the 10th tee. The time sheet is set up to deliver maximum social distancing and the club will begin to welcome back society guests from 8th June. There is ongoing advice on competitions from GUI / ILGU. In the initial phase all golf was casual but internal competitions have been approved from 8th June. Work is ongoing on how to enter competitions, manage the return of cards and arrange for the provision of competition results. Work is also being done on a revised schedule of events for the remainder of the year. And it looks like there will be no inter-club matches for the foreseeable future. Whats happening on the course? Pitchmarks Hard to believe it but pitch marks not repaired continues to be an issue on the course. In these few weeks it is not possible to blame either societies or visitors!! So please, please give more attention to repairing divots and pitch marks and lets keep the course in the condition that we would like to find it. Growth. With the spell of dry warm weather the growth has reduced a little but cutting is still in full swing. Course staff cut everything twice a week, once for Wednesday and again for the weekend. Weeds. Course staff have sprayed around all trees, paths, ponds etc which is great as it normally takes till June to finish this job. Weeds on fairways, tees and aprons haven’t been sprayed yet because of the dry weather. Bellis perennis, commonly knowing as the daisy, is the main weed in these areas and it needs a strong herbicide to control so there must be strong grass growth to spray. Once the rain comes, this will be done. Greens. Greens have come on well since the verti-draining and looking good. They are seeding strongly now and are verti-cut twice a week and ironed twice a week to keep them fast and true. Irrigation. With the dry spell there is plenty of watering to be done. Greens are fine with all the sprinklers working and hand watering the hills. Tees are not so good as over 60 sprinklers need to be replaced so there is a lot of hand watering to be done there which takes up a lot of time. Some aprons are drying up badly e.g. 4th, 5th and 6th and the drains on 5th fairway and 9th fairway. Bunkers. Bunkers in general have enough sand in them. The problem is that, over the winter, the sand has formed a crust and has gone hard. Bunker sand is ordered for this month. In general In generally the course is looking well and things are going good. Special thanks to all the volunteers who are doing great work. Pat Healy. Who is minding the course? Every evening a group of local members is keeping an eye on the course and checking compliance with social distancing protocols. During the day the men’s committee has agreed to provide course marshals to ensure that a good pace of golf is maintained and that groups continue to stay apart and comply with social distancing norms. So please don”t be offended if you are asked to produce membership tags ….. its all part of keeping the course and club in good shape. There does appear to be a small number of teenage groups congregating in the areas immediately outside our boundaries who may not be practicing social distancing norms but they are not interfering with with the Club or the course and they probably just want to be left alone! Club finances A key priority for the MC during the current crisis is to minimise the impact on the Club income. Members will know that the Club income is made up of three main parts: subscriptions (68%), societies and green fees (13%), and competitions (13%). That is why the MC recently circulated a number of members with their subscription profile details, restarted society patronage from 08 June and is working with both golf committees to get competitions up and running as soon as possible. Members co-operation with these efforts is much appreciated by the MC …… many thanks. Boundary Fencing Contact has been made with Hora Construction Developments and they have stated that they will be erecting a boundary fence as agreed in the near future. They have also agreed to water the construction roads on their site to minimise mini dust storms that blow across the course in these very dry days. Communications and Social Media The club recognises the importance of being open and transparent and providing members with the maximum amount of information possible. The main source of information is the Club web site. The most recent additions include the interview between Captain Declan and Shane O’Donopghue and the latest drone overhead video of the course and its environs. The Club Facebook page is also a great source of communications where David Dolan’s 18 holes of video and Mark Buckley’s countdown to opening videos proved very popular. The Facebook page also has many many photos of the course and events in the Club. You don’t need an account or be a Facebook user ….. just google Beaverstown Facebook and you can easily see what it is all about. For more mundane information the club uses email messages (free) in preference to text messages (small cost) and 33 group emails were sent to members already earlier in the year. And, of course, there is the newsletter which is issued every 4 to 6 weeks. So a big thank you to all the members who have contributed in so many ways to keep everyone up to date with happenings in the Club. Fingal Coastal Way Work is continuing on the Fingal Coastal Way, a 32km recreational walking and cycling route connecting Donabate, Rush, Skerries and Balbriggan. The greenway will link with the proposed Broadmeadow Way which connects Malahide to Donabate. Fingal CC has recently issued tender documents for the design of the construction stage of the project. The greenway will be a flagship tourist amenity for Fingal and will form part of the developing network that will also link with the S2S Project which links Sutton to Sandycove. Just recently planning approval was given for the Malahide Estuary Bridge element of the overall project. Members who have ever travelled by train from Malahide to Donabate will have crossed this bridge and it is proposed to add a cycleway and walkway to the bridge to join both villages. All this is important for our Club because our course boundary lies on the Rogerstown Estuary which forms a natural element of the proposed greenway. The MC has met with Fingal CC earlier this year for a general chat and an overview of their plans and the MC is keeping the latest developments under review. Breaking news … During the week the ILGU / GUI have added a number of clarifications to their protocols for golf with effect from 8th June ….. * A temporary new local rule until further notice. BUNKERS – preferred lie….. 6 inches placing, not nearer the hole. * The use of scorecards is permitted. The player gets a verbal verification from their marker when entering a score. Markers do not sign the card, the player prints the marker’s name on their own card. * Players are encouraged to use provisional balls if necessary, rather than returning to the tee and losing their position on the course. * Playing in lines of 4 is now approved All details can be found on Golfnet under Guide for Committees. See also notices in the clubhouse or just check with the club Pro, Gavin. Odds and Ends No new developments on Club mortgage refinancing since last Newsletter New stone and bedding plants on the first tee box are really nice A new Calendar 2021 is being produced. Sponsored by Mick Morris it is an ideal new year gift and will be available towards the end of the year. Funds raised will go to Children’s Hospital Crumlin Mark Buckley, David Dolan, Bernard Pander and Sean Browne have joined Padraic Fallon on the marketing sub-committee Like to paint some sleepers? …. let Padraic Fallon know you are interested ….. bring your own paintbrush … he might even supply the paint ….. Still some car stickers available …. contact PF New photos on web site

Click here to view

Video by Gavin to demonstrate the way to retrieve your ball from the hole without touching the flag, with thanks to Paddy Chambers for the equipment supply.

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Corona Virus

The MC had planned a nice general update for members on Club issues in a Newsletter. Then corona virus happened and everything changed.  So the first thing today is to keep things in perspective and approach everything from a health, and not a golf, viewpoint. There will be plenty of time for golf later on in the year.

Our first thoughts go to any members who may be feeling unwell or have anybody close to them in that situation. We are also thinking of our many members who are on the front line response to this pandemic. We have members who are nurses, health care assistants, ambulance drivers and firemen and others who will find themselves facing dangerous situations and who are looking after the whole population. Please take care of yourselves and thank you on all our behalf.

Temporary closure of the clubhouse and golf course

At a recent meeting the MC took the decision to close the course and the clubhouse. In coming to that decision the MC relied on the recommendation of the GUI and ILGU:

*** the GUI and ILGU recommend that all golf clubs, practice facilities and courses across the island close with immediate effect until April 19th 2020. The message is clear. People must stay at home to help to contain the spread of COVID-19***

The MC is continuing to meet on a weekly basis to manage the effects of this temporary closure. (MC members have been introduced to the delights of ZOOM and meetings occur without the necessity of physical attendance in one place). The situation continues to change on a daily basis and the MC will continue to manage this new situation and keep the members informed by email as appropriate.

The impact of the club closure

Clearly the new situation will impact on the Club finances. As a general rule income during the months of November and December is relatively low, then members will remember that January and February were very wet with a number of days when the course was closed for play. And then in March corona virus arrived.

So at this stage of the year the club is well behind its financial targets. As a result of this the MC has taken a number of decisions as follows:

• all proposed capital spending has been put on hold
• a number of staff have been temporarily laid off and are being supported by government schemes
• one course staff member has taken voluntary leave
• the remaining course staff members are working strictly to approved health related distancing procedures
• the clubhouse has been placed in temporary “lock down” mode with utilities turned off and perishable goods removed

The MC is examining whether or not it is eligible for further government support schemes and will apply for such support if and when appropriate.

Important updates

There are two big issues that remain in the background for the Club.

It is clearly not possible to reconvene the 2019 AGM and conclude its business in the current circumstances but the MC is ready to do this as soon as large group meetings are permitted.

On the club main loan situation (see more below) the discussions with LINK have progressed as has discussions with financial institutions (not AIB) with a view to obtaining support for the Club. However these two strands have yet to be joined up into a comprehensive package for agreement. Work in this regard is continuing and the MC remains positive about a satisfactory outcome in the not too distant future.

What can I do to help?

Everybody is anxious to help but clearly, for the moment, care of oneself and ones family is of paramount importance as is complying with social distancing and staying at home except for necessary trips outside.

Stay in touch …..watch the website for updates …… open Facebook …..

The office in the Club is now closed until further notice. If a members needs to contact the Club for any reason they should use the email of secretary.beaverstowngc@gmail.com If necessary, our Club Pro Gavin can still be contacted through his usual contact numbers.

From the perspective of the Club, notwithstanding the financial pressures on everyone, maintaining income is really important. Society, green fee and competition income has ground to a halt. This income will not be recoverable even when the situation improves. Competitions cannot be rerun, societies will have other scheduled dates in other clubs later in the year and lost green fees are just lost.

This means that subscription income is critical to maintaining a cash flow necessary for the club to function even in shut down mode. Members who have been put into difficult financial positions that impact on their ability to pay their subs are asked to make contact with the club to discuss the situation. The subscription from other members therefore assumes even greater importance.

Once the situation eases members are asked to support our Club Pro Gavin Byrne and our Club caterer John Wynne as much as possible.

Welcome to Captain and Lady Captain

The members are delighted to welcome Captain Declan McCarthy and Lady Captain Rosemary Buckley and to wish them both a happy and successful golfing year for 2020. Both Declan and Rosemary have been members for many years and they bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to their new roles. They are supported by very strong committees and the Club can look forward to a well organised and interesting golfing year ahead.

You really had to be there ….

Unfortunately the Captain and Lady Captain were unable to attend the traditional drive-in on 1st January and their place was taken by a couple of well known imposters who had mysteriously found their way to Beaverstown. In keeping with its great tradition the members gave the imposters, who appeared to have lost their way and didn’t say very much, a warm and enthusiastic welcome.

A number of the older Club members recognised the visitors as back from the future and they were immediately offered a new Introductory Members package.

Welcome aboard Laurel and Hardy ……..hope to see you again during the year!

Beaverstown installs a new Swing Room

The Club recently added a new swing room to help members improve their golf skills. Members can book a tee time through the Pro shop and rates have been kept deliberately low to encourage all members to have a go.

The facility is managed by Club Pro Gavin. Lessons can be booked and the facility facilitates members who wish to have driving lessons from our Club Pro Gavin.

Let’s watch handicaps tumbling in the coming months!

Committee Members in 2020

The Club welcomes Jim Hender as the new Club secretary and he joins Evan Buckley (Chair), Padraic Fallon (Business Development), Aidan Smith (Facilities) and Liam Kelly (Financial Officer) on the management committee.

In the mens section the captain is Declan McCarthy and Tony O’Hare is the incoming Vice-Captain. Dave Kavanagh is the new hon secretary , Ken Breen is in charge of handicaps and John Quinn has responsibility for competitions. Aidan O’Kennedy, Kieran Argue and Sean Browne are committee members and last year’s Captain Pat Ward completes the team in the role as ex-officio.

In the Ladies section Rosemary Buckley is the Ladies Captain with Joan Halpin as incoming Ladies Vice-Captain. Siobhan Prout Dunleavy is the ladies secretary, Sheila Dowling is handicap secretary with Niamh Duggan in charge of competitions. Adrienne Gallagher is a committee member and last year’s Lady Captain, Alice O’Connor, completes the team in the role of ex-officio.

The Club Trustees going into 2020 are John Walshe, Paul Martin, Padraic Melvin and Tom Kirrane.

Some information from the Club AGM

A large and healthy attendance was present for the Club AGM in early December. Some of the key points from the chairpersons presentation included:

A presentation of the financial picture of the Club indicated that the progress of 2018 was continued into 2019 with a reported surplus of €18k in the accounts.

The membership profile showed a net increase of 30 in 2019 made up of 57 new members while, for a variety of different reasons, 27 had given up their membership

A full update on the status of the club mortgage loan transfer.

The plans, priorities and challenges for 2020.

Update on the Club mortgage Loan Transfer

Members will be aware that there are ongoing significant changes happening in relation to the Club loan. The loan was sold by AIB to a company called Everyday Finance and Beaverstown is in negotiation with Everyday Finance with a view to buying back that loan.

The discussions are at a critical and sensitive stage and all parties are anxious for a satisfactory conclusion. Additional discussions are underway with two major national banks who may provide assistance to the Club in this regard.

Members will know that at the AGM a number of decisions were postponed in order to facilitate those ongoing discussions. Once the outcome of the discussions has become clear the AGM will be reconvened and full information will be given to the members. It is difficult to predict an actual date but at this time it looks like it will be April at the earliest

Motions and Elections from the Club AGM

Three motions were presented for consideration by the AGM

1. The motion to change the number of Trustees from 5 to 4 was passed unanimously 2. the motion to revise the fee structure for Intermediate members was passed unanimously
2. The motion to apply a 2% increase to membership subscriptions across the board was also passed.

There was only one candidate for each vacancy that was available at the AGM. Consequently Jim Hender was elected as Club Secretary, Aidan Smith was elected as Facilities Officer and Tom Kirrane was elected as a new Trustee.

The chairperson thanked outgoing Trustees Jim Caulfield and Pat McCallion and he also thanked outgoing club Secretary Jim Flanagan for their enormous contribution to the Club over many years.