There was a large turn-out for the 2020 Lady Captain Inauguration Ceremony at Co Armagh Golf Club on Wednesday 1 January.
Addressing the Ladies’ Branch outgoing Lady Captain, Moya Brady wished all those present a healthy and happy 2020 and expressed her heartfelt appreciation and thanks to those who had helped her in 2019. She thanked the office-bearers Patricia Hughes, Honorary Secretary; Bernie Harvey, Honorary Treasurer and Paula McCrory, Honorary Competition Secretary for their support and commitment and also extended her gratitude to Sheila Stinson for her creative floral arrangements and table decorations throughout the year; to Lynne Brown who had always been present to take photographs and provide updates to the Press and to those who had been involved in the various entertainment and events throughout her year. In conclusion, she thanked all the Ladies for their support. She wished incoming Lady Captain Anne McDonald every success in her year and extended best wishes to incoming Lady Vice Captain Karen Edgar before presenting the Lady Captain for 2020, Anne McDonald, with her brooch of office.
Lady Captain Anne McDonald thanked all those who had sent her cards and messages of support and encouragement. She said it was great to see so many ladies present, yet she knew that there were some ladies who would like to be there, including Berry O’Doherty who was currently ill and Valerie Gordon who had become a granny for the first time earlier that day. She offered congratulations to Valerie and Ken.
Lady Captain Anne, having not played golf for so many weeks, said it had been good to get out. New Year’s Day was a new beginning and a new decade, there was a new Lady Captain, a new Lady Vice Captain and new Committee members with new ideas however they needed to hold onto their own values and own friendships. She looked forward to the year as Lady Captain and hoped it would be a a good year for them all and that the teams would bring forth the usual inviting matches.
Lady Captain Anne thanked Committee members and office-bearers, Patricia, Paula and Bernie for their support; Joey, Lisa and the Catering staff and Damien and the bar staff.
In terms of dates for the diary, Lady Captain Anne advised that the Supper Party would take place on Thursday 30 January and the outing to Roe Park would be in April.
Advising that there were actually two Lady Captains in the clubhouse, Lady Captain reported that Phil McKenna was the new Lady Captain of Castlerock Golf Club. On behalf of the ladies of Co Armagh she wished her well in her year.
In conclusion, Lady Captain Anne hoped Moya enjoyed her year as Past Lady Captain and extended best wishes to incoming Captain, Declan McReynolds and to Lady Vice Captain, Karen Edgar, before presenting her with her brooch of office.
Lady Captain Anne then presented the prizes for the first competition of 2020.
In first place was Ellen Brady with 20 pts. Jacqueline Kelly was second with 19 pts and Pauline Vallely was third with 17 pts. Gemma Rice took 4th place, also with 17 pts, beating Emma Garrigan on the countback.
Ellen Brady thanked her playing partners Geraldine Rafferty and Sheila Stinson and, on behalf of the Ladies’ Branch, wished Lady Captain Anne a fantastic year.
Past Lady Captain Moya Brady, presents Lady Captain for 2020 with her brooch of office
L-R: Lady Vice Captain, Karen Edgar and Lady Captain, Anne McDonald
L-R: Jacqueline Kelly, Pauline Vallely, Ellen Brady, Lady Captain Anne McDonald and Gemma Rice
