AN HISTORIC CLUB WITH A MAGNIFICENT GEORGIAN PARKLAND SETTING SINCE 1893

Eight-nine ladies took part in Lady Captain’s Day at Co Armagh Golf Club on Saturday 29 June and competed for an array of beautiful prizes very generously provided by Lady Captain Ellen Brady.

The weather held up well, especially for those who played in the earlier part of the day, with only the odd light shower for the majority of the field.  The course was in excellent condition, thanks to the Greens Staff, though there were some very tricky pin positions.  The competition was stroke and the requirement to putt out added to the challenge.

Before heading out to play everyone collected a little memento of the day which had been generously provided by Lady Captain Ellen and she was out and about on the course with light refreshments, both were very gratefully received.

The clubhouse was dressed with fabulous floral arrangements by the talented lady members Gemma and Bernie Rice and Sheila Stinson and Lady Captain’s great-niece Shannon had created the beautiful golf-themed table centre-pieces.

Following a Prosecco reception ladies joined the Lady Captain, family, friends and invited guests for a delicious two course meal which was provided by Parklands Restaurant.  A complimentary glass of wine was served during the meal, courtesy of Helen Forster.

During her speech, Lady Captain Ellen thanked all those who had contributed to the success of the day, Greenkeeper Ian and his greenkeeping staff; Ryan, Brenda and the staff of Parklands; Neill and his bar staff and Andrew for Clubhouse set up.  She also commented on the time and effort required by Council members in running the club and congratulated Captain Neil on his successful Captain’s Day the previous week.  She expressed her thanks to President Elizabeth, Vice Captain Frances and the Ladies’ Section Committee, with special thanks for Secretary Flo and to Mary Black and her team.  On a sadder note she referred to those Past Captain’s, family and friends whom they had lost during the year and in particular referred to the recent passing of June, a legend, a great golfer and dear friend.  She said they would miss her laughter and her stories and thanked her for the memories.

Lady Captain Ellen’s chosen charity was The Niamh Louise Foundation, a charity very close to her heart.  The Niamh Louise Foundation provides a safe environment where anyone can drop in to chat about worrying thoughts, thoughts of suicide and/or self-harm.  The Charity provides love, understanding and respect with a non-judgemental listening ear to everyone regardless of age, sex, religion, or ethnicity.

Lady Captain announced that a fantastic £1,112 had been raised during the day.  This figure has since risen to approximately £1,300.

Anne McDonald proposed the vote of thanks to the Lady Captain, which was seconded by Valerie Gordon before presenting Lady Captain Ellen with a bouquet of flowers.

Following prize-giving ladies danced the night away to the 3-piece band Broken Strings.

It was a thoroughly relaxed and enjoyable day with much laughter – very much a tone set by Lady Captain Ellen.

Results of Lady Captain’s Day 2024:

Winner               Marie Tennyson              nett 68

Runner-up          Jacqueline Kelly             nett 69

Gross                 Mary Black                     gross 83

3rd                       Paula McCrory               nett 71

4th                       Moya Brady                    nett 71

5th                       Sheila Stinson                nett 73

Cat A                 Julie McCarten               nett 74

Cat B                 Hilary Johnston              nett 74 (beating Gail Steed on c/b)

Cat C                 Jill McKenna                   nett 74

Cat D                 Maggie Clarke                nett 74

Past Lady Captain          Gail Steed                       nett 74

Committee                       Emma Garrigan              nett 76

Front 9               Cait McKinney                nett 30

Back 9               Lynda Coyle                   nett 36

A further 19 ladies competed in the 9 hole competition.

9 hole 1st            Aisling Knipe                  25 pts

9 hole 2nd           Gemma Rice                  21 pts

18-hole putting   Siobhan Donnelly             33 putts

                           (beating A Kinsella and Mary Knott on c/b)

Men’s 18-hole    Eoin Hicks                      42 pts

Men’s 9-hole      Art McCrory                    21 pts

Junior Girl          Anna Carson                  19 pts

Junior Boy         Conal Courtney              30 pts

There were birdies for Aisling Knipe and Gail Steed at the 1st, Hilary Johnston at the 10th and Colette McSorley at the 4th and 16th.  Denise Murphy had a two at the 11th and Jacqueline Kelly and Flo McCall at the 18th.

LCD 1
Winner of Lady Captain’s Day 2024 Marie Tennyson with Lady Captain Elen Brady

LCD 2
Runner-up Jacquline Kelly with Lady Captain Lily McMullan

LCD 3
Lady Captain Ellen Brady pictured with her family and friends

LCD 4
Lady Captain’s Day Prize Winners

LCD 5
Array of prizes on Lady Captain’s Day