WEDNESDAY 1 JANUARY 2025 - The clubhouse was packed for incoming Lady Captain Frances Davidson’s Inauguration Ceremony at Co Armagh Golf Club on Wednesday 1 January. In advance of the formal proceedings, forty-two ladies had competed in incoming Lady Captain’s Inauguration 9-hole competition.
After the golf, on a bright and crisp day, ladies were very appreciative of the hot toddy offered by incoming Lady Captain Frances to warm them up. A delicious fry was also on offer from The Parklands Restaurant for Lady Captain’s family, invited guests and golfers and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all too.
In her address, outgoing Lady Captain Ellen Brady made a toast to those present and those who they had lost throughout 2024 saying ‘may our friendship grow stronger and our memories grow sweeter as we step into 2025’ before wishing everyone a Happy New Year.
She extended special thanks to Past Lady Captain Lily for affording her the opportunity and expressed her thanks and gratitude for the support she had received from everyone at the Club – Council; the Ladies’ Section and Committee; and all the Staff - Greenkeeper Ian and staff; Ryan and Brenda and staff of Parklands; Neil, Bar Manager and staff and to Will and Dominic and the Pro Shop staff. She added that the members had been incredible and been responsible for making her year run so smoothly.
She said that the one thing that had struck her about the club since she joined it some 20 odd years prior was the friendliness of the members and especially in the Ladies Section – from competition, teams, away days and nights! She said that it was the chat and banter in the club after that made it, it was the members that made a club and they certainly made Co Armagh.
Outgoing Lady Captain Ellen said that she passed the ladies brooch over in the firm knowledge that it was being passed over to someone who would do a fantastic job over the next 12 months and wished incoming Lady Captain Frances every success and to have fun.
In conclusion, she thanked everyone for their support in 2024, stating that it had been an honour and a privilege to have been their Lady Captain.
Outgoing Lady Captain Ellen presented incoming Lady Captain Frances with her blazer and the Lady Captain’s brooch and in turn Lady Captain Frances duly presented Ellen with her Past Lady Captain’s badge.
At the outset Lady Captain Frances said she was honoured to accept the position of Lady Captain of Co Armagh Golf Club for 2025, quipping that the last time she had been so nervous was when she had got married 40 years prior. She thanked Past Lady Captain Ellen for her friendship and support over the last year and said she had enjoyed being her Lady Vice Captain and had had great fun and happy memories.
She welcomed Lady Vice Captain Julie McCarten and looked forward to working with her and hoped she would enjoy her year.
She said that being Lady Captain was nervy for her but that it was an honour and she hoped to take on the role with care and compassion. She thanked her family, all those present and those who had sent texts and gifts. She said she was blown away by their kindness. She said there was a wonderful bunch of ladies sitting in the club and she was so glad to have friends and that they did not come with price-tags as she could never afford the friends she had there.
Lady Captain Frances thanked outgoing Ladies’ Committee members - Siobhan, Lynne, Lily, Marie, Mary and Lena and welcomed those coming onto Committee - Helen, Theresa, Kathleen and Paula.
Her wish for 2025 was to have fun, enjoy the golf and be grateful they were fit and healthy to get out onto the course.
She extended thanks to Ryan, Brenda and the staff of Parklands Restaurant for the lovely breakfast; to the bar staff and to Secretary Flo, who put so much time and effort into everything that she did.
Turning her attention to the Teams she said they were the heart of every club. She extended thanks to all the Team Captains and hoped they could bring home some silverware. She said that playing on teams was a great way of making friends and that she’d played on many teams over the years. She said that for a long time she had played with Mrs Attwell, they’d always had good craic and never a bad word and now when they were together they liked to reminisce.
Lady Captain Frances asked that they remember all the friends and family that were no longer with them, especially those that they had lost in 2024.
She thanked her husband, Gerry, and family and all the family members who had travelled to Armagh.
In conclusion, she said ‘I hope you and your families all stay safe, look out for each other in 2025 and that it is a peaceful, good year for everybody. Many, many thanks and God bless you all’.
Lady Captain Frances then presented incoming Lady Vice Captain Julie McCarten with the Lady Vice Captain’s brooch.
Lady Vice Captain Julie thanked Lady Captain Frances for having faith in her and said that she looked forward to working with her and supporting her with all her teams throughout the year. She wished her good golf and good health and hoped that she and Gerry would enjoy it.
Lady Captain Frances’ granddaughter Sophie made a heartfelt speech ‘I would like to congratulate Nanny Frances on becoming Lady Captain of Co Armagh Golf Club. We are all very proud of her. She loves to play golf and I think she will be a great Lady Captain’. This was greeted with rapturous applause.
Her grandson Oliver then read the message on a cake which had been kindly provided by Lady Captain Frances’ family to be shared amongst those present.
Photo Captions
Lady Vice Captain Julie McCarten, Past Lady Captain Ellen Brady, Lady Captain Frances Davidson and President Elizabeth Mawhinney
Lady Captain Frances Davidson pictured with her husband and sons
L-R Conor, Lady Captain Frances Davidson, Gerry and Darren
Lady Captain Frances Davidson pictured with her family
L-R Sophie, Oliver, Conor, Lady Captain Frances, Gerry, Deirdre and Darren
Lady Captain Frances Davidson with her extended family and friends
LADY CAPTAIN’S INAUGURATION COMPETITION
Despite the forecast for inclement weather and the threat of cancellation earlier in the week the conditions could not have been better for the Lady Captain’s Inauguration competition held at Co Armagh Golf Club on Wednesday 1 January. Forty-two ladies entered the 9 hole competition held annually to bring in the New Year and welcome the new Lady Captain.
The Lady Captain for 2025, Frances Davidson, very generously offered a hot beverage to all ladies on arrival at the clubhouse for the tasty breakfast fry provided by The Parklands Restaurant.
Following the formal inauguration ceremony Lady Captain Frances conducted her first prize-giving of the year, congratulating the prize winners:
1st Jill McKenna 20 pts
2nd Geraldine Rafferty 20 pts
3rd Past Lady Captain Ellen Brady 20 pts
Past Lady Captain Ellen had the only birdie of the day, recording a 3 at the 6th.
Hilary Johnston accepted the prize on her daughter Jill’s behalf and extended best wishes to Lady Captain Frances for 2025.
Photo Caption
L-R: Hilary Johnston, Geraldine Rafferty, Lady Captain Frances Davidson and Past Lady Captain Ellen Brady
