There was a fantastic turn-out for the incoming Lady Captain Julie McCarten’s Inauguration Ceremony at County Armagh Golf Club on Thursday 1st January 2026.
Prior to the formal proceedings starting 46 ladies competed in the 9 holes competition. On completion of their round of golf the incoming Lady Captain provided the brave hearty souls who had played in dry but bitterly cold conditions a Hot Whiskey or Port to warm them.
The weather was kind perhaps not in temperature but the sun shone during the traditional Captains and President Drive Offs from the first tee.
The Parklands restaurant had prepared all lady golfers a breakfast fit for Goliath to continue the warming process.
In Frances the out-going Lady Captain’s absence, Ellen Brady our Lady Captain from 2024 stepped in to pass on Frances good wishes via an email
“Julie as I pass on the Lady Captains brooch to you I want to wish you good luck in 2026. It was an honour to serve as 2025 Lady Captain and I am excited to see the fresh ideas and energy you will bring to our amazing group Lady Golfers and remember it’s all about having fun I am looking forward to supporting you in the year ahead”.
“Ellen also congratulated Julie and past on her best wishes for the forthcoming year and presented the incoming Lady Captain with her Captains Brooch.”
Julie thanked Ellen and carried on to welcome all present:
“Club President, Lady Vice-Captain, Ladies and Gentlemen and of course a warm welcome to my good friends and golfing buddies.
Before I start can we take a moment to remember all those who have lost loved ones over the past year and our absent friends.
I hope you are all suitably warmed up again after this morning’s golf.
A big thanks to our caterers Ryan and Brenda & their team for the excellent fry provided today. Also Neill and the bar staff for keeping the drinks flowing.
I would like to thank Frances for giving me the opportunity to take up this position as the Lady Captain for County Armagh Golf Club.
Taking on this role is both an Honour and a Privilege as this is where I originally started playing golf some 36 years ago. With an all men’s golf society off the green blocks they didn’t put me off and I quickly became addicted to the competiveness of the sport.
A lot of changes have happened in golf since I started playing and most if not all are for the better, with our club being one of the many to move to the One Club Model some five years ago.
This can only benefit the ladies golf with the equal opportunity to be full members and play a full role in shaping the future of County Armagh Golf Club. This year the constitution has changed and for the first time the council meetings will be jointly chaired in the future by both Captains.
Please do not hesitate to put your name forward and volunteer for committee, sub committees and council as new participant’s views are always welcomed at these meetings.
Last January a comprehensive set of competition rules were added to our website detailing competitions rules and match play rules.
Which has changed the Wednesday Gents and Ladies Opens and the Weekend competitions.
All members with the appropriate membership 5, 6 and full can enter and WIN first prize in these competitions. As Mary and Siobhan most recently have. If you would like the few extra shots enter from the green markers.
This has taken time to be embraced by all members. I would encourage all our ladies to enter these competitions and give the gents a run for their money.
It has led to some changes on our ladies fixture lists this year
The GOY is 10 competitions. Our 6 monthly medals plus the 4 others on the fixtures sheet and qualifying for the Lady Captains Prize will be in line with the Gents.
Five 18 holes qualifying competitions cards at Armagh and the other Golf Ireland Criteria will be required to win the Lady Captains first prize.
This will assist our ladies who are still working and with family commitments to get their five scores in before Lady Captains Day.
We have a very strong competitive ladies branch which is evident in our team results
Last year we won again
Ulster South Junior Cup for the 4th time in recent years
The Challenge Cup
Plus the Jack Craig Mixed Team
This was magnificent achievement for the club I hope that next year is just as successful and we carry on to win the All Ireland Trophies with every team.
There is no better feeling than sinking a putt to win a match for your Team and Club. It’s always fun when your winning and golf is all about the fun and friends we make playing golf. I look forward to watching and supporting you in these matches.
Many thanks to our team captains who have agreed to captain a team again this year.
Welcome to our new committee members and thank you to the ones who have remained from previous years. Your commitment to ensure the smooth running of the ladies fixtures and events is a great help throughout the year and I look forward to working with you.
For those who know me well I am not one for Ball Gown’s Brooches and Blazers it’s all about the Golf and success of the teams and the club.
It is not the Lady Captain who makes the year successful but the help and hard work that comes from members and volunteers behind the scenes on committees and council.
I wish Andrew and John Good Luck in there new positions as Mr Captain and Club President and our 2 vice captains Helen and Conal.
Lastly but be no means least I would like to finish by welcoming Helen to join me and accept her Vice Captains Brooch and I hope she enjoys her Year in 2026.
As much as I enjoyed my year as Vice-Captain.
Thank You”
Lady Vice-Captain Helen was presented her Vice-Captain Brooch by the new Lady Captain Julie.
“Helen thanked the Lady Captain Julie McCarten for entrusting her with the role of Ladies Vice-Captain here at County Armagh Golf Club. It truly is an honour and I am thrilled to take on this responsibility alongside such a wonderful group of ladies.
Like all of you County Armagh Golf Club holds a special place in my heart and having the opportunity to serve in this capacity means a lot to me. I am excited to make my contribution to the ladies branch as we continue our journey towards becoming one club. I firmly believe that by working together we can continue to thrive and grow.
I’d also like to take a moment to acknowledge how special today is for me, as my mother is here to witness me accepting this role. Mum thank you for always being my biggest supporter and everything you do for me.
Thank you all for your kind well wishes and offers of help. I’m excited to work alongside you all and ask you to support our Lady Captain Julie throughout 2026 both on and off the course, and make this a memorable year for her.
I wish you all a happy healthy bunker/bogey free 2026.”
Following the formal proceedings the days winners were announced with some terrific scores recorded.
1st Anne O’Reilly 24 points
2nd Helen McLaughlin 24 points
3rd Anne McDonald 24 points
Beating on Countback Ruth Black, Catherine Vernon and Vera Ellingham
Birdies were recorded by
Ellen Brady 3 at 4th
Phil McKenna 3 at 4th
Teresa McVeigh 3 at 4th
Twos
Ellen Brady 2 at 7th Eilish Grimes 2 at 2nd
