NEWS - BEECH PARK RATHCOOLE - Beech Park Golf Club
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NEWS
JUNE 2020
Beech Park
GOLF CLUB
Issue No.4 www.beechpark.ie
this issue
News from the Captains
Ladies News
Gents News
General Club news
Course news
New Members Section
BEECH PARK
RATHCOOLE
NEWS FROM THE CAPTAINS
Fellow members welcome to this our first Newsletter of 2020 as we
recommence our golfing year. It has been a difficult and challenging time
for many of our citizens so our return to golf is much appreciated and
anticipated as we enter Phase 2 of Reopening. Hopefully the good weather
will continue and we will complete the full competition diary for the
remainder of the year. Sunday January 26th 2020 marked the beginning of
what promised to be another successful competitive and enjoyable year
ahead with a marvellous drive in celebrated and enjoyed by the fantastic
turnout and beautiful weather. Many thanks to all who contributed to
making the day such a success.
Just as the Winter Championship and Spring League were in the process of
completion or completed our journey forward was interrupted by those
circumstances beyond our control and our progress on the golf course was
halted.
Undaunted, work continued and we would like to thank all the staff for their
CAPTAIN COLM commitment and hard work as we return to find the course in pristine
condition. We would like to acknowledge the dedicated and voluntary work
carried out by the various committees on your behalf. Their wonderful work
has ensured our safe return to action packed revised full diary for 2020. We
are most grateful. Many tough decisions had to be made during the course
of the past 10 weeks but always with the best interests of the club at heart.
We would like to thank all those members who have committed to
sponsorship this year. As you are aware income from competitions, green
fees and societies will be down substantially this year so SPONSORSHIP is
vitally important to ensure healthy prize funds and help smooth the financial
well-being of the club . If any member is willing to sponsor or is aware of
any corporate sponsorship available please do not hesitate to contact
either of us and we will be only too willing to allocate a competition in the
sponsors name.
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the new members to
Beech Park . We hope you enjoy our facilities and make new friends as you
take on our challenging Golf Course of which we are very proud. It has
LADY CAPTAIN THERESA been a challenging year so far and will continue to be so until all the Phases
of returning to golf have been completed and hopefully before we realise it
we will return to what was our normal playing criteria.
So now the golfing season is truly upon us ....... its full steam ahead!!! Let’s
hope that the fantastic weather we enjoyed during lockdown continues and
we will be able to complete our planned programme of competitions
uninterrupted.
Finally thanks to all the members for their co- operation and understanding
during the return to golf protocols and we have no doubt of your continued
adherence to the new playing conditions.
Enjoy your golf, play well, but importantly stay safe
Yours in Golf
Lady Captain Theresa and Captain Colm
Issue 4 June 2020
www.beechpark.ie
GENERAL CLUB NEWS
We need to remind players that if they break the
standard scratch score in a singles competition
they are obliged to adjust their handicap
immediately before their next round. This is
particularly relevant as competitions will not be
closed on the same day.
WEDNESDAY 3 MAN TEAM
For the 3 Man team event 1 player should mark
and sign the teams card.
CLUBV1 APP
ClubV1 are developing a members mobile app
for returning competition scores however it has
not yet been released. When the App has been
MARKING SCORECARDS released we will advise if and when it can be
used in competitions.
The Golf Committees have decided that
for Singles competitions in 3 balls Revised Local Rules 2020
Player A should mark and verify Player
RAKES
B's Card
The use of rakes in bunkers is being
Player B should mark and verify Player
discontinued until guidelines permit their return.
C's Card
As a result players are asked to "smooth" the
Player C should mark and verify Player
sand in the bunker AFTER they take their shot. A
A's Card
player is permitted to mark and place their ball,
within 6 inches, in a bunker but is NOT allowed
Once the player and marker verify the
to smooth the sand prior to taking a shot. If a
score on the card the markers signature
player smooths the sand prior to taking a shot
is the only signature required. CARDS
from a bunker they are penalised 1 shot.
ARE NOT TO EXCHANGED BETWEEN
PLAYERS.
FLAGSTICKS
Flagsticks are NOT to be touched or removed
The Club will provide a sealed box, close
from the hole. Each flagstick has a ball retrieval
to the Air Blowers near the exit of the
device which all players are requested to use
course, for players to deposit their
once the ball is holed. A ball is deemed holed if
scorecards after their rounds.
any part of the ball is below the surface of the
putting green. To retrieve the ball simply use
Handicaps will NOT be adjusted (and
your putter to remove the ball from the hole. The
competitions will not be closed) until at
penalty for removing the Flagstick is 1 shot.
least, the day following the competition
as the committees have to follow the
We hope you enjoy your golf in these
protocol which mandates that cards will
challenging times. Please be aware that due to
not be handled for 24hrs before they are
Covid-19 restrictions we have reduced daily
checked.
capacity for play in Phase II. This will improve as
we move through the additional Phases.
Issue 4 June 2020 www.beechpark.ie
GENERAL CLUB NEWS
Index. Based on the information provided to
WORLD HANDICAP SYSTEM
Beech Park to date by the GUI/ILGU, it is
The new World Handicap System ("WHS"), recommended that each player should strive to
approved by the R&A and USGA, is being have 20 eligible scores within their record. With
introduced into Ireland effective 2 November competitive golf expected to resume shortly, all
this year. players are encouraged to ensure that they have
built up the recommended level of 20 eligible
It will introduce important new changes to scores by 2 November.
how golf handicaps are calculated and
administered. At this stage, we would like to mention that WHS
will introduce a number of associated changes.
A cornerstone to it all is the introduction of Information on these changes will be
the Handicap Index. Each player will have a communicated to Members in due course and as
Handicap Index rather than simply having a this becomes available to Beech Park from the
handicap. In order to transition to a Handicap GUI/ILGU.
Index (to be managed under new Club
systems), a player's eligible scoring records Meanwhile, Members may wish to visit the R&A
from end-2018 will be applied. The more website (https://www.randa.org) where some
scores contained within a player's record, the general information on WHS is also available.
less of an impact the new arrangements can
be expected to have on his/her new Handicap The Men's and Ladies Handicap Committee.
Issue 4 June 2020 www.beechpark.ie
GENERAL CLUB NEWS
Club Diary
As you know, a lot of pain-staking work goes
into preparing the club diary each year.
Unfortunately, shortly after the diary was
published, COVID19 hit and our plans had to
be abandoned.
Well done to the ladies and men’s teams who
worked so hard to pull together an alternative
golfing calendar for 2020 - hitting all the
normal highlights of a golfing year.
We have uploaded the diary to our website
and will keep it current through the year so
please check back often to keep an eye on all
the golfing events this year.
How did I do and CLUB V1 App
We would encourage all members (if you
haven’t done so already) to sign up for a how-
did-i-do account. You can do it here at
https://www.howdidido.com/
How-did-i-do will form the basis of contactless
score cards as we move forward.
It also forms the basis of our online club app
that you can download from the App store or
the Android store.
Search for Club V1 in either store and install
to your phone and download. The first time
you login, you will be asked to link to your
how-did-i-do account. But once you’re in, it’s
a really nifty app that lets you view the latest
club news, track your scores, view upcoming
competitions and (eventually) be used as a
contactless score card.
Once the current restrictions are over, we do
hope to be able to be more hands on in
supporting our members in downloading and
using the app
Issue 4 June 2020 www.beechpark.ie
LADIES NEWS Rings and Birdies
R i n g s a n d B i rd i e s c o m p e t i t i o n s w i l l
After a long absence and patient compliance commence on June 9th. All entries and
with Government Restrictions, the golfing season payments for Rings and Matchplay
is upon us at last. With an amended calendar, competitions should be made in the Pro
available on the Club Website, we can look Shop. Further information will follow shortly.
forward to an exciting and action packed diary
for the remainder of the year. The Ladies Club Championship Qualifier will
be held on Tuesday July 14th. (May Medal)
Handicap Classes
The PGA Tankard has, unfortunately, been
Just a reminder of the new Handicap Classes,
cancelled this year.
which will be reviewed as the season progresses:
Class 1 (1-27), Class 2 (28-36) Class 3 (37+)
Tuesday Voucher Prizes
The Ladies Section funds are low due to
Dates for your Diary reduced income and, unfortunately, the
Tuesday Voucher prize for class winners has
June 16th -
been reduced, temporarily, to 20.
Lady Vice Captain Tara's Prize
July 7th -
Again this year, we need to seek sponsorship
Captain Colm's Prize
from ladies. A huge thank you to those ladies
July 21st -
who have already given and offered
Lady Captain Theresa's Prize Day 1
sponsorship.
July 26th -
Lady Captain Theresa's Prize Final Day
Finally, may your return to the fairways be
August 13th -
enjoyable and exciting. Take good care of
Lady Captain's Open Charity Day in aid of Pieta
yourselves and stay safe.
House, kindly sponsored by Kay & Pearse Woods
August 18th -
President Noreen's Prize
September 22nd -
Play in Pink Open Day - Gents 9 Holes (Evening)
As there were no competitions in April/May, it
has been decided that those ladies eligible to
win the Lady Captain's Prize will only be required
to have played in 2 qualifying competitions this
year.
All Medals and Majors have been included in the
revised calendar.
Club Matchplays
Club Matchplays will take place this year with
Closing Dates for entries July 14th. As all
Interclub Matchplays have been cancelled, this is
an ideal opportunity to get involved in
Matchplay at Club level and make up for lost
competitive golf earlier this year.
Issue 4 June 2020 www.beechpark.ie
GENTS NEWS Major competitions 2020 The Golf Committee have decided that, in order to facilitate as many players as possible, all Majors will be played over Fri/Sat/Sun. Players who choose to play on the Friday of a Major CANNOT play on the Saturday however they may wish to play in the Alternative Sunday Stableford competition.
FROM THE PRO
TIP OF THE MONTH
Slicing the driver?!...
Well what can I say…..my timing has always been The key to improving your game is firstly to
impeccable!! This will most definitely be a start understanding WHAT causes a certain shot, if you
that I will never forget. After getting appointed as understand the principles it will be much easier to
your PGA Professional in March, I was so excited fix the issues and improve. So what causes a
to get to know all the members and build up slice?...The definition of a slice is where the golf
relationships with all of you that will continue for ball starts left of your intended target, curves from
many years to come. While this has been a left to right and finishes right of the target, for a
strange time over the past couple of months for right handed golfer. Now what can happen to
everyone I would like to thank all the members cause this shot?.. In laymen’s terms it means there
for their support. is a difference between your club path and club
face through the impact zone!
The pro-shop has been stocked up with all your
spring/summer clothing including brands like Fixes/Drills;
Footjoy, Glenmuir & Green Lamb and some new • Grab your driver and separate your hands
arrivals to be expected in July. While at the slightly on the grip and make some baseball
moment the shop doesn’t stock clubs we can get style practice swings with your feet close
any club that you are looking for at competitive together. This will create a couple of feelings
prices and clubs will be stocked as we progress for you, firstly it help feel the club on a flatter
through the year. I am setting up a custom fit day plane and help with rotation, secondly it will
in carton house with titleist for june and this will help with the feeling of releasing the club
more than likely be spread over two days as their head to square it up at impact! After doing
capacity for fittings has lowered on a daily basis this for a while it should make it easier to get
due to covid19, the details will be e-mailed out your club path going more in-to-out
to members once this has been confirmed. (swinging right of target) and help to
neutralise that ball flight.
With competitions starting back very soon why • Key to hitting long straight drives is to make
not tune up your game with a lesson to hit the sure that you are hitting up on the golf ball
ground running and lower your handicap.
Lesson’s are available throughout the week just
contact me or the shop to book your place.
Going forward members will receive a monthly
newsletter from the pro-shop with any deals or
discounts going and also a tip of the month that
may help your game during the season.
Congrats to our Junior Captain Luke who was
super at the Drive in & featured in the winners
enclosure
Junior golf has commenced & will continue
every Monday from 6.30pm. Please ensure that
you book in on time Sheet
Warm welcome to all out new Junior Members
& still availability for Junior members
Coaching will commence in the coming weeks
with our Pro Mark & we look forward to seeing
all the Juniors take part
Junior Captain Luke
UPDATES FROM THE COURSE Normally, in Ireland, we mention the weather some SP in our new nursery in February 2019 daily. Sadly, Covid 19, has become our other to re-establish on the course. daily topic and both have an impact on golf. This virus will be with us for some time but at least Ireland has made some good progress thanks to the magnificent work of the heroes on the frontline and the many others involved which, as an aside, has already allowed the gradual return to golf on a restricted basis. After the initial lockdown, a sensible decision was soon made to allow access for staff to carry out only essential maintenance on golf courses. Without this, the deterioration in course appearance and playability would have been serious and prevented a quick return to golf. I would like to acknowledge the excellent work of our course staff during that period. The course was in excellent condition when re-opened on May 18th. Non-essential work however had to take a back seat during that time because of the essential While we had balmy dry weather recently, it is maintenance only and the need to revise work only a short while since millions of litres of practices to comply with social distancing. Work water fell on the course. In February 2018 inputs fell as a result by 45% for the 6-week and 2019, a total of 30mm of rain fell. This period compared to the same period in 2019. year, over 129mm fell setting a record for Work input levels will continue to be affected to February filling up water ditches to a level some degree while we work our way through the most of us have not seen before. The picture 2020 Covid 19 impact. of the ditch on the 18th hole tells the story. As for the weather, its good news and bad news as usual. Costa style sunshine is good for some but bad for others (and vice versa). We are seeing the impact of global warming with milder winters, (grass growth in winter months), stormy, more windy weather in both winter and summer and heavy torrential down pours. In February, we lost a Scots Pine tree between holes 12 and 13. Work on clearing up is delayed for the reasons explained above. This tree was planted on the old estate 120 years ago and is part of a larger Scots Pine forest that was in the area of the 12th hole and all along the 13th some of which can be seen and are in play particularly off the 13th tee. Scots Pine (SP) is a native Irish species and as many of you know, we planted
UPDATES FROM THE COURSE
It’s a credit to our course drainage system on Initial work has commenced on the 14th Haha
how quickly this water was dispersed. Indeed, ditch (also approved at the AGM) and will be
Beech Park lost fewer golf days compared to completed shortly. Other projects delayed
many other courses during this very wet period. include the Tree Management Plan but action
In contrast, last month, just over 2 million litres will be taken where possible to catch up and
of water went through our sprinkler system on continue to make Beech Park a challenging
to the course because of the Costa style and enjoyable course to play.
weather. This compares with a total of 264,000
Lts in May 2019. By the way, the water we use You will be aware through various club emails
comes from our own wells and the lake on 11th of the procedures to be followed when
& 12Th which is fed by 2 natural springs. While playing golf at Beech Park. It is important that
some of the water is lost through evaporation, everyone complies with start times and the
most percolates through the ground back into various new procedures for play and on-
the water table. course, bunkers, flag poles etc. These
procedures are in everyone’s interest and
Projects completed since winter include the 17th safety. We are also required to remove all
where the Young and Palmer bridges were course furniture including rubbish bins, so we
finished. The curtailment of Laurel on the 10th ask that you take your litter home. If you have
was also completed exposing some Oak trees any questions on the new arrangements,
that were permanently hidden. Entry points please ask in the pro-shop or any committee
were also opened up for ball searching and member for clarification.
retrieval. This project was not about making the
hole easier but to make the hole a fair challenge John Curran, Course Chairman.
and be more playable.
The project for the front of the 6th hole
approved at the last AGM, was completed a
week ago with the
seeding of the area.
This will continue as
a Mandatory GUR
area until the grass
seed has
established.NEW MEMBERS CORNER
We’re delighted to welcome all our new Practice facilities
members to Beech Park. Here you’ll find out
some helpful information that will help you There several practise facilities open to
settle in to Beech Park members use in Beech Park, the putting green
and chipping area near the car park, there is
Competitions also a net to warm-up in before your round.
There is a practise ground for iron shots
There is a full programme of competitions at between the 6th and 7th Hole, we recommend
Beech Park. Weekend competitions on Saturday that you use the mat in this area during Winter
and Sunday and Midweek on Wednesdays (GUI months and to lay divot mix when you are
4 Man Team) and Thursday (GUI Open Single finished so that the next player can enjoy the
Stableford). Tuesday is ladies day with a full facilities!
calendar of competitions also. Major
Competition dates such as Medals are printed in Please note - when playing casual golf and
the Club Diary. For weekly competitions, check practicing on the course, the maximum
the online diary on the club website. number balls you can play is 2.
Booking for competitions and all casual tee
times is through the Club Website using BRS log Social Media - follow us
in details.
Did you know - we are active on facebook,
twitter and instagram. Make sure to follow us -
Timesheets open for competitions 10 days in
and please do share out posts and pictures. it’s
advance at 9.30am sharp.
a great way of getting us more followers (and
members).
Just to let you know that there is a waiting list
facility on the booking site if you don’t succeed www.twitter.com/beechparkgolf
getting a slot at your preferred time for the
weekend competition. www.instagram.com/beechparkgolfclub
Weekly Competitions www.facebook.com/beechparkgolf
The costs for entry into the normal weekly
competitions is €6. We operate a purse system
so you need to top up to play! Thank you and welcome again
Keep an eye on the club diary on our website for
any changes to competitions as they will be President Noreen Palmer
posted there. and the membership subcommittee
Thank you
We have been dealing with a huge influx of new
members and a special thank you to our club
Secretary, Roberta, for all her work in dealing
with the large influx of new members
Issue 4 June 2020 www.beechpark.ieBeech Park
Don’t forget to follow up on
Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram to keep up with
the latest news.
www.beechpark.ie
a hidden gem that needs to be played with a fantastic amen corner…
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