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The following is the original charter for our society set in 1994. Since then and over the years amendments have been made by the various committees i.e. Format, Handicaps, etc. 

The purpose of this statement is to detail the intentions behind the formation of the ALLEN GAELS GOLF SOCIETY and to broadly outline the objectives and plans of this society.

The ALLEN GAELS GOLF SOCIETY has primarily been set up to serve as a catalyst in further promoting the high level of goodwill and friendship that exists among members of the ALLEN GAELS GAA CLUB and the people of Drumshanbo and the surrounding areas. In recent years the number of new golfers in the locality has increased significantly and it was therefore felt appropriate that the best way of promoting golf within the Drumshanbo area and at the same time serving best the interests of all golfers was to form a golf society.

The ALLEN GAELS GOLF SOCIETY is not a society that is exclusive to ALLEN GAELS GAA CLUB members or indeed parishioners of Drumshanbo. This society will operate an open door policy and membership will be available to all golfers whether they reside in the parish or not.

For the inaugural year we have planned six regular outings on local courses and in addition to this one major event will be staged on the Carrick-on-Shannon course which will be known as the ALLEN GAELS GOLF CLASSIC. The intention of the society is to expand on this program of events for subsequent years in a manner that best suits the members of the society. It is important to note therefore that all feedback from members will be used to tailor future calendars of events.

The secondary reasons as to why this society has been formed is to act as a fundraising mechanism for the local ALLEN GAELS GAA CLUB. The ALLEN GAELS GAA CLUB will be the sole financial beneficiary from the GOLF SOCIETY. At the same time it must be noted that the ALLEN GAELS GOLF SOCIETY is a separate organisation to the GAA CLUB with the only link been end of year financial profit transfer. To accommodate this the golf society year will run from 1st November until 31st October.

SIGNED Captain James McGuire
  Secretary Cyril McKeon
  Chairman Terry McGovern
  Treasurer Brendan Finn
  H’cap Secretary Tommy Aherne

The organizing committee would like to welcome you as a member to the ALLEN GAELS GOLF SOCIETY. We are all looking forward to the year ahead and we hope that every member has a memorable golfing year on the various courses.

Fixtures:

DATE COURSE FIRST TEE-OFF
22nd April Carrick-on-Shannon 10 am
20th May Carrick-on-Shannon 10 am
17th June Ballinamore 10 am *
29th July Summerhill 11 am
19th August Ballinamore 10 am
23rd September Carrick-on-Shannon 10 am
21st October Carrick-on-Shannon 10 am

* Please note that the Classic will be staged in Ballinamore and not Carrick-on-Shannon as described in the Charter.

Handicaps: The golf society will operate an independent handicapping system. Any society member who is a club (GUI) member will use his/her club handicap for the first outing. All non-club members will receive an appropriate handicap for the first outing. The decision of the handicap secretary is final on matters relating to handicap assignment and handicap changes.

Entry Fee: Entry fees to all outings excluding the Classic and the Summerhill events are a modest 7 punts. This fee includes green fees and as you can see society membership has afforded you a reduction in green fees which is normally in the region of 10 punts. For society members who are members of the club that outing is being staged on the entry fee is 2 punts. Guests are catered for at the following rates, 10 punts for non club membership and 5 punts if they are members of the club that outing is being staged on. The entry fee for the Summerhill outing will be slightly higher as the normal green fees are 15-20 punts – we anticipate being able to subsidize this down to 10-12 punts, final decision on this later. The details regarding the Classic have yet to be finalized, see local press for details.

Competition:

Format: The competition format for all outings, excluding one at either Ballinamore or Carrick, will be Stableford points. A Scramble competition will be played at that other event.

Golfer of the Year: A golfer of the year (GOY) competition will be run throughout the year. This will work as follows, for each of the Stableford competitions GOY points will be awarded as follows

Place GOY Points Place GOY Points
1st 12 6th 5
2nd 10 7th 4
3rd 8 8th 3
4th 7 9th 2
5th 6 10th 1

These points will be accumulated over the 6 Stableford outings and the player with the highest points total will receive the Golfer of the Year Trophy.

Timesheets: To allow the committee generate the order of play all competition players should report to the course club house not later than 30 minutes before the first tee-off. Any society member who wishes to tee off early should contact any committee member and they will be accommadated. Entry fees will not be accepted after the first tee-off time.

Prizes: As mentioned earlier each outing excluding the Classic will present prizes to the first 3 placed players. The GOY prize is very prestigious and keen competition is expected for this. The GOY prize is only open to society members. Prize giving will take place either at one of our local pubs at 10pm on the night of the competition or directly after the competition in the clubhouse, this will be confirmed to each player before tee-off time. All details relating to the Classic will be circulated later but even at this stage we can confirm a major outing at the Ballinamore course on June 17th.

Finally can we again welcome you to the society and do pass the word around to your friends as membership is open throughout the entire year.

Etiquette:The following covers some of the most common protocols that should be observed while playing golf. The intention behind this is to ensure that all players are aware of these and at the same time it is important that we represent the ALLEN GAELS GOLF SOCIETY favourably on all golf courses.

Tee-box: While waiting for your playing partner to tee off it is important that you stand in front (in the line of sight) of that partner. You should not stand behind or to the side of your partner who is teeing off, this is for his benefit and is also a safety concern. Always observe silence while on the tee-box.

Winter rules: Always check with local course to see if winter rules apply or not.

Out of bounds: Always check with local scorecard to see which holes have out-of-bounds areas. Observe these areas and play accordingly.

Fairways: To prevent slow play develop prepare for your shot while your partner plays his/her shot. Do not take this to the point where you are taking practice swings or removing clubs from your bag – be in the vicinity of your ball and think about the shot you are about to play. Always replace divots.

Bunkers: When finished playing from a bunker always rack the bunker so that following players are not handicapped further if their ball lands in that bunker.

Slow play: If you find that your playing group have slowed down, for whatever reason, and the group ahead have moved on always allow the following group through. This is very important for our society to observe this guideline as most of our competitions will be played on 9 hole courses and therefore backed-up play has a more pronounced effect.

Wayward balls: If your ball is heading in the direction of another player please always call ‘FORE’ aloud.

Play up ahead: Ensure that there is sufficient distance up ahead before proceding with your shot.

Around the green: When approaching the green always leave your caddy-car or golf bag in line with the next tee-box and not in front of the green.

On the green: The player with the shortest putt should be ready to hold the flag for his/her partner with the shortest putt. There are no practice putts allowed after all balls are holed out. Both of these help prevent slow play developing. Always repair pitch marks.