Our Society began with a group of men talking about golf. We all sat drinking in the club and exchanging opinions on how to play the game

"FORE!"

A Beginning in Golf

Our Golf Society began with a group of men casually talking about golf. We all sat drinking in the club and exchanging opinions on how to play the game. Everyone had their own theory. After playing on Saturday afternoon the topic would be golf again on Saturday night. If a person didn't play well they felt left out of the conversation so people listening to all this chat and particularly the fun and laughter got involved through curiosity.

When the numbers swelled from six to twelve someone suggested we start our own society. We needed a base and as we all met in the Roddy's it was a perfect set-up. We approached the committee and asked for permission to use the club. They were more than helpful: from setting aside a room for our meetings to storing our equipment; arranging late bar time for our functions; financing an annual cup. They have sponsored us very generously each year from our inception.

On our first outing we had 12 members. This is our fourth year and our membership is thirty-two. After our first year we joined the West Belfast championship competition. It comprises societies from West Belfast playing a one-day event with two teams of three. On our first attempt there were sixteen teams to play against. We were practical learners against old hands but our highlight was a hole-in-one, scored by Fra McCaughey. It was a feat not even thought of by the West Belfast Championship Committee.
In six years of this event being held no one had achieved such a result. A special prize was duly awarded.

Some humorous events happen out on the course. I can't mention names here for obvious reasons. Like a certain time everybody's golf bags were loaded on to the bus but on arrival at Ballycastle it was discovered that a member's gear was left back in the club! Or the fact that we always know that a certain player is out in front of us by the trail of egg-shells! (Guess who?) Sometimes getting to the course can be a problem, like the time we hired a bus to go to Armagh. The driver was very sure as to where the course was until we got there. He stopped to ask directions and the man he asked just happened to be going into Armagh so he boarded the bus. He directed us into the city, got off the bus at a bar and pointed us in what he said was the right direction. However, ten miles down the road another man - obviously just out of a bar turned us around and back towards the town. We began to think to think the bus driver was doing the double! When we finally did arrive at our destination (Ashfield) our driver proceeded to polish off four Ulster Frys! Well, he was a big man...

Speaking of food... a certain member polished off a whole plate of chipolatas (after a few pints at the course), only to discover the next morning that they hadn't even been cooked. He had a bad day's golf - it was up and down all day for him.

On the serious side, a lot of work goes on behind the scenes. I could not mention the names of everyone involved but one man in particular, who is a founder member has unceasingly worked for the good of the Society. That man is Tommy Morris. He arranges prizes; writes off to arrange fixtures for our golfing year; keeps progress information available to all members. The combination of working together for the good of the society explains why everything runs so smoothly.

Members ask 'Where are our outings for the year?' or 'What prizes do we have?' and it's all printed out for them. All thanks to the hard work of our committee. No one is left out. All members can voice their opinions. The Golf Committee will listen to all, then do what is best for everyone. Our prime objective is to get everyone involved. We have a friendly but competitive Society. Everyone is trying to win, but out on the course help and encouragement are freely given, specially to a player who is having a bad day.

A few examples; a player teed off from the tee-box, he then shaded his eyes with his left hand, scanning the fairway in anticipation, trying hard to spot his ball, not knowing it was lying at his feet. (He was shown how to drive.)

Another poor fella finding his ball lying in a sand bunker took so many shots at it, he covered half the green with sand. His playing partners thought he had a bucket and spade. (He was shown how to build sand castles.)

One lovely sunny day a player (not with our Society) teed off at a hole that had a large pond straddling along its right-hand side, his ball landed smack in the middle of it. He teed off again, the same thing happened; he was furious. He decided to walk up to the pond and take a drop-shot. Six feet from the pond he took his next shot; straight into the water. He went mad, he threw all his golf clubs, bag everything into the water. He stormed away livid.

The boys watching from the tee-box were splitting their sides. One fellow bet the guy would come back to retrieve his gear. They teed off. Then there he was walking back to his golf-bag in its watery grave. He walked straight into the water, picked up his bag, opened a zip pocket, took out his car keys and threw the golf-bag back into the water; then walked away. (He took up the game for relaxation!)

What the Society is really all about is to organise a full and healthy calendar for the year ahead. For our Society 1993 has teed off very well. Our first outing held at the Maze on a cold bitter morning in February, attracted a large turnout. More new members have joined. We have a new League Cup to play for this year, instead of the match play trophy. The winner will be, whoever has the most points by the end of the year.

We held a quiz night to promote the West Belfast Championship, to be held later this year. It was well attended, by over 80 sharp minded quiz enthusiasts, eager to display their talents. It went very smoothly and was enjoyed by all participants. The Roddy's committee very generously sponsored a couple of prizes, which was very much appreciated by our Golf Society and also our WBC Committee. We have come a long way since the early days with a few men discussing golf in the Roddy's to our Society as it is today. This year has started very promising and the rest of the year is well planned.

Long may it continue.

Slainte