4th April 2018
Ed's Blog From The Bog
Cead mile failte, one hundred thousand welcomes to our first blog of the new blind golf season. I hope this finds you all in good health and good spirits.
"If Winter Comes Can Spring be far Behind"
It was PB Shelley who penned that memorable line in his poem "Ode to The West Wind", back in the early 19th century and the woeful winter that we have all endured has finally ended and the first shoots of spring brings fresh hope and renewed enthusiasm. Let's hope that this applies to all of our golfing and personal lives over the coming months. This is World C'ship year and all roads will lead to Rome this autumn.
Darragh Dares To Dream at Elmgreen GC
Our first event of the year was at Elmgreen GC. where a small but highly competitive field fought it out in a battle for the ages. It was two Irish champions who came to the 18th tee neck and neck but it was that mighty man from Thurles Darragh Stakelum who triumphed over a gallant Wally Roode each on 36pts but Darragh's slightly better back 9 won the day. Patrick Morgan Jnr. pipped Ballybofey's Paul McCormack for 3rd place.
Arizona Here We Come For Patrick Jnr and Paul
Yes indeed it's bon voyage and good luck to our intrepid warriors Patrick Morgan Jnr. and Paul O'Rahilly who lead an Irish invasion of America where they will be contesting the Handa US Blind Golf Open at the Haven GC. outsideTucson Arizona. They will be aided and abetted by their fabulous guides Pat Morgan and Eamonn McGee. Both of the latter gentlemen have history in that part of America but my lips are sealed, suffice to say that a warm welcome awaits all of you. Many historians dispute who really discovered America. Some say it was Columbus others Amerigo Vespuci. A Donegal man I know swears that it was Brendan The Navigator but I really believe that it was Eamonn McGee in his hired motor home back in the last century. Anyway good luck to all of you and good luck also to all of our American blind golf friends.
Philip Bond - New Captain of IBG
It is with great pleasure that we announce the new captain of IBG. the one and only
Philip Bond. Philip brings years of experience to the role having also served as captain of Stackstown GC. home club of Padraig Harrington. The Galway native is fondly known as the "Ardrahan Crooner" because of his wonderful singing voice . Our new captain had a distinguished career in An Garda Siochana (the Irish police force) and is the same height (6ft 5) as world champion boxer Anthony Joshua. Philip's charming wife Kathleen is a Tipperary lady and one of the most helpful and active members of IBG.
Busy days Ahead
Yes indeed it's very busy days ahead for all of us. Our next order of merit event will be at Castle GC. Rathfarnham on Friday April 13th kicking off at 10.30am. It's a beautiful layout and a great outing is expected. Another date for our diaries is April 21st when
Darragh Stakelum and his irrepressible guide Gerry McCormack have organised a golf classic for Thurles GC. We believe that there will be at least 200 participating in what should be a red letter day for the IBG. Well done in advance lads and let's hope the weather will be kind and that we will all have a fantastic day.
Congrats and Good Luck to Joe Geraghty
It's always nice to hear a good news story but it's even nicer when that good news story involves one of our best friends and most loyal supporter Joe Geraghty who has been appointed National Sports Coordinator with Vision Sports Ireland. Joe is living proof that nice guys don't finish anywhere but first and he has been one of IBG greatest advocates over the past few years. Joe will be helped by Alex Whelan and good luck lads.
Warm Weather Training?
8 of our members went to Spain for some warm weather training a few weeks ago and 5 of us came back with -yes you guessed it - the flu. Golf was impossible but I have been forced to take a vow of silence about some of the other activities.
And finally slan agus beannacht for the time being. I will be out of action for a few weeks and thank you all for your messages of support. I fully intend to be back fully fit and ready for action in no time.
Ed Maguire.
Ed's Blog From The Bog
Cead mile failte, one hundred thousand welcomes to our first blog of the new blind golf season. I hope this finds you all in good health and good spirits.
"If Winter Comes Can Spring be far Behind"
It was PB Shelley who penned that memorable line in his poem "Ode to The West Wind", back in the early 19th century and the woeful winter that we have all endured has finally ended and the first shoots of spring brings fresh hope and renewed enthusiasm. Let's hope that this applies to all of our golfing and personal lives over the coming months. This is World C'ship year and all roads will lead to Rome this autumn.
Darragh Dares To Dream at Elmgreen GC
Our first event of the year was at Elmgreen GC. where a small but highly competitive field fought it out in a battle for the ages. It was two Irish champions who came to the 18th tee neck and neck but it was that mighty man from Thurles Darragh Stakelum who triumphed over a gallant Wally Roode each on 36pts but Darragh's slightly better back 9 won the day. Patrick Morgan Jnr. pipped Ballybofey's Paul McCormack for 3rd place.
Arizona Here We Come For Patrick Jnr and Paul
Yes indeed it's bon voyage and good luck to our intrepid warriors Patrick Morgan Jnr. and Paul O'Rahilly who lead an Irish invasion of America where they will be contesting the Handa US Blind Golf Open at the Haven GC. outsideTucson Arizona. They will be aided and abetted by their fabulous guides Pat Morgan and Eamonn McGee. Both of the latter gentlemen have history in that part of America but my lips are sealed, suffice to say that a warm welcome awaits all of you. Many historians dispute who really discovered America. Some say it was Columbus others Amerigo Vespuci. A Donegal man I know swears that it was Brendan The Navigator but I really believe that it was Eamonn McGee in his hired motor home back in the last century. Anyway good luck to all of you and good luck also to all of our American blind golf friends.
Philip Bond - New Captain of IBG
It is with great pleasure that we announce the new captain of IBG. the one and only
Philip Bond. Philip brings years of experience to the role having also served as captain of Stackstown GC. home club of Padraig Harrington. The Galway native is fondly known as the "Ardrahan Crooner" because of his wonderful singing voice . Our new captain had a distinguished career in An Garda Siochana (the Irish police force) and is the same height (6ft 5) as world champion boxer Anthony Joshua. Philip's charming wife Kathleen is a Tipperary lady and one of the most helpful and active members of IBG.
Busy days Ahead
Yes indeed it's very busy days ahead for all of us. Our next order of merit event will be at Castle GC. Rathfarnham on Friday April 13th kicking off at 10.30am. It's a beautiful layout and a great outing is expected. Another date for our diaries is April 21st when
Darragh Stakelum and his irrepressible guide Gerry McCormack have organised a golf classic for Thurles GC. We believe that there will be at least 200 participating in what should be a red letter day for the IBG. Well done in advance lads and let's hope the weather will be kind and that we will all have a fantastic day.
Congrats and Good Luck to Joe Geraghty
It's always nice to hear a good news story but it's even nicer when that good news story involves one of our best friends and most loyal supporter Joe Geraghty who has been appointed National Sports Coordinator with Vision Sports Ireland. Joe is living proof that nice guys don't finish anywhere but first and he has been one of IBG greatest advocates over the past few years. Joe will be helped by Alex Whelan and good luck lads.
Warm Weather Training?
8 of our members went to Spain for some warm weather training a few weeks ago and 5 of us came back with -yes you guessed it - the flu. Golf was impossible but I have been forced to take a vow of silence about some of the other activities.
And finally slan agus beannacht for the time being. I will be out of action for a few weeks and thank you all for your messages of support. I fully intend to be back fully fit and ready for action in no time.
Ed Maguire.
IBG Golf League 2018
The Race to Royal Dublin
The 2018 Order of Merit will be accompanied by a Golf League
The rationale for the golf league is to
- Encourage participation.
- Allocate points, based on the size of the field.
- Have a fun competition, where anyone could win, right up to the final event.
The golf league will be based on the monthly outings.
Points will be allocated for individual stableford scores
Handicaps
Players will play of IBGA handicaps.
However, players with a handicap in excess of the maximum playing handicap for their category will be allocated extra shots up to 50% of the difference of the maximum and their actual handicap.
For example A player in sight category B3, and with an IBGA handicap 52.
IBGA handicap = 52
Maximum playing handicap = 36
Difference = 16
50% of the difference = 8
Playing handicap for the golf league = 36 + 8= 44.
The Scoring System
The winner from each outing will receive the maximum points based on the number of players in attendance on the day. All other players will be awarded points on a sliding scale, with the lowest score receiving only one point.
Example: If 8 players attend -
Winner gets 8points
2nd gets 7 points and so forth
Attendance
Each player will get a bonus point for attendance.
Disqualifications and no returns
Player will receive no points, and will forfeit their bonus point for attendance.
Fairness
Monthly winner will get cut 1 shot.
Prizes
The prizes for the golf league will be awarded at the final outing in November or December
First Prize: Christmas Hanper
Second etc. Christmas Vouchers
All members will receive a prize.
There will be a small prize each month for the winner and runner up
Order of Merit 2018
The Order of Merit will be awarded on the same basis as 2017, with a players top four stableford scores to count. The Order of Merit and not the Golf League will be used to select the Celtic Cup Team for 2019.