24th september 2018
Ed's Blog From the Bog
Cead mile, mile failte, one hundred thousand welcomes to our first blog of the year. It has been a long and difficult year for your blogger during which a successful battle with cancer was fought and hopefully won. I have missed doing the blog but it's onwards and hopefully upwards for the rest of the year and on into 2019.
Captain's Day was Awesome
Yes indeed our new captain Philip Bond had his captain's day outing a couple of weeks ago and what a day it turned out to be. The popular Galway native has embraced the role of captain with complete ease and has made a great success of it. The Gaelic word for high is "ard" and Philip, who is from the beautiful town of Ardrahan, would give Anthony Joshua a run for his money in the height stakes. Philip and his charming wife Kathleen brought a very personal touch to the proceedings ensuring that the large crowd at the captain's banquet went home with smiles on their faces.
Stackstown - A Stiff Test
Yes indeed Stackstown GC provided a very stiff test indeed for all the participants on captain's day. Kilkenny's, Paul O’Rahilly, rose to the challenge and his 35 points saw him first past the post after a display of ball striking that drew gasps of admiration from onlookers. Not to be outdone,
Carol Brill used her short game and her local knowledge to bag a brilliant
2nd place on 33 points. Patrick Morgan jnr had yet another top 3 finish on 33 points (countback). Other prize winners were Wally Roode and Adrian Downey. The longest drive award went to Eamonn McGee, who was credited with a distance of 390 yards, which I presume must have been down a steep hill of which there are many at Stackstown GC.
The Kingdom Came For Shane Herbert
Pat Cockburn came all the way from Ballyjamesduff to take the nearest the pin prize. British Open champion, Paul McCormack’s versatility was evident as he took the front 9 award. One of our new members, Shane Herbert from the Kingdom of Kerry won the first of what I'm sure will be many prizes, when he annexed the back 9 accolade. Well done indeed Shane and a hearty welcome to IBG.
Veni,Vidi,Vici - Roma
IBG are sending a team of 5 to contest the Italian Open and the World C'ship, at the Parco de Golf complex outside Rome over the next few days. The intrepid warriors from the IBG will go into battle in the knowledge that each one
of them have a realistic chance of bringing the bacon home. The bookies have made Paul McCormack a short priced favourite, because of his success at the US and British Opens. The former NYPD police officer is rumoured to have been seen doing stamina training and fine tuning his short game for the challenges ahead. The really smart money is on The Ballybofey battler. My spies in North Dublin tell me that Patrick Morgan Jnr. has hit a purple patch at just the right time and is ready to conquer all before him in Rome.
Brill Bringing Her A Game
There's nothing Irish Open champion, Carol Brill likes more than a challenge and that's why many seasoned observers see her as a decent each way bet. All of that secret practice in Carrickmacross is bound to pay off for the Dundrum dynamo. Paul O’Rahilly has been honing his skills at Gowran Park GC for several weeks now and a lot of observers see him as the Justin Rose of IBG.
Our Guides - Our Inspiration
Our guides, Eamonn McGee, John Kennedy, Theresa McEvoy, Jim Doyle, Jim Farrell and Pat Morgan are the cream of the crop and will be our eyes and ears in Rome. However it would be remiss of me to omit the name of Darragh Stakelum, who has to miss the Italian and World c'ships due to illness. The genial Tipperary lad will be greatly missed and will be in all of our thoughts in Italy. Get well soon Darragh.
Time to say arrivederci and slan leat to all of you from what turned out to be a longer than expected "blog from the bog".
With best wishes from all at IBG.
Ed Maguire
+-------------------------------------+
Ed's Blog From the Bog
Cead mile, mile failte, one hundred thousand welcomes to our first blog of the year. It has been a long and difficult year for your blogger during which a successful battle with cancer was fought and hopefully won. I have missed doing the blog but it's onwards and hopefully upwards for the rest of the year and on into 2019.
Captain's Day was Awesome
Yes indeed our new captain Philip Bond had his captain's day outing a couple of weeks ago and what a day it turned out to be. The popular Galway native has embraced the role of captain with complete ease and has made a great success of it. The Gaelic word for high is "ard" and Philip, who is from the beautiful town of Ardrahan, would give Anthony Joshua a run for his money in the height stakes. Philip and his charming wife Kathleen brought a very personal touch to the proceedings ensuring that the large crowd at the captain's banquet went home with smiles on their faces.
Stackstown - A Stiff Test
Yes indeed Stackstown GC provided a very stiff test indeed for all the participants on captain's day. Kilkenny's, Paul O’Rahilly, rose to the challenge and his 35 points saw him first past the post after a display of ball striking that drew gasps of admiration from onlookers. Not to be outdone,
Carol Brill used her short game and her local knowledge to bag a brilliant
2nd place on 33 points. Patrick Morgan jnr had yet another top 3 finish on 33 points (countback). Other prize winners were Wally Roode and Adrian Downey. The longest drive award went to Eamonn McGee, who was credited with a distance of 390 yards, which I presume must have been down a steep hill of which there are many at Stackstown GC.
The Kingdom Came For Shane Herbert
Pat Cockburn came all the way from Ballyjamesduff to take the nearest the pin prize. British Open champion, Paul McCormack’s versatility was evident as he took the front 9 award. One of our new members, Shane Herbert from the Kingdom of Kerry won the first of what I'm sure will be many prizes, when he annexed the back 9 accolade. Well done indeed Shane and a hearty welcome to IBG.
Veni,Vidi,Vici - Roma
IBG are sending a team of 5 to contest the Italian Open and the World C'ship, at the Parco de Golf complex outside Rome over the next few days. The intrepid warriors from the IBG will go into battle in the knowledge that each one
of them have a realistic chance of bringing the bacon home. The bookies have made Paul McCormack a short priced favourite, because of his success at the US and British Opens. The former NYPD police officer is rumoured to have been seen doing stamina training and fine tuning his short game for the challenges ahead. The really smart money is on The Ballybofey battler. My spies in North Dublin tell me that Patrick Morgan Jnr. has hit a purple patch at just the right time and is ready to conquer all before him in Rome.
Brill Bringing Her A Game
There's nothing Irish Open champion, Carol Brill likes more than a challenge and that's why many seasoned observers see her as a decent each way bet. All of that secret practice in Carrickmacross is bound to pay off for the Dundrum dynamo. Paul O’Rahilly has been honing his skills at Gowran Park GC for several weeks now and a lot of observers see him as the Justin Rose of IBG.
Our Guides - Our Inspiration
Our guides, Eamonn McGee, John Kennedy, Theresa McEvoy, Jim Doyle, Jim Farrell and Pat Morgan are the cream of the crop and will be our eyes and ears in Rome. However it would be remiss of me to omit the name of Darragh Stakelum, who has to miss the Italian and World c'ships due to illness. The genial Tipperary lad will be greatly missed and will be in all of our thoughts in Italy. Get well soon Darragh.
Time to say arrivederci and slan leat to all of you from what turned out to be a longer than expected "blog from the bog".
With best wishes from all at IBG.
Ed Maguire
+-------------------------------------+
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.
