We had a great start to 2012 with new Captains Vivienne and Paschal first major social event, the 'New Year's Eve Ball'. It was a black tie event, so all the men looked like James Bond and all the girls looked like they were just off the red carpet. The evening started off with a meet and greet from our Captains and a glass of bubbles quickly into your hands. Then it was into the bar. The dining room was transformed into a room of elegance thanks to the Social Committee & Maria Stanley. 

 The night was a huge success. 'Johnny Be Goode' were the entertainment and held responsible for ringing in the New Year. There was a rowdy crowd of 'young ones' ( a while since they were called that I'd imagine!) who caused murder on the dance floor, with lots of dancing, jiving, grooving and a fair bit of messing, leading to a very enjoyable way to end the year for all.

The Captains' Drive in took place on the 15th January. This event always draws a big crowd in support of our new Captains. Our Juvenile Captains, Conor Pender and Alyson Doyle were first off the tee, both holding their nerve as the youth tend to do, executing perfect drives down the first fairway. A hard act to follow, Captains Vivienne and Paschal were next in the line of fire. With a big crowd spectating, people were holding their breaths, as many were recalling the events of 2010 to past Captain Louise Church's 'Drive in' - or 'off' as was the case.  Oh, what a tragedy that was....and Louise should never be let forget!! 

So back to the moment, Lady Captain Vivienne stood up taking a perfect swing sending the balll far up the middle of the fairway. Phew!  Now to Paschal... anything could happen here... Thankfully, he brought his 'A' game and sent a screamer of a drive up the middle, well not quite the middle, but sure on this occasion it never matters where the ball finishes.  A popping of a champagne bottle, a clashing of glasses, to enormous round of applause by a great gathering of supporters for all our New Captains of the season.  The Drive in was followed by a shot gun start scramble which saw 25 teams competing for the first team prize of the year.   

The winter league is well under way with only 3 weeks remaining. This year sees 14 ILGU teams and 11 GUI teams. The GUI teams have a huge number of 18 per team, how on earth could you fail to win with 18 players? The ILGU teams have kept it to a manageable 8 person team. For the ILGU side, the 'Magnificant Seven' leads last years winners 'Les Deux Chapeaux 2' by 16 points, thanks to a wonderful performance by Siobhan Smyth last Tuesday, bringing in 25 pts for her team. And yes, it was for 9 holes and yes, we were on full greens!! - Well done Siobhan.

There's a lot of team building in the way of coffee mornings and evening teas or motivational teas as the managers like to think of it, but really it's all to have a bit of fun.   

The GUI winter league is always a bit more competitive, it's all that testerone the men possess - at any age it seems. John White's 'White knights' are looking for their 3rd victory. After clipping the wings of the Regal Eagles in the final day of last year's competition, Whitey's team are going for their hat-trick, although it's hard to see them lasting the pace, as the collective age of his team is 1080 years, WOOOHO...that's a lot of years no matter how fast you read it. Barry McConville is the junior of the team, so that will give you an idea of how old they actually are!!! But John is determined to do the '3 in a row', even supplying his men with Zimmer frames. Good luck men!

The Regal Eagles are coming back fighting this season, now leading 'Friday Night Flyers'  by 10 pts.This youthful team is carefully managed by Conor McDonald, their collective age being 570 years.....570 years!... and it was a lot lower before Captain Paschal joined them. Conor was hoping to keep his team on the youthful side, but who could refuse the Captain? Conor knows what works and how to work it, as Paschal brings with him the Captains line every Saturday without fuss, so he was welcomed with open arms, despite his age and his swing! Conor is an example to all Managers, (listen up Declan Lernihan..) - supplying his team with 'Regal Eagle' merchandise in the way of tees, markers, ProV1 balls, Range Finders, R11 drivers, stickers for their scorecards and business cards that he requires his team to casually drop into their opposition's bag - thats alot of gear! Conor doesnt stop there, hosting evenings of literature, reading the greats, such as Dr Bob Rotella. The guy knows no limits, he has even set up a blog for his team which is worth a visit, if you're having a bad day, it promises to bring a smile to your face: 'theregealeagles.blogspot.com'.

This is a copy of the business card that the Regal Eagles are leaving around the place to intimidate their opposition. For all those who didn't attend Private Schooling, it translates from Latin - 'White Knights beware'.