Drimoleague Pitch and Putt celebrates its 40th birthday

New members are welcome

BY GER McCARTHY

DRIMOLEAGUE Pitch and Putt Club are celebrating their 40-year anniversary in 2018 and hoping to attract new members to their beautiful 18-hole course.

Located on the Quarry Road in Drimoleague, current club members hail from the local area as well as Skibbereen, Baltimore, Ballydehob and Bantry. 

Utilising a course maintained to the highest of standards, sociable competitions take place every Sunday (10am) as well as Thursday evenings (7pm) during the summer.

‘The club was originally set-up back in 1978 so we are celebrating our 40th anniversary this year,” commented Assistant Competition Secretary, David O’Mahony.

‘To have a pitch and putt club in existence for that length of time is an achievement in itself even though things have been quiet over the last few years. The club’s committee got together recently and decided to advertise the fact the club is here in Drimoleague, celebrating 40 years and looking for new members, irrespective of age, to join. 

‘Joe McCarthy is the man responsible for keeping things going during the early 1990s and since then, the club’s committee has tried to build on all of Joe’s hard work.’

Locally, pitch and putt thrived during the late 1980s and early 90s with courses dotted throughout the West Cork region attracting huge numbers. A useful introduction to golf, pitch and putt par three courses challenged players to improve their short game and putting ability. 

In recent times, the sport has proven less of a draw due to a combination of children electing to take up golf from a younger age and fewer pitch and putt courses available within the West Cork region.

With that in mind, Drimoleague Pitch and Putt are hoping to attract new members by offering regular match play and club competitions throughout the year. 

Becoming a member gives newcomers an opportunity to play in four ‘Majors’; the President’s Prize, Captain’s Prize, Centra Cup and the Joe and Liz McCarthy Memorial. 

Considering the high cost of other sporting club registration fees, family (€100), single adult (€50), student (€20), U16/juvenile (€10) membership and PPUI competition entry (€13) fees represent excellent value to join the Drimoleague club. 

‘There are more sporting options available to families and children nowadays than ever before,’ O’Mahony admitted.

‘I believe our club offers excellent value considering the membership fee(s) and plenty of opportunities to take part in various competitions including our four major (competitions) which includes the President’s Prize.

‘We currently have over 40 active members from across a wide age spectrum. One of our youngest players is only five-years-old and one of our oldest, John Kirby from Skibbereen, plays the course every day.

‘Our committee is hoping that by getting the word out about our club, where it is located on the Quarry Road, Drimoleague, and what we have to offer will help grow our membership, giving people of all ages and abilities an opportunity to discover the sport of pitch and putt.’