This article is from page 55 of the 2009-05-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 55 JPG
AS names go, Woodstock certainly conjures up romantic notions — of course that’s all to do with the rock concert that happened 40 years ago this year in a soggy field in upstate New York that defined the 1960s era of counter-culture.
Bro NU C-V ORAM OT cLimee- NO elo) WO NTSMmRUe: 8 about having a bit of fun — maybe that’s why when Christy Guerin opened up the Woodstock in 1993 he talked about the craic, more so than serious stiff upper life stuff that’s sometimes associated with golf.
‘At Woodstock the emphasis will be on fun,’ Christy told a gathering that included GUI suits and Christy O’Connor Snr among others. They had plenty of fun that day, but the se- rious side was the massive undertak- ing it was for Christy and Sheelagh Guerin to build a golf course on their 180-acre property off the Lahinch Road.
It would have been easier not to take the plunge — Christy was a past captain of Ennis Golf Club and could just as easily have pulled back from the brink on embarking on the am- bitious project to turning dry-stock farmland into a championship golf course.
“T knew on my first visit to Wood- stock that we had an outstanding site on our hands, many natural holes on the land certainly encouraged the layout of a golf course. Woodstock will quickly become a magnificent
test of skill and shot making for play- ers of all handicaps,” said Spring of his creation.
“The exciting features of the site in- cluding the gentle rolling landscape, the river, the lakes and the splendid scenery will give pleasure to golfers throughout the twelve months of the year, this been made possible by the
rapidly draining terrain.
“IT have no doubt that Woodstock will be capable of housing champi- onships, both amateur and profes- sional in the not too distant future. The course in its short existence has received many praises from both members and visitors alike,’ Spring added.
The professional events haven’t come yet, but in 2006 the cream of Irish Ladies Amateur golf came to the Shanaway Road for the Irish Sen- ior Cup finals.
From the members point of view the highlight of the club’s short 16-year existence came in 2002 at Galway Golf Club when All-Ireland Pierce Purcell Shield honours were won.
In the semi-final Woodstock were drawn against Connacht champions Loughrea — victory in that contest teed them up for the final against Ul- ster champions Moyola Park.
Friday, September 6, became a red letter day in the history of Woodstock golf when the first green pennant came to the club thanks to a decisive 4-1 over the Ulster champions.
The squad managed by Luke Coote and Brian Dinan was: Brian McNa- mara, Michael O’Brien, Brian Ke- ogh, John Feehan, Darragh Lynch, Martin Nugent, John O/’Connor, Liam McInerney, Robert Dormer, Tony Coote, Mike Kelly, Frank Do- herty, club captain Jimmy Kelly and John Condon.
The final pairing were Darragh Lynch/Mike Kelly, who won 3 and 2, Liam MclInerney/Michael O’Brien who won 6 and 5, John Con- don/Michael Meehan halved, Tony Coote/Robert Dormer halved and Jimmy Kelly/Martin Nugent won 6 and 4.