Tralee Golf Club Newsletter 2018

Tralee Golf Club Newsletter 2018
Hello Members
This newsletter from your golf club will give you an update on what is
happening on and off the course for Spring / Summer 2018. We
include a letter of introduction from our new course Architect Graeme
Webster and some photographs of our course staff.
www.traleegolfclub.com

Range & Par 3 course
Since opening the range at the beginning of December last usage by members has exceeded our expectation. We have issued over
500 cards to members with five credits free to all and estimate that Fergie has had to collect thousands of golf balls. Members are
practicing during the week and warming up before competition. We can only assume the standard of golf will improve dramatically.
Our Professionals David and John are excited about the Teaching bay and facilities. They now have state of the art equipment to
analyse your game, they have already improved some member’s golf swings and can show members how they have improved. View
link to excellent article in Irish Golfer Magazine. (Click Link below)
digital.irishgolfer.ie/i/977046-june-2018/17
The construction of the Par 3 is almost complete but the rain delays continue. The recent sign of good weather has helped with
growth and enabled our contractors to almost complete hydro-seeding.
The greens and tee boxes are progressing very well, the roots are
becoming well established at 4 to 6 inches deep already. The greens are
tested regularly for moisture content and they are drier than the greens
on the main course. When we are able to cut greens to competition
height in a couple of years they should be very challenging. The fairways
and rough areas are very weak and need a good growing period sun
with a little rain will make a big difference.
We are still on target to open our Par 3 course in August for a short
period before closing for next winter. Of course opening will be weather
dependent and we will keep you advised.
Tralee Golf Club Newsletter 2018

Tralee Golf Club Newsletter 2018
Main Course
Colm Lawlor
Course Manager
The Irish weather, what can we say when newspaper headlines put it in perspective.
Born locally Colm has grown up at Tralee Golf Club. Employed
by Tralee Golf Club since 1998 and has supported many
transformations to the golf course and club over the years.
Having originally worked as a greenkeeper in nearby Ardfert Golf
Club he went on to acquire a certificate in Greenkeeping in 2000
and Golf Course Management from the National Botanic
Gardens in 2002. Colm has completed a number of courses in
chemical handling and application and golf course health and
safety. He has been working in the golf industry since 1995,
starting as Assistant Superintendent in 2006 and as Course
Manager since October 2017. Colm enjoys his work at the golf
club and strives to make Tralee golf club the very best it can be
with the help of his team. He grew up with a keen interest in GAA
and played hurling with St. Brendan’s hurling club Ardfert.
Kerry experienced its coldest March in over 56 years
Last 10 years have been wettest since records began more than 300 years ago
This year’s extremely wet weather patterns were compounded by the Beast from the East,
low soil temperatures, cold winds, snow and frosts which made it a difficult time for our
staff. With increasing temperatures growth has finllay started. The conditioning and
presenatation of the course is improving daily. Our green keeping team have worked hard
to get through the winter and have come out smiling as you can see from picture. Thank
you to our team of dedicated staff.
They have carried out the daily/monthly routine of seeding, sand top dressing, aeration,
moss control, bunker repair, grass control, marking out GUR , plus many more maintenance
tasks which keep the course playable and in the best condition possible. They have also
taken on board a long list of winter works tidying the course preparing for the main golfing
season. Many tasks, which in the past have been contracted out, are now being done in
house. On behalf of all members of Tralee Golf Club we thank our staff for their diligence
and commitment making our course the best it can be.
Course Management Team
ger gorman
Assistant Course Manager
Ger is from Lisselton, Co Kerry. He started in Turf Management
in 2006 as a seasonal Green Keeper at Ballybunion Golf Club. In
2012 he qualified as a Quantity Surveyor from Limerick Institute
of Technology. In 2014 he qualified in Sports Turf Management
from Colaiste Stiofan Naofa in Cork. He joined Atlantic Golf
Construction during construction works at Ballybunion Golf Club
for two years. He then moved to Trump International Doonbeg
becoming Spray Technician in July 2015. He held this post for
nearly 3 years with other greenkeeping responsibilities until joining
Tralee Golf Club in March this year as Assistant Course Manager.
He is a member of Ballybunion Golf Club and plays golf regularly.
His other interests include playing football for Beale and following
Munster and Irish rugby. We wish him well in his new role and we
look forward to working with him.

Tralee Golf Club Newsletter 2018
The Coastal Protection
Works for 2018
Greame Webster
Course Architect
To be selected for this project at Tralee Golf Club is undoubtedly
one of the proudest moments of my career, I am truly delighted
to be entrusted with the five-year master plan of proposed
improvements and upgrades to this magnificent links. I am in no
doubt about the legacy I inherit, that of a course designed by the
legendary Arnold Palmer and the weight of expectation from the
membership is a responsibility I have front of mind.
Having grown up playing links golf, I have a particular affinity
with the shot making required to successfully navigate the in
built vagaries and unique challenges of this type of terrain.
Links courses have been a huge influence on my golf course
design philosophy, I like to work with nature and incorporate
what the land offers rather than move huge mounds of earth,
the courses I’ve designed and built are testament to this, “light
touch” approach.
The approach we intend to adopt for this five-year master plan
will be very consultative. Working with your Chairman and his
committee’s, the green keeping team and various other
representative groups from across the membership, we intend
to do a lot of listening and talking before putting pen to paper or
shovel to earth. Only by truly understanding what you are looking
for and being ever respectful of the individual identity of this great
links can we make changes and adjustments that will improve
the playing experience for decades to come.
I mentioned the green keeping staff in particular, as I know they
always have huge insights to offer about the course they nurture
on a day-to-day basis. I know this at a personal level as following
my playing career that saw me compete as a top flight amateur,
I chose that path to satisfy my ambition to stay close to the game.
As I transitioned to course construction and then to design the
task of easing the burden of course maintenance has been a vital
part of my design work.
It is our intention to work hard at the communication with you
the members. As will become evident, I am very hands on with
my projects, the members of Ballybunion will testify to that.
Through my frequent visits to that project over the last four years
I’ve made lifelong friends and developed a deep affection for the
west coast of Ireland and very much look forward to meeting the
members of Tralee Golf Club.
Financial Update
All of the key metrics indicate that we can expect another strong
financial performance in 2018 building on the positive results of
2017.
Green Fee’s
Bookings to date are very encouraging with number of rounds
booked to date marginally ahead of last year. We are confident
that our budgeted green fee income of €2m will be achieved.
Operating Surplus
Underpinned by our strong Green Fee performance and careful
management of our Operating Costs to ensure they remain
within budget parameters we can expect an enhanced result for
2018. Our Operating Surplus (before Depreciation charge) is on
track for the budget figure of €900k (2017 €794k).
Coastal Protection
Over the winter 2017/18 we commenced coastal protection
works to the rock cliff face at the 2nd fairway. The protection
was designed to ensure the power of the waves was dissipated
to avoid any further damage to the grasses at the top of rock
cliff face. It is hoped that in the long term that grasses will
grow in the rocks as they did on the back nine holes. We are
in discussion with Kerry County Council regarding completion
of rock protection and the next phase as described at AGM
March 2018. This work is essential to the future protection and
development of our wonderful course.
Clubhouse
A Sub Committee has been set up to review the current and
future requirements of our Clubhouse with a report due to be
presented to the Management Committee in July.
Clock Tower
It has emerged that a major refurbishment job is required to
bring our Clock back to former glory. The exposure to extreme
weather has caused extensive damage to the dials, broken
hands and badly faded the Roman numerals. A specialist
company has reviewed the work required and is sourcing the
parts and this job will be completed in the near future.
Capital Projects
Par 3 and Driving Range:
This project which is in the process of being completed will come
in within budget at a total cost of c.€1.1m. Members are already
availing of our excellent practice and tuition facility and the
opening of the Par3 facility will further enhance the “member
experience” in our club.
Other Projects:
Other projects being looked at such as Clubhouse, Course
Maintenance Compound and Golf Course Upgrade which were
referenced at the recent AGM are at various stages of plan
preparation before being presented to the members for
consideration in the back half of the year.

Tralee Golf Club Newsletter 2018
Men’s Golf
• The Spring League was a success and 23 teams entered.
• We have completed 4 Master Classics up to 12th May
• We have again seen increases in all Matcplay competitions
• We are working closely with the Ladies Golf Committee
on the following:
• Open timesheet in all competitions where possible
• Using the TV/Monitor in reception to improve communication
• Increased the use of Social Media to :
• Communicate with members
• Raise the profile of our Sponsors
• Sell the Open Days.
• The Open Days are very successful this year and the Golf
Classic designation is helping this.
• Our teams have made a promising start especially JB Carr
and also the Federation Intermediate team.
The increased uptake in all matchplay competitions is a response to
prompting by Mens Committee members. At Mens Committee we
believe this is significant information. We will decide how to maximise
as we go forward. We are confident that more can be achieved. We have
made significant progress with ‘Ready Golf’. Providing Pace Of Play
summary on a regular basis is key to this. We believe that members will
continue to respond. The new club App has been launched and feedback
thus far is good.
Ladies Golf
Captain Margaret O’Shea
• Despite the poor spring weather participation in our weekly
competitions has been high.
• Our Spring League was well supported and members had
some valuable match-play practice for the competitive
season ahead.
• Interclub competitions commenced in April and 3 of our
teams involved in the Singles Categories have advance to
the third rounds of ILGU competitions and our Fourball team
are through to the second round of the Revive Active event.
• Our Open Day event sponsored by The Rose Hotel was a
success with visitors from over 20 clubs participating. We
received many well deserved compliments on our course.
• The Ladies Get into Golf has resumed for Year 2 of the
programme. The participants are to receive golf lessons and
Tokens for the Driving Range and will move on to the course
for a limited time with a view to progressing to competition
before year end.
The Management Committee at Tralee Golf Club for 2018
Captain: Kevin McCarthy – Men’s Golf
Captain: Margaret O’Shea – Ladies Golf
Chairperson Management: Richard Rafferty
Richard’s Portfolio includes Chair of Course and
bringing the Par 3 development to completion.
Vice Chair of Management: Teddy Reynolds
Teddy’s Portfolio includes Vice Chair of House
and Vice Chair of Finance.
Chair of Communications: Gorretti O’Connor
Gorretti’s Portfolio includes Vice Chair of Course,
Swing, Legal, Constitution and Preparation
for 125 Celebrations in 2021.
Chair of House: Michael O’Connell
Michael’s Portfolio includes Coastal Erosion,
Course Compound and Driving Bays.
Chair of Finance: Kieran O’Callaghan
Kieran’s Portfolio includes co-ordinating
TGC 5 year development plan.
Attendees at Management Committee
Vice-Captain: John O’Brien - Men’s Golf
Vice-Captain: Fionnuala Mann - Ladies Golf
General Manager: Anthony Byrne.
Tralee Golf Club, West Barrow, Ardfert, Tralee, Co.Kerry | Tel: +353 (0)66 713-6379 | Fax: +353 (0)66 713-6008 | Email: info@traleegolfclub.com