Clarke’s Golf Society, pictured, started out in the mid 80s with a group of about 12 customers playing occasionally during the summer months. With each passing year the numbers grew until 1994 when the Society was officially formed with John Coady holding the first captaincy.

Its success has continued with the membership now being capped at 50. This year’s Captain’s Day was held at Royal Tara Golf Club with Stephen Dunne presiding and there were no nerves as he drove off the first tee with 44 members and visitors looking on. The competition was fierce but in the end no-one could better Kenneth McDonnell’s fantastic score of 42 points off a handicap of 13. Stephen Byrne was second with 37 points and Darren Russell a close third on 36 points.

After the day’s golf everyone retired to the 19th to talk about missed putts and wayward drives. The prize-giving followed the meal and great credit should be given to the Captain, Stephen Dunne, and all the sponsors who assembled a range of prizes ensuring that no-one went home empty-handed. Returning to Clarke’s by bus, including sing-song and mandatory pit-stop, everyone agreed a good day was had by all.