Captains' Update - Sunday 7th June

Dear Members,
As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, we would like to update you on plans for the Club in the coming weeks. 

The past few months have been extremely challenging for the Club financially and whilst a number of golf clubs in the country have been forced to close, Dunfanaghy will survive due, in no small part, to the loyalty of its membership. We are particularly grateful to those life and overseas life members who have made additional contributions this year. 

During lockdown the committees have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure the viability of the Club. Marketing has been at the forefront and we are delighted to welcome fifty new members who have joined in recent weeks.

From Monday 8th June we enter Phase 2 of the GUI / ILGU protocol. Fourballs will be permissible, spaced at 14 minute intervals. Members can sign in guests. We would ask that guests’ green-fees are paid in advance at the time of booking by ringing Mary at the club. 


We remind members that players' names, including guests, MUST be entered on BRS for the purposes of contact tracing should a player contract Covid 19. “Guest playing with……” is not acceptable.


Competition golf will not resume until 29th June. A revised fixture list will follow in due course. Until then, for those of you fortunate enough to reside within 20km, enjoy your golf. The “rules” on the course remain the same:

• social distancing of 2m
• do not touch the flag stick
• bunkers are in play without rakes: lift, clean and place within 6” in the bunker and please smooth over the sand with your shoe or club after play.

We must all continue to abide by the protocols produced by the GUI / ILGU. They are there for the safety of all.


It is very likely that social distancing will remain with us for many months to come. Given the relatively confined space within the clubhouse, particularly in the Vardon Lounge, large gatherings will not be possible when the clubhouse re-opens. It is therefore with much regret that our two committees have agreed not to proceed with Lady President's day, President’s day or our combined Captains’ day this year. However, the Caravanners’ Classic will proceed at the end of August and our Club Classic, normally played in May, will be replaced by a classic at the end of Open week.


Open week this year will run over eight days from Sunday 26th July to Sunday 2nd August. We are very grateful to our sponsors for their support. Details of Open week will be provided in the near future.


Those members who have been fortunate enough to play the links recently will undoubtedly have been impressed by the new tee box signage. The rest of us have had to rely on images on the website and Facebook. We are extremely grateful to our tee-box sponsors for their generosity to the Club.


The bar and restaurant trade has been particularly badly hit by the Covid pandemic. We do not envisage a return to normal service in the Vardon Lounge any time soon. However we are looking to alternative and innovative ways to cater for golfers before and after their rounds. Next week “Brewbox”, run by David Rainey, will provide teas, coffees and snacks from his mobile unit beside the clubhouse. Whilst this is independent of the Club, we hope that you will give Brewbox your support. 


Please continue to be safe - the virus has not gone away. We look forward to joining you on the links at the end of the month.


with kind regards
Bill & Paula
Captain & Lady Captain