Ladies’ Club
A Message From Our Captain
I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all for a wonderful golfing year in 2025
It is both an honour and privilege for me to be Captain of Dooks Ladies Club in 2025. I sincerely appreciate the warm wishes and support I have received from you all . I look forward to working with my committee on behalf of all our lady members and making some wonderful memories along the way.
Our club prides itself on its rich history, stunning location and the warm welcoming and friendly atmosphere of our club. I look forward to working with President Eileen and Captain Damien in upholding the values of camaraderie , sportsmanship and passion and enjoyment of the game that we hold dear.
The success of our club would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of our manager and staff, committees, sub-committees, trustees and many volunteers. I extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your time and commitment .
I wish all our teams every success in representing Dooks Golf Club this year and encourage members to support them, both at home and away. I thank our Team Managers for their dedicated support and here’s hoping that 2025 will bring success and a much-coveted green pennant.
Our calendar for the year is filled with a variety of golfing events – competitions, scrambles, social gatherings, and opportunities to come together as members. I encourage everyone to participate and to continue enjoying and supporting the excellent facilities we have in Dooks Golf Club. Your ongoing support for competitions, events, and gatherings will be greatly appreciated.
We are immensely grateful to our sponsors and I would like to thank them for their loyalty and continued support and I encourage members to show their support and appreciation in return by supporting them whenever possible.
We have a vibrant Junior section in our club under the leadership of Joan and her committee who do tremendous work. I thank them and wish out Junior Captains Adam and Brook a wonderful year.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our visitors to Dooks and hope you enjoy our magnificent links course, wonderfully maintained by our Head Green Keeper Michael and his excellent team of ground staff which offers a great golfing challenge to golfers of all abilities.
Our Ladies Club continues to invite new members and any ladies interested in joining will be assured of a warm and friendly welcome in Dooks.
Finally, I wish all our members good health, great company, and many enjoyable rounds of golf throughout 2025
When did you first start playing golf?
I became a member of Dooks Golf Club in 1990 and began playing in 2009 when Rose Cunningham and the committee started a programme called “ the Swallows “ to encourage new ladies to start playing golf. I have been a regular player since then.
What is your favourite course?
Apart from Dooks – Tralee is an amazing course. It is always challenging and interesting with its undulating fairways and punishing rough – a lot of creative shot making and strategic planning and sometimes just good luck is required but you never get bored while playing Tralee. On a fine day it is a stunning setting with its breathtaking views. Playing Tralee is always an unforgettable experience.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the game of golf?
The greatest challenge facing the game of golf today is making the game more accessibility to a younger generation of players and in particular girls and younger women and changing the perception that golf is for a certain demographic of players only. For this to happen I believe there has to be a willingness to engage in creative thinking to make the game more accessible, inclusive and affordable for a new generation of players.
What do you like most about golf?
I love the physical and mental challenge of the game and the fact that it is a game that can be played for life. I love being outdoors and close to nature and visiting different course. Its a game that demands patience and precision and is humbling but it’s great fun and maybe sometimes frustrating but you have to enjoy the process of being on a quest of constantly trying to improve. I love the social interaction of the game meeting new people and making new friends not just by playing but also by being involved on committees and in club activities. Golf for me is a journey and I always look forward with anticipation to the road ahead.
What was your lowest & highest handicap?
My starting handicap was 36 and I now play off 19.1…it’s a work in progress.
Can you remember your best golf shot?
On two occasions I have almost had a hole in one on the 8th and on the 4th in Dooks. When that happens it will be my best shot!
Can you remember your worst golf shot?
I do not have any memories of bad shots! I am a firm believer in the theory of remembering the good shots and forgetting the bad ones and leaving them in the past.
Who is your favourite sportsperson? Why?
Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh is a favourite sportsperson of mine. She played for the Kerry Ladies team for the past 17 years and has won many personal accolades along the way. She is a talented player of exceptional skill and gave her all in every game that she played. She has been an inspiration for many young players over her career. In 2024 after two previous All Ireland defeats she captained the Kerry Ladies to win the coveted All Ireland title and her first All Ireland medal in 2024 ending a 31 year drought for the Kerry Ladies. Imreoir den chéad scoth í – A great player.
What piece of advice would you offer anyone thinking of taking up the game of golf or just starting out?
Invest in good rain gear and find a good PGA-certified instructor and take some lessons. They can help correct any bad habits before they take root and give you personalized feedback that will make your practice sessions much more effective. Listening to different advice on social media platforms only leads to confusion. Do practise regularly as Gary Player once said “ The more I practise the luckier I get”. It’s important to have fun because it’s when you are having fun you play your best golf.
What is your favourite golfing memory?
My favourite golfing memory is a recent one of our exchange trip to Johannesthal golf club in Southwestern Germany. We spent a wonderful weekend in the company of Veronika – our overseas member and the ladies at golf club Johannesthal which is situated in beautiful hilly landscape of Kraichgau overlooking the Black Forest. It was a wonderful weekend staying in the town of Bretten and enjoying the challenge of their wonderful course and visiting the local historical sites and vine yards and wineries and sampling the wine of course in Southern Germany.
Dates to look forward to:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 28th April | Ladies Open Day |
| 4th May | Captain’s weekend away to Castlemartyr |
| 30th June | Ladies Charity Day sponsored by Boyles of Killorglin |
| 3rd October | Ladies Open Day |
| 19th October | Ladies Past Captains |
Ladies’ Captains’s Weekend away to Kinsale County Cork
Challenge Cup Team – Munster Finalists
Play in Pink for Cancer Research
Past Victories
2014
ILGU Junior Cup Munster Champion
2012/2008/2007
Noreen Moore League Champions
2007
Noreen Moore League Champions
2007
ILGU Senior Foursomes Southern District Champions
1997
ILGU Junior League Champion
1991
ILGU Munster Cup Champions
1990
ILGU Minor League Champions
1987
ILGU Minor League Champions
Charity Fundraising by the Ladies’ Club
Down through the years the Dooks Ladies’ Club have raised thousands of euros for many local and national charities.
- Irish Hospice Foundation
- Recovery Haven
- Irish Kidney Association
- The Samaritans
- The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
- Irish Community Air Ambulance
Our club also supports the National Breast Cancer Research Institute through our Play in Pink charity days. ‘Play in Pink’ has been growing nationally raising over €800 ,000 to date with monies going directly to the charity.